Researchers are using California horn snails as a 'data logger' to monitor trematode populations and infer predator-prey relationships in wetland ecosystems. The study found that higher parasite counts were associated with more bird species, indicating the effectiveness of this method for assessing biodiversity.
Researchers have isolated a new antimicrobial peptide from the American oyster, which may help protect against bacterial pathogens causing food-borne illnesses. The discovery could aid in developing tests to monitor oyster health and improve disease-resistant oyster populations.
Sea Grant's media relations office is closing its National Press Building Office and suspending operations due to restructuring. Meanwhile, NOAA's Public Affairs Officer, Ben Sherman, is assuming the role of Public Affairs Officer for NOAA's National Ocean Service.
Researchers are studying the efficacy of bovine growth hormone in tilapia aquaculture and developing methods for its treatment. Additionally, computer models predict physical impacts of offshore dredging on coastal beaches, and a new publication from Delaware Sea Grant examines port security measures.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully produced all-female cultured stocks of Southern flounder using controlled-breeding methods and warm water temperature manipulation. This method has significant economic potential, as female flounder can grow up to two times larger than males within two years.
Otter populations are declining due to parasite infections, with 60% of dead otters infected. The parasite is spread through storm drains and creeks, affecting water quality. Invasive fish like ruffe and gobies also pressure yellow perch in Lake Michigan, depleting resources for sport fishing.
The US government has signed a bill to curb the introduction of unwanted aquatic organisms in ballast water. A template for national wetland restoration efforts is also being promoted, following Oregon's success in saving native salmon runs. Ozone treatment and biocide methods are being explored as cost-effective solutions.
Scientists are using species profiling to help prevent invasive fish introductions into the Great Lakes and other waterways. A new method has been discovered to detect skin diseases in fish using a fluorescent dye.
Researchers studying walleye fish in Minnesota waterways find high levels of estrogenic chemicals, linked to reproductive changes. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico aquaculture projects test new offshore cages to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable fisheries.
Researchers tested clay to treat harmful algal blooms (HABs), removing 80-90% of toxins in laboratory experiments. The study also found Pfiestera piscicida, a bacterium affecting fish, may be widespread in oceans and sea bass.
Research by Thomas Chen at the University of Connecticut has shown that a new growth hormone treatment can increase fish size by up to 600 percent. The treatment involves using a synthetic peptide to stimulate growth, with potential applications in reducing feed costs and increasing fish yields.
A new test for cyanobacteria toxins in freshwater systems could simplify testing, but results show the survival probability of female northern right whales is declining. The model suggests that preventing two female deaths per year could prevent extinction by 2202, with only about 300 northern right whales remaining.
Researchers tested the effectiveness of an electric barrier in preventing Asian carp from passing through a simulated barrier near Romeoville, Illinois. The study found that only one fish out of 381 attempts successfully passed through the barrier, and smaller fish were less susceptible to the electric current.
A team of researchers, government agencies, and private companies test a sustainable, environmentally friendly open ocean aquaculture industry in the Gulf of Mexico. The project utilizes innovative technologies, such as a single-point mooring system and automated innovations like a remote camera and satellite tracking system.
Researchers from NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program explore the impact of selective fishing on fish populations and develop acoustic sensing methods to improve hurricane predictions. Tsunami forecasting also receives attention with a model specifically designed for Hawaii's unique terrain.
Researchers found that selective fishing practices can lead to dramatic changes in fish size, affecting growth rates and productivity. They propose rethinking minimum size restrictions and establishing no-take reserves to manage fisheries sustainably.
Great Lakes rip currents can be deadly, but knowing how to identify them and escape is crucial. Longshore currents flow along the shoreline, while rip currents flow perpendicular to it; always swim perpendicular to the current. Cold water multiplies danger, so take necessary precautions when swimming in cold water.
The study aims to optimize planned control of the parasitic fish that have had a devastating impact on native fish populations in Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes. Anglers will be asked to collect marked sea lampreys from their catches, providing valuable data for researchers.
Researchers have discovered high levels of mercury contamination in the Still River and Housatonic River in Danbury, Connecticut, threatening human health through seafood consumption. A 'jubilee' phenomenon has also been recorded in Mobile Bay, Alabama, where abundant seafood is harvested during specific conditions.
A common soil bacterium produces a toxin that kills zebra mussels, causing major problems in water-dependent infrastructure. Preliminary tests indicate the microbe does not harm other species, paving the way for commercialization and potential use as an eco-friendly control agent.
Researchers are enhancing genetically altered algae to maximize its ability to pick up trace metals in Lake Erie, a potential game-changer for Great Lakes bio-remediation. Meanwhile, efforts to eradicate invasive Spartina anglica in Puget Sound aim to support native birds and the seafood industry.
A California-funded Sea Grant survey banned the sale of Caulerpa taxifolia, a fast-growing tropical seaweed, due to its invasive nature. Meanwhile, researchers used DNA technology to identify E. coli sources, tracing human and animal fecal pollution in Lake Michigan.
Scientists discover ozone reduces common spoilage bacteria in seafood processing facilities, extending shelf life. Researchers also study hurricane-resistant retrofits on damaged houses to reduce storm damage.
The proposed regulations would result in a direct loss of $13.5 million annually and another $4.4 million in economic activity, leading to 459 job losses in the processing industry. Dorchester County on Maryland's Eastern Shore would be hardest hit, absorbing over 75% of the industry's direct losses.
Researchers from North Carolina State University isolated a new peptide antibiotic from hybrid striped bass mast cells, which could fight important bacterial pathogens in both fish and mammals.
A Sea Grant study found no Asian or North American lung flukes in over 800 Chinese mitten crabs collected in the San Francisco Bay. The crabs were analyzed alongside more than 400 crayfish, all of which were also free of the parasites.
Researchers are testing new advanced weather technology to monitor rainfall in watershed basins as small as one square kilometer. The technology will provide more precise and accurate flood and flash flood warnings, helping emergency management officials prepare for events.
Invasive round gobies are interfering with mottled sculpin spawning in the Great Lakes, potentially affecting yellow perch populations. The study suggests that removing larger rocks from prime spawning sites or creating artificial shelters for sculpins could minimize goby breeding and encourage sculpin reproduction.
Urban sprawl is expected to expand by 46% in coastal metropolitan regions by 2025, consuming 5.8 million acres of land, according to a study. The growth is driven by population increase and advances in transportation technology, which has allowed people to demand semi-rural locations with reasonable commute times.
Researchers found high concentrations of discharged microbes in ballast water from ships arriving at Chesapeake Bay ports. The study highlights the need for greater concern about biological invasions and emergent diseases, as non-indigenous microorganisms can cause significant ecological and disease processes.
A study by Alaskan and Canadian researchers found that climate change and commercial fishing negatively affect sockeye salmon runs in Alaska. The research used nitrogen isotope analysis to track salmon populations over 300 years, revealing a link between climate shifts and changes in salmon abundance.
Researchers are surveying and identifying underwater wreckage off Utah and Omaha beaches in search of missing WWII soldiers. They've already found six to eight Sherman tanks and over two dozen wrecks.
The NY & CT Sea Grant programs are awarding $3.5 million in federal and state funds to researchers studying the causes of mortality and shell disease syndrome in Long Island Sound lobsters. The project aims to provide evidence for potential causes of the 1999-2000 lobster mortalities.
Researchers found that zebra mussels stimulate bacterial production and increase numbers in sediment, but have a minor impact on the microbenthic community. The study suggests that zebra mussels may not disrupt normal processes of the microbenthic community.
A three-year study found no evidence of toxic substances from Pfiesteria in seafood. Researchers sampled edible tissues from various fish species and discovered that only menhaden were affected, with open sores being the primary cause.
Researchers found that injured ruffe emit a potent, repugnant odor when in contact with other ruffe, which significantly suppresses their swimming and feeding activities. This cue has potential for managing the invasive species, but its effectiveness remains to be determined.
The Spotted Jellyfish, native to Australian coastal waters, have invaded the northern Gulf of Mexico causing concern over their potential threat to the region's ecosystems and commercial fisheries. The jellies' feeding habits and survival capabilities in the Gulf waters are being investigated by researchers.
The National Sea Grant College Program has released a 70-page guide to salmon issues in the Pacific Northwest, providing basic resources for news media covering the salmon management debate. The guide lists Sea Grant-funded researchers, contact information for agencies and organizations, and web-based resources.
Recent dinoflagellate blooms in the Chesapeake Bay have caused significant fish kills, with some species known to be highly toxic. The phantom dinoflagellate, Pfiesteria piscicida, has been identified as a potential threat to both human and aquatic health.
Researchers discover native weevil that targets Eurasian watermilfoil, slowing growth and potentially providing a natural control method. The weevil lays eggs on the plant's tips, which hatch and eat their way through the stem, reducing milfoil's spread.
Human activities have significantly altered global nitrogen cycling patterns, leading to massive changes in the past 50 years. The primary sources of nitrogen pollution are agricultural and atmospheric deposition, which dominate river and estuary inputs.
Sea Grant researchers are exploring various strategies to mitigate shipworm damage, a significant threat to marine ecosystems. The study aims to develop effective methods for reducing this type of damage and promoting sustainable coastal management.
Thrive estuarine habitats can absorb and reduce toxic chemicals' effects on aquatic creatures, according to South Carolina Sea Grant ecotoxologist Thomas Chandler. Chlorpyrifos, a common insecticide, is less harmful in natural environments due to water dilution and biological breakdown.
Dr. Ron Siebeling is researching ways to eliminate salmonella among pet turtle populations, which could lead to their revival in the US market. His work may also help scientists develop new methods for dealing with other bacterial infections that harm poultry and livestock.