A new study of the effect on marine life of seismic air guns, used in geological surveys of the seafloor, has discovered that the sensory organs and righting reflexes of rock lobster can be damaged by exposure to air gun signals. The damage was taking place at the time of exposure and remained for at least one year, even after the exposed lobsters moulted.
One of the biggest challenges that the global marine research is currently facing is the lack of knowledge. In comparison to the innovation and research that takes place on land, data-driven marine research is far behind. The fact is that there are several smaller data initiatives and platforms in the world today, but not an all-encompassing platform combining it all. The Ocean Data Platform is an initiative aiming to change this.
The Coast Guard reported that three vessels sunk on the Illinois River near Hardin, Illinois, Sunday, July 7. According to the coastguard’s statement, the sinking boats were holding about 4,850 gallons of diesel and oil.
The Swedish company Le Cord launched a collection of Apple-certified charging cables, for specifically iPhones, which were made from ghost fishing nets. According to the company, these are the world’s only Apple MFI certified charge and sync cable made of recycled ocean fishing net plastics.
According to Guardian, a second major oil spill occurred in the Solomon Islands bay turning the sea water red; The affected area is the same where Solomon Trader ran aground due to unexpected gale at Kangava Bay, Rennell Island, on 4 February, causing an environmental disaster.
The Ocean Observing System report card that provides insight into the status of the global ocean observing system. Since the nations need that action has to be taken to tackle climate change, the report highlights the importance of sustained ocean monitoring.
According to the Canadian Government, the Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, issued a statement based on unfortunate deaths of many North Atlantic right whales in Canadian waters; Because of this, he implemented a precautionary speed restriction of 10 knots, for vessels of 20 metres and more, that sail in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in the two designated shipping lanes north and south of Anticosti Island.
The 180-foot long cargo freighter ‘Voici Bernadette’ was sunk as an artificial reef about 11 miles southeast of the Fort Pierce Inlet, Florida. The US Customs and Border Patrol donated the freighter to St. Lucie County, after seizing it for smuggling cocaine into Miami from Haiti.
A series of modular steel and concrete pods have been installed underwater around the Sydney Opera House to test the marine biodiversity improvement value of artificial structures. The initiative is a result of a three-year partnership between UTS, the Sydney Opera House and the NSW Government.
The UK Government created 41 new marine conservation zones (MCZs) one week ahead of World Oceans Day. The new zones will be added to the existent ones, reaching the overall 91 zones, and covering roughly 32,000 square kilometres.
