Ocean Roundup: Lionfish Being Fed to Reef Sharks, New Polymer Could Reduce Shark Bycatch, and More | Oceana
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October 20, 2014

Ocean Roundup: Lionfish Being Fed to Reef Sharks, New Polymer Could Reduce Shark Bycatch, and More

 

– New research shows that deep-sea microbes use vitamin B12 to break down toxic chemicals on the seafloor. Scientists that found microbes using this vitamin reduced the toxicity of dangerous polychlorinated biphenyals (PCBs), dioxins, and other dangerous substances. Forbes

A company that specializes in shark repellants has created a polymer that they say deters sharks from longlines, and will ultimately reduce bycatch. When they placed the polymer inside squid bait, they found there was a 35 percent reduction in shark bycatch over a 16 hour period. Asbury Park Press

– Last week, South African officers uncovered a truckload of more than 3,000 illegally caught spiny lobster tails. South African law prohibits the possession of these animals, so the truck owner was arrested and lobster tails were confiscated. The Huffington Post

The TransCanada Corporation’s proposed Energy East pipeline project has been delayed after environmental groups argued that the exploratory permit didn’t consider the impact on beluga whales. The company submitted a revised plan last week that reduces noise and protects beluga whales in other ways, but is still awaiting approval from the government. The Globe and Mail

Long Read:

In an effort to help control invasive lionfish populations in the Caribbean, one dive shop co-owner is attempting to help reef sharks grow a taste for it. He spears lionfish, and then swims over to a coral reef and holds the spear out for reef sharks to consume. The Washington Post