Since the giant kelp is not a plant, it does not have roots. Instead, it obtains all of the necessary nutrients directly from the water and is attached to the rocky bottom by a structure known as a holdfast. Like plants, however, the giant kelp harvests the sun’s energy through photosynthesis and does not feed on other … Read more
This species is able to survive at the equator because of the unique biogeography of the Galapagos Islands. Cold, productive water travels from Antarctica via the Humboldt Current, which flows to this island group. Like many animals near the equator, Galapagos penguins breed year round. Unlike the Antarctic penguins, Galapagos penguins do not need to worry about … Read more
The Caribbean spiny lobster is one of the largest crustaceans on coral reefs and seagrass beds in the Caribbean Sea and adjacent waters and is one of the most valuable fishery resources for every country throughout its range. Along with true crabs, prawns, and other lobsters, the Caribbean spiny lobster is a decapod; it has … Read more
The Caribbean reef octopus is an absolute master of disguise and one of the most intelligent known invertebrates. Individuals of this species can completely change their color from one moment to the next using specialized color cells called chromatophores. In doing so, they often perfectly blend with their surroundings, even when settled on a surface … Read more
Interestingly, though they are enormous, blue whales are not predatory. They filter feed for tiny krill and are totally harmless to people (other than through accidental collisions). This life history strategy is common among several large animals in the ocean, including the whale shark, the basking shark, and the other great whales. Like all whales, blue whales are … Read more
The sturgeons are a very old group of fishes (over 200 million years old) and make up one of the most primitive lineages of bony fishes. Their dinosaur-like bodies match their prehistoric lineage. They are covered with strong bony plates; they have asymmetrical, shark-like tails; and they have barbels off of their long snouts that help … Read more
Western Atlantic bluefin tuna are sleek, torpedo-like fish that can power through the ocean’s depths at over 40 miles per hour. They’re top ocean predators, preying on mackerel, herring, squid, eels, and crustaceans, but they’re also some of the most coveted fish in the world. In fact, western Atlantic bluefin tuna have declined by more than 80 percent … Read more
Today, Oceana, the world’s largest organization focused solely on ocean conservation, announced its new chairman, Simon Sidamon-Eristoff of Washington, D.C. and other new officers for its board of directors, the organization’s governing body. Comprised of 19 leaders in business, academia, philanthropy and the arts, Oceana’s board of directors has played a key role in the … Read more
WASHINGTON – Today, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) finalized new regulations aimed at bringing back healthy populations of the iconic western Atlantic bluefin tuna population. Currently, Atlantic bluefin tuna are caught as bycatch by longline fishermen targeting swordfish all along the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico, and populations have plummeted more than 80 … Read more
Today, SkyTruth, Oceana and Google announced Global Fishing Watch, a big data technology platform that leverages satellite data to create the first global view of commercial fishing. On November 14, 2014, a prototype was unveiled at the 2014 IUCN World Parks Congress in Sydney, Australia, with a public release version in development. Global … Read more
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We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.