Over 15 years of ocean science and conservation online
If you ever find yourself pulling in a hand-deployed longline in murky water and the line gets heavy all of a sudden, the best thing to do is not to get on your knees and pull as hard as you can while leaning slightly overboard. Even though you might think the line is merely caught … Read More “Thoughts on an “oopsie”” »
A University of Miami research team that included my friend Austin (seen here posing with Charlie) recently had a CNN team tag along on a shark tagging cruise. There is also an article on CNN.com, which can be found here ~WhySharksMatter
Charlie helps WhySharksMatter measure two Atlantic sharpnose sharks by using himself for scale. Atlantic sharpnose sharks are by far the most common species that the SCDNR shark survey finds, and these males are almost full grown. SSV Robert C. Seamans
The extent of migration among populations drives population structure. With enough migration, populations become homogeneous and behave as a single larger population. As migration rates decrease, populations drift apart and become differentiated. By measuring the amount of differentiation, we can determine the extent of migration between them. But what happens when there are unsampled populations also exchanging migrants?
Charlie helps WhySharksMatter measure a pregnant bonnethead shark by using himself for scale. This bonnethead is fully grown.
An awesome short introduction to how celestial navigation works. Hat tip: @SEA_Cramer (which happens to be my very favorite tall ship) ~Southern Fried Scientist
Welcome to the 33rd Edition of Scientia Pro Publica. Food – Input and Output The Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog asks “Why are there no perennial grain crops?” Meanwhile, on the consumption side of agriculture, Akshatrathi looks into the details of molecular gastronomy. Finally, The Rational Conservationist looks at revolutionary techniques in hazardous waste mitigation. I need … Read More “Scientia Pro Publica 33” »
Over Memorial Day weekend, Animal Planet aired a marathon of it’s new hit show “River Monsters”. The show focuses on self-described “biologist and extreme angler” Jeremy Wade’s attempt to find some of the largest freshwater fish on Earth. I’ve heard good things about the show in the past but had never seen it before. After discovering that there were two episodes that dealt with bull sharks, and I immediately DVR-ed them to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I was absolutely shocked at what I heard Jeremy Wade say about sharks:
“In 2002, ocean explorer Gale Mead was the first person to see and film the profusion of life 200 feet down on Salt Dome Seamount — just 16 miles from where the BP oil well is now gushing out of control. Mead (daughter of oceanographer Sylvia Earle) describes the corals and fish she saw and … Read More “Off The Deep End – Oil From the BP Well Threatens Life on a Nearby Seamount” »