Southern Fried Science

Bluefin Tuna, Big Game Hunters, and the Conservation Vortex

November 29, 2011December 9, 2011 Andrew Thaler 4 Comments

Why are we still killing Bluefin Tuna? This question has resonated through the ocean blogosphere recently, as various experts weigh the issues surrounding overfishing and wonder why, when we know how limited the Bluefin Tuna populations are, and how precipitously they’ve declined in the last decade, do they demand record-breaking prices able to support an industry that must range further afield to chase that last, lonely fish? Other conservation writers discuss the recent extinction of not one, but two, rhinoceros species and ponder the fate of large terrestrial mammals. Knowing how rare these rhinoceroses were, why did they continue to be poached? Where does this demand come from?

There’s still time to vote for me to win $10,000 for shark conservation research!

November 28, 2011December 9, 2011 David Shiffman 1 Comment

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There are still a few days left to vote for me to win the 2011 blogging scholarship, which provides $10,000 towards research and education expenses to the winner! If I win, some of the money will be used to support shark conservation research at my lab. It will help support our citizen science program, which … Read More “There’s still time to vote for me to win $10,000 for shark conservation research!” »

For lack of a suitably embarrassing picture this morning…

November 28, 2011December 9, 2011 Andrew Thaler 1 Comment

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…here’s David bowling. Go! Vote! Shiffman! Shiffman! Shiffman!

Wording Matters: Conservation vs. Preservation

November 27, 2011December 9, 2011 Bluegrass Blue Crab 2 Comments

Conservation

In a world where words like sustainability are used in many contexts with widely varying meanings, we forget that the environmental community was once very choosy in its wording. Terms have specific meanings such that a single word can communicate a philosophy and accompanying ethics. Conservation and preservation are two such terms. The first denotes an effort to sustain a space or resource for perpetual use. Preservation denotes a fortress-like approach to nature, walling off human influence in order to maintain pristine “wilderness”. The terms are linked to big figures in American history, each of whom established a land ethic according to their philosophy now codified in US law.

Do richer nations pollute less? An evaluation of the Kuznets curve

November 27, 2011December 9, 2011 David Shiffman 2 Comments

Conservation

We’ve often heard that “the solution to pollution is dilution”, but according to one theory, the best way to reduce pollution in the first place may be to encourage economic growth. This is best modeled by a simple theoretical figure called a “Kuznets Curve”. According to the Kuznets curve, extremely poor nations pollute relatively little, partially because they lack the technology and resources for large-scale industry. Moderately wealthy nations have the technology for large-scale industry, but not the resources for pollution-reduction measures. The wealthiest nations are able to create large-scale industry and can also afford to purchase pollution reduction technology for their industries (or alternative industries entirely).

A simple Kuznets curve (credit: David Shiffman)

Are Neutrinos really faster than light? Irish folk rock parody band weighs in.

November 27, 2011December 9, 2011 Andrew Thaler

Popular Culture, Science

From the same people who brought us the eminently catchy “There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama.” Quoth Ger Corrigan “for the moment we are backing Albert and his theory, I’m no Einstein but he was.” The Neutrino Song: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpMY84T8WY0

A traumatic lead

November 27, 2011December 9, 2011 Andrew Thaler 8 Comments

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David Shiffman remains in the lead for the 2011 Blogging Scholarship, but there’s been a shake-up over the last few days and a new challenger is climbing the ranks. Let’s make sure this upstart doesn’t climb much higher.

An homage to greatness.

November 26, 2011December 9, 2011 Andrew Thaler 2 Comments

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There are many faiths in the world, but the one truest and purest is David Shiffman’s faith in me. Yes, that is a shrine to the Southern Fried Scientist that David is kneeling before. The offering appears to be of the magnetic marine creature variety. I too am filled with faith, faith that our own … Read More “An homage to greatness.” »

Giant manta rays protected by Convention on Migratory Species

November 25, 2011December 9, 2011 David Shiffman 6 Comments

Conservation, Science

A few weeks after they were listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, giant manta rays (Manta birostris) have received major international legal protection. The Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) just agreed to list giant mantas on Appendix 1 and II of CMS at their tri-annual meeting in … Read More “Giant manta rays protected by Convention on Migratory Species” »

What is seen cannot be unseen.

November 25, 2011December 9, 2011 Andrew Thaler 4 Comments

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I extracted this picture from David Shiffman’s Facebook page, so I really don’t have any context for you. Please post your own captions and backstory in the comment thread. And don’t forget to Vote for David!