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Charlie chills out in the moss after a long day of hiking.
Science
Later this week, I’m headed to the land down under to attend Sharks International, a once-a-decade shark science conference. Scientists from six continents and dozens of countries will be presenting their research on sharks, rays, skates, and chimeras. This will be the first time I’ve presented my own research at any scientific conference. I’ll try … Read More “WhySharksMatter is going to Cairns, Australia!” »
Science
At this point we’re running on autopilot a bit. As one of the Georgia students pointed out earlier today, we’ve become incredibly efficient at the protocols, just in time to start heading home tomorrow.
People have also had time to start analyzing their data from the first round of experiments. Interestingly, the phytoplankton community has changed significantly in our little patch of ocean over just the short time we’ve been here. Brian commented “I always assume, incorrectly, that the system will be static throughout the cruise. But it’s not, it’s surprisingly dynamic every year”.
Conservation, Science
New proposed regulations for the red snapper fishery have conservationists celebrating and fishermen marching on Washington, DC in protest. Quota reductions are some of the most extreme and far-reaching I’ve ever come across. A huge area of the ocean (over 10,000 square miles) has been targeted for closure of not just the red snapper fishery… but all “bottom fishing” of the 73 species in the snapper-grouper management complex. According to the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, such severe regulations are necessary because of the degree of overfishing that has been occurring (8 times the sustainable level since 1970). As a result of this overfishing, the stock is also considered to be seriously overfished- the National Marine Fisheries Service estimates that current stocks are 3% of target size. A total area closure is necessary, according to the SAFMC, because even accidental bycatch of red snapper while trying to catch other snapper-grouper complex fishes can seriously impact such a reduced population. Since these fish live in relatively deep water, they often die after being released. Finally, an 87% reduction in red snapper mortality needs to occur over many years (possibly decades) to rebuild stocks. These regulations are in place right now via a process called “the interim rule”, and meetings will take place later this year to determine if they should remain in place.
Because of the controversy surrounding this topic, SAFMC science personnel were unable to be interviewed. However, . Zack Bowen, a charter boat operator from Savannah, Georgia, and Blaine Dickenson, a recreational fishermen and SAFMC advisor, agreed to participate.
Read More “The red snapper controversy: Interviews with fishermen” »
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Charlie chills out on the gate to the Asheville Arboretum.
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Last year our own David Shiffman took home the Strange Quark prize for his epic post The Ecologic Disaster that is Dolphin Safe Tuna. Nominations for this years prize close at midnight tomorrow, so if there’s a Southern Fried Science post you think deserves to be recognized (or a post from any other science blog) … Read More “Nominations open for the 3 Quarks Daily prize in Science” »
Conservation, Science
A few days ago, Governor Linda Lingle of Hawaii signed the recently passed shark fin bill into law. Starting on July 1 of 2011 it will be illegal to possess or sell shark fins within the state of Hawaii. Though this law, the strongest shark protection law in North America, is a huge success, we … Read More “Hawaii shark fin bill signed into law!” »
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Charlie checks out some pitcher plants in the Asheville Arboretum.
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With half a year of 365 days of Darwin pictures behind us, the time has come to select your favorite six from the first six months. At the end of the year, we will produce a calendar of the twelve best Charlie pictures, as selected by the Southern Fried Science readership.
Read More “Choose your favorite Charlie pictures and help support the Beagle Project” »
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Charlie hangs out in a Dawn Redwood at the Asheville Arboretum.