Over 15 years of ocean science and conservation online
Swim At Your Own Risk recently ran a story about a new way that Australia is protecting their swimmers from shark attacks. Large sharks are fitted with satellite tags, and when these sharks get close to a beach, it sends a text message to lifeguards patrolling that beach. While I’m thrilled to see a solution that doesn’t involve killing sharks with gill nets, here are five reasons why this is a terrible idea.
Charlie tries his first oyster crab.
Charlie and Josy enjoy some fresh oysters
Charlie experiences some fried okra
Charlie get ready for some roast oysters
Charlie enjoys a beer and fire before the oyster roast
Almost a year ago, we discussed briefly the Krill Surplus Hypothesis. In this model, the removal of large baleen whales created a competitive release for Minke whales, Balaenoptera bonaerensis, exponentially increasing their food supply and and allowing their population to boom. By removing all other krill eating whale from the Antarctic, Minke whales were allowed to thrive, gorging on an endless supply of krill. The flipside to this hypothesis is that now Minke whales have become competitive excluders of other baleen whales, preventing their re-population post-whaling. Minke whale may be preventing the recovery of other whale species.
Read More “The Krill Surplus Hypothesis and the Power of Data” »
Charlie checks out the original recipe for Green Tea Pale. Not sure what Green Tea Pale is? You should be following me on twitter @SFriedScientist
Part 3 of 3 in the series “Get to know your fry-entists”
Many scientists believe that advocacy is not our proper role. They claim that scientists should instead focus on gathering data and solving scientific problems, and should leave advocacy to others. According to some, publicly advocating a position runs the risk of discrediting a scientist, discrediting a discovery and possibly even discrediting science itself. While I respect the opinions and concerns of my peers, I strongly disagree with them. At least with respect to my discipline of shark conservation biology, our worthy goals are doomed to failure without scientist-advocates.
Read More “If you want something done right, do it yourself” »
Charlie surveys the damage from a Southern Fried New Years Eve.
