marine life
Newsletter
Scientists find IVF coral better survives marine heatwaves than older coral colonies
Young corals bred with in vitro fertilization and planted on reefs in the Caribbean have shown a remarkable ability to survive record heatwaves, outperforming older, natural coral colonies.
In short:
- A study found that 90% of IVF-bred corals remained healthy during a Caribbean heatwave, while only 25% of older corals survived.
- IVF coral uses increased genetic diversity to adapt better to rising temperatures compared to traditional cloning methods.
- Researchers emphasize the need for climate action, as frequent heatwaves threaten long-term coral survival.
Key quote:
“We need to address the underlying causes of global climate change. But I think it’s important that we’re supplementing coral populations in the meantime, because it might be able to buy us some time.”
— Dr. Margaret Miller, research director, Secore International
Why this matters:
Coral reefs support marine biodiversity and protect coastlines. As climate change intensifies, techniques like coral IVF may help sustain these ecosystems in the short term, but global warming must be addressed for long-term success.
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Credit: Kris-Mikael Krister/Unsplash
Nuclear plant operations under review after sea turtle deaths
Thirteen sea turtles, including endangered species, were found dead in a canal linked to the Brunswick Nuclear Plant, prompting a federal review of the plant's impact on marine life.
In short:
- King tides and high winds damaged screens meant to keep marine life out of the plant's intake canal, leading to the deaths of 13 turtles.
- The plant exceeded its annual limit of "takes," or unintended harm to protected species, which requires a review by federal agencies.
- The plant is enhancing monitoring and protective measures to prevent future incidents.
Key quote:
"This was just an unusual situation. We’ve been operating this plant for almost 50 years and this is the first time in five decades that we’ve had any kind of event like this that have exceeded our limits."
— Karen Williams, Brunswick Nuclear Plant communications manager
Why this matters:
Sea turtles, especially endangered species, play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. The deaths of these turtles indicate potential vulnerabilities in environmental safeguards at nuclear plants, necessitating stricter regulations and improved protective measures.
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Newsletter
Credit: Gerald Schömbs/Unsplash
Ocean upwells from climate change prove fatal for marine life
A new study reveals that the escalation of cold ocean upwellings due to climate change is leading to mass fatalities among marine species, including sharks and rays.
In short:
- Researchers have linked shifts in ocean currents and atmospheric conditions to an increase in deadly cold upwellings, primarily affecting tropical marine species.
- A specific incident off South Africa in 2021 involved a mass die-off of over 260 marine organisms from 81 species, dramatically illustrating the impact of these sudden temperature drops.
- Affected animals, including a tagged bull shark, displayed altered behaviors like swimming closer to the surface and deviating from typical migration routes in failed attempts to escape the cold.
Key quote:
"It was eerie to see so many species washed up dead."
— Ryan Daly, marine biologist
Why this matters:
Altered upwelling patterns may worsen existing stressors on marine ecosystems, such as ocean acidification and hypoxia. These conditions can impair the ability of marine organisms to build shells and skeletons, as well as reduce oxygen availability, further threatening the health and resilience of marine ecosystems.
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Countries are starting to give wild animals legal rights. Here’s why
A growing number of countries are granting legal rights to wildlife to combat the biodiversity crisis.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Protecting marine life also helps people nearby, study says
A study of marine-protected areas off the Central American coast found that people living close to these areas had better food security and greater household wealth.
USFWS - Pacific Region/Flickr/Commercial use & mods allowedhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
LISTEN: The man who discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is still trying to stop ocean pollution
In 1997, Captain Charles Moore first discovered the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” the largest accumulation of plastic waste in the ocean. Since then, scientists have documented how plastic has permanently damaged marine ecosystems and even altered evolution — and the problem has only grown larger.
Photo by Yannis Papanastasopoulos on Unsplash
Life in ocean’s twilight zone ‘could disappear’ amid warming seas
Less food is falling to deep, dimly-lit waters, home to specially adapted marine life – but reducing emissions would stem destruction.
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