Now, check this out.
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3/20/09
3/17/09
Fall and Rise of the Right Whale
Today's New York Times science section carries an in-depth look at right whale conservation measures, including a slide show of images and a fantastic map co-created by Aquarium GIS expert Kerry Lagueux detailing whale population density and shipping lane modification:
The article does a good job of stressing the constant challenges facing this species. This season's calving experience in the Southeast is a good example. While there's cause for hope with a record number of calves being born (39 to date), dead calves have also washed up on shore. While there's cause for hope with some amazing disentanglement efforts, there has been a record number of gear entanglements to try and keep with.
This article adds to the much needed media attention to the issue, and hopefully it will help convey the precarious place this species is in and how directly human actions relate to their survival. Fortunately the New York Times isn't alone in covering this issue. The season also saw a NBC Nightly News piece covering disentanglement efforts and Early Warning System measures. Here's that piece:
In between these reports in the big media outlets, you can keep up on the latest Right Whale news from the field by subscribing to the Right Whale Research Team's Aerial Survey blog and the Bay of Fundy Photo ID blog.
The article does a good job of stressing the constant challenges facing this species. This season's calving experience in the Southeast is a good example. While there's cause for hope with a record number of calves being born (39 to date), dead calves have also washed up on shore. While there's cause for hope with some amazing disentanglement efforts, there has been a record number of gear entanglements to try and keep with.
This article adds to the much needed media attention to the issue, and hopefully it will help convey the precarious place this species is in and how directly human actions relate to their survival. Fortunately the New York Times isn't alone in covering this issue. The season also saw a NBC Nightly News piece covering disentanglement efforts and Early Warning System measures. Here's that piece:
In between these reports in the big media outlets, you can keep up on the latest Right Whale news from the field by subscribing to the Right Whale Research Team's Aerial Survey blog and the Bay of Fundy Photo ID blog.
3/13/09
A New Ocean Blog on the Block
Before I worked at the Aquarium, I was a writer/editor for educational publisher Weekly Reader. Before that I was a teacher. And before that I was in school. So I have a lot of respect/sympathy pains for educators and educatees. Now, at the Aquarium, I get to enjoy the best of both worlds with a constant immersion in ocean education. And The New Blue isn't alone with this obsession.
The latest addition to our blogroll is Oceans4Ever, a collaborative effort of 9-year-old Alexa and her mom, national magazine writer Cindy. The pair are charging ahead with some amazing ocean posts gleaned from all over the net.
They've even shared some great content from the Aquarium's blogs, like this post highlighting Mamma Jamma the blind African lungfish.
The latest addition to our blogroll is Oceans4Ever, a collaborative effort of 9-year-old Alexa and her mom, national magazine writer Cindy. The pair are charging ahead with some amazing ocean posts gleaned from all over the net.
They've even shared some great content from the Aquarium's blogs, like this post highlighting Mamma Jamma the blind African lungfish.
3/5/09
Big Octopus. Little box.
It's a perfectly natural and healthy behavior.
It normally happens at night.
Not today!
Get the details and a bunch more photos here.
3/4/09
Like Underwater Filmmaking? Meet the Halls!
This Sunday, IMAX movie goers will have the chance to meet two of the best underwater filmmakers in the world! Howard and Michelle Hall's newest film, "Under the Sea 3D," just recently opened in the Simons IMAX Theatre to great movie reviews from both the Boston Globe and Boston Herald.
This Sunday March 8th at 7 p.m., the Halls will be hosting a special screening of their new movie in the Aquarium's IMAX Theatre. They will introduce the movie and answer questions following the film. This screening is the culminating event to the Boston Sea Rovers weekend long conference. Seats are limited, and space is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Also, be sure to check out the film's web page, with some amazing webisodes about the making of Under the Sea 3D.
Shark Conservation Act Passes House
The U.S. house took an important step in fighting the brutal practice of shark finning yesterday by passing the Shark Conservation Act of 2009. The bill closes some loopholes by making it illegal to remove the fin from a shark at sea. If fishermen want shark fins now they will have to land the whole shark, making the practice less economical and therefore less likely to happen. The bill is pending a vote in the Senate before it can be sent to the White House.
New England Aquarium researchers are involved in several projects relating to elasmobranch stress and bycatch. Preventing the needless deaths of the ocean's dwindling shark populations is essential for the health of ocean habitats.
New England Aquarium researchers are involved in several projects relating to elasmobranch stress and bycatch. Preventing the needless deaths of the ocean's dwindling shark populations is essential for the health of ocean habitats.
Carnival of the Blue 22!
That's right. There's a new Carnival of the Blue up at Malaria, Bedbugs, Sealice and Sunsets. Rick is an extremely gracious host to a treasure trove of ocean news. Head on over!
3/3/09
Fiji Expedition Blog Underway
As my work piles up, the New Blue continues to languish. However there are some amazing blogs up on the Aquarium site. The most recent of which is the Joint Aquarium Fiji Expedition Blog, written by New England Aquarium fish curator Steve Bailey (call him Bailey). Also on the expedition is Dr. Steve Webster from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Image from a shipwreck dive the crew made yesterday.
The ship is the Nasi Yalodina, a medical supply ship that sank in a storm a dozen years ago.
The expedition promises to produce some amazing images of Fijian biodiversity. Not only is the expert photographer Keith Ellenbogen on board, but an engineer from Light & Magic is testing out some new underwater image capture equipment.
So far the shots on the blog are amazing, and they were sent via a tenuous satellite connection! I can't wait to see what kind of amazing photos the crew brings back.
Image from a shipwreck dive the crew made yesterday.
The ship is the Nasi Yalodina, a medical supply ship that sank in a storm a dozen years ago.
The expedition promises to produce some amazing images of Fijian biodiversity. Not only is the expert photographer Keith Ellenbogen on board, but an engineer from Light & Magic is testing out some new underwater image capture equipment.
So far the shots on the blog are amazing, and they were sent via a tenuous satellite connection! I can't wait to see what kind of amazing photos the crew brings back.
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