The ocean economy is noted as the seventh-largest economy in the world and is valued at $24 trillion. Unfortunately, this economic powerhouse is on a rapid decline. This week, the World Wildlife Fund published the report entitled Reviving the Oceans Economy: The Case for Action-2015 to discuss how critical this economy is to the future of humanity. Seventy percent of the ocean’s value relies on its continued health. The report discusses the ocean’s assets, importance of the ocean to human well-being, and actions to help recover. To read the full WWF report click here…
A few months ago we heard the new CEO of the Discover Channel, Rick Ross, pledge to discontinue fake documentaries and shows on the channel. As the 2015 Shark Week approaches, we are interested to see what footage the channel selects to showcase real lives of sharks. Take a look at the promotions that were just released! Watch here…
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been investigating the abduction of a ten month old sea lion pup. On Sunday morning four people took the pup off of the Dockweiler State Beach after taunting the animal. The Los Angeles Police Department is offering a $5,000 reward for an information that leads to the arrest of the thieves. The sea lion is a protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Read more…
5. Rare Oarfish Washes Up on Marsh
6. Japanese Zoo Association Suspended
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has suspended the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) after uncovering its involvement in dolphin hunts in Taiji. As told in the documentary The Cove, Japanese aquariums have taken dolphins from the hunts. Over the last five years more than 5,000 dolphins have been killed at Taiji and 750 captured for aquariums. Read more…
7. Sea Turtle Photobombs Picture in the Philippines
Surprise! Look at that “Shelfie” on the right. While on Apo Island in the Philippines, a group of snorkellers took a photo and had a surprising photobomb from a green sea turtle. The area is actually a community-managed marine protected area and serves as a feeding ground for these turtles. What an amazing and hilarious shot! Read more…
Over the last few weeks, around a billion Velella velella, purple jellyfish relatives, have been found washed ashore on the West coast. These animals normally float in the open ocean and ride the wind and currents. As a result of the wind direction changes, the Velella have been sent to shore. For the last 6 weeks, scientists have been finding these animals all along the Oregon, Washington, and now California coasts. Read more…
9. Thawing Permafrost Feeds Climate Change
Robert Spencer, Assistant Professor of Oceanography at Florida State University, published a report in Geophysical Research Letters that supported the hypothesis that carbon held in permafrost is being transferred to the atmosphere. As the permafrost soil thaws, carbon is released and utilized by microbes. The microbes then release it back to the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. Spencer’s team studied the thawing permafrost in Siberia for two years. Read more…
Sea Save Foundation is committed to raising awareness of marine conservation. The Week in Review is a team effort produced by the Sea Save staff to provide a weekly summary of the latest in marine research, policy, and news.