‘Beneath the Wave’ film festival seeks submissions

The Beneath the Waves Film Festival is back for its third year and is currently accepting submissions!

This festival is entirely student-run and is held in conjunction with the Benthic Ecology Meeting, a scientific conference. Alexandra Warneke, a student committee member for the festival, states, “the goal is to encourage widespread science communication by inspiring people to tell stories of their science and conservation efforts”. Submissions are welcomed from any ocean enthusiast, from professional filmmakers to students to scientists. The deadline for submissions is February 24, 2012 and the festival will be held in Norfolk, Virginia in March. You do not need to be present at the festival to submit a film. To learn more about the festival and the submission process, please see our website:http://www.beneaththewavesfilmfest.org/

Happy Chinese New Year … Year of the (Sea) Dragon!

Happy Chinese New Year … Year of the (Sea) Dragon!

January 23 will bring a very significant celebration for those that live by the sea … it is the year of the water dragon which only occurs every six decades! To commemorate such an occasion, BCS will highlight two very remarkable and elaborate dragons found off the coast of south and east Australia. The leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) and the weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) are related to the more familiar seahorse and pipefish.

Leafy Seadragon

Although they may share the similar feature of a long snout with the seahorse and pipefish, the seadragon’s appendages coming from their solid, armor-like skin are what really set them apart. The leafy seadragon, often yellowish-green, is much more ornate than the reddish colored weedy seadragon. Although, the weedy seadragon does have some striking bright blue bands along its upper body. Unlike seahorses,  seadragons do not use their tails to grasp onto the seaweeds or algae that they call home. In fact, the seadragons prefer to drift although they can use their transparent dorsal and pectoral fins to help navigate.

Weedy Seadragon

Similar to seahorses, male seadragons do the child bearing. The males have a brood patch under their tails (unlike the seahorse that have a pouch on their belly). The female will lay approximately 250 eggs on the patch at the time of fertilization and the eggs will hatch approximately 6 weeks later. The tiny juvenile seadragons look exactly like their parents but are immediately independent from them. This is their most vulnerable time of life when they may be eaten by various anemones, crabs, or hydroids. But if they avoid these predators and eat plenty of zooplankton the seadragon will grow to be either 14 inches (leafy) or 18 inches (weedy). The adults usually feast on sea lice or mysid shrimp. Of course, that is also if they manage to evade people collecting them for black market aquariums and staying away from areas where there is pollution and habitat loss.

Other interesting facts about seadragons are that their eyes move independently and they have no teeth or stomach!

Resources:

  • http://australian-animals.net/dragon.htm
  • http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/sea-dragon/
  • http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/efc_splash/splash_animals_seadragon.aspx

Project AWARE

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been scientifically proven to provide multiple health benefits, including lowering your risk of various chronic diseases and keeping your body healthy. Making major dietary shifts, on the other hand, can be overwhelming. For starters, changing your diet drastically can be difficult; but people can start with a few tiny changes. It is because things become easy to manage when you start with one thing at a time rather than all of them at once. A regular diet can be made a little bit healthier by including some basic, everyday foods to your meal. Read on these exipure real reviews.

Here’re 5 Healthy Foods To Add To Your Healthy Diet:

1. Berries: 

Berries such as strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, black currants, and blackberries have been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Natural antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as micronutrients like folic acid, selenium, alpha and beta-carotene, and lutein, are all found in them. Berries are abundant in moisture and fibre, while being low in calories. Antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperglycemia, and anti-inflammatory activities are all found in berries. A daily bowl of berries helps to prevent ageing, boost immune health, battle stress and anxiety, regulate body weight, and promote urinary tract health.

2. Yogurt: 

It is one nutritious food that is easily available across the world. Yogurt is high in protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and phosphorus – all of which are important components in the diet. Benefits of yogurt consumption include bone health, weight maintenance and cardio-metabolic disease prevention.  Check these exipure reviews.

Yogurt is the best source of probiotics, in addition to calcium and protein (good live bacteria). Having a proper balance of bacteria in your gut improves digestion, blocks dangerous organisms that can cause infections, and boosts the immune system. Protein in yogurt promotes weight loss and has satiating properties.

3. Drumstick: 

Drumstick or moringa is a trending vegetable in developing countries. It has been used for centuries due to its medicinal properties and health benefits. Moringa leaves are an abundant source of minerals, vitamins, and other essential phytochemicals. Leaf extract has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties. Moringa leaves are rich in iron and zinc, which help treat anemia and the development of sperm cells, respectively.Research states that regular use of drumsticks improves mental alertness, bone strength and improves eyesight. The anti-bacterial properties of moringa prevent cancer, common cough and cold. The laxative properties of moringa help relieve constipation. Learn more about keto x3 healthy benefits.

4. Mangosteen: 

Mangosteen has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antidepressant, antihistamine, analgesic and anti-viral properties. Mangosteen can cure acne, skin blemishes, oily and dry skin. Mangosteen controls levels of triglycerides, regulate heart rate and helps maintain normal blood pressure. The xanthones in mangosteen are naturally occurring plant compounds with anti-inflammatory molecules. This vital trait in mangosteen makes it a remarkable remedy for relieving unbearable body pain due to arthritis, sciatica, and menstrual cramps. Fiber helps regulate appetite, control untimely cravings, promote digestion, and augment energy metabolism. This is how exipure works.

5. Almonds: 

Adding almonds to your diet can help lower blood cholesterol levels. They protect artery walls from damage. It was found that the flavonoids in almond skins work in synergy with vitamin E, thus reducing the risk of heart disease (Research at Tufts University). Almonds contain phosphorus that helps build strong bones and teeth. Almonds contain riboflavin and L-carnitine – nutrients that boost brain activity and may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Research shows that eating almonds along with a high glycemic index food significantly lowers the glycemic index of the meal and lessens the rise in blood sugar after eating.

Sea slug actually anything but a lug

This might sound familiar (since I recently retweeted from @NOAAOceanToday) but there was recently an article discussing the virtues of sea slugs. In particular that they have been used to understand how to maximize the effectiveness of long-term memory in humans.

Also, check out these divers (with the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre in Bamfield, BC) as they witness and explain how the swift nudibrach outsmarts a sunflower seastar. Maybe the sea slug should be renamed sea-spark plug?

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10 ways we’ve been saving the whales

The flukes of a sperm whale as it dives into t...

Image via Wikipedia

I love getting questions from you. This post is in response to one of my favorite people wanting more information on the whaling laws in the United States. This is what I uncovered so far and am more than happy to hear and read comments about what I’ve missed or legislation that’s been updated. This is how exipure works as a healthy supplements.

1. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) made it illegal for anyone living in the US to kill, hunt, injure or harass all species of marine mammals (dolphins, manatees, sea lions, seals, whales), regardless of their population status. Also, it made it illegal for anyone to import marine mammals or products made from them into the United States.

2. In accordance to the MMPA it is illegal to approach a whale in the wild as it can be seen as harassment.

3. Also, since underwater noise (most often military tests using sonar) can be attributed to whale beaching requests for such testing must be made under the MMPA.

4. The Endangered Species Act made it so that it is illegal for anyone living in the US to kill, hunt, collect, injure or harass them. Also, it is illegal to destroy their habitat. Lastly, it is also illegal to buy or sell any whales. All great whales are listed as endangered.

5. The Pelly Amendment stated the US has an obligation to impose import sanctions on the fish products of the countries that violate any international fishery conservation program, such as the International Whaling Convention.

6. The Packwood-Manguson Amendment reduces the fishing rights of the countries that violate international fishery conservation programs in waters of the United States. Check out the Best cbd oil for pets deals.

7. The International Whaling Convention was in 1946 and implemented an indefinite ban on commercial whale. This ban is still in effect, with certain exceptions. Countries such as Japan and Norway have not honored the ban. The International Whaling Commission will be having its annual meeting in Panama this June.

8. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) had its 25th anniversary in 2007 and in the beginning was seen a more rigorous guideline to follow than the duties put forth by the International Whaling Convention of 1946.

9. Gillnet restrictions have been passed making it illegal for anyone using a gillnet to leave it unattended for more than two hours.

10. The US Coast Guard has imposed regulations since whale collisions with ships are a major source of injury and death for many whales. When vessels enter their habitat they must immediately report to a shore-based station to gain a better understanding of their surroundings and learn measure to avoid hitting a whale.

For more information how how to save whales please visit the American Cetacean Society.

Snapple real fact #800: Most lipstick contains fish scales

Yes, that is correct. Not a surprising real fact once you realize the shiny fish scales are used to create that pearl essence look.

The scales are taken as a by product from a relatively large scale commercial fish processing industry of herring. Herring are one of the most abundant and most important fish groups in the world. Herring are not only important to the food web in the ocean but also to the health of many coastal communities. You can get a glimpse of a family fishing for herring in Alaska on the TLC show, “Hook, Line and Sister“. Also, on the Atlantic coast the Herring Alliance is “a coalition of environmental organizations that formed in May 2007 to protect and restore ocean wildlife and ecosystems in the northeast United States, from Virginia to Maine, by reforming the Atlantic herring fishery. We seek to accomplish this mission through public education, advocacy and support of ecosystem-based fisheries management.”

What eats sea urchins? Revisited

Sea UrchinBack in 2008 we brought you some information on what eats sea urchins. After all, it is hard to imagine anything being able to enjoy the spiny echinoderms. Here is an interactive game (you must have Flash) produced by Stanford University that takes it one step further. Try to place which animals and/or plants are eaten by the sea urchin (prey), which animals eat the sea urchin (predator), and which animals and/or plants may not have a relationship with the sea urchin. You see some great similarities of the animals that eat the sea urchin! Come back here and share what you discover after playing the game. Enjoy!

Crocodile Hunter’s dad working to save dugongs

Dugongs, a relative of manatees, are found off the coast of Africa and Australia. Steve Irwin’s dad, Bob, is on a mission for an “immediate moratorium on the hunting of endangered dugongs and sea turtles around the Australian coastline by Indigenous hunters.” Politicians have also been calling for the end to the hunting of dugongs and turtles after the 2004 research of Helene Marsh made a serious impact. All of their efforts, coupled with new findings that dugongs spend more time underwater than previously thought, has led Marsh to be more optimistic about the future of the endangered dugong (Although with the recent depletion of sea grass there is still an uphill battle).

4 fun facts about dugongs:

1. Dugongs are very similar in features to manatees but have a fluked tail.
2. In a group, dugongs are called a herd.
3. A common ‘common name’ for the dugong is the ‘sea cow’ since they enjoy grazing on sea grass.
4. All dugongs grow tusks but they only break the skin and are visible in mature males.

Image (c) flickerriver.com

Best of 2011 from BCS

I hope everyone welcomed the New Year with style and grace! Here is a fun list to recap the “Top 12 most popular posts written by Beach Chair Scientist in 2011”:

1. It’s as easy as A, B, Sea: Weddell Sea
2. Happy as a clam
3. Beach trivia
4. 5 facts about fish farming
5. Basics on renewable energy
6. 13 apps for your day at the beach
7. Blue Sway – Paul McCartney
8. Can you write with a sea pen?
9. The Majestic Plastic Bag – Part IV
10. Linda Thornton, an inspiring aquaculturist on a mission for sustainability
11. How deep is the ocean?
12. 30 reasons to be grateful for the ocean

 

Simple coral bleaching teaching

There are some things that we want to stay white, such as snow and Kris Kringle’s beard. Coral reefs are not one of them. Unfortunately, The Nature Conservancy noted that 2011 was the most extensive coral reef bleaching event for the Florida Reef Tract since 2004. Scientists working on the Florida Keys Reef Resilience Program were not surprised due to the very hot summer of 2011.

What is coral bleaching?

As the National Ocean Service (a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) states, “When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white.” For more information on the symbiotic relationships going on within a coral reef check out this video!

Image (c) wunderground.org