Category: Ocean Wise

Ecosystems and Biodiversity Salmon, sharks, and cod are suffering cognitive problems and disorientation from high carbon dioxide levels. Gases like this dissolve better in colder, deeper waters. The problem is particularly severe in northern estuarine waters, where fertilizer run-off has lowered oxygen levels. Via Phys.org Crawfish, more commonly known as swamp crayfish, have spread from … Continued

Ecosystems and Biodiversity Seagrass beds play a vital role in biodiversity, acting as nurseries for 20% of the world’s fisheries, including small fish and crustaceans that become prey for larger animals. Recent research has shown that these simple flowering plants could play an important role in buffering climate change. Seagrass filters the water column of … Continued

Ecosystems and Biodiversity Researchers recently discovered why whale sharks tend to congregate in a small number of sites. It turns out that these congregation sites have a similar topography of shallower waters near a steep drop, which allows whale sharks to feed on upwelling currents, filled with plankton and small crustaceans, and spend time in … Continued

Earth is a blue planet with over 70% covered in vast bodies of water: lakes, rivers, and the ocean. This vast watery side of the world is in an increasingly vulnerable state, but how do we get a big-picture understanding of the ecosystem in order to help it? Floating silently above earth, satellites watch and … Continued

Today’s adoption of a global plastics charter by five G-7 countries, including Canada, to target single-use plastic waste reduction is a timely and significant step for protection of our world’s oceans. “As an organization dedicated to tackling ocean plastic pollution, Ocean Wise supports this global commitment, led by Canada with some of the world’s most … Continued

Ecosystems and Biodiversity A new study outlines how the return of sea otters along B.C’s western coast has helped the ecosystem in more ways than one. Otters keep the sea urchin populations in check, allowing kelp beds to thrive and spread; kelp forests attract many of the animals that eagles feed on, including sea otter … Continued

Every week, Ocean Wise combs the headlines to bring you the most fascinating ocean news from around the world. Read on! This week on Ocean.org Discover some incredible birds and the challenges they face in nature: Bird Day 4 Astounding Seabird Facts – Glowing beaks, kinky rituals, and more reasons celebrate our feathered friends. Birds … Continued

The mountain of heavy duty white sacks stuffed with marine debris towered over my head. Scuffed and twisted plastic bottles — many labeled in Japanese — were littered underfoot, and a massive snarl of frayed polypropylene ropes and fishing nets spilled out of a weathered boat. Once bright orange and pink buoys peeked out from the … Continued