Coinciding with the rise of #sharkattacks, the number of #sharks have been growing on the #eastcoast. - http://clapway.com/2015/09/12/sharks-take-vacation-east-coast-090/

Coinciding with the rise of shark attacks, the number of sharks have been growing on the east coast. Even with this news, scientists are not saying that the growth of the shark population is a bad thing. They view this rise in the shark population as a necessity. The National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration have actually been surveying the amount of sharks since 1986, and they assisted in banning fishing of certain sharks because they were beginning to die out. This is not the case today. Since the ban, the shark population has since stopped floundering and has gradually increased to a great number. The scientists have noticed a 55% increase of sharks since the last time they took a count in 2012.

COUNTING SHARKS

One might wonder how scientists are able to figure out how many sharks exactly are around the east coast. Long story short, they catch the sharks, haul them on board, tag and measure all of them to better study them, and then let them go back in the water again. What if the sharks are a bit on the large side? No big deal. They actually weigh and measure the sharks on the side of boat instead. This is something that they have been doing every two to three years since the time that they started this survey. The largest shark that they have encountered was a Mammoth Tiger Shark that measured 14 feet long.

SHARK WEEK IS NOW EVERY WEEK ON THE EAST COAST

Yes, there have been a lot more reports of shark attacks. Yes, the population of sharks are on the rise on the east coast. Although the NOAA aren’t positive what is creating the conditions for the shark attacks. They believe that there is a possibility that other environmental issues are causing the sharks to come closer to the shore and are therefore more likely to attack while there. They have also suggested that a change in oceanographic conditions and a rise in the number of people swimming in the water may be other factors as well. At this time, there seems to be no answer.

---

 

WHAT IF YOU COULD TRAIN A SHARK?

https://youtu.be/s7HxIEggMGY

Sharks Take a Vacation to the East Coast

#Alaska met with a mysterious 30 #DeadWhales - http://clapway.com/2015/08/23/30-whales-mysteriously-dead-in-alaska-343/

Thirty dead whales were found washed ashore along Alaska’s southern coast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) started investigating the case, looking for answers.

AN “UNUSUAL MORTALITY EVENT”

The federal government released an announcement on Thursday calling the matter an “unusual mortality event,” which is defined by the Marine Mammal Protection Act as animals that are stranded in an unexpected manner with the significant die-off of any marine mammal population that demands immediate response and action.

Related Post: Too Many Whale Deaths

The first mysterious whale death in Alaska was observed in May this year and, in total, 11 fin whales, 14 humpback whales, 1 lone grey whale and 4 other unidentified have been discovered in the last four months. The dead bodies have been washing up in along Western Alaska’s shores, such as Agognak Island, Kodial Island, the Semidi Islands and the Chirikof Island and scientists have already launched investigations in the areas of interest to uncover the mystery.

WHAT CAUSED THE WHALES’ DEATH?

While Julie Speegle from NOAA told The Guardian that their theory is that the harmful algal bloom has led the whales to their deaths, Teri Rowles says that the only one sample that has been taken from one of the whales revealed that that it was negative for domoic acid. Domoic acid is a toxin produced by algae, but since the samples are already beyond decomposition, the results may not be as definitive.

Rowles, who is the coordinator of the Fisheries Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response program, notes that the exact cause of the deaths will be determined after we obtain helpful data about the total state of the whales’ health and the environment they belong to.

Related Post: Sumatran Rhinos Extinct from Malaysia

In addition, another factor causing delay is the location itself. Bree Witteveen, a marine mammal specialist and lead investigator, says that acquiring samples from the dead whales is quite challenging due to Alaska’s massive, uninhabited and inaccessible coastline.

WHEN WILL WE GET SOME ANSWERS?

The investigation could take months or even years and the results may not lead to a conclusion. However, researchers are collecting water samples to search for any harmful substance or possible changes in water temperature, and they have been studying at least one species of seabird.

Related Post: An Endangered Bird Threatened by ISIS

The common mure has also been reported suffering a die-off in June, “in unusual numbers” and with “many appearing weak” in Alaska, and scientists do not know yet whether the bird deaths were related to the deaths of the whales.

---

If you missed it, Clapway’s News in Review presented by Brandi and Samsung:

30 Whales Mysteriously Dead in Alaska

Fishing Ban Established in Areas around the Arctic Ocean - http://clapway.com/2015/07/19/fishing-ban-established-in-areas-around-the-arctic-ocean456/

The situation leading to the Fishing Ban

Lately, there have been numerous reports and debates on the issue of climate change, rising sea levels, and other climate-related news that shows some scary trends happening. Whether or not you believe that the sea level is rising all over the world from melting ice caps is irrelevant, though.

This is because officials in the areas surrounded by the Arctic Ocean have implemented a fishing ban in the region. These areas include nations such as Russia, the U.S., Denmark, etc. The full report of the nations reaching this decision and the information it was decided on can be found here.

The Fishing Ban and Its Concern

Several different news outlets let out news of the rising sea level that was inevitable with climate change, including a press release from the U.S Department of State on Thursday and another from the NOAA.

Both state that based on the information gathered on the climate conditions in the year 2014, the resulting melting ice caps, and rising sea levels, five nations in the Arctic Ocean signed an agreement of banning commercial fishing around the region—unregulated fishing that is. Although they all agree fishing in this area probably won’t happen, it is nevertheless important to consider the current climate conditions and concerns, and lack of marine life knowledge in the area to not allow fishing.

Any fishing that does occur in the region must follow the regulation put forth by the agreement. Also with the implementing of the fishing ban, further scientific research is intended to be conducted to better understand the ecosystem of this region.

Further information

For the U.S. this agreement builds on previous establishments in place already. So it is not anything new but is it’s a more widespread measure now than it was before. To help regulated this and the issues of the regions the OPA is tasked with keeping up the agreement, the specifics of that agreement, and maintain the fish stock in the Arctic.

More information will be available as time goes on. But a lot of work is expected for the foreseeable future as well.

---

 

want the perfect selfies? use dealstock’s selfie stick!

Fishing Ban Established in Areas around the Arctic Ocean