Marine Biology News:
Courtesy of Science Daily

Global extinction: Gradual doom is just as bad as abrupt Around 250 million years ago, most life on Earth was wiped out in an extinction known as the "Great Dying." Geologists have learned that the end came slowly from thousands of centuries of volcanic activity. Scientists coax shy microorganisms to stand out in a crowd Scientists have advanced a method that allowed them to single out a marine microorganism and map its genome even though the organism made up less than 10 percent of a water sample teeming with many millions of individuals from dozens of identifiable groups of microbes. Heat and cold damage corals in their own ways Around the world coral reefs are facing threats brought by climate change and dramatic shifts in sea temperatures. While warming has been the primary focus for scientists and ocean policy managers, cold can also cause significant damage. Scientists have shown that cool temperatures can inflict more damage in the short term, but heat is more destructive in the long run. Global experts question claims about jellyfish populations Blooms, or proliferation, of jellyfish have shown a substantial, visible impact on coastal populations -- clogged nets for fishermen, stinging waters for tourists, even choked intake lines for power plants -- and recent media reports have created a perception that the world's oceans are experiencing increases in jellyfish due to human activities such as global warming and overharvesting of fish. Now, a new study questions claims that jellyfish are increasing worldwide and suggests claims are not supported with any hard evidence or scientific analyses to date. Are nuisance jellyfish really taking over the world's oceans? Evidence is lacking that populations of jellyfish and similar gelatinous plankton are surging in numbers globally and will likely dominate the seas in coming decades. Rather, increasing scientific and media interest as well as the lack of good baseline data seem to explain the widespread perception of an increase.

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Oceanography News:
Courtesy of Science Daily

Global extinction: Gradual doom is just as bad as abrupt Around 250 million years ago, most life on Earth was wiped out in an extinction known as the "Great Dying." Geologists have learned that the end came slowly from thousands of centuries of volcanic activity. Google Earth ocean terrain receives major update: Data sharpen resolution of seafloor maps, correct 'discovery' of Atlantis Internet information giant Google updated ocean data in its Google Earth application this week, reflecting new bathymetry data assembled by researchers from around the world. The newest version of Google Earth includes more accurate imagery in several key areas of ocean using data collected by research cruises over the past three years. Scientists coax shy microorganisms to stand out in a crowd Scientists have advanced a method that allowed them to single out a marine microorganism and map its genome even though the organism made up less than 10 percent of a water sample teeming with many millions of individuals from dozens of identifiable groups of microbes. Heat and cold damage corals in their own ways Around the world coral reefs are facing threats brought by climate change and dramatic shifts in sea temperatures. While warming has been the primary focus for scientists and ocean policy managers, cold can also cause significant damage. Scientists have shown that cool temperatures can inflict more damage in the short term, but heat is more destructive in the long run. Global experts question claims about jellyfish populations Blooms, or proliferation, of jellyfish have shown a substantial, visible impact on coastal populations -- clogged nets for fishermen, stinging waters for tourists, even choked intake lines for power plants -- and recent media reports have created a perception that the world's oceans are experiencing increases in jellyfish due to human activities such as global warming and overharvesting of fish. Now, a new study questions claims that jellyfish are increasing worldwide and suggests claims are not supported with any hard evidence or scientific analyses to date.

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Ocean Conservation News:
Courtesy of Ocean Conserve

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NOAA News:
Courtesy of NOAA

NOAA launches USS Monitor 150th anniversary website NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries today launched a new website highlighting the 150-year history of the USS Monitor on the anniversary of the ship’s launch. Los Angeles declared StormReady and TsunamiReady On January 27, the City of Los Angeles will be recognized by NOAA’s National Weather Service as StormReady and the largest city in the nation to become TsunamiReady. Statement from Dr. Jane Lubchenco on the death of former NOAA Administrator Anthony J. Calio Last week we were informed of the passing of former NOAA Administrator (1985-87) and physicist Dr. Anthony - Tony - Calio. Known for his strong leadership, Dr. Calio advanced the effort to modernize NOAA’s National Weather Service, which included the development of NEXRAD radar - a major advancement for its time - as well as AWIPS 90, the first program of its kind to bring operational satellite data to the forecasting community. Improved way to estimate saltwater recreational fishing unveiled NOAA today announced it has begun to use an improved method to estimate the amount of fish caught by saltwater anglers, which will allow rules that fishermen follow to be based on more accurate information. Remarks delivered by NOAA Administrator at the American Meteorological Society annual meeting Remarks delivered by NOAA Administrator at the American Meteorological Society annual meeting

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