Amidst the tidal wave of news on sea level rise, the warming of ocean temperatures, acidification, and all issues impacting the health of coral reefs worldwide, is there hope for these vital marine ecosystems? That hope may be found in the Red Sea. A recent report...
Remember that first experience of snorkeling through warm, crystal clean water and looking down into a world of vibrantly colored corals and endless marine life. That’s what hooked me decades ago. Today our coral reefs are threatened as never before. However, by...
I grew up in Missouri, that’s a long way from the Gulf Coast, so it was always a real treat to sit at a seaside dive and order up a platter of fresh shrimp smothered in hot sauce, delivered directly from the fishermen anchored nearby. How things have changed. The...
We often hear of symbiotic relationships in the marine realm, clownfish living inside the poisonous tendrils of anemones is probably the most iconic, not to mention the most colorful and photographed. The clownfish has an immunity to the anemone’s toxins where-as...
Here’s a great idea for your next vacation. Pick a tropical island paradise–Fiji for example. Get wet in the pristine waters and break out the scuba gear. But most important, turn your vacation from tourism to voluntourism. Become a citizen scientist on a...
The island paradise of Bali has had some bad press lately, mostly a result of a number of international stories regarding the incredible amount of plastic waste that is washing ashore on Bali’s beaches and floating in Bali’s waters. In this article we are taking a...
We had just published a post on the plight of Australia’s Green Sea Turtles when this additional story from “down under” crossed our desk. The Great Barrier Reef has been plagued by the crown-of-thorns for decades. One of the world’s largest and most voracious...
Lionfish have invaded the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean and spread as far south as Brazilian waters, but they aren’t alone! Invasive marine species have been wreaking havoc on indigenous ecological systems for thousands of years. More recently, we just keep better...
Last year, July 8, 2017 was set aside as Save the Vaquita Day. A year ago, the Vaquita porpoise was considered the world’s most endangered marine mammal with as few as 30 individuals left. So a year later, on International Save the Vaquita Day 2018 do we have anything...
July has become a very busy month in our battle against uncontrolled, single-use, throw-away plastics. On July 3rd we are honoring the importance of International Plastic Bag Free Day during which we are spreading the word “that a plastic bag free world is possible...