The many ecosystems of our oceans are beautifully built, with each organism playing a specific role. Predators and prey carry out a complex dance of life and death to determine each other’s fate. When humans enter the picture and alter even one interaction, the entire foundation of an ecosystem in harmony can be thrown off…
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The Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species is Aided by Warming Ocean Temperatures
There are three little words that strike dread in the heart of anyone who relies on the natural resources of our oceans: aquatic invasive species. Life in our oceans has evolved over millions of years to build the beautiful ecosystems we see today. Each creature is well-suited for their watery niche – if they they…
Learning to Coexist: Studying Salmon Biology Can Help Fishermen Find Cooperative Solutions
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” ~Albert Einstein There is so much that we can learn from nature. Especially those of us in the seafood industry – to provide healthy, sustainable seafood, we must understand how the biology works. In order to implement proper management, we must first understand habitat,…
Fish Aggregating Devices: A Powerful Conservation Tool if Used in the Right Way
There is a simple formula to establish a sustainable fishery. We must identify the problem areas – overfishing, habitat damage, bycatch – and employ proper management procedures that address these concerns. It’s clear, direct, and effective, yet extremely complex. It requires communication and cooperation between fishermen, scientists, and regulating agencies. Time and money need to…
Rising Ocean Temperatures: Smaller Fish Will Impact Fisheries and Ecosystems Unless Humans Learn to Adapt
If you love seafood, it is likely that you keep a watchful eye on current events that may impact our world’s fisheries. It is imperative that we understand how environmental concerns may harm our supply of high quality fish and shellfish. There are two tremendous events in particular that are garnering increasing attention – climate…
Worth More Alive Than Finned: Shark Ecotourism Boosts Local Economies, Establishes Sustainable Marine Management Strategies
When a business relies on a natural resource, such as the seafood industry, it is vital that we strive to protect and conserve that environment. Part of the process of ensuring sustainability is learning how to establish and protect healthy marine ecosystems. We recognize that there are some species of marine creatures that are extremely…
Using Play to Communicate Marine Science Education to Our Children
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ― William Arthur Ward Marine science educators spend a tremendous amount of time working to inspire children of all ages to protect and conserve our oceans. It is a task that is simultaneously easy and impossible. Children are enormously…
A New Seaweed-Based Feed Promises a Better Future for Salmon Aquaculture
Aquaculture has been praised as the savior industry that will simultaneously feed billions of people and relieve pressure on wild populations of finfish and shellfish. However, as much we want aquaculture to be the perfect model for the future, like any large-scale industry it has its share of problems. Arguably one of the most desired…
Best for Baby: Consuming Seafood During Pregnancy Promotes Neurological Development
Let’s take a moment and wonder at the beauty of the human body. It is a fantastic puzzle of organs and tissues, veins and arteries, nerves and glands that all fit together to construct a human being. A healthy body and vibrant mind allow us to reach our full potential in life – a path…
The Vibrant Oceans Initiative Sparks an International Effort to Reform Fisheries
“If we are going to carry on growing, and we will, because no country is going to forfeit its right to economic growth, we have to find a way of doing it sustainably.” – Tony Blair Our world is built around money. It’s a simple fact of modern society. We need money to eat, for…