Jock Clough Marine Foundation’s Post

Join the discussion! To protect the oceans means to protect ourselves!

New article! It has been a long haul, but our paper on tephra preservation in Patagonia, titled 'Variable preservation of the 1991 Hudson tephra in small lakes and on land' is finally out in Frontiers in Earth Sciences https://lnkd.in/ecnGx9WS

"Marine research in many ways is like lighting a lamp. There is darkness: the unknown. We use the research process to bring light to a habitat, species, or process." - Bob Sluka, "The Hidden Things of God in the Ocean" Researchers can illuminate the works of God in creation. In this way, the simple tasks of exploring, recording, and sharing about species diversity gives glory to God! You can learn more about A Rocha USA's marine conservation work at https://arocha.us/florida 📸 by Michaela Stenerson

Exciting new research has unveiled a groundbreaking discovery in the world of oceanic travel: plankton can expand to six times their size, showcasing a newly identified mode of movement. This innovative adaptation not only enhances our understanding of these essential organisms but also emphasizes their critical role in marine ecosystems. Dive into the full article to learn more about how this discovery could impact our approach to ocean conservation and marine biology. Read the full piece here: https://ift.tt/nPjKrdu.

Invertebrates are ink-redible. 🐙 They may seem alien and strange, but invertebrates are an essential part of biodiversity and a functioning ecosystem, and the decline of species could spell trouble for the future of our planet. We’ve gathered some fascinating stories from the world of invertebrates, based on research published in journals. Like how marine scientists from University of South Australia have developed a practical tool for estimating the age of octopuses by using growth rings on their’ beaks and stylets (internal shells near their gills). They published their open-access guide in CSIRO Publishing's Marine and Freshwater Research journal. Find more fascinating research from the world of invertebrates: https://lnkd.in/g_37PxMN 📷 | Adobe Stock / Mike Workman

Heriot-Watt University and Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX) have entered a five-year collaboration to protect Arctic whale populations through the Whales & Arctic Vessels Project (WAVE). This groundbreaking partnership, the first of its kind in the UK, addresses the impact of vessel traffic on whale behaviour in the high Arctic. Together, Heriot-Watt and HX aim to publish impactful findings that will contribute to conservation efforts globally. Through multi-year data collection aboard HX vessels, our scientists will investigate and promote sustainable practices in one of Earth's most fragile ecosystems. HX’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Verena Meraldi, highlights this project as an incredible opportunity for guests to participate in citizen science, deepening their understanding of the Arctic’s ecosystems. Project lead Dr. Lauren McWhinnie emphasises the importance of proactive research, “to ensure an impact doesn’t occur,” making this collaboration a pivotal moment in marine conservation. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3YEWkbs

The Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE) has released a statement regarding the European Union's proposal to downlist the wolf under the Bern Convention. This change would reduce the wolf’s protection status across Europe by moving it from Appendix II to Appendix III of the Bern Convention, with a subsequent reclassification under the EU Habitats Directive from Annex IV to Annex V. PPNEA echoes LCIE's concerns that this proposal is driven more by political considerations than by scientific evidence and that it contradicts the Bern Convention's guidance that downlistings should be both coherent and based on the best available science. Such a reclassification could also impact the protection levels of other species, which form an essential part of Europe’s shared natural heritage. Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/d2JDwcmt

In this episode, I interview P. Dee Boersma to discuss the conservation of penguins.  Dee is the co-chair of the IUCN Penguin Specialist Group and the founder of the Centre for Ecosystem Sentinels. She is also a  professor at the University of Washington. She is the author of Penguins: Natural History and Conservation and Invasive Species in the Pacific Northwest In this conversation, Dee elaborates on her extensive career working with penguins, and in particular the Magellanic penguin. https://lnkd.in/gTUUHSy4

Exciting new insights have emerged regarding the ecological recovery of Mount St. Helens, particularly the unexpected role gophers played in this process. Our latest blog post explores how these small mammals significantly contributed to the restoration of the landscape in just one day. This remarkable story highlights the interconnectedness of nature and the importance of even the smallest creatures in ecological recovery. To delve deeper into this fascinating research and understand the implications for environmental restoration, read the full article here: https://ift.tt/oZ6jqnv.

From kelp to sharks, the Pacific Ocean plays a significant role in our natural environment at PLNU. Scientists and marine life advocates share the importance of being good stewards to our environment. https://lnkd.in/gdDt9Vxz