NOAA is asking for public comment on proposed changes that would expand mandatory speed restrictions for vessels to reduce the likelihood of collisions with north Atlantic right whales.
marine life
Ocean Isle group works to protect sea turtles year-round
Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization volunteers work year-round, not just on World Turtle Day, to protect sea turtles, especially during nesting season.
Monitor expedition set as marine sanctuary system turns 50
The NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Systems will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and a livestreamed expedition begins next week at the first national marine sanctuary off Cape Hatteras.
Study of shrimp eyes opens window into life in the deep sea
UNCW researcher Lorian Schweikert was on a team that found the light organ patterns on the bodies of deep-sea shrimp were the best predictor of the size of their eyes.
Weakfish prolific spawners in North Carolina waters
It’s estimated that weakfish can spawn as many as 66 times per season, which is longer in North Carolina than in areas to the north.
Atlantic menhaden a small fish with an outsized role to play
It’s a popular baitfish and its commercial uses date back centuries, but Atlantic menhaden also serve important ecosystem needs.
Lionfish an example of needed invasive species awareness
This week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week, and the red lionfish has gained increasing attention since the nonnative predator first began to appear in waters off the NC coast about 20 years ago.
Whales eat much more than previously thought: Study
A recent study found that baleen whales can consume 5 to 30% of its body mass on a daily basis, illustrating the large impact they have on the marine food web.
Duke to study offshore wind energy’s effects on marine life
With a recently announced $7.5 million federal grant, Duke University is leading a research project to better understand how offshore wind development can affect marine species.
Nature Notes: Northern puffers are one hoot of a blowfish
Their defensive strategy can be amusing to watch and their powerful teeth can crush almost any kind of shellfish — northern puffers are a strange but familiar sight in North Carolina waters.
UNC institute’s shark survey a trove of 50 years of data
Long before sharks became a fearsome focus for filmmakers and TV programmers, scientists with the UNC Institute of Marine Sciencea’ shark survey began what is now considered a rare archive of consistent, long-term research.
Turtle Trash Collectors Adapt to COVID-19
UNCW’s MarineQuest outreach program Turtle Trash Collectors has launched a citizen-science project to better understand how COVID-19 is affecting pollution and marine debris.
