Mar 18, 2021

‘By-the-wind sailor’ jellies wash ashore in massive numbers after warmer winters

Velella velella, also called “by-the-wind sailor” jellies, that washed ashore at Moolack Beach, Oregon, in 2018.

As their name suggests, by-the-wind sailor jellyfish know how to catch a breeze. Using a stiff, translucent sail propped an inch above the surface of the ocean, these teacup-sized organisms skim along the water dangling a fringe of delicate purple tentacles just below the surface to capture zooplankton and larval fish as they travel. At the mercy of the wind, these jellies can wash ashore and strand — sometimes numbering in the trillions — on beaches around the world, including up and down the U.S.

Could COVID-19 be helping Alaska’s beluga whales get some ‘me time’?

Beluga whale shows its head above the surface of the water

When you try to imagine what a happy, calm beluga whale looks like, what images do you conjure up? A smiling white blob, reclining on a chaise lounge with a shrimp cocktail? A zen-like cetacean emerging from a meditation workshop session with a rolled-up mat under its flipper? For Manuel Castellote, a researcher at the Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean and Ecosystem Studies (CICOES), the image is less absurd but more exciting.

Feb 3, 2021

We’re coping with COVID by going outdoors, but how is nature coping with us?

If you’ve hit the trails or the water this year, you know COVID-19 has transformed the way many people are recreating in our wild spaces. Places that were previously “off the beaten track” are as popular as they’ve ever been, and the usual hotspots are overwhelmed with hikers, campers and skiers. What does this mean for our wild spaces, and how can we be better stewards?

Jan 14, 2021

Marine-related Learning Networks’ role in ocean governance

Healthy ecosystems buzzing with life are more than something pretty to look at – they are critically important to our health and wellbeing. Ecosystems deliver goods and services that humans need – like fresh water, protection from the elements and food for our dinner tables – and it’s in our best interest to make sure they remain vibrant and thriving for future generations.

Jan 12, 2021

From tiger sharks to grey wolves, predators shape our world

In many ecosystems, a well-balanced yet delicate relationship exists between predators and their prey. Like two dancers anticipating each other’s moves, predator and prey often find themselves entangled in a sophisticated battle for survival, and whoever adapts to the other first holds the advantage. Prey often find ways to avoid, deceive or confront their carnivorous counterparts, and predators find new ways to hijack their defenses.