Articles
Research shows Pacific shark highway
Researchers from the University of Costa Rica along with Fundación PACÍFICO have successfully proven the existence of a 500 mile “corridor” along which shark populations move between Costa Rica and the Galapagos. The route seems to follow a series of subsurface sea mounts, giving rise to speculation as to whether these serve as navigational references or feeding sites. (Image by Andy Mann/Waitt Foundation/Pacifico)
Podcast: The Underwater Tribe Diving and Adventure episode 6
Wetpixel Moderator, Mike Veitch, has released episode 6 of the Underwater Tribe Diving and Adventure Podcast. It features long time liveboard cruise director Gary Bevan. Previous podcasts have featured Serge Abourjeily, Graham Abbott, Christian Loader, Oli Christen, and Rich Horner.
Fishermen in India are collecting and recycling ocean plastic
Several thousand fishermen in Kerala, India have begun collecting and recycling the ocean plastic they encounter each day out on the ocean. Along with several government agencies, the fishermen are trying to give back to the ocean that has provided for them by cleaning it up. This is the first recycling center in the region and it was set up specifically to combat ocean plastic. Since August of last year the fishermen have collected and recycled 65 metric tons of ocean plastic.
Paper catalogs whale shark movements off Madagascar
A new paper in the journal Endangered Species Research shows that the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar has emerged as a hot spot for whale sharks (Rhincodon typus). By using the global sightings database, Wildbook for Whale Shark researchers have identified 85 individual sharks, which do not seem to have come from other feeding areas in the Indian Ocean.
RED streamlines camera range
RED Digital Cinema has announced a streamlined range and pricing structure for its camera range. Rather than offer different brains with varying capabilities, the company will now offer one DSMC2 brain with a range of different sensors. The DSMC2 brain is the Weapon specification and will (currently) be offered with Monster, Helium and Gemini sensors.
Hundreds of large dolphin pods are reported in the Chesapeake Bay
Dolphin sightings in the Chesapeake Bay have been on the rise in the past few years, increasing from a sighting here and there to sightings of large pods daily. Dolphins were once regular inhabitants of the bay, but steadily decreased as pollution increased in the 20th century. Now that the water is cleaner than years past, submerged aquatic vegetation has rebounded, and fisheries are recovering, it has become the inviting space it once was for dolphin. Researchers have set up a website to track dolphin sightings. Through the website data they receive, it is estimated that there are thousands of dolphins residing in the bay during the warmer months.
Video: Threshers by Howard and Michelle Hall
Howard and Michelle Hall have posted a silky smooth montage of pelagic thresher sharks (Alopias pelagicus) filmed at Malapascua Island, Philippines. The footage was shot in 8K resolution with a RED 8K Digital Cinema camera.
Deep-sea coral garden estimated at 1,000 years old
During the recent NOAA expedition aboard the Okeanos, the scientific team discovered a hidden coral bed of bamboo coral 7,500 feet beneath the surface. The 23-day expedition was aboard the only federally funded vessel devoted entirely to oceanic research. NOAA estimates that the coral structures are up to 1,000 years old.
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