Ocean Inspiration : Coelacanths

Coelacanths: Fossil Fish


The coelacanth was thought to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs.

Rediscovered in 1938, it is chronicled here in a rare photographic account.





via National Geographic.com

The importance of stupidity in scientific research

An interesting essay on how scientific research is different than scientific study. Useful for anyone thinking about grad school and future research projects. It's OK that sometimes research makes you feel stupid. That means it's working! Just as long as you're being productively stupid.



The importance of stupidity in scientific research. Martin A. Schwartz June 1, 2008 J Cell Sci 121, 1771.doi: 10.1242/​jcs.033340

Ocean Issues: Illegal fishing

From Dr John Bruno, a sad story of illegal fishing in the Galapagos Islands:

Link to the story "What a marine massacre looks like".

 

Photo: J. Bruno via

Ocean Issues: Aquaculture

Genetically modified salmon can breed with wild salmon | California Watch

"Although transgenic males displayed reduced breeding performance relative to nontransgenics, both male reproductive phenotypes demonstrated the ability to participate in natural spawning events and thus have the potential to contribute genes to subsequent generations."

Darek T. R. Moreau, Corinne Conway, Ian A. Fleming (2011). Reproductive performance of alternative male phenotypes of growth hormone transgenic Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Evolutionary Applications

Article first published online: 4 JUL 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-4571.2011.00196.x

Photo: E. Kilby / Flickr via

Three Seas Panama 2011: STRI

The tropical semester of the Three Seas Program is based at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute at Bocas del Toro, Panama. The courses taught at STRI include Biology of Corals, Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Ocean Coastal Processes, Coral Reef Ecology, and Tropical Terrestrial Ecology. There is also the opportunity for independent student research during the semester.


via

Three Seas Panama 2011

Global Explorers Blog

Follow the link to the New England Aquarium's Global Explorers Blog to learn more about the Three Seas Program Panama in 2011.

 

Photo: C. Wormald

Three Seas Panama 2011

Light Trap Lab

Want to learn about some of the research in Three Seas Panama 2011? Follow the link to the New England Aquarium Global Explorers Blog.



Photo: C. Marks via

Ocean Issues: Invasive species

Lionfish are prevelant on the reefs around Bocas del Toro, however, they are a recent addition to the fish community. They are an invasive species and a voracious predator, without many natural enemies in the Caribbean. View a timeline of their rapid colonization of the Caribbean here: timeline of lionfish invasion.


Link here to an NPR story: Spreading Lionfish Invasion Threatens Bahamas



Photo: C. Wormald

Making lionfish safe to handle in the lab or for eating.

Ocean Issues: Invasive species

Lionfish are prevelant on the reefs around Bocas del Toro, however, they are a recent addition to the fish community. They are an invasive species and a voracious predator, without many natural enemies in the Caribbean. View a timeline of their rapid colonization of the Caribbean here: timeline of lionfish invasion.


Link here to an NPR story: Spreading Lionfish Invasion Threatens Bahamas



Photo: C. Wormald

Making lionfish safe to handle in the lab or for eating.

Ocean Issues: Bycatch

Ocean Issues: Bycatch

Ocean Inspiration

Ocean Inspiration

Ocean Inspiration

Ocean Inspiration

Ocean Inspiration: Former Three Seas student has an ocean encounter

Ocean Inspiration: Former Three Seas student has an ocean encounter