Tag: Ocean Awareness

Gray Whale Population Decline Along the West Coast Raises Alarm for Coastal Communities

4/22/2026 - By Norris Comer, best4boats. Three dead gray whales discovered in Washington state waters in a single week in early April have renewed concerns about a troubling decline in the East Pacific gray whale population. For boaters, whale watchers, and coastal communities along the West Coast, these deaths are part of… SEE MORE

A NOAA researcher swims in front of the massive coral in the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

Colossal Coral in the Mariana Islands is Largest of its Kind

3/31/2026 - By oceanservice.noaa.gov, oceanservice.noaa.gov. Researchers measure 14,500-square-foot coral structure in an underwater volcano. In a time when coral bleaching, disease, and habitat loss are increasingly common, a hidden giant defies the odds. A majestic cathedral-like structure — built by colonies of Porites rus, a species of stony coral — rises from a… SEE MORE

Why Are Corals So Colorful? Understanding Reef Health Indicators

1/4/2026 - By Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, whoi.com. For harbor communities and coastal areas that depend on healthy reef ecosystems, understanding coral coloration provides valuable insights into reef health. Coral reefs protect harbors from wave action, support commercial and recreational fisheries, and indicate overall marine ecosystem conditions—making the science behind coral color… SEE MORE

Derelict Fishing Gear: A Growing Hazard for Whales and Boaters Alike

12/6/2025 - By Norris Comer, Published in best4boats.com. The tragic recent stranding of a young humpback whale on Oregon's coast has renewed attention on the widespread problem of derelict fishing gear—an issue that affects not only marine mammals but recreational and commercial boaters navigating U.S. coastal waters. For anyone who has cruised… SEE MORE

Remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer traverses over an extensive field of ferromanganese nodules that formed the bulk of the hard seafloor substrate for much of Dive 17 of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition. (Image credit: NOAA)

“The next gold rush” Executive order unlocks access to deep seabed minerals

5/9/2025 - By noaa.gov. President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing a framework for American companies to identify and retrieve offshore critical minerals and resources. The Executive Order prioritizes U.S. leadership in seabed mapping and mineral exploration, ensuring reliable access to critical minerals like manganese, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements. Critical minerals… SEE MORE

How Sharks Keep the Ocean Healthy

4/23/2025 - By Claire Mullin, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Sharks have long been portrayed as terrifying predators of the deep, but really, they are essential guardians of the ocean. Despite their fearsome reputation, these apex predators play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Sharks contribute… SEE MORE

Threatened Sea Stars Are Finding Refuge in BC Fjords

4/17/2025 - By tula.org. A new study suggests that cold-water fjords on British Columbia’s Central Coast could be a marine refuge for threatened sunflower sea stars, which have been hit hard by sea star wasting disease. But recovery may require more than just cold seawater. Scientists at the Hakai Institute are finding… SEE MORE

Gelatinous sea creature photographed using the ROV Deep Discoverer in 2015. Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

Diving into Creatures of the Deep

3/30/2025 - By fisheries.noaa.gov. Dive in and learn about creatures of the deep. These mysterious species live way below the surface of the ocean. Ever wonder what lurks beneath the surface? One million species live in the sea—but we’ve only discovered about one-third of them, because they live in deep parts of… SEE MORE

What’s Happening in the Ocean During Springtime?

3/2/2025 - By noaa.gov. When you think of springtime on land, you might think of birds migrating, flowers blooming, and leaves emerging. While these changes are happening on land, changes are happening in the ocean, too! But how can you tell if spring has sprung in the sea? This graphic explains some… SEE MORE

Scientists Solve the Mystery of Sea Turtles’ ‘Lost Years’

2/9/2025 - By Christina Larson. Using satellite trackers, scientists have discovered the whereabouts of young sea turtles during a key part of their lives. “We’ve had massive data gaps about the early baby to toddler life stages of sea turtles,” said Kate Mansfield, a marine scientist at the University of Central Florida. “This part… SEE MORE