David Gallo: Underwater astonishments

Public Education In Tidal Energy

This website by the Provincial Government gives a great introduction and run down of the in stream tidal energy projects that are being considered for the Bay of Fundy. The website gives good basic information and lots of good links for further inquiries. Check it out.

BBC Oceans, Exploring The Secrets Of Our Underwater World

Just found this website, pretty interesting to spending sometime on.

Baby Beluga

Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea...

Ocean Zones

I was looking online for diagrams to assist in my exam prep and I found this one, the website gave good brief descriptions for each zone. Click here.

Sailfish

Sailfish live in warmer ocean waters. They are a grayish blue in color and have a large dorsal fin that stretches the lenght of the back that looks like a sail. It also has a long bill that resembles swordfish and other marlins. Sailfish can reach 1.2-.15 meters in lenght in just a year. They feed off smaller pelagic fish and quid. These fish can reach speeds up to 110km an hour, the fasted fish in the sea. Sailfish grow quickly and can reach 1.2-1.5m in a year, although they do not normally grow more then 3 meters in lenght and weigh up to 90kg. Sailfish are prized game fish and are known for their large jumps.

Wasting Hours With National Geographic

I spend hours browsing the National Geographic website, everything from video, amazing photography, and interesting articles totally consume me. They have a great section of there website where I found many of my posts this semester that is dedicated to the ocean environment. Enjoy.

Narwhals

Narwhals are are sometimes called the unicorns of the sea, they are a pale-coloured porpoise found in Arctic coast waters. These animals have two teeth. Males have a prominent tooth that grows into a spiral tuck up to 8.75 feet in lenght. This tusks made of ivory grows right through the upper lip. Females will sometimes grow a tusk but does not get to be the same size of the males. It is not certain what the tusk is used for but some scientists believe it could be for mating rituals, or perhaps to battle rival suitors.

Ocean Acidification

The oceans are a huge carbon sink, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and play a big role in slowing down climate change. Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is making the Pacific coast more acidic much more rapidly then previously thought. Ecologists at the University of Chicago found the waters off an island close to Washington state are become acidic 10 times faster then previous models had predicted. Read the rest.

Google Earth Got You Hooked? How About Now?

Some neat marine additions for Google Earth.

Arnold Taking It Seriously

The Governator issued yesterday an Executive Order to enhance the state’s management of climate impacts from sea level rise, increased temperatures, shifting precipitation and extreme weather events. Good job Arnold!

Oceans Quiz

Check out this quiz and test your knowledge of the ocean.

Re posting: Garbage Island

I wanted to re post the short documentary series of the Pacific garbage patch that was my first post. If you haven't checked it out yet I recommend it, they are about 5 minutes long each and there are 12 of them. Just another heads up though there is some language. Enjoy!

Belize Coral Reef

The second largest reef system located off the coast of Belize is under threat. The coral reef supports more then 500 species of fish, and is a primary source of food for the entire country. The reef pulls in roughly 150,000 tourists and 150 million dollars every year, not to mention the protection it provides for the shore. There has been a 48% decline in the live coral cover after hurricane Mitch and El Nino bleaching.

Offshore Energy Research

Offshore energy research includes associations include Offshore Energy Environmental Research (OEER) and Offshore Energy Technical Research (OETR), they were established in March 2006, with funding from the Provencal government. The associations have members include maritime universities and departments within the government.

"Our goal is to fund offshore energy environmental and geoscience research and development in order to maximize Nova Scotia's offshore energy resource potential and to gain understanding about the potential implications of offshore energy research and development on the marine environment."

This organization is involved with the tidal power projects taking palce in the Bay of Fundy. Interesting website.

Toxic nudibranchs

Nudibranchs are found from sandy shallows and reefs to the murky seabed nearly a mile down, nudibranchs thrive in waters both warm and cold and even around billowing deep-sea vents. They are member of the gastropod class, they are about the size of a finger and live unprotected with their gills located on their back. Their name means naked gill, this feature makes them distinct from other sea slugs. Read on!

FLOW: For Love of Water

Hydro Heroes is bringing this important movie to Halifax, FLOW: For Love of Water. Halifax is one of three Canadian cities to debut the film. Hydro Heroes focuses on inspiring the efficient use of water and encourages people to learn why by coming out and watching this award winning film.

"Irena Salina's award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century- The World Water Crisis."

WHEN: Thursday, November 27th - 8:00 - 9:30 pm
Friday, November 28th - 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Saturday, November 29th - 3:00 - 4:30 pm

WHERE: Potter Auditorium, Kenneth Rowe Building, Dalhousie University, 6100
University Ave

I know this film isn't about the oceans, but there is water in the oceans! Anyhow I thought it was relevent and interesting, plus its free!

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Ecology Action Center Marine Issues Committee

The Marine Issues Committee work to ensure the conservation, protection and restoration of marine ecosystems. The Ecology Action Center is a good way to get involved with the community and the environment. Check them out on their website.

Japan's biggest coral reef artificially restored

Over the past two decades corals on the largest reef in Japan have decreased by 80%, Scientist are attempting to restore the reef by planting thousands of tiny baby coral. The attempt is the first in the world at trying to restore a coral reef artificially. (Read on)

Florida Pursuing Gulf Stream Tidal Energy

In southern Florida researchers are looking into ways to harness the power of the Gulf Stream. The current which flows at a rate of 8 billion gallons per minute is located close to Florida and has the potential of providing as much energy as several nuclear power plants about one third of Florida power.

Race Rocks Tidal Project

Race Rocks located in British Columbia, has been an ecological reserve since 1980. The clean current tidal turbine generator (TTG) was installed in 20 meters of water near Race Rocks in September of 2006. This pilot project has been successful and the TTG has been able to extract power in current speeds exceeding 7 knots. Read more.

Shark vs. Octopus

This is pretty amazing, I'm pretty sure I could take either one in a one on one though.