IBRRC executive director Jay Holcomb was named Oceana’s Ocean Hero for 2010. Holcomb is currently leading IBRRC’s bird rescue effort in the Gulf, working alongside Tri-State Bird Rescue to care for wildlife caught in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Ocean Heroes contest was created in 2009 to recognize individuals making a difference for the … Read more
There’s an excellent report on the Santa Barbara natural oil seepage from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The study documents the 5,280 to 6,600 gallons (nearly 20 to 25 tons) of oil per day that seeps into the area waters and has been active for hundreds to thousands of years. In earlier days local Native … Read more
Scientists have gotten closer to figuring out why ocean fish have high levels of Mercury even though the levels of the chemical aren’t that high in surrounding Pacific Ocean waters. >> See Mercury cycle explained by Oceana A new study has concluded that the Pacific Ocean absorbs Mercury from the pollutants in the atmosphere where … Read more
The newest State of Birds report is out this month and there’s both concern and hope. We’re focusing on the The State of Ocean Birds, but the full report covers all areas: lakes, grassland, forest, etc. From the report: Of 81 ocean bird species, almost half are of conservation concern, including 4 that are federally … Read more
Oil spills are nasty, horrible messes, but do you know what may be worse? All the trash we dump into the oceans. From plastic lighters to toys to cigarette butts, the sea has become man’s monster garbage disposal. Walk along any beach after a major storm and the things that wash on our beaches will … Read more
Forget global warming, oil spills, the mess in the Middle East and anything else that troubles you. Look to the oceans for something you should really be worried about: Trash. Yes, the refuse from our modern life is floating around the world’s oceans and washing up on our beaches just to remind us that we’re … Read more