Ghost Forests in the Sea: The Use of Marine Protected Areas to Restore Biodiversity to Kelp Forest Ecosystems in Southern California

A new Scripps Institute of Oceanography Paper on the Implications of the Marine Life Protection Act:

BBC: Orcas Hang Out in ‘Social Clubs’

Killer whales create and visit social clubs just like people do, scientists have discovered.

Up to 100 fish-eating killer whales come together in the Avacha Gulf, off the coast of Russia.

Elkhorn Kelp Forest, La Jolla

Date: Aug. 29, 2009

Location: Elkhorn Forest, Pt La Jolla

Dive Time: 12:04

Dive Length: 35 mins

Max Depth: 103 ft.

Masterpiece! Mating Chromadorids….

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NOAA Jim, Peter, Skipper Mikey and Dave

[caption id=”attachment_2776" align=”aligncenter” width=”792" caption=”Photos Courtesy of Jackie Patay/All Rights Reserved”]

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Tiny Anemones Growing on Kelp

Giant Black Sea Bass

[caption id=”attachment_2908" align=”aligncenter” width=”960" caption=”Photos Courtesy of Scott McGee/All Rights Reserved”]

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Lion Nudibranch

[caption id=”attachment_2833" align=”aligncenter” width=”640" caption=”Photos Courtesy of Volker Kilian/All Rights Reserved”]

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NPR: Acid in the Oceans: a Growing Problem…

When we burn fossil fuels, we are not just putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A lot of it goes into the sea. There, carbon dioxide turns into carbonic acid. And that turns ocean water corrosive, particularly to shellfish and corals.

Photos from the ‘Elkhorn Forest,’ Courtesy of Peter McGuiness: