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- The Ripple - June 2024
Welcome to The Ripple!
Newsletter sneak peak: graduate program opportunities, deep sea mining progress, & upcoming projects! 🌊
Rest In Water Dr. Nichols
Last weekend, the ocean world suddenly lost Blue Mind Theory pioneer and marine biologist Dr. Wallace J Nichols. He was a dedicated ocean conservationist who spent his life bringing ocean benefits to the masses. Ocean health is human health, and in his honor we must continue the legacy of Blue Mind and all it represents. 🌊
Whatʻs new from Futureswell?
Quoted on Global Whale Recovery 🐋
After sei whales were spotted off the coast of Argentina, our founder was asked what may influence the rebound of whale populations around the world in a recent publication on Bored Panda:
“The most effective way to protect species from harm is through policy and measures to protect the habitat and environment the species rely on to stay healthy. Each of us as individuals plays a role in advocating for that through signing petitions, supporting wildlife conservation NGOs, and playing a role in demanding protections from our government through voting.”
Sustainability & The Sea Roundup🎥
Building an inclusive, queer women-led career ft. McKensea - Listen as we talk about her journey in marine science, applying for graduate programs, and content creation. Our top recommendation! 🤿
Our Ocean Greece Debrief, Meeting Sylvia Earle - Join a 1-on-1 debrief with Carissa, sharing the BTS of the ‘Our Ocean Greece’ conference, meeting Sylvia Earle, and the mental chaos of a 3-day conference spring.
Coping with ocean climate grief - Iceland reopened whaling and Peru says no to deep sea mining. How do we carry the full spectrum of emotions working in ocean conservation?
YouTube Video Roundup! 🎥
Keep watching our binge worthy ocean content on YouTube, and subscribe because we post a new video every week!
The Craziest Sushi You Have Ever Seen - Explore different types of fish and the sushi they become on this episode of Marine Biologist Reacts with Joe!
Baja Mobula Ray Migration - Come diving in the Sea of Cortez with the annual ray migration. Our top recommendation! 🤿
Explore the Most Beautiful Beach in Mexico! - Join Carissa and Alex on a trip to Balandra Bay in Baja, Mexico.
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Leave a comment or questions, & we will respond next time! Watch here
Learning Resources for our Community!
Human-ocean interactions often lead national economies, transportation, recreation, food resource acquisition, and medicine industries. The oceans are incredibly valuable in climate regulation, and without healthy oceans everyone will suffer. Look at all the oceans do for our world!
Image Credit: NOAA
FutureSwell Around the World 🌎
Last year we connected with @nuansapulau_official to observe coral gardening in the Coral Triangle region of the south Pacific. Their coral garden was planted 7 years ago by @ns_eco_tourism, paving the way for restoration based ecotourism in Indonesia. Check out this video to see how rapidly their outplanted coral has grown and how they engage visitors in the process.
An Ocean of Blue News
Iceland Reopens Whaling 🐋
Earlier this month the Icelandic government granted a license to kill 128 fin whales, marking a regressive step backward on the global moratorium against whaling. The decision comes at a time where every whale matters in the fight against climate change, as large baleen whales serve a reservoirs of blue carbon. We interviewed Dr. Sylvia Earle on her opinion in April at Our Ocean 2024.
Peru Joins Global Coalition Against Deep Sea Mining
Peru becomes the 27th country to #DefendTheDeep and announced on World Ocean Day that they have officially join the swell of countries advocating for a moratorium. Deep sea mining could begin as early as this July, with the International Seabed Authority meeting and potentially approving the first deep sea mining contract, triggering this destructive industry.
U.S. Releases National Ocean Biodiversity Strategy
The Biden Administration released a number of strategies for World Ocean Day, including a National Ocean Biodiversity Strategy, U.S. National Strategy for a Sustainable Economy, and a National Aquatic eDNA Strategy. The biodiversity strategy can serve as a framework for future funding and priorities. Some of the key areas include:
Documenting the benefits of ocean biodiversity
Inspire, education, and involve the public to value marine life
Implement this strategy and establish coordination mechanism
Expand and deliver ocean biodiversity knowledge for restoration, conservation, and sustainable development
EU Ready to Ratify High Seas Treaty
The United Nations Commission is moving closer to concluding agreements concerning the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). This High Seas Treaty will provide shared governance over almost half of the Earth’s surface, and 85% of the ocean’s volume between more tan 60 countries involved. This international cooperation will allow establishing marine protected areas on the high seas, diminishing human pressures, addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, and committing to 30% by 2030. Currently only about 1% of the high seas are protected and these areas are vital in resource acquisition, ecological resilience, and climate stability. Read more
Ocean Decade in Costa Rica RECAP
Costa Rica just hosted ocean climate activists following the SIDS4 Conference in South America to garner efforts toward protection and sustainable use of threatened ecosystems. Read more
Determined Goals from the Ocean Decade roadmap:
Generate ocean science solutions
Gender equality in ocean sciences
Strengthen international engagement and cooperation
Red Tide Season Has Arrived
Waters off the coast of San Diego recently turned from vibrant dark blues, to a ‘dirty’ mud color, but the reason may surprise you. Coastal conditions is the result of a red tide, when large quantities of plankton migrate into the warmer nutrient rich nearshore waters. Red tides can be naturally occurring, but also occur when large runoff events or chemicals are introduced.
Scientists advise against swimming in the plankton saturated water because it can often result in negative respiratory effects and skin irritation. Red tides are increasing in frequency throughout the year and lasting longer than historical records, potentially exacerbated by effects of additional land inputs into the nearshore waters. Read more
Blue Careers
JOBS
INTERNSHIPS + FELLOWSHIPS
GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES
Community Feature:
Coral Reef Alliance Clean Water for Reefs Campaign
The health of reefs begins upstream. Learn how Coral Reef Alliance is taking care of reef health through clean water in their most recent video story with BBC, and explore their toolkit for ways to support the collective effort. Together, we can protect coral reefs ✨
