Mad as a Marine Biologist

What are your thoughts about aquaculture? Though maybe not quite sustainable, it provides an alternate source for ornamentals other than from reefs.

Asked by Anonymous

I don’t know enough about it to make a judgement, but I would imagine that for ornamental fish it could be done sustainably…whether it is or not is another question…

Most freshwater ornamental fish are captive bred, but marine species still have a long way to go. 

High-res Rest in peace my darling puppy dog/ best friend/ little sister/ fluffy pillow.  Love, Always. [EDIT]: You guys rock. Thank you all so much for your kind words.  

Rest in peace my darling puppy dog/ best friend/ little sister/ fluffy pillow. 

Love, Always.

[EDIT]: You guys rock. Thank you all so much for your kind words.  

High-res biologicalmarginalia: The earliest illustration of Sunfish, presumably Mola mola, from A) Rondelet in 1554 and B) Gesner in 1558. Considering this is from the era of terrible walruses, the fact that they’re at all recognizable is pretty amazing.Johnson, G. & Britz, R. (2005) Leis’ Conundrum: Homology of the Clavus of the Ocean Sunfishes. 2. Ontogeny of the Median Fins and Axial Skeleton of Ranzania laevis (Teleostei, Tetraodontiformes, Molidae). Journal of Morphology 266 11–21.

biologicalmarginalia:

The earliest illustration of Sunfish, presumably Mola mola, from A) Rondelet in 1554 and B) Gesner in 1558. Considering this is from the era of terrible walruses, the fact that they’re at all recognizable is pretty amazing.

Johnson, G. & Britz, R. (2005) Leis’ Conundrum: Homology of the Clavus of the Ocean Sunfishes. 2. Ontogeny of the Median Fins and Axial Skeleton of Ranzania laevis (Teleostei, Tetraodontiformes, Molidae). Journal of Morphology 266 11–21.

(via scientificillustration)

Scientists map global routes of ship-bourne invasive species byMatt McGrath | BBC News Scientists have developed the first global model that analyses the routes taken by marine invasive species. The researchers examined the movements of cargo ships around the world to identify the hot spots where these aquatic aliens might thrive. Marine species are taken in with ballast water on freighters and wreak havoc in new locations, driving natives to extinction. The research is published in the Journal Ecology Letters. There has been a well-documented boom in global shipping over the past 20 years and this has led to growing numbers of species moving via ballast tanks, or by clinging to hulls. Some ports such as San Francisco and Chesapeake Bay have reportedseveral exotic new species arriving every year. Economic estimates indicate that marine invaders can have huge impacts that last for decades. Now, scientists from the UK and Germany have developed a model that might help curb these unwanted visitors. They obtained detailed logs from nearly three million voyages that took place in 2007 and 2008. “Our model combines information such as shipping routes, ship sizes, temperatures and biogeography to come up with local forecasts of invasion probabilities,” said Prof Bernd Blasius from the University of Oldenburg. While this is a mathematical model, the researchers were able to adjust it by carrying out field observations. They were able to estimate the probability that a species can survive a journey and establish a population in a subsequent port of call. “It is called ecological roulette,” said Dr Michael Gastner from the University of Bristol. “The probability of winning from the perspective of the invader is really tiny - but because the number of attempts are now growing with more and bigger ships, you play this roulette so often that you become a likely winner sooner or later,” he added. The team says that the key hotspots for invasion are Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Panama and Suez canals. Cooler climates like the North Sea are less likely to be troubled, unless ships come from similar waters such as the east coast of the US. They conclude that very long trips are less likely to be a cause for concern. Read more

Scientists map global routes of ship-bourne invasive species

byMatt McGrath | BBC News

Scientists have developed the first global model that analyses the routes taken by marine invasive species.

The researchers examined the movements of cargo ships around the world to identify the hot spots where these aquatic aliens might thrive.

Marine species are taken in with ballast water on freighters and wreak havoc in new locations, driving natives to extinction.

The research is published in the Journal Ecology Letters.

There has been a well-documented boom in global shipping over the past 20 years and this has led to growing numbers of species moving via ballast tanks, or by clinging to hulls.

Some ports such as San Francisco and Chesapeake Bay have reportedseveral exotic new species arriving every year. Economic estimates indicate that marine invaders can have huge impacts that last for decades.

Now, scientists from the UK and Germany have developed a model that might help curb these unwanted visitors. They obtained detailed logs from nearly three million voyages that took place in 2007 and 2008.

“Our model combines information such as shipping routes, ship sizes, temperatures and biogeography to come up with local forecasts of invasion probabilities,” said Prof Bernd Blasius from the University of Oldenburg.

While this is a mathematical model, the researchers were able to adjust it by carrying out field observations. They were able to estimate the probability that a species can survive a journey and establish a population in a subsequent port of call.

“It is called ecological roulette,” said Dr Michael Gastner from the University of Bristol.

“The probability of winning from the perspective of the invader is really tiny - but because the number of attempts are now growing with more and bigger ships, you play this roulette so often that you become a likely winner sooner or later,” he added.

The team says that the key hotspots for invasion are Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Panama and Suez canals. Cooler climates like the North Sea are less likely to be troubled, unless ships come from similar waters such as the east coast of the US. They conclude that very long trips are less likely to be a cause for concern.

Read more

  • BBC

Hi, I am becoming a senior next year at high school and I want to become a marine biologist. I've been sort of slacking in high school with my science and math because I didn't know what I wanted to be therefore I didn't take my education seriously. Now that I'm going to become a senior, would my best option be to go to community college and take my basic classes, then go to a Florida university (I live in Kentucky so it'll be expensive)? By slacking I mean at least a C in some classes. Not many

Asked by runningbrb

Hi, 

Thanks for your question! I’m not really familiar with the US school system…but any effort to improve you grades would help. Additionally, getting experience is invaluable - volunteer, do internships. Grades count some to get into a course, but experience counts for a lifetime. Plus it shows the admissions person your commitment. 

I always advise people to talk to their guidance councillors. It’s their job to know your options! Have a look at my FAQs for a list of Universities recommended by my friends and followers.