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Eddies—whirlpools within currents—transport plankton downward from the ocean surface. Satellite image shows the Atlantic, west of Iceland, with patches of blooming plankton

Plankton blooms get sucked into the abyss by eddies

Scientists used a float to follow a patch of seawater off Iceland. They observed the progression of the bloom by taking measurements from multiple platforms. Autonomous gliders outfitted with sensors were used to gather data such as temperature, salinity and information about the chemistry and biology of the bloom—oxygen, nitrate, chlorophyll and the optical signatures of the particulate matter.

At the onset of the bloom and over the next month, four teardrop-shaped sea gliders will gather 774 profiles to depths of up to 1,000 meters (3,281 feet).

Sperm whale checks out ROV in deep ocean

Oceanographer Robert Ballard and his team were exploring the Gulf of Mexico for E/V Nautilus, an expedition to map the Galapagos Rift and gain a better understanding of how life develops around hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. While looking through the eyes of ROV Hercules, they received a major surprise. The uploaded video captured this unique deep-sea encounter:

Japan's plan to revive its outlawed whaling hits a snag

The Japanese Government had submitted a plan named NEWREP-A for a revamped "research whaling" program for review by an expert panel of the International Whaling Commission. According to this plan, 333 minke whales would be killed annually over 12 years, meaning a total kill of 3,996 animals. This is on top of the nearly 10,000 whales already killed under its scientific permits.

Annapolis finally sunk

The ship was purchased from the federal government of Canada through Crown Assets Distribution in 2008 with the intent of making this the first artificial reef in the Greater Vancouver area.

Leading up to the sinking, the Annapolis has been meticulously cleaned of hazardous and pollutant materials in compliance with federal regulations and an estimated 250 tons of materials (almost everything but the steel hull and aluminium super structure) has been recycled.

Shark diving.
On a shark dive

On Shark "Feeding" Dives

Shark dives provide an excellent way to meet a lot of sharks, and represent a unique situation in which sharks are treated well by humanity.

Shark dive clubs usually bring some fishy scraps—in most cases the remains left over after big fish have been cut up for sale. The scent attracts the sharks into view, and provides a bit of excitement as the animals investigate and try to get a piece.

Diving humpback whale
Diving humpback whale

Humpback whale numbers double off Eastern Australia

very year from late April to August, humpback whales migrate north along Australia’s Pacific coast to the warm coastal waters of Queensland and the Coral Sea to mate and give birth. According to Geoffrey Ross, wildlife management officer and coordinator of the Marine Fauna Program for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) off Cape Solander south of Botany Bay, humpback whale migration periods are becoming longer annually as their numbers increase.

The dottyback changes its colour to match surrounding damselfish species, enabling it to counter the defences of its damselfish prey by disguising itself as a harmless part of their community, then swooping in to hunt their young.

Dottybacks imitate a whole variety of other reef fish

"By changing colour to imitate local damselfish communities, dottybacks are able to overcome the predator avoidance behaviour in the juvenile fish they hunt," said Dr William Feeney, co-author of the study from the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology.

"The dottyback behaviour is comparable to the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' scenario from Aesop's Fables, where distinguishing the predator from the harmless 'flock' becomes increasingly difficult when they look alike - allowing the dottyback to creep up on unsuspecting juvenile damselfish," Feeney said.

Beluga

Churchill tour operators say new boat rules threaten livelihoods

Operators claim new federal regulations meant to protect marine mammals could put them out of business. Wally Daudrich, president of the Beluga Whale Tourism Association and owner of the Lazy Bear Lodge in Churchill, Manitoba, claims rules prohibit boats from approaching belugas any closer than 50 metres.

(Unrelated filephoto). Frequent fliers and air crews health threat from toxic fumes
(Unrelated filephoto). Frequent fliers and air crews health threat from toxic fumes

Frequent fliers and air crews face health threat from toxic fumes

According to a coroner probing the death of an Edinburgh pilot, frequent fliers and aircrews are risking their health by breathing in toxic fumes inside aircraft cabins. Stanhope Payne, senior coroner for Dorset, said people regularly exposed to fumes circulating in planes faced "consequential damage to their health".

Malaysia's new airline in $1.5bn deal with Bombardier

A new Malaysian airline has signed a $1.5bn deal with Canadian manufacturer Bombardier for 20 new CS100 aircraft. Called flymojo, the new private carrier would be based out of Johor Bahru in the south and Kota Kinabalu in East Malaysia.

The launch was announced at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition with Prime Minister Najib Razak in attendance. According to deputy minister of transport Aziz Kaprawi, it would play a vital role in improving air travel between the Malaysian Peninsula and other parts of the region.