New species discovered on whale skeletons

DNA technology to show that the species diversity in our oceans may be higher than previously thought. Dead whales constitute an unpredictable food source - it is impossible to know when and where a whale is going to die, and when it does, the food source does not last forever. Nevertheless, some marine species have specialised in feeding on whale cadavers.

Skookumchuck: Challenging the Rapids

Dive boat in the Skookumchuck, BC, Canada. Photo by Barb Roy
Dive boat in the Skookumchuck, BC, Canada. Photo by Barb Roy

Viewing a torrent of flowing liquid turmoil while safe and dry on shore is enough to make anybody hesitate about signing up for a dive charter in the Skookumchuck Narrows. This is also the place where rushing tidal currents commonly reach impressive speeds of 14-16 knots (30 km/hr)!