Group items tagged

KZN shark capture causes social media frenzy.

Indian Navy bans smartphones, social media on bases, ships.

In 2011, several non-governmental and government agencies established the Kenya Marine Mammal Network (KMMN) to provide a platform for the consistent collection of data on marine mammals along the Kenyan coast, identify areas of importance and engage marine users and the general public in marine mammal conservation. Prior to the KMMN, relatively little was known about marine mammals in Kenya, limiting conservation strategies. The KMMN collects data nationwide through dedicated surveys, opportunistic sightings and participative citizen science, currently involving more than 100 contributors. This paper reviews data on sightings and strandings for small cetaceans in Kenya collated by the KMMN. From 2011 to 2019, 792 records of 11 species of small cetaceans were documented. The most frequently reported inshore species were the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin and Indian Ocean humpback dolphin. Offshore species, included killer whales, short-finned pilot whale and long-snouted spinner dolphin. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, long-snouted spinner dolphins, striped dolphins and Risso's dolphins were recorded through stranding reports. The efforts of the KMMN were disseminated through international meetings (International Whaling Commission, World Marine Mammal Conference), national status reports, outreach and social media. Data has also supported the identification of three IUCN Important Marine Mammal Areas and one Area of Interest in Kenya. Further research is needed to improve estimates of cetacean abundance and distribution, particularly in unstudied coastal areas, and to assess the extent of anthropogenic threats associated with fisheries, coastal and port development, seismic exercises and unregulated tourism. The expansion of the network should benefit from the participation of remote coastal fishing communities, government research agencies, tourism and seismic operations, among others. The KMMN demonstrated the value of dedicated and citizen science data to enh

The marine environment is most vital and flexible with continual variations in salinity, temperature, and pressure. As a result, bacteria living in such an environment maintain the adaption mechanisms that are inherent in unstable environmental conditions. The harboring of metal-resistant genes in marine bacteria contributes to their effectiveness in metal remediation relative to their terrestrial counterparts. A total of four mercury-resistant bacteria (MRB) i.e. NIOT-EQR_J7 (Alcanivorax xenomutans); NIOT-EQR_J248 and NIOT-EQR_J251 (Halomonas sp.); and NIOT-EQR_J258 (Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus) were isolated from the equatorial region of the Indian Ocean (ERIO) and identified by analyzing the 16S rDNA sequence. The MRBs can reduce up to 70% of Hg(II). The mercuric reductase (merA) gene was amplified and the mercury (Hg) volatilization was confirmed by the X-ray film method. The outcomes obtained from ICP-MS validated that the Halomonas sp. NIOT-EQR_J251 was more proficient in removing the Hg from culture media than other isolates. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy results revealed alteration in several functional groups attributing to the Hg tolerance and reduction. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis confirmed that strain Halomonas sp. (NIOT-EQR_J248 and NIOT-EQR_J251) released Isooctyl thioglycolate (IOTG) compound under mercury stress. The molecular docking results suggested that IOTG can efficiently bind with the glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme. A pathway has been hypothesized based on the GC-MS metabolic profile and molecular docking results, suggesting that the compound IOTG may mediate mercuric reduction via merA-GST related detoxification pathway.

A new study of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park has found that further protection may be needed to shield the reef against the impacts of climate change.

A new study of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park has found that further protection may be needed to shield the reef against the impacts of climate change.

It's too early to talk about climate change refugees in Bangladesh.

The world's first sex-based study with insights into the abundance and movement patterns of bottlenose dolphins acts as an impetus for future studies.

The world's first sex-based study with insights into the abundance and movement patterns of bottlenose dolphins acts as an impetus for future studies.

Australian scientists have identified causes of a rapid warming in the upper subtropical oceans of the Southern Hemisphere.

Researchers at Swansea University, working with colleagues in Australia and the Seychelles, have announced the longest recorded migration for the green sea turtle, an endangered species. One of eight turtles which were tracked by satellite was found to have travelled 3979 km, from the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, to the coast of Somalia in east Africa.

The history of a new type of crab, nicknamed 'The Hoff' because of its hairy chest, has been revealed for the first time.

Welcome to Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia. We're proud to have more than 18,000 students and 1,400 staff from all over the world.

Welcome to Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia. We're proud to have more than 18,000 students and 1,400 staff from all over the world.

Ten years after the tsunami disaster of December 2004 the training program PROTECTS (Project for Training, Education and Consulting for Tsunami Early Warning Systems) successfully comes to a close today with a festive ceremony in Jakarta/Indonesia. After the successful implementation and hand over to Indonesia of the German-Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System for the Indian Ocean (GITEWS), PROTECTS was a direct follow-up project of GITEWS for training and further education purposes with respect to disaster protection measures. Since the start of the PROTECTS-Program in June 2011 right up to March 2014 a total of 169 different training modules have been executed. The project was financed by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research with a total sum of 7.2 million euros.

A Murdoch University dolphin expert has advised that members of the public should enjoy observing dolphins from a distance this summer.

A Murdoch University dolphin expert has advised that members of the public should enjoy observing dolphins from a distance this summer.

Former Somali pirate Chief 'Afweyne' given 20-year sentence.

In a world where fish biodiversity is on the decline, highly vulnerable species are given a major boost today after scientists identified why some species are absent from reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans. Incorporating this knowledge into conservation strategies will help to reduce human impact on species loss.

In a world where fish biodiversity is on the decline, highly vulnerable species are given a major boost today after scientists identified why some species are absent from reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans. Incorporating this knowledge into conservation strategies will help to reduce human impact on species loss.

Ongoing research of a dolphin population in south-western Australia has revealed for the first time, a unique cycle in social bonds between adult female bottlenose dolphins, which is leading to informed conservation for the animals.

Ongoing research of a dolphin population in south-western Australia has revealed for the first time, a unique cycle in social bonds between adult female bottlenose dolphins, which is leading to informed conservation for the animals.

A juvenile green sea turtle discovered floating in an estuary in Broome has been brought to Murdoch University's Animal Hospital for a CT scan.

Live Broadcasters Spotted a Shark During the Broadcast.

Dramatic drone footage reveals Cyclone Idai's devastating power.

An unprecedented marine heatwave had long-lasting negative impacts on both survival and birth rates on the iconic dolphin population in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Researchers at UZH have now documented that climate change may have more far-reaching consequences for the conservation of marine mammals than previously thought.