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Trucks lose, ships win in warmer Arctic.

After a comprehensive review of current knowledge, a panel of scientists has published new recommendations regarding marine mammal noise exposure.

New Center of Expertise will provide opportunities for identification, evaluation and transition of new blue technologies.

Collisions with ships (ship strikes) are a pressing conservation concern for fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) along western North America. Fin whales exhibit strong diel patterns in dive behavior, remaining near the surface for most of the night, but how this behavior affects ship-strike risk is unknown. We combined diel patterns of surface use, habitat suitability predictions, and ship traffic data to evaluate spatial and temporal trends in ship-strike risk to fin whales of the California Current System (CCS). We tested a range of surface-use scenarios and found that both increased use of the upper water column and increased ship traffic contribute to elevated ship-strike risk at night. Lengthening nights elevate risk during winter throughout the CCS, though the Southern California Bight experienced consistently high risk both day and night year-round. Within designated shipping lanes, total annual nighttime strike risk was twice daytime risk. Avoidance probability models based on ship speed were used to compare the potential efficacy of speed restrictions at various scales. Speed reductions within lanes may be an efficient remediation, but they would address only a small fraction (13%) of overall ship-strike risk. Additional speed restrictions in the approaches to lanes would more effectively reduce overall risk.

Marine traffic, coastal planning to benefit from improved forecasts in wave variation.

Protesters halt operations at some western ports.

Green card or blue seas: Paypal founder backs visa-free floating city off California coast.

Protesters rally in Oakland, shut port operations.

Somali pirates kill four on US yacht.

Disney cruise reports crewmember missing at sea.

50-plus boats damaged in ruined Northern CA harbor.

Calif. official: Tsunami damage upward of $40M.

A warming planet means rising oceans, but seaports are not prepared for the expensive construction they will need to protect themselves, according a global survey of ports conducted by Stanford researchers. But the researchers have created a computer model that will help ports with their planning.

Clean fuel will save lives in port areas.

Mexican navy rescues migrants off Baja coast.

Mexico searches for 7 missing in boating accident.

Coast Guard rescues 5 people from sinking sailing vessel off the coast of Monterey.

How California Clear Air Laws May Have Helped the Whales.

U.S. Air Force Saves Injured Fishermen 1,300 Miles from Shore.

Los Angeles Twin Ports Aim Zero-Emissions.