tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332433262009-07-12T15:03:32.932-07:00Part travelogue, equal parts science, opinion, and political observations, but mostly dedicated to capturing the often irksome and sometimes wonderful moments that are all part of field-based ocean conservationRick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.orgBlogger754125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-82031152851517061022009-07-05T15:14:00.000-07:002009-07-05T17:27:03.173-07:00

Woods Hole's Alvin sub sampling from a ventFresh back from attending a conference on chemosynthesis in Japan, Andrew posted a fascinating piece over on his blog Southern Fried Science. Entitled Responsible Research at Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents and Beyond, Andrew outlines a set of guidelines for responsible research practices at deep-sea hydrothermal vents that has been developed over years by

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-29755810470291614722009-07-04T19:53:00.000-07:002009-07-04T20:36:38.414-07:00

The BF has this charming habit of insinuating himself into otherwise perfect nature pictures that I'm attempting to capture. Case in point: while strolling along the shore in Pacific Grove last week, we spotted this stack of granite cobblestones someone had balanced on driftwood. While not strictly "natural," it made for a nice picture. In composing the shot (above), I failed to notice a

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-17826518440705740322009-07-04T19:02:00.000-07:002009-07-04T19:40:51.119-07:00

I'd be remiss and a real lout if I didn't publicly acknowledge and thank Cephalopodcast's Jason Robertshaw for all his planning, ideas, and friendship last week during the National Marine Educators Association conference. We teamed-up on a successful and well attended workshop, Carnival of the Blue: An Ocean of Blogging and New Media for Marine Science.Jason's been a real catalyst and

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-70120214348433996852009-07-01T09:52:00.000-07:002009-07-01T10:16:16.646-07:00

Cephalopodcast's Jason Robertshaw and I are presenting a workshop, Carnival of the Blue: An Ocean of Blogging and New Media for Marine Science (informally called Using Social Media Before It Uses You) at the National Marine Educators Association conference here in Pacific Grove. This is a continuously evolving discussion Jason and I have been having over the past few years, and the workshop is

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-85344640959310566232009-07-01T00:39:00.000-07:002009-07-01T01:30:53.176-07:00

When I think of federal government buildings, style, color, and creativity aren't the first things that pop into my head. While the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Grove facility (I'm staying just down the road from this office while attending the National Marine Educators Association Conference) won't win any architectural awards (it reminds me of a fallout shelter), it's exterior decoration is a feast

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-16650352331052138972009-06-29T22:43:00.000-07:002009-06-30T00:37:24.354-07:00

I'm in beautiful Pacific Grove, California, for the next few days as I attend the National Marine Educators Association Conference. Ah, Pacific Grove, or just PG to the locals. Hallowed stomping grounds of my hero, the legendary American marine biologist Ed Ricketts. When I moved to California in 1997, I didn't bring much with me. A futon bed, some clothes suitable for San Francisco's

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-24998872328792423102009-06-26T16:56:00.000-07:002009-06-26T16:58:05.167-07:00

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-6750428234109713932009-06-26T10:54:00.000-07:002009-06-26T14:27:57.602-07:00

That's right, Irradiatus of the always stellar Biochemical Soul blog is back in the world of the virtual after a many month soul (and job) searching hiatus. I was beginning to wonder if the Darwin Beard Challenge boys had extremely eliminated him from the running.Phew!And in an attempt to curry favor with the cool ocean science blogosphere hordes, he goes and lands a sweet new gig researching

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-29396967745982276732009-06-24T10:08:00.001-07:002009-06-24T10:17:40.526-07:00

Well, this email got my day started with a belly laugh. I'm thinking the Orkin exterminator folks didn't actually read my blog very closely. File this under, Say What? Dear RickMy name is Tiffany and I am contacting you regarding your site located at http://coralnotesfromthefield.blogspot.comI'm working with Orkin.com, a leading pest control provider. We feel that the information on your site

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-90845707314943651712009-06-23T18:25:00.000-07:002009-06-23T18:31:26.829-07:00

As you may have seen over on Deep Sea News, the Living Oceans Society's Finding Coral Expedition has successfully found coral in British Columbia.How are deep water coral different from more familiar tropical, shallow water coral species? Check out the expedition video above for some answers.

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-72811504888109556882009-06-22T12:05:00.000-07:002009-06-22T12:48:19.409-07:00

My inverte-phile buddy Eric Heupel over at The Other 95% sent me a heads-up on a perfect Moray Monday event over in his back yard in The Constitution State. Dr Tim Watson, a volunteer diver and underwater photographer at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, has written a children's book that has my name written all over it. His illustrated book, Howard's Search for a Home: An Underwater

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-45211060734007988682009-06-19T17:15:00.001-07:002009-06-19T17:32:51.903-07:00

I'm proud to say that the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) joined thirty-one other conservation organizations (see below) in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt stringent water quality criteria that adequately protect marine life from ocean acidification. The EPA invited people to submit information on ocean acidification for their consideration during its review of water

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-6705745518590530172009-06-18T11:54:00.000-07:002009-06-18T17:42:01.044-07:00

Less than 1% of the world's ocean (0.7% to be exact) is protected within marine protected areas (MPAs). That's an alarming statistic, especially considering that all the data points to well-managed MPAs and MPA networks as our best defense in conserving species and ecosystems.In an effort to get more people to understand what MPAs are, where they are located, and how they work, the World

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-9230462715619280112009-06-17T15:47:00.000-07:002009-06-17T16:15:41.147-07:00

Dr Evil David Shiffman, one-half of Southern Fried Science blog and he of boundless shark conservation enthusiasm, has been working with other shark aficionados to protest The Discovery Channel's portrayal of sharks in their now famous “Shark Week” series.According to David and other shark bloggers, rather than dispel stereotypes, The Discovery Channel continues to falsely portray sharks as

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-55045025326232695512009-06-17T12:25:00.001-07:002009-06-17T12:43:41.674-07:00

Well, are you?If you think you are, then mosey-on over to The Sponge Guide, a brand new web-based, fully searchable pictorial guide to Caribbean sponges. This guide is the brain-child of taxonomist Sven Zea, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, by database and web-designer Tim Henkel, formerly a PhD student at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and now a postdoc at Murray State University

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-36496601527456997862009-06-16T15:46:00.000-07:002009-06-16T15:50:22.126-07:00

It's Pride month (SF Pride is next week) so I thought I'd get y'all in the Pride spirit with a beautiful speech by Patricia Clarkson.

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-20330555426389083572009-06-16T00:58:00.000-07:002009-06-16T01:11:41.767-07:00

This is a post to keep Liz Foote happy. Never let it be said that I won't pander for cheap photoshopping laughs. But honestly, when Liz sent me this little slice of celeb-reality, I knew I had to post it.Here's the full story, courtesy of Expose.com: Johnny Depp feeds hot dogs to sharks to escape his crazy life. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor has his own private island in the Bahamas and

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-85301361736297573402009-06-15T16:39:00.000-07:002009-06-15T16:51:35.395-07:00

James Gates with Living Oceans Society was kind enough to send me links to the YouTube videos from their Finding Coral Expedition that's exploring the depths off the coast of British Columbia looking for deep water corals and recording the damage from bottom trawling.Peter over on Deep Sea News has been posting about the expedition as well.Check out the videos and learn about some of the amazing

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-64444681356453678462009-06-15T10:34:00.000-07:002009-06-15T13:08:12.544-07:00

Thanks to my pal Karen James (she of the august Natural History Museum in London and The Beagle Project), I was alerted to news that a moray eel was captured last week by fishers off the coast of Cornwall, England.John Payne, a fishmonger in Penzance, spotted the eel at a fish market and paid £3o ($48) for the specimen, which he apparently plans to have mounted as a most unusual trophy. "I

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-22595285114515758732009-06-14T21:19:00.000-07:002009-06-14T21:35:06.383-07:00

This is some much-belated recognition of a relatively new yet terrific blog with a particular affection for things oceanic. Labrish: Musings on Earth and Life From a Jamaican Abroad first caught my attention when Kathy Stanley, the blog's author, wrote me with a fascinating rumination on the Paradox of Whale Watching.I didn't just learn coral reef ecology during my field work in Jamaica. If

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-8933373377661645982009-06-13T14:13:00.000-07:002009-06-13T20:32:11.654-07:00

Is anyone surprised by these findings? Dr. Bradley Wetherbee, a University of Rhode Island professor, has studied tourist activities in Stingray City Sandbar in Grand Cayman since 2002 and has concluded that human feeding and habituation is responsible for the disruption of natural stingray behaviors and an increase in the size of the female population in stingrays.In other words, lazy, fat

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-7785482413669635712009-06-12T14:40:00.000-07:002009-06-12T15:26:41.674-07:00

As reported in the June 10th online news outlet Environmental Leader, top United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) executive officer Achim Steiner has called for a global ban or rapid phase-out of plastic bags. A recent report by UNEP indicates, that plastic bags are the most pervasive form of ocean litter and that despite several international, regional and national efforts to reverse marine

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-12713731271210656512009-06-11T23:31:00.000-07:002009-06-12T00:01:42.149-07:00

All these years I've been arguing for ocean conservation on apparently trite notions that without healthy ocean habitats, we lose valuable ecosystem services like food, medicine, coastal storm protection, and tourism. I say trite since these benefits derived from healthy oceans appear insufficient to move the needle appreciably in public concern and action.But I think we now have a surefire

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-42426362136259274182009-06-11T12:21:00.000-07:002009-06-11T12:57:38.169-07:00

Well, actually it got 15 hours. On display, that is, in the Monterey Bay Aquarium before being released back into the Bay. A relatively unknown Prickly shark (Echinorhinus cookei) was collected at the head of the Monterey submarine canyon off Moss Landing. Prickly sharks get their name from the "prickly" or "thorny" texture of their dermal denticles, the scale-like outgrowths which cover the

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33243326.post-36512524160713062132009-06-10T12:25:00.000-07:002009-06-10T12:54:10.391-07:00

Man, does it feel great to finally see recognition for these true Ocean Heroes. Marine biologist John Halas has finally received much deserved recognition from Oceana for designing permanent mooring buoy systems in the early 80's that have measurably reduced or eliminated anchor damage to coral reefs all over the world. My own work has leveraged John's design and resulted in the installation

Rick MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212405859751282835rmacpherson@coral.org0