The Problem Wtih Bycatch

http://www.wakeproject.net/?q=node/21

This picture gives you a glimpse at what bycatch is. Bycatch is the accidental capture of non-targeted species such as dolphins, marine turtles, sharks, and seabirds. It happens when fisherman set out their ginormous nets that catch anything and everything that it sweeps over. These nets are very useful for catching large quantities of specific species of marine life, but also catch many other unintended species in the process.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/wicked-tuna/articles/still-waters-the-global-fish-crisis/

While some regulations have passed concerning bycatching, many places around the world can still bycatch with no punishment. In New Zealand the Maui's dolphin population is roughly sitting at only 100 dolphins. This is due to the entanglement of many dolphins in fishing nets. 

http://www.medicinehunter.com/deep-trouble

The least harmful method of fishing is pole and line, and trolling. These two ways of fishing are virtually bycatch free. Pole and line fishing has been practiced for years, but the amount of fish caught is very small. This is why huge fishing industries tend to not use pole and line. Troll fishing is when fisherman catch fish by towing a a baited hook behind a slow moving boat. Like pole and line fishing, troll fishing does not bring in big numbers of fish. 

Pole and Linehttp://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/campaigns/oceans/get-involved/

Luckily there are advances in fishing technologies to ensure the least amount of bycatch possible. There are also disincentives such as if fisherman catch so much of a non-intended species, they will be penalized. All of these regulations are improving the numbers of bycatches. 

Sources:

"Fishing Problems: Bycatch." WWF.panda.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.

"The Wild Way." On The Boat. Wild Planet, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.

How does Minnesota affect the ocean?

www.google.com/maps

Minnesota is roughly 1,500 miles from the Gulf of Mexico; how could we possibly effect the ocean here? 

http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/topics/deadzone/index.html

What is this? 

Well this is the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone. A dead zone is an oxygen-depleted area of water, and the largest area of a dead zone happens to be along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. 

What caused this?

This dead zone was created by an excess amount of nitrogen and phosphorus that pour out of the Mississippi River. Most of the nitrogen comes from midwestern farming states, such as Minnesota, when the runoff of fertilizers and sewage run off into the Mississippi River. These huge amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus creates major algae blooms, which in turn changes the food chain and depletes oxygen in the area. 

http://www.cop.noaa.gov/stressors/extremeevents/hab/features/hypoxiafs_report1206.aspx

What are the effects of a dead zone?

The massive algae blooms in a dead zone can cause eutrophication or damage to the many plants and organisms living at the bottom of the gulf. 

https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/programs/environmental/courses/seniorseminar/springbreak/students/burke.php

The sea food industry could become greatly effected by this dead zone because it holds 72% of the U.S. shrimp and 66% of the oysters. There needs to be changes made.

Changes? 

The biggest factor in the creation of a dead zone is linked to fertilizers dumped in the Mississippi. If farmers could limit their use of these fertilizers or the run off they create, change could happen. 

http://esciencecommons.blogspot.com/2013_10_01_archive.html

Sources:

www.google.com/maps

Bruckner, Monica. "The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone." The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014. <http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/topics/deadzone/index.html>.

Coral Bleaching

What is it?
Due to rising ocean temperatures, coral has been excreting algae and turning white.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_bleaching

How does this affect coral?

Although coral that is bleached is not dead, it is under a great amount of stress, and is more apt to die. 

Why are coral reefs important to us?

Coral reefs are a home to 25% of marine life. If coral dies, so do these organisms. Coral reefs are also a great resource for fishing industries as well as protecting the shorelines. 

http://www.noaa.gov/features/economic_0708/coralreefs.html

What can be done to stop coral bleaching?

Because coral bleaching occurs when there is a dramatic change in temperature, climate change is a factor. So influences to stop climate change could have an impact on the coral. 

Climate change is affecting the water temperature, which warms the ocean, and leads to coral bleaching. 

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basics/

Source:

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/coralreefs/coral-reefs-coral-bleaching-what-you-need-to-know.xml

How Oil Spills Effect The Ocean

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/oceanography-book/oilspills.htm

Oil spills have been prominent in the news and media in recent years. Many may remember the BP spill in 2010, or the Persian Gulf spill in 1991. Both of these massive spills have had an astounding impact on both wildlife and plant life. (4)

How do oil spills hurt animals and plants?

Animals:
Since oil floats on the surface of the water, animals that dwell in this area are greatest affected. This animals include birds, sea otters. If the oil finds the beach animals that live on the beach, such as snails, clams and crabs can be harmed as well. (1)

When birds and sea otters get oil on their coats it is almost impossible for them to get it off. Their fur provides insulation, which can not keep them warm if not kept clean. (1)

http://naturescrusaders.wordpress.com/2010/04/30/louisiana%E2%80%99s-oil-spill-came-at-the-worst-time/

http://www.glogster.com/greengeekster/history-fair/g-6mamfe2mciud89d8bt721a0

Plants and Ocean Ecosystem:
When oil reaches the shoreline it can lead to other animals becoming exposed to its toxins. It can also have an affect on the land itself.

When oil meets the land it can cause many plants to die, which can eventually lead to land erosion. (3)Many wetlands and marshes are also greatly damaged by oil spills.(2)

http://bpoilspill.us/

There are clean up efforts in place for massive oil spills, but the lasting affect they have on the oceans ecosystem could be irreversible. 

http://www.oilspillnews.net/tag/oil-spill-cleanup/page/5/

Sources:

1. http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills/how-oil-harms-animals-and-plants.html

2. http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/oilspill/wildlifeimpacts.html

3. http://fuelfix.com/blog/2012/06/27/study-oil-spill-caused-some-land-erosion/

4.http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/13/world/oil-spills-fast-facts/