Marine Science Videos

In March 2009, a group of NOAA scientists and marine debris experts gathered on the shores the Potomac River to tackle a problem left ignored for the last 25 years. Abandoned during the construction of a local yacht club since the 1980's, a barge stuck in the mud poses potential environmental and navigational hazards. Yet, no one knows who left it, and no one has been able to remove it. NOAA and the Alice Ferguson Foundation have banded together to sort the problem out. This first installment traces the mounting effort through the silent perspective of the The Barge That Wouldn't Budge.

This presentation will highlight the accomplishments of a successful outreach and education program based out of the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB), specifically with the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Research Partnership. The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI)) serves as an excellent forum for marine education as it is one of the worlds largest fully marine protected areas. Home to one of the last predator dominated ecosystems in the world; the Monument is both rich in cultural heritage and abundant in endemic species. The NWHI helps to inspire local students to explore marine sciences and to work with surrounding community members to increase awareness of Hawaii's unique marine ecosystem. HIMB is distinctive in that its faculty has been conducting ecosystem based research in the Monument for several years. Unique and biologically important science is used to promote an understanding of complex ecological systems and topics such as biodiversity and climate change to communities within the Hawaiian Islands. Using place-based and experiential education, HIMB's program has successfully amalgamated marine science concepts with hands-on activities, teacher development, and classes using interdisciplinary approaches that combine science with the arts and other subjects. Specific projects such as HIMB future marine scientists program, NWHI science tools student activities and HIMB NWHI science and research exploration continuing education course curriculum will be showcased and on display. These programs have worked to generate participatory activities and develop a sense of place in the community, strengthening relationships between schools, neighborhoods, and society.

Before Chris and Co get back for the start of the new series, Ben and Diana dive deep into the science of the sea. We find out why cold water corals can act as a climate calendar, how fish feminised by human female hormones have a surprising effect on the ecosystem and discover the marine micro-organisms that keep the climate in check. Also, why the humble garden pond can guard against global warming, and how penguins can be identified by their feathery fingerprint. Plus, in Kitchen Science, Ben and Dave have a unique tea party to find out if the saying 'as useless as a chocolate teapot' really holds (hot) water!

Date: June 4, 2008 Location: Monterey Conference Center, California Organizer: Sustainable Life Media, Business videoclips and more.The North Pacific Gyre documentary by Vice Magazine.GreenPeace Oceans

Date: June 4, 2008 Location: Monterey Conference Center, California Organizer: Sustainable Life Media, Business videoclips and more.The North Pacific Gyre documentary by Vice Magazine.GreenPeace Oceans

Oral presentation by Stephanie Duce (James Cook University) during the 7th IOC WESTPAC International Conference in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia last May 21-25, 2008. Abstract: Reef islands are dynamic landforms that are vulnerable to natural and human-induced environmental changes. Reef islands in Torres Strait annually experience a seasonal reversal of prevailing winds, waves, and wave-generated currents (southeast for approximately 9 months of the year, to northwest during the summer monsoon). Distinct seasonal patterns of sediment transport direction on reef island beaches accompany these changes and drive seaonally consistent changes in beach morphology. On Masig Island, natural beach processes on the northwesterly shore have been disrupted by a harbour excavated in the narrow reef flat and associated marine facilities including a shore perpendicular rock barge ramp. Since the harbour was built, the beach east of the harbour has eroded and now threatens important infrastructure whereas the beach to the west has significantly accreted. Using an integrated approach including accurate topographic, hydrodynamic and sedimentological analyses, we have quantified the impact of the harbour on sediment transport and shoreline dynamics. The eroding shoreline east of the harbour has an annual deficit of approx 120 cubic meters while the accreting area west is in surplus by more than 700 cubic meters, largely because longshore sediment transport has been interrupted by the barge ramp. Loss of the beach through the harbour channel is minimal. Although the southeasterly wind season is longer, a greater volume of sediment is moved during the shorter northwesterly monsoon due to greater wave penetration to shore over a narrower, deeper reef flat. Hydrodynamic analyses suggest that if mitigation measures are not implemented, current shoreline trends will continue and possibly increase with sea level rise. Yearly renourishment of approx 500 cubic meters on the eastern side of the jetty, or assisted sediment bypassing would correct the sediment deficit and stabilize the eroding shoreline.

Oceanographic cruise in the internal seas of the Philippines by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute in collaboration with the University of Hawaii. The research cruise was conducted aboard the Scripps RV Melville from January 22-Feb 1 2008. The cruise started from Dumaguete City and sailed west of Panay Island, west of Mindoro Island, Verde Island Passage and ended in Manila Bay.