Ska-ana

Lover of all creatures, with a special fascination for those in the sea. Aspiring biologist and wildlife researcher. Here is where I embrace my love for cetaceans, and desire to learn more about them. (USA / female ) Adopted orca: K21 Cappuccino

[m--ood-deactivated20181217]

A very curious octopus.

[southernbitchface]

Watch this and be blessed

[taviacw]

“Why he smoosh my head??? Wait smoosh my head again.”

[aurosoulart]

Open your mouth wide The universal sigh And while the ocean blooms It’s what keeps me alive So why does it still hurt?

This orca is J-46 ‘Star’, and she lives in the Salish Sea of the Pacific Northwest. In the fall of 2016, she lost her mother, J-28 ‘Polaris’, and baby brother J-54 ‘Dipper’. She was seen trying to catch enough salmon to feed all three of them, and supported her brother at the water’s surface in his final moments.

Here are a few websites with information about the endangered southern resident killer whales, and what we can do to help: x x x

[todropscience]

DEEP-SEA MINING COULD DESTROY MARINE ECOSYSTEMS

Despite deep-sea environments covers about half of the Earth’s surface and is home to a vast range of species, little is known about these environments, and mining could have long-lasting and unforeseen consequences, not just at mining sites but also across much larger areas.

According to a study published in scientific journal Frontiers in Marine Science, which is the first to give a global overview of all current plans to mine the seabed, in both national and international waters, and looks at the potential impacts including physical destruction of seabed habitats, creation of large underwater plumes of sediment and the effects of chemical, noise and light pollution arising from mining operations.

Rising demand for minerals and metals, including for use in the technology sector, has led to a resurgence of interest in exploration of mineral resources located on the seabed. Such resources, whether seafloor massive sulfides around hydrothermal vents, cobalt-rich crusts on the flanks of seamounts or fields of manganese nodules on the abyssal plains, cannot be considered in isolation of the distinctive, in some cases unique, assemblages of marine species associated with the same habitats and structures.

Some operations are already taking place, generally at relatively shallow depths near national coastlines. The first commercial enterprise, expected to target mineral-rich sulfides in deeper waters, at depths between 1,500 and 2,000 m on the continental shelf of Papua New Guinea, is scheduled to begin early in 2019.

Illustration: A schematic showing the potential impacts of deep-sea mining on marine ecosystems. Schematic not to scale.

Reference: Miller et al., 2018.  An Overview of Seabed Mining Including the Current State of Development, Environmental Impacts, and Knowledge Gaps. Frontiers in Marine Science.

[californiatransients]

12/8/17 - Lonesome George kelping, Part 1! Part 2

The third photo shows a close-up of the large knick in his left pectoral fin, likely an old hunting injury.

Photos by Daniel Bianchetta

[derangedhyena-delphinidae]

Chester the false killer whale has died, Vancouver Aquarium says

Chester the false killer whale, has died, according to the Vancouver Aquarium.

[marcie-callewaert]

Just saw someone mention that there wasn’t enough of L25 Ocean Sun on their feed - So here she is!

This is believed to be captive orca, Tokitae/Lolita’s, mother. Tokitae has been captive in the Miami Seaquarium for OVER 40 YEARS!!! There is a great retirement plan in place for her… we just need to Miami Seaquarium to end their reign of greed and let her be free!

[americasgreatoutdoors]

November is Manatee Awareness Month! These gentle giants – nicknamed “sea cows” for their diet of seagrass and other aquatic plants – can reach lengths of over 14 feet and weigh more than 3,000 pounds. Early explorers once mistook manatees, which have large, spoon-shaped tails, for young women – fueling legends of mermaids. Find out more fun manatee facts: https://www.doi.gov/blog/6-facts-about-manatees. Photo at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in Florida by Michel Gilbert, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SUP holder.

[noaasanctuaries]

We ❤️ manatees, in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and everywhere else!

[montereybayaquarium]

Happy Manatee Awareness Month!

[derangedhyena-delphinidae]

Two Dolphins Died at Miami Seaquarium After Hurricane Irma

The recent revelation that dolphins died in Irma's aftermath calls into question whether the Seaquarium is a safe place for marine animals during hurricanes.

“Miami Seaquarium says the animals’ deaths were unrelated to Irma. In a statement to New Times, the park asserts: Miami Seaquarium is saddened by the passing of two Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the month of September. The passing of the two dolphins was not caused or related to Hurricane Irma.Rio, a 14-year old female Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, passed away due to bronchial pneumonia as a result of a respiratory infection. She had been battling an infection and receiving treatment for more than ten days. Noel, a 31-year old male Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, suddenly passed away due to a systemic infection as a result of an anaphylactic reaction. A post-mortem necropsy revealed the likely cause to be a sting from an inhaled bee. Both dolphins had been born at the park and were part of the Miami Seaquarium family. They will be fondly missed and always remembered.” So “deeply saddened” they didn’t bother mentioning it until called out by a paper who noticed the info from Cetabase. Okay. Personally, I think it ranges from unlikely to suspicious that these two died in such close proximity of the hurricane, and it wasn’t somehow related.  Regardless of the above, this does not change that the Seaquarium wasn’t truthful with news outlets after the hurricane x “All other marine mammals, including dolphins, seals and sea lions, are safe following the storm.” A dolphin dying the day the hurricane hit, regardless of if they thought it to be related or not, should’ve been noted. 

[worldofwhales]

Bowhead Whales 

Stills from Arctic Bowhead Whale Research | ©VDOS Global

[californiatransients]

5/11/17 - Breaches, tail lobs, and spyhops by the CA58′s.

Photos by Daniel Bianchetta

[this-is-wild]

Beluga (Konstantin Novikov)

[ginkotoothed-deactivated2019050]

Qinu, a Seaworld-loaned beluga that went into labor yesterday at Georgia Aquarium, lost her calf sometime last night or early hours of this morning.

This is the third time Georgia Aquarium has tried to breed their belugas, if anyone is keeping a tally.

[natsilane]

Why do they even keep trying? They should know by now that belugas don't breed well in captivity.

I've lost all respect for this facility. To think that a few years ago I was excited to visit their belugas.

[natsilane]

It's kind of ironic, lately I've only been remembering to log on when something about cetaceans upsets me.

[natsilane]

Very upset with Georgia aquarium right now.

[whaletalesorg]

A Post-Kill Visit from the T046C Matriline. To read this story (and more!), follow the link in our bio.⠀ Photo: T46C by @themarinedetective⠀ #whaletales #whales #killerwhale #orca #biggs #transient #whalewatching #exploreBC #getonaboat #storytelling

[sixth-extinction]

These vaquitas, caught in gillnets in the northern Gulf of California in 1985,  were the first intact vaquita specimens to be photographed. A juvenile is in the foreground (#25) with a large adult and two smaller adults behind it.

Since the totoaba fishing industry began in the 1930′s, countless vaquitas have perished in gillnets as incidental bycatch.

Photo by Alejandro Robles. [x]

[californiatransients]

6/25/17 - Amazing breach sequence!

Photos by Daniel Bianchetta