Seaw rds The Marine Option Program Newsletter
October 2019
9
DISCOVERY OF VAST PUMICE RAFT IN THE PACIFIC BEACH AWARENESS 101 TALES FROM THE OCEAN
“Michael Hoult and Larissa Brill ended up sailing into a sea of pumice the size of 20,000 football fields on August 16th, 2019.”
October 2019 Articles
Volume XXXIII, Number 6
Page 3: Letter from the Editor Page 4: Back to School BBQ Page 6: Critter of the Month Page 8: Discovery of Vast Pumice Raft in the Pacific Page 10: Marine Mammal of the Month Page 12: Paddleboard Across the Pacific Page 14: NOAA Wave Safety Page 16: Shipwreck of the Month Page 17: Tour of the RV Falkor Page 18: Tales from the Ocean Page 20: Ocean Art Page 22: Generation Blue Page 24: Hanauma Bay: Calendar of Events Page 25: Flashback Page 26: MOP Calendar of Events
About the Photography -Cover: The Deep. By: cheddar-, Flickr. -Table of Contents: Deep-sea Jelly. By: NOAA Ocean Exploration & Research, Flickr. -October Calendar of Events: Medusae. By: Pedro Szekely, Flickr. -Back cover: Twoband anemonefish (Amphiprion bicinctus). By: Martin Postma, Flickr. -All uncredited photos by: MOP -Disclaimer: any photo taken from flickr.com is used under the Creative Commons License and is credited appropriately with links to the user’s Flickr account.
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Letter from the Editor
A
loha!
Welcome to the October edition of Seawords! Alyssa and I are so excited to share our first issue with everyone; this month’s theme is the deep sea. Recent figures from NOAA estimate that over 80% of the ocean has not been explored. Delve into the mysteries of the vast blue that covers over 70% of our planet and learn about the creatures that live there, such as our Critter of the Month, the goblin shark! Turn to page 18 and discover the myth and legend surrounding the sea, and the science behind the stories. Closer to the surface, read the story of an incredible athlete who took a stand-up paddleboard from California to Hawai‘i, and hear all about our MOP barbeque. And don’t miss our Generation Blue tips from writer Kirsten Davis! What would you like to see more of in Seawords? Send in your thoughts! Thank you for reading!
Zada Boyce-Quentin, Seawords Editor, and Alyssa Mincer, Associate Editor Seawords
Volume XXXIIII, Number 6, October 2019 Editor: Zada Boyce-Quentin Dr. Cynthia Hunter (éminence grise) Jeffrey Kuwabara (éminence grise) Seawords- Marine Option Program University of Hawai‘i, College of Natural Sciences 2450 Campus Road, Dean Hall 105A Honolulu, HI 96822-2219 Telephone: (808) 956-8433 Email: <seawords@hawaii.edu> Website: <http://www.hawaii.edu/mop> Seawords is the monthly newsletter of the Marine Option Program at the University of Hawai‘i. Opinions expressed herein are not necessariliy those of the Marine Option Program or of the University of Hawai‘i. Suggestions and submissions are welcome. Submissions may include articles, photography, art work, or anything that may be of interest to the marine community in Hawai‘i and around the world. All photos are taken by MOP unless otherwise credited.
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MOP Back to School Barbeque
MOP students at Bellows Beach. Photo by: Jeff Kuwabara, UHM MOP Coordinator
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fter several months of record breaking temperatures, the heat of the summer season has been approaching its welcomed transition into autumn. For students registered at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, this change comes with an additional gift - the commencement of the fall semester! With an inundation of individuals onto campus, like waves crashing on a beach, a significant portion of students, including those of new and returning enrollment status, have been exposed to the splendor known as the Marine Option Program, or MOP for short. Bursting with numerous opportunities to explore and engage in the sciences of the sea, MOP hosts events throughout the semester, those of which work to propel students into achieving success in their studies, as well as providing an excellent network for establishing life-long friendships. To kick off the fall semester, in an ocean-friendly manner, MOP invited eager students to the annual barbeque, held at Bellow’s Beach, for an
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By: Alyssa Mincer, Seawords Assistant Editor exciting chance to eat an abundance of delicious food, connect with fellow attendees and even take a nap in a hammock - all while soaking in the salty ocean air. The underlying theme of the barbeque, the food, was overflowing in both quantity and flavor.
MOP students enjoying the sun and sand. Photo by: Jeff Kuwabara, UHM MOP Coordinator.
MOPers socializing at the barbeque. Photo by: Zada Boyce-Quentin, Seawords Editor. People were encouraged to bring a dish to share; consequently, there was a substantial variety in platters to choose from, which included pastas, chips, fruit and vegetable salads, soups, desserts and, of course, as
MOP students sculpting a sea turtle in the sand. Photo by: Zada Boyce-Quentin, Seawords Editor.
prepared by MOP Coordinator, Jeff Kuwabara, burgers and hot dogs - for meat eaters and vegans alike! With hunger kept at bay, attendees, comprised of new and returning MOP students, kept their spirits joyful by engaging in socialization. What better place to meet individuals of similar oceanic interests, than at the beach, their natural habitat? With bountiful options for enhancing interaction, people were spotted relaxing under the shaded canopy of the common ironwood trees; playing with Beegee and Archie, the two pups of MOP; frolicking in the powerful waves, and even constructing a sea turtle, made out of sand! Although the windy weather was the culprit of many overturned plates and messy hair, it was of no dismay to the overall ambiance of the event. Overall, the annual barbeque, hosted by the Marine Option Program, proved to be a genial experience filled with cheerfulness, enthusiasm, and unfortunately, sunburns. And so begins the school year of 2019! n OCTOBER 2019â&#x20AC;&#x192;|5
critter of the Month By: Samantha Darin, UHM MOP Student
Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni)
Distribution: Primarily Sagami Bay and Suruga Bay; also found on outer continental shelves in Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans Size: 3 to 4 meters long Diet: Small fish, squid, crustaceans Coloration: Pink to purplish-grey, blue around the fins Habitat: Found mostly near the ocean floor IUCN Red List Status: Least concern
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he goblin shark (scientific name: Mitsukurina owstoni) is a rarely seen species of deep-sea shark. Its name is a translation of the Japanese word tenguzame, which comes from ‘tengu’, a Japanese mythical creature with a long nose and red face. The shark typically grows to between 3 and 4 meters long. It has a pink to purplish-gray coloring with blue around the fins and a long, rounded snout that sticks out in front. The goblin shark is neutrally buoyant and generally slow-moving. Goblin sharks live in deep water at anywhere from 40 to 1,200 meters deep. They typically reside on the outer continental shelves or slopes in the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They are classified as demersal, or bottom/near-bottom dwellers, to mesopelagic.
Diagram of the goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) drawn by David Starr Jordan. Photo by: University of Washington, Wikimedia Commons. 6| Seawords
Mitsukurina owstoni. Photo by: Dianne J. Bray, Wikimedia Commons.
Although their habitats span a very large portion of the ocean, many are concentrated in a few specific places in the world. Half of the known species of goblin sharks are found in two locations in Japan: Sagami Bay and Suruga Bay. The goblin shark’s diet typically includes small fishes, squid and crustaceans. They tend to feed in mid water and might also feed at or near the seafloor. A unique adaptation of the goblin shark is its extendable jaws. When catching prey, the shark is able to extend its jaw to the length of its snout to quickly snap up prey. Unlike most other sharks, its teeth are pointy and needle-like; they are meant for stabbing prey and holding it in place. This suggests that the goblin shark most likely swallows prey whole and therefore has no need for thicker teeth meant for chewing. Another feeding adaptation of the goblin shark is its snout, which acts as an electrosensitive rostrum. The pores in the snout contains sensory organs called ampullae of Lorenzini, which are able to detect electric fields in the dark. This alerts the shark when prey are near. The goblin shark is sometimes fished commercially in Japan. It is also pulled up as bycatch while deep-sea longlining. Nevertheless, not much is known about the goblin shark, as there have been few reports of sightings. There is still much to discover about this often called “alien of the sea.” n
Artistic rendering of Mitsukurina owstoni. Photo by: Steve Loya, Flickr. OCTOBER 2019 |7
Undersea volcanic eruption creates plume on the ocean surface. Photo by: Stuart Rankin, Flickr.
Discovery of Vast Pumice Raft in the Pacific By: Rayna McClintock, UHM MOP Student
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As the temperatures across the globe increase, the oceans warm along with it, making stressful environments for coral reefs which causes bleaching. The Great Barrier Reef faced severe bleaching in both 2016 and 2017. Some scientists say that the raft is a potential mechanism to regenerate the Great Barrier Reef. Associate Professor Scott Bryan said, ”Based on past pumice raft events we have studied over the last 20 It is suspected that this pumice raft was caused by an years, it’s going to bring new healthy corals and other underwater volcano eruption near Tonga. Pumice is a reef-dwellers.” With so much coral death in Australightweight, low density rock that floats in water and is lia, this floating pile of rocks could offer some hope. n produced when lava goes through rapid cooling and releases gasses. magine sailing around the Pacific Ocean only to wake up to the sound of your boat scraping against rocks without touching the bottom of the ocean. This is exactly what happened to two Australian sailors earlier this month. Michael Hoult and Larissa Brill ended up sailing into a sea of pumice the size of 20,000 football fields on August 16th, 2019.
The discoverers of the pumice raft stated, ”The waves were knocked back to almost calm and the boat was slowed to one knot. The rubble slick went as far as we could see in the moonlight and with our spotlight.” The couple also sent samples of the pumice to researchers at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia. The pumice sizes range from “the size of a marble to the size of a basketball.” The pumice is currently all floating together, but it is predicted to break up and disperse across the Pacific Ocean. This raft could also have ecological impacts. Dr. Martin Jutzeler from the University of Tasmania stated, ”A lot of life... can attach themselves to the pumice and be transported thousands of kilometers away. So it’s a way to renew ecosystems somewhere, but it also can introduce invasive species.”
Pumice from an undersea volcano. Photo by: James St. John, Flickr. Raft of pumice rubble floating in the Pacific Ocean. Photo by: European Space Agency, Flickr.
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By: Georgia Johnson-King, UHM MOP Student
Rodhocetus
Marine Mammal of the Month:
Rodhocetus
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Scientific Name: Rodhocetus spp. Diet: Fishes and squids Size: An average of 2.5 meters (8 feet), 455 kilograms (1000 pounds) Range: Excavation site in northern Pakistan; formerly the Tethys Sea Habitat: Off coast of central Asia Historical Epoch: Eucene (46-47 million years ago)
odhocetus was a large, now extinct genus of the whale, weighing roughly 1,000 pounds and growing close to ten feet in length. Rodhocetus lived in the early Eocene period, around 40,000 years ago. Unlike the modern day whales, neither of the two species of Rodhocetus that existed, R. kasrani and R. balochistanesis, bore the fluke tail that characterizes modern day cetaceans.
Gingerich, director of the Museum of Palaeontology and professor of geological sciences, and researchers from the Geological Survey of Pakistan, during an excavation in 1992 which took place in Northern Pakistan. Geologically, the landscape looked significantly different fifty million years ago to what it does today. The once deep ocean called the Thethys Sea is now unrecognizable, as the landscape has evolved to mountainous desert.
Remains of Rodhocetus were first discovered by Dr. Phil Dr. Phil Gingerich was the first palaeontologist to re-
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Rodhocetus skull on display. Photo by: James St. John, Flickr.
Illustration of Rodhocetus based on fossil findings. Photo by: James St. John, Flickr.
construct an idea of what Rodhocetus would have looked like. Initially, the reconstruction showed Rodhocetus with the traditional fluke tail and flippers of a modern day whale, although there was no fossil evidence of this found. The revised reconstruction showed Rodhocetus with a slim, powerful tail like an eel, and four powerful legs similar to those of a crocodile.
name a few. For further information and ways to contribute and protect these beautiful mammals visit https://savethewhales.org/donate/. n
“Rodhocetus is the first early whale found with a complete thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebral column,” Dr. Gingerich stated, “It retains primitive features seen in land mammals, but also exhibits derived characteristics found only in later ocean-dwelling species. It is an excellent candidate for a direct ancestor of modern whales.” Rodhocetus had a long, pointed snout and rows of sharp teeth, with a thick, strong tail, making it an efficient hunter. Rodhocetus had a carnivorous diet, choosing to prey on fishes and squids. Fossilized records suggest that Rodhocetus may also have been amphibious but was better adapted to life in the water. Fossilized remains discovered in 2001 show Rodhocetus having a five fingered hand and a four toed foot, along with long distinguishable leg bones. Given these discoveries, Rodhocetus was best described as looking similar to a crocodile with a coat of fur. Modern descendants of Rodhocetus currently face a myriad of threats. Modern day cetaceans face problems such as whaling, climate change, increased ocean noise, and entanglement in fishing equipment, to
Hipbone of Rodhocetus. Photo by: James St. John, Flickr.
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Pacific Ocean. Photo by: Anthony Auston, Flickr.
Paddleboard Ac Spanish Edurance Athl
By: Georgia Johnson-Ki
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. Photo by: Tom Hilton, Flickr.
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panish endurance athlete, Antonio de la Rosa, has become the first man to stand-up paddleboard across the Pacific Ocean.
The 42 year old left from San Francisco on the 9th of June and arrived in Waikīkī on the 24th of August. De la Rosa had no support vessels tailing him on his trip, although he did have company: plastic. Throughout the entire journey across the Pacific Ocean, De la Rosa remarked that he often saw plastic. His Facebook page reported his journey day-by-day. On day 43, De la Rosa remarked: “Today in less than one hour I caught two pieces of different [fishing] networks and saw one yesterday… it has given me [much] rage.” The journey had been in the making for over two years, and covered a distance of close to 3000 miles. De la Rosa travelled in a 24-foot combination of paddleboard and small boat, which was fitted with solar panels for powering electronics.
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cross the Pacific: lete Sets World Record
ing, UHM MOP Student
The extensive trip, according to De la Rosa, cost approximately $100,000. A combination of sponsors and contributions from De la Rosa’s adventure company funded the trip. The trip was estimated to take 70 days but De la Rosa completed the journey in 76 days, 5 hours, and 22 minutes, landing in Waikīkī Yacht Club at 8am on Saturday. “This is the motor,” De la Rosa said, pointing to his bicep, when asked about what powers his paddle boat. De la Rosa was aided only by the wind and currents in his extensive journey, “It’s difficult moving this kind of boat with a very small paddle.” “I’ve seen every curve of the world. Every year I think: ‘Okay, what do I do next year?’ I love this kind of life”, De la Rosa said. n
“...De
la Rosa completed the journey in 76
days, 5 hours, and 22 minutes...”
Honolulu skyline. Photo by: Markus Jöbstl, Flickr. OCTOBER 2019 |13
Beach Awareness 101
How to Stay Safe in the Water By: Amiti Malory, UHM MOP Student
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he ocean, with its undulating waves, beckons guests to enter and enjoy its beauty. Even on the mildest of days, dangers may be hiding within those tides. People are often tricked by its splendor and overlook warning signs which are designed to create a safe environment. Respect for the oceans and its power is as ingrained in Hawaiian history and culture as is sand to its beaches. Many of the subtle environmental indicators take experience to recognize. For those with less understanding of these subtleties and cues, here are a few clear clues to look for when entering a beach.
Beach warning signs. Photo by: The Hamster Factor, Flickr. 14|â&#x20AC;&#x192;Seawords
First, most guarded and even some unguarded beaches employ a standard flag system. The flags indicate precaution levels to be taken and alert about current situations. Their warnings range from green flags, indicating calm conditions and safe for swimming, to red over red flags, which inform beach goers that the water is closed for public use due to rough, and possibly dangerous, conditions. Some of the other flags are intended to alert about the use of inflatables, watercraft, or the presence of marine life.
Much like the coded flag system. signs are often posted to better expose hidden dangers. Most of these notices include written explanations such as ”high surf ” or ”sharp corals”. If no flags or signs are present, guests to any beach are encouraged to review surf reports or other dating before venturing to the location. Here in Hawai‘i, the reports are in the local media daily, if not hourly. Additionally, there are helpful smartphone applications including free options like NOAA Ocean Buoys, GoFlow, and Tides Near Me which can help better pregame for an improved ocean experience. The ocean is beautiful, fun, and powerful. Its strength deserves respect and attention. Before entering the water, review the surroundings looking for signs, flags, and other indicators. Checking reports on the television, newspapers, online, or via smartphone applications before embarking can also help maximize your enjoyment by narrowing in on the most compatible location for your needs that day. n
Dangerous current flag. Photo by: County of Dare, Flickr. OCTOBER 2019 |15
Shipwreck of the Month: Khanka By: Rayna Mcclintock, UHM MOP Student
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he Khanka, or as it is better known, the “Russian Wreck”, is a suspected Russian spy ship lying in the Red Sea in the western bay of Zabargad Island. As it was used as a spy ship, there is not much public information available about it.
In the 1940s to the 1950s, during the beginning of the Cold War, Russia did not have access to many overseas listening posts. In the early 1950s, the Russian government started to develop a cost-effective alternative to land-based surveillance outposts by commandeering commercial shipping vessels and turning them into a tool for spying. The Khanka is assumed to be one of these listening posts, as it was found to be outfitted with spy equipment. This ship has since been turned into a popular dive site. The wreck lies at Zabargad Island in 24 meters of water; easily found because the mast of the ship breaks the surface water during low-tide and is a good place to make a safety stop. It even has opportunities for divers to swim throughout the ship, with easy access to the pilothouse and engine room. It is suspected that there is access to the ship’s holds where divers could get a glimpse of the spy equipment that is said to be held on the ship. n
Scuba diver exploring shipwreck. Photo by: NOAA, Flickr.
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TOUR OF THE RV FALKOR By: Zada Boyce-Quentin, Seawords Editor
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n the last weekend of September, MOP students had the opportunity to tour the RV Falkor. Built in 1981, the ship originally served as a German fisheries protection vessel named the “Seefalke”, or Sea Falcon. Since the early 2000s, the boat, named for the luck dragon from ‘The Neverending Story’, has been used for oceanographic research purposes. The 83-meter long ship is equipped with a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, named SuBastian, which is able to take data up to 4500 meters deep. SuBastian is able to collect sediments and take water samples. In addition, the ROV is outfitted with deep-water cameras, which connect to a YouTube livestream, and a device that measures the pressure, temperature, and salinity of the water at any depth, called a CTD.
Pieces from artists who have done work aboard the ship adorn the hallways and sides of the ROV. One particularly intriguing piece is a large mural of two pale, eel-like ‘ghost fish’. In 2016, marine ‘landers’ exploring SuBastian the ROV. Photo by: Jeff Kuwa- the deepest sections of the Mariana Trench captured these fish on video for the first time ever, and for a time, these phantom-like bottom feeders bara, UHM MOP Coordinator. were the world’s deepest dwelling fish. Another feature of interest is the world map marking all of the locations the ship has travelled to on cruises. The RV Falkor has visited places from Norway to Cambodia, from Tasmania to Greenland. Interestingly, though the ship’s port of registry is the Cayman Islands, it has never actually been there, and the crew do not consider any port to be their main base. As one bridge officer put it, “The ship goes where the science takes us.” Down in the bowels of the ship is the science control center, where a dizzying array of screens show 3D maps of the surrounding ocean floor, thermal maps, data being taken by the ROV, and the video feed. Here, ROV technicians, scientists, and crew members collect information, control the ROV and its manipulators, and monitor the cameras. Information or video can immediately be shared with the bridge and the rest of the crew thanks to a digital matrix which instantly broadcasts CTD data or footage from the cameras to every screen onboard. Upstairs, the bridge controls the ship’s movements and operates as command central. While on cruises, three officers take shifts at the helm 24/7 and monitor the positioning and operations of the vessel, as well as the environmental conditions. Cruises onboard the RV Falkor are booked up to two years in advance, and crew members come and go depending on where the ship is scheduled to be and what the aim of the study is. The vessel also contains amenities such as a lounge full of books and movies, a workout area, and even a sauna! Touring the RV Falkor was an incredible experience and a fantastic look into the possibilities that the field of marine research can offer! n
MOPers about to board the Falkor. Photo by: Jeff Kuwabara, UHM MOP Coordinator. OCTOBER 2019 |17
Mast of a ship under cloudy skies. Photo by: A.v.Z, Flickr.
Tales from
The Science Beh
By: Zada Boyce-Quen
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ince the Pleistocene era, and possibly before, the ocean has been a source of fear and fascination, offering both sustenance and survival. People have long respected the power and fickle nature of the sea, but have been powerless to resist its allure. In its vastness, we have found reflected in it our hopes, fears, ambitions, spirits, demons, and deities. However, what the seafarers of the past explained by myth and magic, we now know has a scientific explanation. Phantom ships, blue-green flames that do not burn, and ‘cold’ lights sweeping across the waves at nightthese stories have held generations of land-dwelling audiences spellbound. Each of these marvelous phantasms have their place in both folklore and fact. Since the 17th century, sailors have feared being sent to Davy Jones’ locker at the bottom of the sea. The character of Davy Jones has a few possible origins: one legend tells the tale of a pub owner who kidnapped seamen and stored them in his ale locker, while others
Fata Morgana creating mirage of ship. Photo by: benerazzo, Flickr. 18| Seawords
use him as a substitute for the devil or a fearsome pirate ravaging the seas. Davy Jones was said to be the captain of the Flying Dutchman, a ghost ship which never docked. Seeing the Dutchman was said to be a premonition of calamity. The sight of a ship floating eerily on the horizon spelled death to sailors long ago. However, today we know that in reality, this haunting vision is the work of a type of mirage called Fata Morgana, named after Arthurian sorceress Morgan le Fay who used illusions to lure unwary mariners to a watery grave. Fata Morgana is caused when warm air in the atmosphere covers a layer of cooler air directly above the water, creating a sort of density gradient. Light from an object (such as a faraway ship) refracts at different angles as it passes through the differing air densities, and a distorted image appears to hover beyond the horizon. Another oceanic phantom is that of the sudden manifestation of blue-green flames, usually located on the masts of ships, that appear and then vanish without leaving a trace. Now most commonly called St. Elmo’s fire after the Christian patron saint of sailors, St. Erasmus of Formia, historically, sailors have taken this to be a divine omen. Welsh mariners referred to this phenomenon as the ‘candles of the Holy Spirit’. Magellan’s crew assumed that it augured good fortune. The Byzantines, shortly before the sacking of Constantinople, thought it foretold salvation by divine providence. At other times, these lights were assumed to be the souls of lost sailors sending a warning. Seafarers from 15th century China and 19th century England alike saw it as the protection of their patron saints, and its appearance in a storm was thought to be a sign that the worst had passed. In reality, these azure flames are a type of plasma which often occur during a thunderstorm, when the atmosphere is electrically charged.
the Ocean:
hind the Stories
ntin, Seawords Editor
Artist rendering of St. Elmo’s fire. Photo by: NOAA, Flickr.
These conditions give the mast of a ship a strong electrical field, which ionizes the air around it. The voltage from the storm breaks air molecules apart, creating a fluorescent mixture of separated particles called a corona discharge. Among the first to record their observations of the strange glow that emanated from the ocean at night were the Chinese, the Greeks, and the Romans. Aristotle made several mentions of this unusual radiance, which was cold and did not burn like candles or lamps. Sailors during this time thought that this might be the chariot of Poseidon passing over the water, and many Romans assumed that this glow was a divine sign. For centuries after this time, the “burning of the seas” mystified all and filled them with awe and fear. Light has often been deified as a warm and life-giving figure, and has been used to represent goodness and signify holiness. From the 5th century BCE onwards, people have been captivated by the illuminated seas, incandescent
in the darkness. However, this light is not the work of grand supernatural forces, but of microscopic organisms. Dinoflagellates are a type of unicellular marine plankton that reside in surface waters around the globe and possess an enzyme called luciferase. This enzyme, which got its name from the Latin word lucifer, meaning ‘light-bearing’, is the catalyst for a chemical reaction which produces light. The luminous properties of these dinoflagellates are set off by movement and functions as a defense mechanism to startle predators. Though they are microscopic individually, large groups of dinoflagellates can create vibrant swirls of blue in the dark seas. In the face of the unexplained, we find fear, but also hope and belief in the world around us. In our quest for truth, we create legends and seek to understand. Millenia after our ancestors first attempted to make sense of these phenomena, we still seek to illuminate the darkness and unmask the science behind the myth. There is still so much we do not know about our planet, and so we continue to explore. n
Bioluminescence in Tasmania. Photo by: Andrew Wallace, Flickr. OCTOBER 2019 |19
ocean art Assortment of fish on a reef. Photo by: Greg Goebel, Flickr.
Rainbow Under the Sea By: Claudio Ortiz, HCC Student
Claudio’s poem was chosen from a collection of poems submitted to us by Eric Paul Shaffer, an HCC English Professor, and written by his English 201: Creative Writing class. 20| Seawords
As Iola the sponge lays on her favorite Spot on the vast rainbow plain, The big blue sky hovers up above. The sky is always there for as far as the eye can see. As Iola looks onward, the horizon is only broken by the mass of sponges that Iola calls friends. All the sponges lay together on the great wide plain together. Red, yellow, gray, The color of the friend does not matter; Together, all the sponges create this rainbow plain, This coral reef together. A breeze comes and Iola feels the breeze trying to whisk her away, trying to ask Iola to follow the breeze into the unknown. But there was no reason for Iola to leave this comfy little spot that she laid on. Suddenly, a huge shadow was cast upon the rainbow plain. Iola sat scared as the shadow slowly crept towards the reef. Iola looks up, as there is a huge black circle tainting the sky. The circle stops over Iola, and once again tries to sweep here away. Iola realizes she wants to be swept away, but sponges can't move. There was a hanuting boom, and the shadow starts moving again, but there is a piece of the shadow left behind The part left behind starts to fall down towards the reef, and slowly starts to get larger the closer the black piece of the circle comes down. The piece left behind blacks out the entire sky above Iola. As the orb comes down onto the reef, Iola starts to choke up. The orb was garbage left from a boat and has enveloped the entire reef. Iola tries to move, but can't see or breathe as the world around the sponges becomes darkness. n OCTOBER 2019â&#x20AC;&#x192;|21
Actions for the Ocean
GENERATION
BLUE By: Kirsten Davis , UHM MOP Student
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he Earth and all its living inhabitants are what make up the beauty and splendor of the world in which we live. However, in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s society, there are many harmful factors that not only affect the natural world but also our health and well-being. Some of the harmful things are plastic pollution, global warming through the overuse of carbon dioxide and other toxic gases, excessive consumption in almost every area of our lives, and many others. It may seem as if a single individual cannot make a difference in light of these issues, but there are small steps that may be taken to improve the conditions of the world. Listed below are a few tips that could aid in keeping our oceans and lands clean, save the animals and living things that reside there, and positively impact our overall well-being. This world we live in is beautiful and provides all the essential things we need to live a natural, healthy, and fulfilling life. By taking steps to ensure that we are living sustainably, the more the world will thrive.
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THE OCEAN SPANS OVER 70 PERCENT OF OUR WORLD. It is responsible for regulating temperature, food production, sustaining numerous species, and is a source for inspiration for many people.The ocean gives us so much and it is time for us to return the favor and take actions to make the ocean ecosystem healthy again. Almost every action that we take affects the ocean in some way. Our everyday choices can be tailored to support a healthy ocean. Here are some examples of green acts that will keep the ocean blue.
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Eliminate plastic toiletries Plastic toiletries are all around us; in our homes, hotels, and stores. When these run out and are thrown away, they go to landfills where they sit for hundreds of years. One way to stop this is to stop using plastic toiletry items. Try using natural bar soap and shampoo and conditioner bottles made from other materials like glass or aluminum; another option is to use a reusable bottle for them. When you visit a hotel, try bringing your own toiletries and prevent the use of the plastic ones provided.
Microplastics in clothing When most people think of plastic pollution, the first thing that comes to mind are plastic bottles. One of the major plastic sources comes from microplastic found in clothing. Most of our clothes are made of plastic-based materials such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other synthetic fibers. Every time these clothes are washed, some plastic particles enter the water supply and eventually end up back into our oceans. One way to prevent this is to try to find clothes made of organic materials such as cotton, wool, or hemp. Another way is to purchase a wash bag that catches microfibers before they enter the water supply. n
Coral reef. Photo by: USFWS, Flickr.
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FLASHBACK: 1984 By: Delana Horner, UHM MOP Student
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umuhumunukunukuapua‘a (Rhinecanthus rectangulus)- a word that many non-Hawaiians will look at and go, “What?” However, this name has major significance in the islands. A triggerfish with a pig-like snout, this fish appears in Hawaiian mythology, often associated with the demigod/shapeshifter chief from Oahu, Kama Pua‘a. On his travels to the Big Island, he met and impressed the goddess Pele with his resilience and strength. They got married, but eventually Pele tired of his wild nature and called in reinforcements to force her husband’s departure. Near the end of the battle, he dove into the water and became the Humuhumunukunukuapua‘a, swimming away peacefully. The Seawords article from October 1984 details how the House of Representatives passed a resolution that “require[d] possible candidates to be 1) a species native to Hawai‘i, 2) culturally important, and 3) easily seen in its natural state”. The public asked the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and the Waikiki Aquarium to become supporters for the Humuhumunukunukuapua‘a as state fish. In an effort to raise awareness about the vote, aquarium workers, MOP students, and other volunteers banded to together to craft giant costumes of the fishes in the running, which were first displayed at that year’s Aloha Week. Because the Humuhumunukunukuapua‘a is not endemic to Hawaiian waters, there was a bit of initial outcry, but in 1985, the Humuhumunukunukuapua‘a legally became the state fish of Hawai‘i. In 1990, its term ended, but in 2006, the public voted once again to make the Humuhumunukunukuapua‘a the state fish of Hawaii once and for all. n
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October Jellyfish floating through the blue. Photo by: Pedro Szekely, Flickr.
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MOP tour of coral nursery Sand Island Access Road 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Science Talks: Hanauma Bay 6:30 PM-7:30 PM
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24 Science Talks: Hanauma Bay 6:30 PM-7:30 PM
31 Blue Planet II Hanauma Bay 6:30 PM-7:30 PM
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University of Hawai`i at MÄ noa Seawords, Marine Option Program College of Natural Sciences 2450 Campus Road, Dean Hall 105A Honolulu, HI 96822-2219 Address Service Requested
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