Index to Articles

...Until spring 2006, my articles (below) were focused on the failing health of the ocean ecosystem. But lately, I've discovered a potential public health threat related to the human consumption of seal products. On this theme, I've added "Seal Oil Leaves a Fishy Aftertaste..." April 20, 2006, and "Letter to Minister responsible for safety of seal products" May 20, 2006. Seal Disease Update, October 23, 2006

NEW: StarvingOcean  on Youtube

1. Articles summarizing the larger picture and theoretical perspectives:

2. Patterns of change in unexploited marine species, that attest to a total ecosystem change as opposed to simply changing abundances of commercially exploited species (the focus of most attention today). It is argued that these changes cannot simply be attributed to "global warming" or "pollution."

  • Seaweed Update 2005 Continuing decline of perennial seaweeds is a signal of negative change in ocean health - July 12, 2005

  • Hungry humpbacks? Conflict between whales and herring fishermen in the Bay of Fundy may force a new conservation strategy - August 25, 2004

  • Decadal changes in Nova Scotian seaweeds: a case of 'Pseudo-eutrophication?'  - technical arguments regarding unexpected inherent difficulties in distinguishing between a starving ocean and an overfed one...but seaweed tells the tale.

  • What's that white stuff in the seaweed? Irish moss takes on the appearance of snowbanks in Nova Scotia during summer 2002.

  • Shifting Baseline in Color of Chondrus crispus (Irish moss)  The gradual shift from "abnormal" to "normal" in human perceptions of bleached Irish moss plants is shown in a review of 150 years of literature.

  • The Barnacle Zone   Dramatic evidence in unpolluted rocky intertidal zones of a long term decline in marine productivity. The disappearance of the barnacle belt is shown in photographs taken over 50 years apart in Atlantic Canada.

  • Changing Marine Algae  Broad changing trends in seaweeds and phytoplankton (including harmful algae blooms) are shown to be consistent with natural shifts that would be predicted in a scenario of declining nitrogen availability...contrary to the usual interpretation today.

  • Dying Seaweed  A shorter piece focused on the gradual decline and breakdown of perennial brown seaweeds in Atlantic Canada, showing remarkable color changes.

  • Seaweed photo galleries  illustrate the pattern of change in seaweeds.

  • Mass Coral Bleaching  Dramatic loss of fundamental tropical marine species, usually attributed only to episodic warmer waters, this is also a pattern that is consistent with systemic nutrient loss. (A discussion of this question with coral researchers is on NOAA's website at: http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/nutrients_coralbleaching_thread.html )

3. Patterns of change in directly exploited marine species:

 

 

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