Crabtastic

New research from the 13th Congress of the European Society for Evolutionary Biology has been looking into mating processes used by crabs. Researchers created large robotic crab claws and set about waving them at nearby females, concentrating on the fiddler crab Uca mjoebergi. It was noted that female would eventually be drawn to the 'erotic' dancing. Male crabs will stand outside their burrows circling their claws to attract the ladies. If a female is interested, she will move closer, then hop down into the males burrows for some private time.

The species has a bright yellow claw to make it more attractive and stand out. However, not only are crab claws used to mating but also for fighting and protection. In fact, it has been noted that some larger crabs will actually go to the defence of their smaller male counterparts if an intruder is trying to 'pinch' their burrow. This is strange behaviour in a world of competition, but this new study hopes to discover the real reason behind it. The scientists believe that there is a possibility the larger males protect the smaller as it may help their mating success having lesser-sized males about.

Get oceanwise!

Just a quickie today, although I am aware I need to get on with the next Otter instalment as people have told me!

Today I'm just posting a link from Sympatico - a sort of Canadian MSN (Many thanks to Sympatico!). The link discusses, once again, fishies that are okay to eat and those to avoid. It also has a link to an iphone app which should help with day-to-day buying and where to buy. The app has been created by Vancouver Aquarium whom are currently aiming to encourage sustainable eating. The best bit it; they've made a cookbook. Available to buy through amazon and the aquarium direct, the book contains information on different fish, what the tastiest cuts are and how to prepare them to ensure you get good meals. What could be better?

Happy Nomming!

http://lifestyle.sympatico.ca/FoodandEntertaining/articles/oceanwise_fish.htm

Channel 4's Big Fish Fight

I’m sure anyone interested caught the weeks programs that were available recently by Channel 4. They are currently running a campaign to sort out our oceans before it is too late. All programs are available to watch on 4od and they make fascinating viewing. With cookery programs looking at ways to cook sustainable fish (maybe don’t try Heston's recipes unless you have liquid nitrogen available) as well as documentaries delving deep into what is really going on in worldwide fishing industries. Channel 4 is not the only one starting to talk this issue, as the recent Bruce Parry program also looked into fishing in Alaska, which *claims* to be completely sustainable. That program is also available on bbc iplayer, so have a watch and see if you agree with their claims. It is fantastic that these broadcasters are now brining these issues to light and letting the average man know what is happening out there, so take a look and try to pick up on their tips and ideas.

Anyone who is aware of my feelings will know that I don’t agree with persecuting fishermen. Their job is incredibly hard, so we must focus on how to manage sustainable fishing hand-in-hand with fishermen to ensure a safe future for our fish, for our fishermen and for us. Without healthy activity in our world’s oceans we would not be alive so we must all work together to ensure our seas future is a happy one.

To see the programs or read more, go to channel 4's website:

http://www.channel4.com/4food/the-big-fish-fight

To join the fight, head here:

http://www.fishfight.net

Otters - part deux

So! It's been a long time since I last posted, over 6 months! But I promise to start updating regularly, as I have had some people ask where I've been, so I apologise.

So in this second part I am going to look at pollution - mainly oil spills, and the impact they are causing on otter numbers.

Oil spills are now considered the most significant threat to sea otters. They are very dangerous because the otter fur becomes matted and problematic; losing is properties - insulation and its ability to retain heat. Oil can cling and cause suffocation and can prevent the otter’s ability to float. Eventually, if the problem isn’t rectified, the otter will die due to low temperatures. Oil can also cause problems internally. If oil particles are in the water column, then the otters may unknowingly consume them. There is also a risk of this if the oil has been consumed by any food that the otter consumes. If the oil particles get into an otters lungs, liver or digestive system, it can cause grave damage.

Oil spills are often an issue in the marine world, with big spillages causing miles worth of damages to our oceans. We have seen many spillages and the damage it can do to all the marine species, and it can wipe out many numbers of creatures. Oil spills can leave behind very long periods of destruction. Scientists say that the Exxon Valdez oil spill is still causing problems to otters over 10 years on. Research has shown that numbers still haven’t regained to their full amount since the spill and otters were still dying due to factors the spill had produced.

In the last 10 years, scientists monitoring otter populations have noticed a decrease in numbers in certain areas. Many claim this is not due to a slow birth-rate but a high mortality rate, and the killer it seems, is the amount of toxins which are coming from the local coasts and running into the water. The problem with these toxins, is they may not always be the primary reason why the otter dies. Sometimes, a toxin can get into the system and lower or even destroy an otters immune system, so it dies or bacteria, parasite or disease that it contracts. If this cause is highly infectious then it can spread very quickly and all otters affected will not be able to combat it. In America, the parasite Toxoplasma gondii which tends to affect cats has been found in dead otters along the coast. This parasite is passed on through the faeces of the cat, and the fear is that waste dumped at sea or the coast which contains cat faeces with this parasite present is now starting to affect the otters through their food; mainly made up of mollusca. It isn’t just America who are finding that their otters are starting to display diseases which come from inland. Otters whom live amongst kelp forests are also at risk as inland pathogens are being found there, as well as in the otter systems. Otters are vital to the management of kelp forests, so scientists are trying to act to protect them in case the whole habitat collapses. River otters can also run into problems with pollution from the land. Giant River Otter's suffer from run off of local mines which effects the water going into the river. This then gets into the otter's systems and causes issues.

What can you do?

There is very little you can do about oil spills, however should one occur, you can volunteer to help with the clean up as it is often a huge job which will need lots of hands on deck. You can also ensure that you never release any rubbish or toxins into the sea, water or any bodies of water which may contain animals. You can also contact any of the organizations on the previous post whom help otters as they can direct you where to help out. Should there be any places or issues that you know about, try and raise awareness to get water pollution stopped, or lobby the government to change their ways and try to save all our species, not just the otters. Although it is very difficult, you can research the eco value of the products you buy. Many household and beauty products are part of the reason why our ecosystem suffers, so try to buy economically friendly products which try to help the environment, not cause it to suffer.

Totters!

I'm writing this post because the plight of Otters is something that is recently starting to weigh heavily on my mind. They are my favourite animal so I think that people should understand how they are suffering. Im going to write it as a 3-parter as it is an extensive subject.

Who doesn't love Otters? They are so important to us and iconic of our wildlife so..why are they starting to become endangered? Otters are very important to the ecosystem. They tend to catch sick, slow or injured fish and help to keep over-population of fish down. Not only that but they are very iconic and EXTREMELY cute so why would we want to hurt them? They face many problems in the wild such as hunting, lack of food, destruction of habitats and oil spills.

There are 13 species of Otters;

Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra)
Cape Clawless otter (Aonyx capensis)
Asian small clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea)
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris)
Marine otter (Lontra felina)
Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis)
Spotted necked otter (Lutra maculicollis)
Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
Southern river otter(Lontra provocax)
American river otter (Lontra canadensis)
Smooth coated otter (Lutragale perspicillata)
Hairy nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana)
Congo otter (Aonyx congicus)

and all are now finding thier names creeping onto the threatened and endangered lists - 85% of all otters in serious danger. There are many contributing factors and Im going to concentrate on what I think are the most important.

It is important to remember that Otters do not reproduce very often. They tend to partner for life, living in family units with a female and male partnership in charge, however the breeding female is the ultimate boss. Otters will tend to produce one or two litters a year, of up to about 6 pups at most. Their life span in usually between 10 and 15 years, although there are some older otters on record. This means their population is at a steady growth rate when it has no interference, however it also means that when threatened, population numbers will severely drop.

The first main reason why otters are suffering is hunting. Hunting is generally frowned upon for most animals, however Otters are still regularly hunted all over the world. The reason for this is their fur. Otters have very special fur - it is made up of 2 layers a short under layer for insulation and a longer layer on top which is dense and waterproof. This durable fur is highly sought after to make coats, scarfs, hats and other fur pieces. It is incredible warm and long-lasting.
This hunting has been going on for hundreds of years, and when it first came about, there were many reports on the subject which told of how easy otter hunting was as they were friendly and had no fear of humans. Otters have a naturally curious and playful nature, and many reports recorded tales of otters coming onto shore to actually meet their killers to investigate who they were. The killing was easy as the otters didn’t understand the danger they were walking into, and some of the reports are extremely chilling. One famous report by a traveller in Russia described the gruesome meeting of hunters and Sea Otters as such; "They covered the shore in droves; they would come up to our fires and would not be driven away. They rubbed their noses against the legs of sailors, who immediately bludgeoned them to death". One hunter said "When it receives a vigorous blow upon the head, it falls upon the ground, covers its eyes with its paws, and keeps them so, no matter how many times it is struck."

In the years that have passed, Otters have grown to be more fearful of humans, and thankfully their very sharp teeth and strong jaws, which they use to chomp through bone and shells, they can be a fearsome creature. There are several reports of Otters (Sea) actually killing humans when in packs due to fear and protection, however this is incredibly rare.

Since Otter hunting started in the 1800s, many places have banned hunting and groups have formed to protect them, however it is still continuing, the main problem being that laws aren’t always enforced. Due to our awareness and a drop in the fur trade, hunting has dropped. However, many fashion labels and "gurus" do keep trying to reintroduce fur onto our catwalks and into our shops. Please always be aware of what you are buying and go for faux-fur if you really have to have a piece (fur is expensive and nightmare to care for anyway).

What can you do?

Please, NEVER buy otter fur in any form, as every purchase of it is a reason to go out and kill another otter. If there is no call for the fur, there is no reason for them to be hunted.

You can also help to sponsor otters, donate, keep up to date with information, support any work and sign any petitions in various places in the UK who work for Otters:

http://www.shetlandotters.com
http://www.otter.org
http://www.tamarotters.co.uk
http://www.otternet.com/saving
http://www.sealsanctuary.co.uk/protectotterso.html
Like anything, if you come across otters in the wild please do not disturb them, watch them from a distance. This will help keep both them, and you, safe.

MCS pocket guide

I know I already produced a list of what marine species are okay to eat/not eat, but the MCS have produced many web pages to help people to buy more environmentally smart.

http://www.fishonline.org/buying_eating/purchasing_guide.php
- this page is a purchasing guide which instructs what is best to buy and when.

http://www.fishonline.org/search/simple/
- this page is a basic search engine where you can look up your marine species of choice and find out all the facts you need to know about it, before trotting off to the supermarket.

http://www.fishonline.org/information/faqs/
- this is a page of FAQ's all fully answered with links.

http://www.fishonline.org/information/MCSPocket_Good_Fish_Guide.pdf
- this is the pocket guide for simple information, fast.

Climate change to cause a stir..

Scientists have warned that climate change is likely to cause more environmental damage in the form of volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. It has been feared for a while that the natural disasters we have experienced in recent times have been more violent than we have experienced before, and the Royal Society are putting this down to climate change; claiming that "even the smallest change in our environment" could cause big repercussions. Big changes in rising sea levels, melting ice caps and freak weather will be the culprits that could trigger natural disasters, and as certain recent events show, we are no equipped to handle the aftermath.

They are also warning of "ice-quakes", break up in ice sheets which could trigger big tsunamis. Scientists also claim that if all the ice were to melt, then it could trigger earthquakes due to pressue the ice once had on the earth being released.