Benerson Little

'Microplastic' Pollution. Researchers have discovered that 'microplastic,' mostly in the form of fibers washed from from synthetic garments and washed to sea via sewage, are making their way into the food chain worldwide at sea, and thus into marine life. See http:/​/​www.bbc.co.uk/​news/​science-environment-16709045. (January 27, 2012)

Mackerel Decimation. Scientists report that southern Pacific Ocean Jack Mackerel, a fish critical to the world food supply, has been decimated by overfishing. Stocks are but ten percent of what they were two decades ago. See http:/​/​www.nytimes.com/​2012/​01/​25/​science/​earth/​in-mackerels-plunder-hints-of-epic-fish-collapse.html.

Fishermen Murdered. Attackers armed with assault rifles in speedboats attacked Filipino fishermen on Tuesday, killing fifteen of them. The brutal incident is believed to be the result of a turf war over fishing areas. (24 January 2012)

USS Enterprise Enters Persian Gulf. As anticipated, a U.S. aircraft carried passed through the Strait of Hormuz without incident, Iranian saber-rattling notwithstanding. It should be noted that Iraqi rhetoric has subsided in the past few days, and any attempt to deny the region to U.S. forces would have been disastrous. (January 20, 2012)

South Korean Ship Explosion. An explosion aboard a South Korean ship offloading oil products this past week has killed at least three seafarers, possibly more, and sank the ship as well. The incident is not believed to have been the result of North Korean military action. (19 January 2012)

California Extends Marine Sanctuaries. In a move that has upset many fishermen, the latest extension of the Marine Life Protection Act has put a total of 350 square miles at sea, and ten percent of the California coastline, off limits to fishing, and even to shell collection. See http:/​/​green.blogs.nytimes.com/​2012/​01/​12/​no-fishing-rule-roils-southern-california. (19 January 2011)

Costa Concordia. Volumes of news reports are available on the loss of the large cruise ship, and their details need not be repeated here. Beyond the tragic and heroic details, however, the disaster has raised serious questions, including the role of as ship's captain is (this actually is well-defined, although the Concordia's captain is not the first to abandon his passengers), as well as of seamanship, emergency training, abandon ship procedures, and navigation. (19 January 2012)

Albatrosses and Higher Winds. French researchers report that recently increased Antarctic wind speed is reducing forage time among albatrosses. See http:/​/​www.nytimes.com/​2012/​01/​17/​science/​higher-winds-help-albatrosses-bulk-up.html. (19 January 2012)

Post Extinction Ichthyosaur. Scientists in Germany have discovered the fossils of an ichthyosaur from the Cretaceous. "Stiff-necked" and shaped like a dolphin, scientist believe it fed on squid and fish. Ichthyosaurs were believed to have become extinct at the end of the Jurassic. Read the story here: http:/​/​www.bbc.co.uk/​news/​world-europe-16432364 (5 January 2012)

The Hoff Crab. The BBC reports on a new deep sea crab, nicknamed the "Hoff" after actor David Hasselhoff for its hairy-chest, in large numbers at ocean vents off South Georgia. The crustacean is a form of yeti crab. See http:/​/​www.bbc.co.uk/​news/​science-environment-16394430. (4 January 2012)

Shamshir Rattling. Iran has recently conducted naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, including the firing of medium-range sea missiles, and has advised the U.S. should not send an aircraft carrier back into the Arabian Gulf, or Persian Gulf as it is known in Iran. The U.S. intends to ignore the threat. Any attempt naval action by Iran would result in an even more damaged Iranian economy, not to mention the destruction of the Iranian navy. (4 January 2012)