"The problems we face in the ocean are vast unless we intervene soon, we're going to see a huge reduction in these species," says Andy Read of Duke University. "But with these new findings, we're going beyond just wringing our hands about these problems we're finding new solutions. We used to count the number of albatross on an island each year. Then there would be a decline one year and we wouldn't know why. Now we can track where they go when they leave the island, and see where they are coming in contact with longlining vessels or other dangers."
The new data allow scientists to discern patterns in marine animal movements: when and where they stay near the surface or swim in deeper waters, what temperatures they prefer, and what oceanographic conditions attract congregations of animals. This information is key to protecting these animals from inadvertent capture in fisheries, collisions with vessels, or harm from other human activities.
Scientists are not just getting the information on where these animals go the animals themselves are playing the role of oceanic probes. As they go about their lives they are collecting oceanographic information that reveals detailed, three-dimensional maps of oceanic currents and temperature changes that have been unattainable in the past.
"On land, if you want to drive somewhere for vacation, you can pull out the map, find the highway to get you there and the natural landmarks along the way. But in the ocean, the roads and attractions don't always sit still. It's not just the animals, but the environment itself that moves," says Larry Crowder of Duke University.
For the first time, a coherent picture of the everyday lives of large ocean animals is emerging; this picture is portrayed in a dynamic, interactive mapping system. The insights gained from this 3D visualization are critical to understanding and managing marine resource
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Contact: Jessica Brown
jbrown@seaweb.org
202-497-8375
SeaWeb
12-Feb-2004