Helping the Ocean and News
Helping the Ocean
Beach Clean-Ups:
Either join a local group or gather with a group of friends and pick up trash... Always remember to wear personal protective equipment (PPE)*
Recycle Information: Refuse - Reduce - Reuse - Recycle
Recycle plastic bags at your local grocery store, 1-7 can be recycled in a plastic bins labeled recyclables (check with your local recycle company)
Get a reusable drinking bottle
Reuse plastic bags by washing them out
Bring your own food to work/leftovers
How to recycle fishing line?
Compost and creating a compost bin
Public Transportation Travel
Fishing, Regulations, Licensing
Textile Recycling
Composting
Volunteer:
Birch Aquarium, Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institution (HSWRI), Get Inspired, Shark Stewards, American Cetacean Society (ACS), The Whale Museum, Miami Waterkeepers, Sea Keepers, REEF Check Worldwide, Coral Restoration Projects, Coral Bleachwatch, Rescue A Reef (RAR), Cabrillo National Monument, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, National and State Parks, Waikiki Aquarium, Hawaiian Fish Ponds, The Surf Rider Foundation, Brady-Hunter Foundation, Citizen Science Opportunities (with Orcas in Norway - https://www.norwegianorcasurvey.no/ coral reefs and bleaching events, seagrasses, kelp, Lionfish and other invasive fish species), Lionfish Derbies
Ocean News
Feral, almost demonic’: Surge in poisoned sea lions threatens SoCal beachgoers, burdens rescuers - March 24, 2025
- Marine mammals are dying and becoming demonic due to ingestion from domoic acid a neurotoxin produced by harmful algal bloom
- The bloom accumulates in filter-feeding fishes like sardines and anchovies
- Domoic acid leaves sea lions with a 50-65% survival rate after treatment which includes IV fluids, anti-seizure medication and sedatives
- The Marine Mammal Care Center can only take in 20 sea lions at a time they also take in dolphins and other marine mammals including elephant seal
- Dolphins have problems with getting stressed during human intervention so the Marine Mammal Care Center limits dolphins to rarer species
- Toxic algal blooms are getting more frequent due to warming oceans, acidification and human activity including nitrate runoff
- Not much can be done to lessen the bloom they usually last 4-8 weeks but the last bloom in 2023 lasted 8.5 weeks
- The Marine Mammal Care Center relies on private philanthropy
- 50 feet is advised to stay away from sick marine mammals and do not put beached dolphins back into the water
- People should call (800) 399-4253 to ask for rescue assistance if they see any stranded marine animals
- Fish Experts Study Rare Deep-Sea Oarfish in the Lab - August 22, 2024
- A team of kayakers at La Jolla Cove encountered a dead Oarfish (Regalecus russellii)
- A team of scientists performed a necropsy
- The adult measured 12.25 feet (3.735 meters) length, 1.14 feet (0.348 meters) depth, weighing 74.3 pounds (33.7 kilograms)
- Scientists are unsure why it washed up could be from injury, illness and disorientation
- Samples were taken and preservation of specimens at Scripps Marine Vertebrate Collection
- Could be a predictor of natural disasters
- If someone finds a unique creature in Southern California notify lifeguards
- Members of the public can notify Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at scrippsnews@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-3624
- You can find more information and a real screen print at Birch Aquarium
- Oyster Virus Detected in San Diego Bay Likely Worsened by Warmer Waters - August 8, 2024
- High water temperature spread disease OsHV-1
- Does not affect humans but could affect oyster aquaculture operation
- Showed altered microbiome, weakened defenses and potential bacterial infections
Florida Scientists Save Baby Coral from Predators Using Boba Straws - April 11, 2024Reef rescue groups have been trying to save coral from rising ocean temperatures
Whale Washed up on the Shores of La Jolla Shores Unkown cause but could be due to malnutrition
6 Whales Washed up on New York-New Jersey Shoreline in 33 Days - January 9, 2023
- Sea Lion on the 94 - January 2022 (9:40 AM)
- Caught the sea lion trying to cross Route 94 near state Route 15 (California Highway Patrol)
- Uncertain of the cause for the sea lion being on freeway, since it was so far away from the ocean
- Has a track record for being lost, it has been rescued before by SeaWorld's Rescue team
- Other places seen were San Diego International Airport and the Navy Base in Point Loma
- The goal is to return the animal back to the ocean; under good hands with the SeaWorld veterinary staff
- Report stranded anmals or animals in distress or in need of help
- Call SeaWorld's Rescue Team - Phone: 1-800-541-SEAL
- Email: SWC.Rescue@seaworld.com
- Orange County Oil Spill - October 1, 2021
*kelpunderwater is not responsible for any damage or bodily injuries while conducting this activity