Sent 14 April 2018. Part of Little Blue Letter.

"Under the sea, Under the sea
Darling it's better, Down where it's wetter
Take it from me!"
~Sebastian the crab, The Little Mermaid
Taking cues from nature
Birds naturally gather around fishing vessels, so researchers are exploring the possibility of turning them into spies against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU). Albatross are fitted with tracking devices that can record the location nearby boats in international waters.

Scientists have identified a marine bacteria that loves to eat hydrocarbons, which could be the answer to oil spill clean-ups. Its enzymes clean soil and water contaminated by petroleum-based products in a simple, effective, and environmentally-friendly manner.

Mantis shrimp have inspired a new mode of underwater navigation using the polarization of light that allows more accurate and cost-effective long-distance navigation. Humans can only perceive polarized light with special lenses like those in sunglasses.

#OceanOptimism
  • After massive volunteer cleanup efforts, Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings have been spotted for the first time in decade on a Mumbai beach.
  • A supermarket bag levy has been linked to decline in plastic bags around the British seabeds. Scientists estimate there has been a 30% drop in plastic bag pollution.
  • These PhD students are using conducting science outreach with cartoons.
Gif of the week
Whale sharks aren't just filter feeders...
From the editor
Our most inspirational opening quote to date? I finally got around to reading The Little Mermaid recently and thoroughly enjoyed it (though I cringed a bit at the stereotypical storyline - some agree that it is sexist, others not so much). If you want an alternative interpretation, The Surface Breaks: a reimagining of The Little Mermaid comes out next month. Radiolab did a fantastic episode all about the fabled mantis shrimp, perfect for a lazy Sunday morning. See also The Oatmeal's comic on why the Mantis Shrimp should be your new favourite animal.

Little Blue Letter was curated this week by Caitlin Coomber. Caitlin is a science communications specialist at California Sea Grant based at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. In her free time, Caitlin can be found trying out new recipes, singing along with Disney movies, and discovering coastal San Diego.
 

Editing etc. by Glen Wright. Glen is a researcher studying marine governance, the high seas, and ocean energy. He is a drinker of tea, lover of the sea, and an Oxford comma user. Glen recently published Academia Obscura: The Hidden Silly Side of Higher Education.
 

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