17 February 2020 — Ocean update

Sent 17 February 2020. Part of Little Blue Letter.

“The ocean is this beautiful, unexplored place.
Why on Earth everyone isn't down there, I don't know."
~ Graham Hawkes

Ocean update

Scientists conducting an aerial survey of the US Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument recently observed a Chilean devil ray and four True's beaked whales. Chilean devil rays don't need to surface for air, so they are rarely seen.

Chilean devil rays can feed at depths of up to 6,000 feet.
Adults can grow to a width of some 12 feet. (New England Aquarium)

True's beaked whales were first identified in 1913 and have only been observed a handful of times since, making it one of the rarest whale species. The team also observed nine fin whales and two sperm whales, both endangered species.

The test being used to diagnose the novel coronavirus—and other pandemics like AIDS and SARS—was developed with the help of an enzyme isolated from a microbe found in marine hydrothermal vents.
The Seychelles hit its goal of protecting 30% of its waters!

Gif of the week
(It's been a tough few weeks for everyone and we've not sent a newsletter in a while, so this is a multi-gif bumper edition!

On the box
Greenpeace has launched Ocean Witness, a series showcasing its Protect the Oceans campaign - chatting to scientists, artists, ship crew and campaigners and catching up live with the ships in Antarctica!

Little Blue Letter was curated this week by a river dolphin.

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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