Reproduction in the deep sea

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A deep sea anglerfish

by Megan Piechowski, RJD Intern Have you ever wondered how small, sparsely populated fish find each other to mate in the deep, dark ocean? Due to the unusual light organ that is found dangling over the mouth of a certain deep-sea creature it is likely one of the most well-known and recognizable fish that dwells in the deep sea (Picture 1). These fish were discovered ninety years ago and have been studied extensively due to their use of an extremely unique and successful reproduction strategy. Over sixty years ago this discovery remained unfathomable to many. The first scientist to descend … Continue reading →

How will climate change affect the life cycles of fish?

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Cod, via wikimedia commons

by Asta Mail, RJD Intern In a coffee shop the other day, I overheard two teens discussing technology and how it affected their lives. “How did anyone ever grow up without cell phones?” they wondered aloud. “How did they know when and where to meet up?” Hearing this, I began to consider the ways people navigate the world, and how differently we do so now than we did in the past. Today’s youth has quickly learned and adapted to a very different social climate than that the previous generation. Growing up in an age of rapid development, they are accustomed … Continue reading →

Fatal Attraction: Debris and Sea Turtles

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Image via WikiMedia commons

by Nick Perni, RJD Intern   For decades there has been a steady increase in the production of plastic materials. Due to negligent disposal techniques and the resiliency of the material, plastic accounts for 80% of all Marine debris in some areas. The large abundance of plastic in the world’s oceans and coastal areas has detrimental effects on marine organisms. Sea turtles in particular have been heavily affected; all six species have been recorded to ingest debris nearly 90% of which is made up of plastic. The two main ways that plastic debris affects turtles is by entanglement and ingestion. … Continue reading →

Shark tagging with the Sarasota Military Academy

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Sarasota Military Academy students pose for a photo after a great day on the water.

by Emily Rose Nelson, RJD Intern 5/3/13 In the midst of finals, the best study break you can ask for is a day sharktagging in Islamorada. I was eager to put down my books and get on the water. After it had been raining for a few days straight I was nervous the trip may be cancelled, but the weather looked like it was going to hold out and I would get my much needed study break. The RJD team prepared the boat, Sarasota Military Academy arrived, and we were off. Upon arrival at the site drumlines were deployed with … Continue reading →

University of Miami scientists catch great white shark in Florida Keys

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A great white shark caught in the Florida Keys on 5/13/13. Photo credit: Virginia Ansaldi, RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program intern

5/14/13 David Shiffman, Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy student Yesterday, during the course of sampling for our ongoing shark population survey, the RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program (RJD)  team caught a great white shark estimated at 10-11 feet in length. The shark was caught east of Islamorada in the Florida Keys, in approximately 100 feet of water.   The RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program has caught, sampled, tagged, and released thousands of sharks in the Florida Keys, the Everglades, and the Bahamas, but this was the first great white shark we’ve ever caught in Florida. Our lab has a long-term … Continue reading →