Conservation efforts and research efforts on the American Star mainly focus on our marine mammal species. Another species that is seen during trips off the coast of Cape May are sea turtles. There are seven species of sea turtles found in the world which include, leatherbacks, loggerhead, green turtles, kemp’s ridley, olive ridley, hawksbill and […]
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Author: Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center
The Great Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna mokarran, or the Great Hammerhead Shark, is an endangered species within our oceans. Like many other species, these large sharks can be caught and trapped within beach nets and even fishing nets. These beach nets are used as a guard between humans and sharks, to keep as many sharks away from humans as possible. […]
The Breach of a Lifetime
On May 15th, 2021, I witnessed a very rare event. Some would even say it was once in a lifetime sight. It seemed like just a normal day on the water while interning on the American Star for Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center. But, halfway through our trip, we see a black object […]
Sea Urchin Fertilization Lab
During the fall semester at the University of South Carolina, I was enrolled in a course called Marine Science 311. This course included a lab that met once each week. My favorite lab that I was able to partake in was one entitled Sea Urchin Fertilization. I had never really taken the time to consider […]
Interactions Between Humpback Whales (Me...
It is strongly believed that cetaceans, which consist of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, are some of the more intelligent species that exist alongside human beings on this planet. Naturally, due to this high level of intelligence, they are more likely to have interactions with other individuals. These individuals can be members of their own species, […]
Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader: Dol...
A common belief among many people is that humans are the smartest creatures on Earth, but is that really the case? Multiple studies have shown that humans are not the only intelligent animals on the planet. Cetaceans are known to be very intelligent animals, especially Bottlenose Dolphins. This cetacean species is often seen living in […]
Microplastics: The Invisible Threat
Not long ago was plastic almost completely absent in the day to day lives of the average American. Now, it has essentially reached ubiquity. Not surprisingly, its proliferation was initially a reflection of the fertility of American economics during the mid twentieth century. A material referred to as Bakelite, first synthesized by a Belgian chemist […]
The Effects of Underwater Noise Pollutio...
Underwater or ocean noise can have natural/biological sources or anthropogenic sources, otherwise known as human-made noise. Ocean noise is very important to monitor due to its impact on the environment and the organisms within. Natural sources of ocean noise have physical/geophysical, atmospheric, and geological aspects. These aspects can include wind and precipitation at the ocean […]
Less Invasive Technology for Studying Do...
Researchers have found changes in stress levels and also reproductive health in whales and dolphins, however, this information is hard to collect. Teaching Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University, Jason Bruck, wants to understand just how much influence people have on the overall health of dolphins. He and his colleagues are currently creating a type […]
Seagrass Ecology in a World of Climate C...
Seagrasses are known for supporting an extremely biodiverse ecosystem, including the charming but endangered manatee. It is also the home of many fish used in commercial fishing. Therefore, when considering conservation of these species, it is very important to note that seagrass populations are declining overall worldwide. While factors such as physical mechanical damage, coastal […]