Issue 3 Autumn 2014 ISSN 2052-5273 The Marine The magazine of the Biologistmarine biological community Something in the air? Marine life in a high CO2 world The US gets serious on global ocean health White shark populations recover | Azorean lagoons | Inside the squid giant axon Editorial Issue 3 Autumn 2014 Do we need ‘ocean optimism’? Contents So, are there grounds for ocean A very warm welcome to The optimism or are science commu- Marine Biologist magazine. nicators telling good news stories 02 Editorial Scientists tend to be a cautious to stave off apathy and helpless- 04 In brief lot, having much to lose from over- ness? I would be interested to hear egging the implications of their reader’s views on this question. Science letters Editorial Office findings. This may explain why There are a host of careers under 06 Losers and winners in a high CO2 world Juliet Brodie, Editor Guy Baker good news is often wrapped up in the umbrella of ‘marine biology’. In Chris Williamson & Jason Hall-Spencer caveats and qualifications, so that if this issue we offer information and [email protected] things turn out worse than predicted, advice on a career in marine biology 08 Not all algae who wander are lost Erik E Sotka & Stacy A +44 (0)1752 633244 expectations have not been dashed. for young people. There are around Krueger-Hadfield Executive editor Matt Frost And it is a media maxim that bad 16 UK universities that offer BSc 10 Growing white shark populations in US waters Chris Lowe [email protected] news sells. Scientists want to present Hons degrees in marine biology, Seeing in the dark: eye reduction and loss in +44 (0)1752 633334 credible evidence, newspaper editors and we begin a regular feature in 11 deep-sea snails Lauren Sumner-Rooney Editorial Board Guy Baker, want to sell papers; it’s hardly which staff and students from one of Kelvin Boot, Matt Frost, Paul surprising that we are fed a diet of these institutions tell you why you Environment and conservation Rose, Mike Thorndyke. environmental doom and gloom. should consider studying there. Membership Alex Street Please bear with me while I hold It is 75 years since Hodgkin and 12 Protected but still vulnerable? Lagoonal wetlands 06 [email protected] off from bucking a perfectly good Huxley’s Nobel Prize winning work on in the Azores Brian Morton +44 (0)1752 633337 trend. According to recent research the squid giant axon - a classic example 16 Evidence: the key to local marine conservation Martin Goodall www.mba.ac.uk/membership (summarized in our headline article of research using a marine organism Correspondence on page 6), it is likely that kelp having far-reaching consequences for Policy forests will disappear from southern our understanding of basic biology. The Marine Biological Association 18 The US gets serious on global ocean health Phil Williamson & Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK parts of the north-east Atlantic – a Page 29 features the least interesting Carol Turley The Marine Biologist is published by shocking prediction of just one of the photograph about one of the most the Marine Biological Association, effects of climate warming and ocean fascinating chapters in the history 21 England’s MPAs – towards a well-managed network Registered Charity No. 1155893 acidification on coastal ecosystems. of marine biological research. The Jen Ashworth & Leanne Stockdale ISSN number: 2052-5273 But should we focus on the seem- picture shows the physical remnants Sharing marine science Submissions ingly inexorable degradation of the of world-famous research, but I like it We welcome submissions of original biosphere or is this counterproductive? because it jars with the perception of 22 Marinexus - cross channel cooperation Mark Cock, John Bishop & and relevant material, letters and In this issue we discover that apex scientists as single-minded and serious Tim Smyth 10 responses to published articles. For predators, including north-east Pacific and is a reminder that those who guidance, please see the magazine 25 Seas, society, health and wellbeing Michael Depledge, Ben Wheeler & website at white shark populations, are showing carried out that research were ordinary Mat White www.mba.ac.uk/marinebiologist signs of recovery (see page 10). At the people with a sense of humour. or contact the Editor. ‘Our Ocean’ conference (covered on I hope you find plenty to interest 27 Marine life recording Becky Seeley Disclaimer: Views expressed page 18), some of the world’s most you in issue 3 and that as members you 28 The first International Marine Science Communication in The Marine Biologist are powerful people asked scientists to are satisfied Conference Guy Baker those of the authors and do not share their knowledge about ocean with the way necessarily represent those of the 28 Inside the squid giant axon David Sims Marine Biological Association. issues, and help develop an Action Plan our magazine Copyright statement. Anyone wishing to address them. This year, increased is taking shape. 29 A career in marine biology Paul Greer to reproduce material published in protection has been declared for an As always I am One hundred and thirty-five years of marine biology at the The Marine Biologist must contact area of ocean roughly the size of India keen to hear 30 University of Liverpool Bryony Caswell the Marine Biological Association. (including the world’s largest marine feedback and protected area, the Pacific Remote suggestions for 32 Reviews INE BIOL R O Islands Marine National Monument). improvement. A G M I 34 Oyster harvesting was not always as traditional as now C E A H L R. B. Williams T A 18 S N Obituary – Professor Laurence Mee S O 34 O C I ATI Est. 1884 Incorporated by Front cover: An image of the red ripple bryozoan (Watersipora subatra). This is a non- Royal Charter 2013 indigenous species spreading rapidly in Great Britain following its first recorded occurrence in 2008. Image: John Bishop, the scale is 4 mm across the page. Back cover: Juvenile grey seal Image credits: Top: Juliet Brodie. Middle: www.mba.ac.uk (Halichoerus grypus) in the Scilly Isles. Image: Sue Daly www.suedalyproductions.com Kevin Weng. Bottom: US State Department. 02 The Marine Biologist | Autumn 2014 Autumn 2014 | The Marine Biologist 03 In brief In brief Welcome to the plastisphere: Wind farms and apex predators community echo those expressed in 2011 waters, and occupying a unique posi- communicating marine conservation. more scientific data were needed in order biota may be more efficient at A study led by Dr. Deborah Russell when the first deep-sea mining licence tion at the air-sea interface, the SML is A stated aim of the conference was to create efficient policies. Chair of the taking up microplastics from the University of St. Andrews, was issued to the Canadian company central to a range of global biogeochemi- to catalyse change and delegates left Marine Policy Session Abigail McQuatters- In June a study carried out by the Scotland showed that harbour seals and Nautilus to explore a large area of the cal and climate-related processes. with a clear inspirational message to Gollop explained in her blog: “As we get University of Cadiz, gathering data from grey seals display grid-like movement Bismarck Sea floor. Mining activities result share positive and inspiring stories more information we can change our the circumpolar expedition Malaspina patterns at offshore wind farm sites. This in over 90% of waste, and risks include about the ocean and conservation work management plans, but we have to act 2010 and various other reports, confirmed type of movement is associated with increased turbidity and toxicity, and as a way of encouraging conserva- now” (see planktonpolicy.org/blog). a worldwide distribution of plastic in the foraging effort, suggesting that animals irreversible damage to unique habitats. tion action in wider society. See the With this statement she echoed one surface of the ocean, accumulating in the adjust their behaviour to make use of A recent review published in the journal hashtag #oceanoptimism on Twitter. of the key messages of the confer- five ocean gyres and in Arctic sea ice. these anthropogenic structures. “Eco- Geosciences summarises the services and Spreading the word about ocean ence: we need to learn how to use the However, estimates of the amount of plas- logical consequences of animal-structure functions of deep-sea habitats, and shows literacy in the US and the EU data that we already have in order to tic were much lower than expected. One interactions are still uncertain and further how vital the deep-sea is in supporting The Marine Biological Association stop delaying actions that are critical hypothesis regarding the fate of the miss- our current way of life. Lead author of the is part of a growing movement to help to achieving conservation aims. ing plastic is that—following degradation to review Andrew Thurber stated: “there’s citizens become ‘ocean literate’. Sharks and rays are important, microplastic—it has entered the food web. this idea that we don’t know anything The National Marine Educators Associa- make no bones about it Marine invertebrates are known to about the deep-sea […], we know tion (NMEA) was formed in the US in 1976 Professor David Sims, Senior Research ingest microplastics. But recent research enough to start to understand how our to bring together scientists and marine Fellow at the MBA, is convening the led by the University of Exeter, UK dem- actions can impact the environment”. educators to ‘make known the world of Fisheries Society of the British Isles onstrated that inhalation through gills and New MPAs in Scottish waters water both fresh and salt’.