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Creature Feature: Beluga Whale

June 29, 2021 by Bobby Mikelberg

By Bobby Mikelberg; Sea of Change Intern

We’re heading north for this edition of our popular “Creature Feature”, showcasing the fascinating beluga whale. The beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is a relatively small cetacean sharing the order Monodontidae with another unique cetacean, the narwhal (Monodon monoceros). Belugas are well-known in popular culture as “canaries of the sea” for their frequent vocalizations and for the classic, whimsical children’s song, “Baby Beluga”. Their calves are born dark brown but quickly develop into a dark blue-grey tone before gradually becoming creamy white as adults. This all-white adult coloration differentiates it from all other whale species. Fully-grown adults can be as long as 5 meters (15 feet) and weigh up to 3,500 pounds. The adult males are slightly larger in size and weight than the adult females. The beluga pectoral fins are a relatively small for its body size, and they have a short dorsal ridge as opposed to a large dorsal fin. This less obtrusive dorsal feature facilitates maneuvering under sea ice as well as preventing heat loss in the cold arctic waters that are the primary habitat.

Photo by Bobby Mikelberg

Beluga whales have a distinct, bulbous head. It is widely believed that the extensively developed head allows for effective sound production and echolocation. They can produce many different types of sounds in a wide range of frequencies reminiscent of bird songs. The sounds they emit are believed to depend on the type of activity an individual is engaged in such as feeding, socialization, or navigation.

As one of the few arctic cetacean species, beluga whales inhabit the cold northern oceans and estuaries in and along the Canadian, Russian, Alaskan and Greenland coasts. Sub-populations are typically migratory in nature, swimming at average speeds of 3-9km/h (2-6 mph) and reaching sprint speeds of up to 22km/h (14 mph), ranking them among the slowest of marine mammal swimmers. In the summer months, populations spend their time in small rivers and estuaries in search of prey rich feeding grounds while winter months brings thick ice to the surface of small waterways, forcing the animals north into deeper rivers and ocean water around the arctic sea ice.

Photo by Bobby Mikelberg

Beluga whales are versatile and opportunistic predators. Their preferred food sources in deeper waters are cod, salmon, capelin, and herring though they have been found to feed on a wide variety of fish and even sometimes opt for invertebrates like shrimp, squid, and crabs when in shallower waters. As with many predatory whale species, they are susceptible to toxin bioaccumulation, as harmful contaminants store in fat and progressively accumulate all the way up the food chain. Beluga whales reach sexual maturity between the ages of 8 and 15 years, with gestation periods between 14-15 months and young nursing from their mothers for 1-2 years.

This species faces many biological and anthropogenic threats. In fact they share the colder northern waters with two bona fide apex predators in polar bears and killer whales. These species have been seen predating belugas. Additionally, belugas are susceptible to infectious diseases that may be exacerbated by pollution especially in populations that reside in human-influenced habitats. A high PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl, a once widely use organic human carcinogen) concentration in the St. Lawrence Estuary sub-population is believed to contribute to high mortality. Other threats include accidental by-catch and overfishing of their food sources. They are also vulnerable to boat strikes and noise pollution as mammals they must breath air and so they spend much of their time at the waters’ surface. The beluga is officially listed as a species of ‘Least  Concern’ with global population estimates of 136,000 individuals according to the IUCN Red List. However, the Alaska Cook inlet population is categorized as critically endangered and three more sub-populations are categorized as endangered by the IUCN.

Photo by Bobby Mikelberg

Despite their remote, northern habitats, we should keep this interesting species in mind when supporting conservation. There is a lot of work to do to protect beluga whales from shipping routes, oil spills, and noise pollution. Additionally, important research is being done to further understand their population dynamics and health risks. For example, the Beluga Whale Alliance aims to protect the critically endangered Cook Inlet population, and an open water sanctuary has recently been built in Iceland that has already received two individuals rescued from captivity in China. The World Wildlife Fund is also working to identify critical habitats in Canada and the arctic as well as promoting Inuit, scientist and governmental collaboration on industrial planning and climate change initiatives. You can learn more about  this wonderful species at the links below; please support their conservation so that beluga whales can continue to sing well into the future.

List of Links with More Information about Belugas below:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/beluga

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/beluga-whale

https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-we-do/resource-centre/featured-species/mammals/beluga-whale.html

https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/cook-inlet-beluga-whale/

https://www.marinebio.org/species/beluga-whales/delphinapterus-leucas/

Filed Under: Uncategorized

We’re in this TOGETHER. Here’s some at-home education resources

April 3, 2020 by Sea of Change Foundation

Sea of Change Foundation will be posting, on our Facebook page, links and descriptions of resources available online that can be used at home.

During these challenging times, we are all in this together. The Sea of Change Foundation, as a leader in both conservation and education will contribute too. We recognize that families are challenged to find and provide educational resources and activities for home-schooling. To that end, weekly we will be posting, on our Facebook page, links and descriptions of resources available online that can be used at home.

Here are a few to start with:

  • Schoolyard Films, Inc. provides environmental films and study guides;
  • Oceans for Youth Foundation provides “Creature Feature” short, educational videos
  • Patrick Ching, Hawaii’s Nature Artist provides downloadable coloring pages;
  • Ocean First Institute provides a free course in Ocean Literacy;
  • The CornellLab provides virtual birding videos and quizzes.

Additionally, with the Science Exchange, the Foundation has initiated a citizen science competition, the “Build A Better Box” Contest that invites students to learn about and create improved designs for sea turtle nesting boxes using sustainable materials with a $700USD prize. The complete contest requirements and rules are here.

“At the Sea of Change Foundation, we believe in empowering students and families to learn about the natural world” said Samantha Whitcraft, Director of Conservation and Outreach for the Foundation. Importantly, “through the Foundation, we cans help ensure future generations appreciate the natural world and its wonders,” concluded Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures® and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

SOC Supports Shark Allies and Shark Conservation in Florida

December 2, 2019 by Sea of Change Foundation

SOC Supports Shark Allies and Shark Conservation in Florida

View below or as PDF

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sea of Change Foundation Gala Fundraiser at DEMA Show 2019

October 10, 2019 by Sea of Change Foundation

In an on-going effort to support conservation and education, leaders of the adventure travel community will, again, unite in support of the Sea of Change Foundation at this year’s DEMA (Dive Equipment Manufacturers’ Association) show in Orlando, Florida.

he Sea of Change Foundation, along with generous sponsors Aggressor Adventures, SSI, Platinum Pro Foundation, and Mares – is hosting the third annual Coral Reefs Forever Gala beginning at 6:30 p.m., November 14, 2019 in the Orange County Convention Center, room W311E-H.

This “ocean casual” gala event will include complimentary beer and wine, delicious food, a live DJ, dancing, and both a silent and called auction. Outstanding achievements in scuba diving will be recognized via the Platinum Pro Awards along with the Sea of Change Foundation’s annual Lifetime Explorer Award. This year’s recipient is freelance photographer and active proponent of marine conservation issues, Michele Westmorland. “We invite our friends and colleagues from the dive community to join us for what promises to be a great evening in support of an important cause – protecting our natural world!” says Samantha Whitcraft, the Foundation’s Director of Conservation and Outreach.

All funds raised will go directly to support the Sea of Change Foundation’s 2020 conservation projects and scholarships. “With the Sea of Change Foundation, 100% of donations go directly to conservation initiatives around the world to help ensure future generations can also experience the wonders of the natural world,” says founder Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation.

About the Sea of Change Foundation: The Sea of Change Foundation funds conservation and research initiatives that directly impact the natural world we all love to enjoy and explore. Our mission is to create positive change. Learn more about and support the Sea of Change Foundation, here: www.seaofchange.com.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Creature Feature: Octopus

September 10, 2019 by Sea of Change Foundation

By Raquel Gilliland; Sea of Change Intern

Octopuses are part of the phylum Mollusca and are grouped in the class Cephalopoda with squids and cuttlefish. They make up the order Octopoda with over 300 species, all living in various habitats from abyssal depths to pelagic waters, to coral reefs, and intertidal zones. They can range in size from the Giant Pacific Octopus  (Enteroctopus dofleini) which can weigh up to 33lbs and have an arm span of up to 14ft, to the smallest species, the Star-Sucker Pygmy Octopus (Octopus wolfi), which can weigh less than 1gram and is around 1in in length.

The octopus is bilaterally symmetrical with eight arms, two eyes, three hearts, gills for breathing, one mouth, many suction cups on each arm, and one large brain. In fact, octopuses have the highest brain-to-body mass ratio of all invertebrates and a larger brain than many vertebrates. Their complex nervous system extends to their arms, wherein each contains a nerve cord and can act independently. The suction cups on each arm are equipped with chemoreceptors that allow the octopus to taste whatever it’s touching.

There are four different species of Blue Ringed Octopus and they are found in tide pools in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. They are also extremely venomous and can be deadly to humans if provoked and handled.   

These intelligent animals have been observed to have problem-solving capabilities by successfully navigating mazes using both long-term and short-term memory. They have been trained in laboratory settings to distinguish between different shapes and patterns. Within the aquarium industry, they are known for breaking out of their cages in search of food. Some species have also been observed using coconut shells to build themselves a shelter thus exhibiting tool use. Although intelligent, they learn nothing from their parents, as the male octopus dies shortly after mating and the female dies shortly after her eggs are hatched. They are mainly found alone, except when matting. They are also masters of disguise and use camouflage to avoid predators and when hunting. Their skin is equipped with chromatophores which are specialized cells that allow the octopus to change color and texture to match its surroundings. They can also use their ink sacks to expel a cloud of ink that distracts the predator while the octopus escapes. Known predators on octopuses include sharks, fishes, seabirds, dolphins, sea otters, other cephalopods, and humans.

Octopus is a delicacy in many countries, with the worldwide catch peaking in 2007 at 380,000 tons. Most species are listed as least concern or data deficient on the IUNC Red List, meaning we do not have enough data on their population dynamics. There is much research that needs to be done on these intelligent creatures and many things that we can learn from them. Today, scientist are studying them for their ability to regenerate limbs, the color changing abilities of their skin, their behavioral intelligence, and their distributed nervous system. As our oceans warm and habitats are changing drastically, we may run out of time before we can learn all that we can from octopuses before it’s too late.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Special Edition Creature Feature: Asian Elephants

August 19, 2019 by Sea of Change Foundation

By Raquel Gilliland, SOC Education/Outreach Intern

We have an extra special edition of Creature Feature to introduce you to our latest conservation project; terrestrial (land) animals!

In keeping with our new expanded mission, terrestrial conservation in addition to marine conservation, the Sea of Change Foundation (SOC) sought an elephant conservation project for funding. After some research, we identified the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society’s Project Orange Elephant as a worthy conservation project that can lead to positive change.

Baby Asain Elephante

Expansion of rural subsistence agriculture along with resulting habitat loss are the biggest contributors to Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC), which is one of the largest environmental and socio-economic crisises facing communities in rural Sri Lanka. The conservation challenge is a result of agricultural land use practices that are incompatible with elephants’ habitat needs. Thereefore, the solution to mitigate HEC must be based on developing innovative land use strategies.

Project Orange Elephant (POE) is a crop diversification project that encourages farmers to cultivate oranges. Why? Feeding trials confirm that. elephants do not eat oranges. Because elephants don’t like oranges, orange crops are not susceptible to elephant raids thereby providing farmers with a sustainable supplementary income from the oranges. The result is that Sri Lankan farmers less hostile towards elephants thereby creating an environment of coexistence between the community and the elephants.

The POE strategy is to use the existing skill sets and resources of rural farmers who suffer frequent crop and property damage from elephants to create an alternative sustainable income source –orange crops. A further goal of the POE project is to create a new market-driven sustainable livelihood sthat will reduce human-elephant conflicts and provide farmers with a socio-economically stable primary income that is “elephant friendly”. The Sea of Change Foundation supports the POE project because it supports human-elephant coexistence, helps alleviate rural poverty, and supports the long term conservation of the endangered Sri Lankan elephants and their habitats.

Mother and baby Asian Elephants

Why is protecting the Asian Elephant important? Historically, the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) was found throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, and they are the largest living land animal in Asia. On average, males are about 2.75 m (9.0 ft) tall and weighs about four tons, while females are smaller at about 2.4 m (7.9 ft) tall and weight about 2.7 tons. Elephants are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dusk and dawn, and they are herbivorous — eat ing only plants. They need 80-200 liters of water a day and are never far for long from a fresh water source. Adult females travel in groups with their calves, while adult males travel alone or in bachelor groups. The species is slow to reproduce. The gestation period is 8-12 months and calves are weaned for up to three years, during which the mother will not breed often resulting in a four to the five-year birth interval. Both sexes reach adulthood and sexual reproduction around 17 years old and can live on average 60 years in the wild.

Compared to the African elephant, Asian elephants are smaller and have a flat or concave back as opposed to the arched back of their African relatives. They have a weaker social construct than African elephants but still exhibit a wide variety of sophisticated behaviors such as; compassion, grief, self-awareness, mimicry, play, memory, and the ability to use tools. They can also predict extreme weather events such as tsunamis by retreating to higher ground.

Despite their large size, intelligence and once expansive range, Asian elephants are currently listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and poaching for their ivory tusks. The ivory trade has become a catastrophic threat to all elephants with rampant poaching throughout much of Asia and Africa. In 1975, the international trade in Asian elephant ivory was banned when the Asian elephant was placed on Appendix One of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). By the late 1980s, it was believed that only around 50,000 remained in the wild. Sadly, today, in certain countries such as Thailand, the illegal ivory trade still flourishes and there has been a recent surge in killing elephants for their skins to sell on the black market.

Here at the Sea of Change Foundation, we are committed to be helping to mitigate some of the threats to elephant populations with our partners at the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society and their Project Orange Elephant. Stay tuned for more updates on our Facebook, Instagram, and website.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Creature Feature: Beluga Whale

By Bobby Mikelberg; Sea of Change Intern We’re heading north for this edition of our popular “Creature Feature”, showcasing the fascinating beluga whale. The beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is a relatively small cetacean sharing the order Monodontidae with another unique cetacean, the narwhal (Monodon monoceros). Belugas are well-known in popular culture as “canaries of the […]

Recent Posts

  • Creature Feature: Beluga Whale
  • We’re in this TOGETHER. Here’s some at-home education resources
  • SOC Supports Shark Allies and Shark Conservation in Florida
  • Sea of Change Foundation Gala Fundraiser at DEMA Show 2019
  • Creature Feature: Octopus

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