What's Current in
Ocean and Beaches
Covering marine research on the water and on the sand
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![Yellowtail dascyllus and other tropical fish swim by a cauliflower coral in American Samoa.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2024-07/Yellowtail-dascyllus-adobe-stock.jpg?itok=GzeDoo7M)
Photo Credit
Dam via Adobe Stock
Damselfish like these yellowtail dascyllus have an outsized effect on reefs compared to their humble proportions.
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![A collage of marine creatures.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2024-06/Ocean-collage-uc-santa-barbara.jpg?itok=1gUnh8nt)
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Harrison Tasoff
Transferable conservation credits could incentivize comprehensive protection the ocean’s diverse habitats and wildlife.
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![Theo world map fading into blue water.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2024-06/Ocean-globe-iStock.jpg?itok=ErLcHv47)
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Philip Hoeppli via iStock
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![Icebergs float of Greenland in the arctic sea.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2024-05/Icebergs-iStock_0.jpg?itok=fTtG4ws0)
Photo Credit
Explora_2005 via iStock
Legions of icebergs brought the Atlantic circulation to its knees during the last glacial period.
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![A mantis shrimp emerges from its burrow to confront a rival.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2024-05/Mantis-shrimp-fight-uc-santa-barbara.jpg?itok=dVwHyRUg)
Photo Credit
Roy Caldwell
These territorial crustaceans use their tails as shields to defend against the explosive punches of their rivals.
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![Waves crash on a revetment protecting houses along Broad Beach, Malibu.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2024-04/Broad-beach-Malibu-Lester-uc-santa-barbara.jpg?itok=JAMrZuXM)
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Charles Lester
The ocean is advancing on California, and we need to determine how we will respond.
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![California Sea Otters grooming themselves in the Elkhorn Slough at Moss Landing.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2024-01/Elkhorn-otter-istock.jpg?itok=zvNZkVOE)
Photo Credit
Htrnr via iStock
Although sea otters only recently recolonized their historic habitat in the Elkhorn Sough, they’re already benefiting the ecosystem.
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![A school of hammerhead sharks.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2024-01/OceanImageBank_MasayukiAgawa.jpg?itok=1yw4t_O4)
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Masayuki Agawa via OceanImageBank
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![Flames from the Thomas Fire reflect in the waves at night.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-11/Thomas-Fire-Faria-Beach-cropped-Noozhawk.jpg?itok=YGnOu1vN)
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Ray Ford / Noozhawk
Flames from the Thomas Fire reflect in the waves just west of Ventura. Its proximity to the ocean provided researchers a unique opportunity.
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![A scuba diver swims in a kelp forest](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-11/scuba-diver-giant-kelp-uc-santa-barbara.jpg?itok=Mi4ER7PG)
Photo Credit
Courtesy of NPS
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![The surface of Lake Superior from the back of a research vessel.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-11/Lake-Superior-cruise-small-Alex-Phillips.jpg?itok=UkfgTBz2)
Photo Credit
Alexandra Phillips
The sulfate poor waters of Lake Superior could provide insights on the biochemistry of Earth's early ocean.
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![A humpback swims at the surface with fishing gear wrapped around its flukes.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-09/whale-entangled-E-Lyman-NOAA.jpg?itok=1g0LAq3V)
Photo Credit
E. Lyman/ NOAA Sanctuaries
Less gear in the water means fewer chances for Whales to become entangled.