December 2017

Seaw rds The Marine Option Program Newsletter

December 2017

14

“The plight of sharks continues to be a conservation issue in its own emergency domain...”

DECEMBER SURF FORECAST ALL I WANT FOR CHISTMAS IS...

HOW TO PROPERLY SHOP FOR DIVE GEAR THOUSANDS OF SHARKS FOUND DEAD ON BOAT

December 2017

Volume XXXI, Number 10

Articles Page 3: Letter from the Editor Page 4: All I want for Christmas Is... How to Properly Shop for Dive Gear Page 8: December Surf Forecast Page 10: Ocean Art Page 11: Critter of the Month Page 12: Marine Mammal of the Month Page 14: Thousands of Sharks Found Dead on Boat Page 15: Shipwreck of the Month Page 16: Ocean Updates Page 18: Generation Blue Page 20: Hanauma Bay: Calender of Events Page 21: Flashback: July 1998 Page 22: MOP calendar of events

About the Photography -Cover: Camra Hopper, Editor -Table of Contents: Camra Hopper, Editor -November Calendar of Events: Daniel Jennings, UHM MOP Photography Contestant -Back cover : Daniel Jennings, UHM MOP Photography Contestant -All uncredited photos by: MOP -Disclaimer: any photo taken from flickr.com is used under the Creative Commons License and is credited appropriately with links to the user’s flickr account.

2| Seawords

Letter from the Editor

A

loha

After being a volunteer writer for a year, I was honored with the opportunity to become the Editor of Seawords. For the past two years as Editor, I’ve learned so much about what it takes to be a writer and a mentor. I’ve improved my writing and editing skills and got to feature the amazing experiences, artworks and writings other students have done. The volunteer writers provided me with an opportunity to enhance my understanding of the marine community as they shared current events and what they’ve learned through their own experiences.

But the best part was being able to share all of these amazing experiences and adventures with you, our reader.

Mahalo for being a part of this journey with me, I look forward to continue watching Seawords and the writers grow after I graduate. Congratulations to our new Editor, Kayla White, UHM MOP Student and Associate Editor.

If you still haven’t gotten a gift for your dive buddy, it’s not too late! Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP Alumnus, explains the best and most reasonable gifts to give your buddy on page 4. Tis’ also the season that creates the most waste, so make sure to check out “Generation Blue” by Madelyn Rangel, UHM MOP Student, to learn how to be more blue-minded on page 18.

What would you like to see more of in Seawords? Send us your thoughts!

Mahalo for reading,

Seawords

Camra Hopper, Seawords Editor

Volume XXXI, Number 10, December 2017 Editor: Camra Hopper Associate Editor: Kayla White Dr. Cynthia Hunter (éminence grise) Jeffrey Kuwabara (éminence grise) Seawords- Marine Option Program University of Hawai‘i, College of Natural Sciences 2450 Campus Road, Dean Hall 105A Honolulu, HI 96822-2219 Telephone: (808) 956-8433 Email: <seawords@hawaii.edu> Website: <http://www.hawaii.edu/mop> Seawords is the monthly newsletter of the Marine Option Program at the University of Hawai‘i. Opinions expressed herein are not necessariliy those of the Marine Option Program or of the University of Hawai‘i.

Suggestions and submissions are welcome. Submissions may include articles, photography, art work, or anything that may be of interest to the marine community in Hawai‘i and around the world.

All photos are taken by MOP unless otherwise credited.

DECEMBER 2017 |3

DIVE SAFETY

All I Want for

How to Properly S

By: Tyler Phelps, UH

I

t’s the most expensive time of the year. Holiday specials, gift cards and long lines, oh my! Most divers generally piece out their equipment buying one part at a time until the next paycheck. That’s certainly what I did when I bought my first kit. Maybe you’re looking to do the same, or perhaps looking to spread some holiday cheer to your dive buddy. Before we start our shopping spree, let’s go over some ground rules that almost no one thinks about first when buying gear. Then we’ll prioritize what to buy first, ending with some practical gift ideas that won’t break the bank. Diving can be a costly sport. Applying these covenants by thinking with the end in mind will ultimately save you money. By the end of this article, your dive gear shopping will be better than Santa himself!

Thinking with the End in Mind The biggest waste of money I have seen is from divers buying something “cheap” that’s all they need “right now.” Let’s use regulators as an example.

Sure, you can get that unbalanced regulator on Cheapjunk.com for only a couple hundred bucks.

You’re only Open Water certified diving to 60 feet, so that’s all you need “right now.” What about five years from now? Maybe you want to do cold water, deep, overhead or other technical dives?

“Oh I have no interest in doing those, that sounds crazy to me!” Some of Dive computers. Photo by: Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP the world’s pioneers and Alumnus.

4| Seawords

leaders in technical diving said the exa change. Wouldn’t it be wiser to have hig fit your diving, versus buying the cheap years and then having to reinvest in “pro

A regulator is your life support! Hold o budget to buy a high-performance mod ers use can be intimidating. As an exa that the first stage is sealed from the o ter. An environmentally sealed regulato a longer life span from reduced corros bias spring will not freeze, making it d cold water. Look for a “balanced” reg means that the intermediate pressure i stage will not drastically change with de inder pressure. In other words, it will c breathe well. Most rental regulators are because they are cheap which is why th okay at the start of a dive but feel like you a golf ball through a garden hose by the

Similarly for dive computers, don’t buy “right now.” Try to find one that can u nitrox mixes with up to 100% oxygen. Th you through your basic technical diving helium. A trimix computer is ideal beca later. However, they cost considerably m

Credible Sources and Serviceability

Repeat after me, “I will not look on Crai “I will not look on Craigslist or Ebay!”

Most people selling dive gear on these si equipment is severely neglected. Only aft you find good deals but they’re like a dia

After you have been thinking with the en serviceability. This is where online retai

Christmas Is…

Shop for Dive Gear

HH MOP Alumnus

act same thing once. Your opinion may gh quality equipment that is scalable to p stuff now to find it useless in a couple oper” gear?

have scored a good deal, but where are you going to send it to get serviced? I know far too many people that must mail their equipment across the country to get serviced because they failed to think about this. If you support your local dive shop, not only will it give you that warm fuzzy feeling but they also will be able to service it for you when the time comes!

off on investing until you have a healthy del. Some of the jargon that manufactur- What to Buy and When ample, “environmentally sealed” means outside waor will have sion and the desirable for gulator. This in your first epth or cylconsistently unbalanced hey breathe u’re sucking e end.

A full set of dive equipment can cost just under a grand to upwards of several thousand dollars. For this reason many people buy their gear modularly. Here is my prioritization of which equipment to buy first. I’m a firm believer in investing as high of quality as you can afford. After all, you get what you pay for.

1. Mask, fins, and snorkel – Repeat after

me, “I will not use a big box store snorkel set for diving.” Against my strong protest, I have trained many divers who have used these for their certification class. one for just Dive light. Photo by: Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP Alumnus.

Hashtag “college student budget,” right? use multiple I quickly learned to bring an extra set of This will last g course until you’re ready to start using fins and mask because at least one of them would break during the class. You ause that way you don’t need to upgrade get what you pay for after all. Comfort is most important. Ensure you get a mask that properly fits your face by pressing it to your face, not inhaling through more than recreational computers. your nose. If a vacuum is formed and it seals, then the mask fits. A black skirt y will eliminate the fuzzy “noise” for a cleaner image. Don’t waste your money on a fancy “dry snorkel,” it has no place being on your mask when you’re diving igslist or Ebay!” anyway. A fold up snorkel is preferred for a more experienced diver so it can fit into a pocket and stay off your mask when you’re not using it. An ideal set ites know nothing about diving, or their of fins has a solid blade with high side wall that can be used for more advanced fter lots of experience in the market can backwards kicking.

amond in the rough.

2. Wetsuit, booties and gloves – I don’t know about you but there are fewer

nd in mind, your next thought should be things in this world I dislike more than using a rental wetsuit continually filled ilers can be dangerous! Sure you might with someone else’s pee. Select an exposure suit that fits you with an appropriate DECEMBER 2017 |5

thickness to keep you warm. As you dive more, the suit will compress and you may feel the need to invest in a hooded vest or base layer. Open heel dive fins offer the most protection for your feet and will need a dive bootie. In Hawai‘i, the felt soled booties are preferred for slippery shore entries but keep in mind that wearing those on a boat deck without nonskid will have you looking like a cat with mittens on a hardwood floor. I have found that work gloves from a hardware store are far more durable than traditional neoprene dive gloves.

3. Dive computer – Dive computers increase your bottom time and make it

much easier to log your dives. Some of them nowadays can even sync to your phone! However, computers are not an excuse to forget how to use dive tables.

You should always know how to use the tables should you ever need to resort to them as backup or for a project. As already discussed, invest in a computer you can grow into. I prefer the wrist watch style computers as opposed to the console based models. This way your computer can evolve with you should you use it for other applications like sidemount, technical or even freediving.

4. Regulator – Easy there, tiger -- wait and collect the pennies under the couch

cushions so you can invest in a high quality regulator. Allow for scalability by choosing one that is balanced and environmentally sealed. Research the dive shops near you to see which manufacturers they can service. Both your primary and alternate second stages should be high performance. Far too often I see folks try to save money by getting a cheap alternative, or invest in one that attaches to the BCD. In the event of an emergency, you want something that is dependable and higher quality to get you out of that situation. How would your buddy react if you donated them a cheap little thing out of a Cracker Jack box after they ran out of gas? Here’s another scenario, your buddy almost drowns from running out of gas and comes charging at you full speed. You donate him your very short hose primary regulator leaving you to suck on this mouthpiece on your BCD hose. Do you want a panicking diver that close to you? Meanwhile, you’re breathing from your safe second on your inflator hose, having the worst work of breathing design of virtually any regulator. Take it from someone who fixes these-they break easily and their cracking effort numbers are appalling.

with plastic clips and buckles that inevitably break. I see plastic and rubber pieces in critical places on most jacket style BCDs, such as the weight bearing cylinder attachment.

For these reasons, I am an advocate for backplate and wing systems that are made of durable nylon and metal. I have friends that have been using the same backplate and wing system for 20 years. In the event that something does break, these systems are modular and components can easily be replaced, you don’t have to buy an entire new BCD. They are also scalable in that your backplate can be applied to doubles for technical diving. You don’t have to buy a new BCD Dry Bag. just because your type of diving changes. I could go on and on but for the sake of brevity let modular, scalable and comfortable.

6. Weights and cylinders – Lead can be

ing on your exposure suit, you could b when they can be affordably rented. Ho vest in the hard lead as the soft bags t money. Cylinders can be several hundr dive shop pretty easily. If you invest in The shiny paint looks great but after five get that owning a cylinder has the addit inspected every year and hydrostatically

Dive Gifts That Won’t Break the Ba

5. – Did you We have learned about thinking ahead w

Surface mark buoy and spool. Photo by: Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP Alumnus.

6| Seawords

know most BCDs are designed to have a life of about five years?

Some manufacturers laden their products

the sequence of what to invest in first. I ing about wanting that new dive comput of your budget. Here are some gift ideas find in their stocking, ranked from mos

1. Dive Light (≥$100) – FFinally they w

or be able to go night diving. Yes, you c $100. My first light had an incandescen on massive D-cell batteries. I would sp

Nowadays I have seen bright LED rechargeable lights for as low as $50, which are a much smarter investment. A new dive light pairs well with a pack of glow sticks, saying you want them to take you for a night dive!

2. Surface Marker Buoy (SMB, ~$40) – Safety first! A deployable SMB can alert

nearby boats that divers are nearby. This can be a lifesaving piece of equipment, especially if dive in places with high boat traffic. Choose one that’s less than six feet long so it can be easily stowed when not use. This pairs well with a finger spool (~$20) which can be used to deploy the SMB.

3. Dive Bags and Dry Bags (~$30) – A great gift for the friend that dives off boats frequently to keep the dry stuff, dry! Or for the friend that looks like they’re having a yard sale every time they go diving.

4. Save a Dive Kits and Multitools (~$20) – Save a dive kits are a must for any-

one that dives more than occasionally. I personally find a commercial Save a Dive Kits to be a rip off though, especially if it’s filled with stuff you’ll never use.

A seeming larger than necessary dry box, tool chest or mask case are thoughtful ways to allow your buddy to build their own kit. Multitools are compact solutions usually not costing more than $20.

5. Double ender bolt snaps (~$7) – The ultimate stocking stuffer for a diver!

Photo by: Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP Alumnus.

Double ender bolt snaps are incredibly handy for securing cameras, tools and other accessories. I prefer stainless steel as they are less prone to sticking although they are more expensive than brass. You can find bolt snaps made of other materials, for cheaper, at a hardware store but they will be ruined after one dive. Bolt snaps tend to disappear, electrical tape or line can be used to identify which ones are yours. Just don’t use the orange line, that’s my marker!

me end with this, choose a BCD that is 6. Mask de-fog (~$5) – A mask isn’t much good if you can’t see out of it. Commercial de-fog works great but can be costly at $5 a bottle. Baby shampoo is a e an upwards of $5 per pound. Depend- cheap alternative that is also effective.

be looking at spending $100 on weights owever if you should buy your own, intend to break causing you to lose your red dollars each, or rented/filled from a a cylinder, buy one that is not painted! e dives it will start to chip off. Don’t fortional responsibility of getting it visually y requalified every five years.

Whether you’re shopping for holiday gifts or for yourself, make your money count. Invest in high quality, high performance equipment that you can grow into from reputable sources.

Start with the essentials and slowly build your kit as your budget affords. ank If you are shopwhen purchasing gear while prioritizing ping for a dive I’m sure your dive buddy has been talk- buddy, these after for Christmas but that’s probably out fordable gifts are s that any dive buddy would be lucky to sure to make a st expensive to least expensive. splash during the holidays! n will be able to see inside those “pukas” can find dive lights much cheaper than nt bulb and cost me about $20 but it ran Double enders. Photo by: Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP Alumnus. pend $20 every time the batteries died.

DECEMBER 2017 |7

December

Surf Forecast By: Alina Abramovich, UHM MOP Student

Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational Surf Contest Waimea Bay, Hawai‘i, Febrary 2016. Photo by: Anthony Quintano, Flickr.

8| Seawords

D

uring the wintertime on O‘ahu, the North Shore reigns supreme in terms of consistency, power, size and excitement – the months of October and November offered a very promising foreshadowing to the December surf forecast. Waimea has already had a couple of full-sized swells, and with the “La Niña holding period” we talked about in last month’s forecast, it is very possible for the North Shore to be hit with even more extra-sized waves this holiday season. What meant terrible weather conditions and a slew of typhoons and low-pressure systems for Japan in the past months has equated to consistently big surf hitting the Hawaiian Islands. With epic waves come epic contests, as well as the international surfing elite, and with the Triple Crown in full swing, if you’re not surfing up North, at the very least stop by to witness some inspiring and progressive surfing done by the world’s best. In terms of logistics and surf forecasting, the aforementioned La Niña, though not fully confirmed, is looking a lot more likely to be on the weaker spectrum of the meteorological event – indicating that December will likely exhibit above-average waves in the NW/WNW (North-Westerly/West-North-Westerly) swell direction. The South Pacific, however, is predicted to be fully shut down as of December – so either break out the supertankers, or start enjoying the pilgrimages to the north, east and west shores. As always, make sure that you are surfing within your ability and ask the lifeguards at each beach for the hazards or swell conditions of the day – big surf means bigger consequences so if in doubt, don’t paddle out. n

DECEMBER 2017 |9

ocean art

Sea Shells. Photo by: Amanda Tipton.

Fairy Wings at the Beach By: Autumn Fairall, HCC Student

Small pattering footsteps echoed in the distance.

A young boy and his grandmother came into view.

The elderly lady’s grey eyes twinkled as the wind mussed the young boy’s chestnut hair. Although stiff with age, the elderly lady’s movements were graceful as she pointed out palm trees dancing in the wind, seagulls flying overhead, and distant spouts of water belonging to humpback whales. The young boy listened restlessly to his grandmother, clearly impatient to play in the rolling waves and discover hidden treasure in the soft sand. With a smile, the elderly lady stooped forward and selected a small object from the white sand.

“Listen well, young one,” his grandmother began in a frail voice while opening her wrinkled hand revealing treasure, ”This is a fairy wing. This small trinket may look like a broken shell, but look closely; a glint of gold reflects the sunlight. When trouble finds you, as it surely must, return to the ocean, make a wish, and cast a fairy wing into the water.”

Autumn’s poem was chosen from a collection of poems submitted to us by Eric Paul Shaffer, an HCC English Professor, and written by his English 201: Creative Writing class.

10| Seawords

critter of the month By: Alina Abramovich, UHH MOP Student

Fisher’s Star (Mithrodia fisheri)

Distribution: Endemic to the Hawaiian Island chain Size: Typically, 4-6” but can grow up to 20” Diet: The Mithadoria typically feed on microalgae, bivalves, sponges and snails Coloration: Typically bright orange/red with lighter tips at the end of each arm. Juveniles tend to be much lighter in color.

Habitat: Tropical/temperate ocean waters, preferably with high salinities IUCN Red List Status: Unclassified - least concern

A

A sea star (Asterodea) the is very similar to the Mithrodia fisheri.

Photo by: Jodi Olson, Flickr.

s the research being done on endemic Hawaiian echinoderms and invertebrates becomes more extensive, more and more is being discovered about Mithrodia fisheri – though little is still available in terms of public knowledge about these beautiful sea stars. What is known about them is that they behave similarly to other Asteroid sea stars found in similarly temperate and tropical climates. These similarities include M. fisheri’s ability to reproduce both sexually as well as asexually, its digestive system (which extends into its arms, with the sea star’s mouth being at the center of its body), and its ability to respond and be sensitive to a number of outside stimuli including light, touch and temperature.

Though endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, the M. fisheri are closely related to other sea stars in the Mithrodiidae family – all of which are classified as large (to abnormally large) tropical sea stars with five arms rounded in a cross-section. Like other sea stars, the M. fisheri are considered to be keystone organisms in their ecosystem due to their excellent adaptation skills, relatively large size and diverse diets. Sea stars in general (when not invasive and overly predatory), help regulate the population sizes of other sea creatures that may cause problems when present in overabundant quantities within an ecosystem (such as molluscs). The M. fisheri are also used as an ecosystem bioindicator on the effects of pollution in the ocean. Being bottom feeders and low on the food chain, these (and other sea stars) are especially sensitive to first degree pollutants in the ocean, and can offer a researchable view of how polluted an ocean segment has become. M. fisheri and other sea stars also benefit humans by being used for reproductive and developmental studies, as the female sea stars produced a high volume of oocytes which are easily isolated and studied. The sea stars capabilities of self-regeneration of lost body parts is also currently being studied in terms of relating this capability to potential human use. n

DECEMBER 2017 |11

By: Jeremy Gasta, UHM MOP Student

Migaloo Marine Mammal of the Month: Migaloo

W

hen most people think of the words “white whale,” Herman Melville’s aggressive sperm whale (Phyester macrocephalus) Moby Dick often comes to mind. However, in the modern day, the most wellknown and striking white whale is actually of the much more placid humpback variety (Megaptera novaeangliae), an individual affectionately known as “Migaloo.”

While other white great whales have been spotted, this individual holds fame for being the only truly pure white whale that’s known to be swimming our oceans at

A humpback whale (Megaptera novaengliae) breaching in the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, off the coast of California.

Photo by: NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Flickr.

12| Seawords

Species: Humpback Whale Scientific Name: Megaptera novaeangliae Range: Eastern Australia Diet: Plankton, small fish and crustaceans Size: 45 feet

the moment. He’s also known for being a bit of a cetacean celebrity along Australia’s east coast, as he is much more sociable and gregarious than other known white humpbacks, and is generally known to spend more time with other whales and in view of especially lucky whale watchers.

Despite his intriguing complexion of fresh snow, Migaloo behaves much like any other humpback. He spends the warm summer months feeding in polar regions and migrates closer to the equator to breed in the winter, making the long journey from Antarctica up to Australia’s tropical Queensland on a yearly basis. Thus, he is placed within the Australian East Coast population of humpback whales. All humpbacks are filter feeders, using long baleen strips in their mouths to filter tiny animals, including crustaceans and small fish, out of the surrounding seawater.

The first sighting of Migaloo was in 1991, in Byron Bay, Australia’s most eastern point. The whale was already fairly mature, and was estimated to have been born in the mid-eighties. He was coined “Migaloo” from the loose Aboriginal term for “white person.” Since then he has been spotted on a near-yearly basis, and among eastern Australian whale enthusiasts is often regarded as the top prize to see in person or, if one is exceptionally lucky, get a photo of the famous beast. Due to his unique complexion, Migaloo has been given special protection

by the Australian government, banning any boats from getting within 500 meters of him, at the risk of a hefty $16,000 fine. For comparison, other adult humpbacks in the region allow boaters to get within 100 meters, or 300 if there is a calf nearby. Unfortunately, even all this legal protection hasn’t fully kept Migaloo from harm, and he was struck by a trimaran in an infamous incident in 2003. His back still shows telltale scars from the incident, which make him even easier to identify, but thankfully seems to have healed up nicely since.

Migaloo actually isn’t the only white humpback known to be swimming in our oceans today. Willow is a female humpback who is often spotted in the Arctic Sea and around Norway, and is probably the second-most famous white humpback behind our favorite white guy, and spotted for the first time in 2012. Bahloo is another female humpback who actually shares Migaloo’s home range, but is known to be far shyer than her counterpart, and spotting her is somewhat of a rarity, though

she’s known to frequent the Great Barrier Reef. A calf was also sighted off of Australia’s east coast in 2011, and was affectionately dubbed “Migaloo Jr.” despite there being no evidence so far as to if he is actually related to his senior. However, Willow, Bahloo, and Migaloo Jr. all have small black spots, therefore not being actually albino, but more likely, leucistic, which is a partial loss in pigmentation. Migaloo holds onto the title of the only 100% white humpback whale on Earth. However, despite this, scientists are actually split in opinion as to whether Migaloo is albino or not. His eyes do not appear to be red, which is usually an indicator of albinism along with the stark white skin. The most reliable way to know for certain would be to get a DNA sample from the whale and looks for markers of albinism, but that’s always easier said than done when dealing with a forty ton marine mammal. Whether truly albino or not, Migaloo is still a striking sight to behold, and will likely remain the most famous humpback in Australia for years to come. n

Migaloo was first spotted in 1991 passing through Byron Bay. Photo by: Craig Parry, via Australian Geographic.

DECEMBER 2017 |13

T

he plight of sharks continues to be a conservation issue in its own emergency domain as more and more evidence is being brought forward in regard to the devastation of the world’s shark populations. Earlier this fall, in late August, a Chinese fishing vessel and its crew were arrested for illegally hunting sharks in a protected marine reserve in the Galápagos Islands. The vessel was discovered by a Galápagos National Park patrol ship returning from a conservation mission. The authorities on the patrol ship suspected that the unknown vessel appearing on their radar was an illegal fishing boat (as access to the sanctuary is heavily regulated), and upon attempting to approach and make contact with the unknown ship, their suspicions were confirmed once they received no response.

Further, authorities in the Navy and Ecuadorean Coast Guard were called, and a search party was sent to stop the fishing vessel (confirmed to be Chinese due to the insignia and name printed on its bow).

Thousands of Sharks Found Dead on Boat

Chinese and other Asian fishermen have begun to pillage the protected waters around the Galápagos due to their large shark populations – a risky catch well worth the legal reBy: Alina Abramovich, UHH percussions MOP Student the fishermen face due to the high demand of shark meat for medicine and shark fin soup in Asian markets. When the authorities boarded the Chinese vessel, they discovered that the ship was filled with shark carcasses – over 6000 bodies cumulatively weighing in at 300-tons. The Chinese crew onboard (about thirty individuals) were all arrested and fined $5.9 million, the captain of the vessel sustaining

14| Seawords

further legal actions in getting his captain’s license revoked and being sentenced to four years of jail time. The responding authorities noted that this particular arrest and illegal fishing vessel discovery led to the biggest seizure of sharks to date in the Galápagos and included a number of endangered and threatened species such as the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini).

Aerial shot of Ecuadorian Navy capturing Chinese fishing vessel in Galapagos marine reserve. Photo by: Navy of Ecuador.

The vessel was an acting, local hub for other vessels in the area. Thousands of smaller, faster boats scatter around the marine area and can harvest a number of sharks at a time without being detected the way a large ship can – once they are filled to capacity they drop their load off at the main “hub” ship and return to the open ocean to continue their illegal fishing. Although the capture and seizure of this vessel seems like a victory in terms of shark conservation, the reality (as stated by Pelayo Salinas, marine ecologist for the Charles Darwin Foundation) is that this is a “day-to-day [occurrence] on the ocean”. In fact, the only reason this particular vessel was caught is because it had (probably accidentally) left its AIS (automatic tracking system) turned on – the signal of which was picked up on the patrol ships’ radar.

The fight against unregulated, illegal fishing vessels seems to be a losing one, but one that is crucial to the survival of not only the world’s shark populations, but also to the survival of the entirety of the international oceanic ecosystems. Sharks act as the white blood cells of the ocean – as apex predators they prey on overpopulating species, including weak or sick animals, helping keep the oceans’ populations under control and healthy.

Conservation and animal protection efforts such as those exhibited by the Chinese vessel seizure are key in starting to restore shark numbers and help keep them protected against a growing capitalist demand for their meat, fins and teeth. n

Shipwreck of the Month: Yo-257 By: Kayla White, Associate Editor

T

he USS YO-257 was a Yard Oiler in the U. S. Navy that was sunk two miles off shore of Waikīkī in 1989.

The YO-257 was built in the 1940’s and helped in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War by holding up to 200,000 gallons of fuel and refueling battleships around sea. The ship assisted the Coast Guard in 1963 with the construction of a radio navigation station in Yap. After the YO-257 was decommissioned, Atlantis Submarines Hawaii purchased the ship and sank it as an artificial reef off of Waikīkī.

On the bottom of the ocean, where the YO-257 rests, the surrounding seafloor is 100 feet deep and the top of the deck is at 85 feet. Nearby the YO-257, another ship rests on the seafloor called the San Pedro. The San Pedro was intentionally sunk by Atlantis Submarines Hawaii as well in 1996.

These two ships are frequently visited by Atlantis Submarine Hawaii and many other people who love to dive and see the marine life that flourishes around them. Turtles and reef sharks are frequently seen swimming around the ships; the most commonly seen is the whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus). Some say they’ve spotted Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on a rare sighting around the YO-257. n *Caution to divers who plan to dive at this ship because the currents are very strong and unpredictable in this area*

The deck of the YO-257 on an Atlantis Submarine Tour off of Waikiki Beach.

Photo by: Kayla White, Associate Editor.

DECEMBER 2017 |15

cean updates

By: Camra Hopper, Editor

“IF WE KEEP PRODUCING (AND FAILING TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF) PLASTICS AT PREDICTED RATES, PLASTICS IN THE OCEAN WILL OUTWEIGH FISH POUND FOR POUND IN 2050,” WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. Pasha Hawaii in Puerto Rico

rebuild their homes and communities, and address basic needs,” said George Pasha IV, President and CEO of In efforts to help Puerto Rico, Pasha Hawaii’s (a maPasha Hawaii. jor transporter of containers, cars and other goods to Hawai‘i) U.S. Jones Act vessel, Horizon Spirit, will be Fishing Vessel at Kaimana Beach providing hurricane relief support by shipping hunPacific Paradise is a 79-foot fishing vessel that struck the dreds of containers from the West Coast to Puerto Rico. reef off Kaimana Beach in Waikīkī on October 10, 2017.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on September 16 and Before she caught on fire, in an attempt to be salvaged, lingered through October 3, 2017, as a Category 5 hurthe captain and 19 fishermen were aboard the vessel, ricane. She is regarded as the worst natural disaster on but everyone was able to evacuate safely and there were record to hit Dominica and cause a major humanitarian no reports of injuries. crisis in Puerto Rico.

Although authorities attempted to douse the fire, aboard Lipsey Mountain Spring Water, a family-owned governwas 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel, which caused her to mental bottled water supplier for disaster relief, partburn for several more hours. The original cause of the nered with Pasha Hawaii to bring 800 containers filled blaze was not reported (Shipwreck Log). According to with over 15 million bottles of water for people in Puerthe Coast Guard, there is still another 1,500 gallons of to Rico. According to Dr. Robert Kadlec, Department of fuel aboard.

Health and Human Services, millions of residents still don’t have access to electricity, proper health care and Ten days after she wrecked, another salvage company, bacteria in the water have exposed many people to dis- hired by the boat’s owner, attempted to pull it free, but ease. was only able to budge it a little to the left. The Coast Guard and the salvage company are continuing efforts “Our hearts go out to the people of Puerto Rico as they

Starboard bow of Pasha Hawaii’s Horizon Spirit, a container ship that will be going to Puetro Rico to provide hurricane relief, at her home port in Philadelphia. Photo by: Bill Abbott, Flickr.

16| Seawords

Pacific Paradise on fire outside of Kaimana Beach in Waikīkī.

Photo by: Big Wave Dave Surf Co. via Hawaii News Now.

to remove Pacific Paradise from the reef.

Climate Shifts Marine Food Chain El Niño, a band of warm ocean water that develops in the Pacific during the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is causing a shift in the Southern California marine food web. For the most part, scientists have considered the food chain to be relatively stable, but scientists from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML), and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, have been collecting data over the past two decades that indicate otherwise.

the most intense El Niño of the century, which has caused the food chain in Southern California to shorten sharply, “[El Niño] coincided with declines in ocean productivity such as reduced growth of plankton, declines of some fish and birds and expanded ranges of some species like jumbo squid, perhaps as they searched for scarce food or followed favorable temperatures,” Science News states. Adaptation is key for the survival of species as the ocean continues to change rapidly. n

The food web starts with tiny plankton and continues up to large predators, such as dolphins and sharks. Looking for chemical clues in dolphins’ skin cells provide information about the different species they’ve eaten.

A longer food chain indicates a diverse community, while a shorter food chain occurs during extreme environmental conditions and suggests a decline in diversity. This will also tell scientists how healthy and resilient the ecosystem is.

The most recent ENSO has been

Map via NOAA’s “Global Climate Report - September 2017” DECEMBER 2017 |17

Actions for the Ocean

GENERATION

Coral Reef. Photo by: Jane R, Flickr.

BLUE

By: Madelyn Rangel, UHM MOP Student

M

ost of us are well aware of the wide range of impacts humans have on the marine environment. The effects of pollution, development, overfishing and climate change may seem overwhelming. It’s easy to feel like the fate of the oceans’ health is out of our hands, but in reality, with every small effort a real effect can be created. It’s our responsibility to care for something we enjoy, benefit from and use on a regular basis. Consider implementing one of these small efforts into your daily life, if you don’t already.

1:

Purchase Sustainable Fish at Restaurants and Markets Purchasing unsustainably caught fish supports practices that either directly hurt the population of the fish or damage the environment. Check out the website Seafoodwatch.org or download the app to easily find out what is most ethical to eat, or print a seafood guide for your state.

Try picking pole-caught or troll-lined albacore tuna. Avoid longline yellowfin tuna, imported octopus, and blue marlin. Choose locally caught mahi mahi, ono, opah, aku, or ahi.

Shrimp. Photo by my_amii, Flickr.

18| Seawords

THE OCEAN SPANS OVER 70 PERCENT OF OUR WORLD. It is responsible for regulating temperature, food production, sustaining numerous species, and is a source for inspiration for many people.The ocean gives us so much and it is time for us to return the favor and take actions to make the ocean ecosystem healthy again.

Almost every action that we take affects the ocean in some way. Our everyday choices can be tailored to support a healthy ocean. Here are some examples of green acts that will keep the ocean blue.

2:

3:

Stay Updated on Current Legislation Helping the ocean goes hand in hand with becoming interested in and educated on the laws that protect it. The current administration has called for a review of marine monuments in hopes of increasing oil and gas drilling, an executive order that would keep any National Marine Sanctuary from being created or extended, and systematically weakened the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To help the ocean, you can stay updated on current legislative matters relating to the environment. Websites like govtrack. us let you follow certain committees or “hot” bills, and will give you alerts when they are being voted on.

You can join those who go downtown and demand action from members of Congress and Senators, call local representatives and let them know what you care about or simply donate to organizations that are trying to not only stop the backtrack of marine conservation progress, but also expand it. Staying updated and vocal about legislation that concerns the ocean is just as important as taking steps to be more oceanfriendly ourselves.

Gavel & Striker. Photo by: Keith Burtis, Flickr.

Don’t Support Unsustainable Fishing Practices Commercial extraction from reefs can be devastating to vulnerable marine species. Profiting off of the rareness of a species is not going to be a force for change in conserving it. Protect the biodiversity of the ocean and check if the fish you are purchasing for your tank are captive-bred; one option is to use the app Tank Watch while you are shopping. n Aquarium. Photo by: MinimalSpace, Flickr.

DECEMBER 2017 |19

Conducting research in Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and Institute of Hawaiian Language Research and Translation

7 December

• Recipe for success: what makes corals more likely to survive increasing temperatures?

•

• Ocean acidification and the connections between land, air, and sea •

• Sewer talk: how vulnerable is Hawaiʻi's Wastewater Infrastructure to climate change?

•

14 December • The pill and fish don’t mix •

• Reef Invaders: what we know about an invasive sponge on Hawai‘i’s coral reefs •

• Fish Flow: where do fish come from and where are they heading?

•

20| Seawords

General Information about Thursday’s seminars:

FLASHBACK: JULY 1998

I

By: Kayla White, Associate Editor

n 1998, the Hawai‘i Coral Reef Initiative Research Program (CRIRP) chose four projects to fund with the focus on the sustainability of Hawai‘i’s reefs. Each project that was funded built on the foundation of past research but primarily on the work of the Coral Reef Initiative Monitoring Program (CRIMP). CRIMP worked to develop monitoring techniques that were consistent in mapping out the locations and health of the reefs so that overfishing, eutrophication, algae outbreaks and sedimentation could be observed.

CRIRP Coordinator, Michael Hamnett, says the funds will be used to tackle what he calls “the data management question.” Hamnett says, “All this research has been done, but nobody’s got the big picture; nobody knows where it all is; what was studied; what was monitored; where are the results; or where are the data.”

The first program will begin to bring together the results from past and present studies, taking advantage of today’s technology to make it available to everyone.

The second project that was funded looked at the finite biological processes that affect the coral and fish distributions around the island. This study focused on the issue of overfishing and eutrophication at Coconut Island, Kāne‘ohe Bay, and at Puakō, West Hawai‘i.

The third project developed a computerized method to manage coral reefs by using Kāne‘ohe Bay as a standard model. This project worked with scientists and the public to figure out the best way to manage the reefs.

The last project that was funded investigated the genetic diversity of corals around Hawai‘i. To do this, they identified reefs that needed protection so that they could maximize the diversity and provide a foundation for observable changes in species.

With projects like these we can help sustain and manage Hawai‘i’s beautiful reefs. Hamnett says, “The hope is that this could eventually become a model for the entire region.” n

DECEMBER 2017 |21

December Photo credit: Daniel Jennings, UHM MOP Student and Photography Contestant

Sun.

Mon.

Tues.

Wed.

Next month: January - Jan. 8 : First Day of Instruction -Jan. 10: New Student Orientation & Camera Care Workshop -Jan. 11: QUEST & MAST Information Meetings

3

Gyotaku Fish Printing for Holiday Gifts Dean 104 TBA

10

Human Right’s Day

-Jan. 15: MLK Day -Jan. 15&17: QUEST Fish ID Classes -Jan. 21: MOP Back to School BBQ -Jan. 22&24: QUEST Invert ID Classes -Jan. 29&30: QUEST Limu ID Classes

4

5

6

11

12

13

Green Monday

Hanukkah Starts

FINALS

Good

17

18 Winter Break Begins! (no school)

24

25

Christmas Eve

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

31

New Year’s Eve

22| Seawords

19

Ugly Sweater Day

26 Kwanzaa Starts

20

Hanukkah End

27

MOP & Community Events

Thurs.

7 Last Day of Instruction Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Theater Thursday: Hanauma Bay 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

S WEEK

Fri.

Sat.

1

2

8

9

MOP Graduation Dean Hall 104 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

14

15

16

21

22

23

28

29

30

Theater Thursday: Hanauma Bay 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

luck!

ds

Winter Solstice

DECEMBER 2017â&#x20AC;&#x192;|23

University of Hawai`i at MÄ noa Seawords, Marine Option Program College of Natural Sciences 2450 Campus Road, Dean Hall 105A Honolulu, HI 96822-2219 Address Service Requested

Thank you for reading!