We are surfers, sailors, divers, scientists, and activists on a hero’s journey to recover ocean plastic, restore habitat, and mitigate ocean warming & acidification.
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Yes, climate change, storm severity, and flooding are impacting islands globally. While the Chandeleur Islands are uninhabited barrier islands in the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, they serve as critical habitat for migrating birds, seabirds, and endangered sea turtles.
The Chandeleur Islands are disappearing due to erosion and land loss, moving sand offshore and leaving behind fragmented marsh. Inadequate sand supply, sea level rise, and the failure of the islands to recover between storm events are exacerbating the problem.
Wetland loss often harms vulnerable groups, such as Indigenous and low-income communities, who rely on these resources and face greater risks from flooding and scarcity, deepening social inequities. #WetTribe #DefendtheSacred #Everglades
Wetlands are often undervalued, leading to their rapid decline; over a third have vanished globally since 1970, with serious consequences to biodiversity, water quality, climate, and coastal community safety. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #WetlandWednesday #WetlandLoss
Wetlands are among the planet’s most biodiverse and productive ecosystems, supporting up to 40% of all species. They filter water by trapping sediment and pollutants, and store large amounts of carbon in their soil. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #WetlandWednesday
This research is occurring on the 20th Anniversary of #HurricaneKatrina, which cut the island into the current North and South Chandeleur Islands. It has also been 15 years since the #DeepwaterHorizon spill, which covered the island chain ecosystem in oil.
The Chandeleur Islands, part of the #BretonNationalWildlifeRefuge, are critical habitat for Kemp's Ridley turtles, one of the most endangered sea turtle species in the world, and the last remaining brown pelican colony on the chain, and only marine seagrass in Louisiana.
A high-stakes hunt for endangered sea turtle “crawls” and other evidence that endangered and vulnerable turtle species are nesting is underway on the disappearing Chandeleur Islands in Louisiana. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #TurtleTuesday #KempsRidley #Chandeleurs
We are surfers, sailors, divers, scientists, and activists on a hero’s journey to recover ocean plastic, restore habitat, and mitigate ocean warming and acidification. “We are not strangers separated by countries; we are a tribe connected by oceans.” #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanup
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanup #LaborDay #Quotes
“Finds comfort in himself and in his cause; and, while the mortal mist is gathering, draws breath in confidence of Heaven's applause: this is the Happy Warrior; this is he that every man in arms should wish to be.” -William Wordsworth #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanup #LaborDay #Quotes
“Action is the Best Antidote for Anxiety” #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanup #LaborDayWeekend #Beach #TimeWellSpent
Happy Birthday, Dr. Sylvia Earle! American marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author, lecturer, National Geographic Explorer at Large, and named first Hero for the Planet by Time Magazine. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #DrSylviaEarle #HeroforthePlanet
We selected a song from our Friday Playlist as the perfect segue from Jimmy Buffett Day to Labor Day. “Headin' out to San Francisco for the Labor Day weekend show.” - ‘Come Monday’ Jimmy Buffett youtu.be/XKGw_hrlaOY
Today is Jimmy Buffett Day, and while we miss Bubba dearly, we promised to keep the party going. “Just know that you are loved, there's light up above, and joy, there's always enough. Bubbles up.” – ‘Bubbles Up’ Jimmy Buffett youtu.be/e9FLUcpMdm0
Did you know? Jimmy Buffett was an environmentalist and activist, and co-founded the ‘Save the Manatee Club’ with former Florida governor Bob Graham, which took early actions that shaped manatee protections. #JimmyBuffettDay #SavetheManatee
Considering this study, global policy makers need to take “real action to reduce emissions” and institute ocean acidification monitoring, mitigation, and adaptation policies. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #FridayFieldUpdate #OceanAcidification #Coral #Research
Suitable habitats with available carbonate ions, in which key marine species need to build their shells and skeletons, have declined significantly. As a result, coral habitat has shrunk by approximately 43%. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #FridayFieldUpdate #OceanAcidification #Coral #Research
A new study found four of seven world ocean basins have crossed the planetary boundary for ocean acidification, 40% of ocean surface waters, and 60% of subsurface water to 660’. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #FridayFieldUpdate #OceanAcidification #Coral #Research
Our favorites are ‘thalassophile’, someone with a deep love for the sea; ‘petrichor’, the pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain; and ‘psithurism,’ the soft, whispering quality of wind through the trees – all experienced today. 😉🤙
“I took the road less traveled and that has made all the difference.” A theodolite is a tool used in journeys to new locations, especially those involving the construction of trails, roads, or bridges. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #BandontheRun #TheodoliteThursday
A new #UHMānoa study reveals the increasing pace of #OceanAcidification in Pacific waters near Hawaiʻi. These rapid changes in ocean chemistry make it harder for the ocean to keep taking up more #CO2 from the atmosphere. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean
Whales are ingesting millions of microplastic pieces daily, particularly baleen whales like blue, fin, and humpback whales, which consume them indirectly by eating contaminated krill and small organisms. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #WhaleWednesday #BaleenWhales #Microplastics
Photo credit: Neil Ever Osborne
Microplastics have been found in many sea turtle tissues, including the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, reproductive organs, and muscles, showing that these particles can travel beyond the gastrointestinal tract. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #TurtleTuesday #SeaTurtles #Microplastics #Ingestion
Microfibers are a prevalent category of microplastics and constitute a significant portion of microplastics in the ocean. The colors and shapes suggest they are from single-use plastic, fishing gear, and synthetic clothing. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #MicroplasticMonday #Microplastics #Microfibers
Microplastic concentrations vary widely across different ocean regions, with a reported range of 0.002 to 22 items/m³ globally. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #MicroplasticMonday #Microplastics #Microfibers
According to research, an estimated 33 billion pounds of plastic trash enter the oceans each year, and this plastic eventually breaks down into microplastics. There are an estimated 170 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #MicroplasticMonday #Microplastics #Microfibers
We surfed Scorpion Bay (San Juanico) - before the mid-80s oil and gas explosion, anyway. We moved on to more pristine, lesser-known breaks.
"Sunrise is the start of something beautiful: the day. Sunset is the start of something beautiful: the night. It's not just a sunset; it's a moonrise, too. Sunset is the opening music of the night." #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #Sunday #Sunset
As young SoCal surfers, trips to Baja were frequent. The border was more fluid then, particularly at the beach. Good surf, music, cheap cerveza & mariscos …to quote Eagles, “the warm smell of colitas rising up through the air.” #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean ##SundaySurfing #Retro #Throwback
The climate crisis, ocean acidification, oil and plastic pollution, mangrove and coral loss are all intersectional. It is long past time to start connecting the issues, so we can all focus our actions within the environmental community to solve them together. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #ClimateCrisis
The health of coral reefs is enhanced by coastal mangrove forests, which stabilize shorelines, remove pollutants, improve water quality and pH, and provide nursery habitats. Reefs situated near mangroves have increased biodiversity and biomass. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoralReefs
Mangrove propagules found floating along with debris during ocean plastic recovery tie our cleanup, mangrove, and coral protection efforts together, as mangroves have been shown to lower ocean acidification in adjacent waters. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #Cleanup #Mangroves #Coral
A federal judge has ordered the state of Florida and the federal government to halt construction, stop bringing new detainees, and begin winding down operations at the mass detention center in Big Cypress National Preserve. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #Advocacy #AlligatorAlcatraz
Big Oil will never quit on plastic! Plastic production is more profitable than gasoline for oil and gas companies. As the world moves towards renewable energy and electric vehicles, oil and gas companies are investing heavily in plastics to maintain profitability. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean
‘Big Oil’ prevented any meaningful action at the #GlobalPlasticsTreaty. Oil-producing nations, including the US, opposed production cuts and limits on harmful chemicals, which led to the collapse of the talks. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #PlasticIsOil
Those who follow know it is a tradition for us to meet ‘under the sea grape tree’ on Fridays to review the week and plan our weekend of research, recovery, and restoration. Today’s topic: Last week’s Global Plastics Treaty failure. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean
We are surfers, sailors, divers, scientists, and activists on a hero’s journey to recover ocean plastic, restore habitat, and mitigate ocean warming & acidification. “We are not strangers separated by countries; we are a tribe connected by ocean.” #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean
Entanglement in fishing gear is a major threat to North Atlantic right whales, with over 85% of the population experiencing entanglement at least once, leading to serious injuries and even death. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #WhaleWednesday #RightWhales #Entanglements
"Mahalo for the follow" to those recently joining. We got behind on our thank yous and follow-backs when we were knocked offline. Stay tuned!
Seagrass meadows are critical habitat for marine life, like sea turtles, and support water quality. However, they are also #microplastic sinks; increasing plastic pollution threatens both #seagrass and dependent species. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #TurtleTuesday
Mangroves are increasingly becoming sinks for microplastics, which comes at a cost to the mangroves and broader ecosystem. This requires a multi-pronged approach, combining cleanups, prevention strategies, and research into innovative solutions. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #Mangroves #Microplastics
U.S. Navy divers gently carry the ashes of Pearl Harbor survivor Lt. Harvey Milhorn - returning him to his fallen shipmates aboard USS Arizona (BB-39). Rest in Peace, Lt. Milhorn. 🌊⚓🤿
“Oh God! that one might read the book of fate and see the revolution of the times make mountains level, and the continent, weary of solid firmness, melt itself into the sea.” -William Shakespeare #ShakespeareSunday #SundayMorning #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #SeaRise #ClimateCrisis
When we locate lost or discarded fishing gear, we recover the ghost gear wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems. We then research and safely dispose of or recycle this material. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #GhostNets #FishingGear #Recovery
Ghost nets also drift and snag on coral reefs and entangle wildlife – these discarded nets result in damage to coral reefs – they break, shade, and abrade coral, preventing them from healthy growth. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #GhostNets #FishingGear #Recovery
An estimated 640,000 to 800,000 tons of fishing gear are lost annually, accounting for at least 10% of all plastic pollution and 70% of all macroplastics by weight in our oceans. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #GhostNets #FishingGear #Recovery
“Aloha” is a Hawaiian concept embodying love, peace, compassion, and a way of life. While commonly used as a greeting, its true meaning delves into the essence of connection, harmony, and respect for all. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #AlohaFriday
“I wanna spread the news that it feels this good gettin' used, you just keep on usin' me, until you use me up.”
Since we’re out spreading the news about sustainability and reusables, song of the day from our playlist is “Use Me” by Bill Withers youtu.be/siLnYWszM50 #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #Reusables #Sustainability #FridayPlaylist
Data collected from cleanups provides crucial insights into the sources of marine debris, informing research, advocacy efforts, and policy changes. The data has been used to support legislation to reduce single-use plastics. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanup #Advocacy #FridayFieldUpdate
Common items found in coastal cleanups include cigarette butts, plastic beverage bottles, food wrappers (candy, chips, etc.), bottle caps (plastic), plastic grocery bags, and small plastic fragments. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanup #BrandAudit #FridayFieldUpdate
Plastic is the most prevalent form of litter, accounting for 83% of all items collected during beach cleanups. A significant portion of plastic litter breaks down into microplastics, posing a serious threat to marine life and ecosystems. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #CoastalCleanup #FridayFieldUpdate
1-5% of the microplastics pass through treatment plants and end up in treated wastewater, 80% end up in the sludge, which is used as a fertilizer applied to farmland, where it is washed into drains, rivers, and the sea. ##WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #OceanPlastic #Microplastics
The problem could be worse than we think. Few ocean trawls collect particles below 0.3mm in diameter. Between 0.005 mm and 0.3 mm, standard analysis struggles to differentiate between plastic and other materials. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #OceanPlastic #Microplastics
There are as many as 50 trillion microplastic particles in the world's oceans. Microplastics have been found in 16 out of 17 brands of sea salt, 4 out of 5 samples of drinking water, and 80% of mussels. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #OceanPlastic #Microplastics
The Everglades is a natural region of flooded grasslands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising a large drainage basin. Half of the original Everglades has been developed as agricultural or urban areas. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean
The Floridan aquifer system, composed of the Upper and Lower Floridan aquifers, is one of the world's most productive aquifers, supplying drinking water for nearly 10 million people. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #ThrowbackThursday #OldFlorida #Nature #TimelineCleanse
When most people think of Florida, they think of Beaches or Disney World, but the Florida we remember is Old Florida… The River of Grass, Dirt Roads through Palmettos, and Boardwalks over wetlands. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #ThrowbackThursday
We apologize for our absence from BlueSky for the last three weeks - our account was hacked, and we have been working to get it restored. Thank you for your patience and continued support. Follow us here for our eco news and efforts.
Japan used the concept of “scientific whaling” to justify killings that supplied the meat market. Despite international rulings against it, Japan withdrew from the IWC in 2019 and resumed commercial whaling in its waters. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean
Today is Whales and Dolphins Day! Protecting whales is a commitment that must be honored every day. Whales face multiple dangers from renewed hunting, ship collisions, and entanglements to oil, plastic, and noise pollution, as well as climate change. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #WhalesandDolphinsDay
Researchers from The California Academy of Sciences have logged the deaths of 21 gray whales, two unidentified baleen whales, and one minke whale in waters near San Francisco so far this year. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #WhaleWednesday #Whales
Scientists are investigating the alarming rise in the number of whales dying in the San Francisco Bay Area, where local whale pods are still struggling to recover from the massive die-offs in 2019-2023. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #WhaleWednesday #Whales
With sea turtle hatchings picking up pace, disorientations are also increasing. Please keep it clean by day and dark by night. If you find any sea turtles in distress, call Florida Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network 888-404-FWCC (3922) #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #TurtleTuesday #Hatchlings
Since many seagrasses flower and seed in the summer, this season is ideal for collecting mature seeds from healthy meadows for restoration purposes. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #ManateeMonday #SeagrassRestoration
Seagrass beds are vital habitat and food for wintering Florida manatees, making their restoration a priority. Restoration methods include protecting seeds with hessian bags, transplanting seagrass plugs, and using bird roosting stakes as a source of fertilizer. #WetTribe #ManateeMonday #Seagrass
The moon was selected as our symbol because it is the protector and guardian of the Earth, controlling the tides and illuminating the way. The Moon, like water, is associated with transformation. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #InternationalMoonDay
The connection between cleanups, restorations, and habitat protection efforts demonstrates how addressing one environmental issue can have positive impacts on others, highlighting the importance of integrated approaches to conservation. digital.ecomagazine.com/eco-si-marin...
Mangrove propagules collected during ocean plastic cleanup efforts link our initiatives in coastal cleanup, wetland restoration, and coral protection, as coastal wetlands improve water quality and help mitigate nearby ocean acidification. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #Cleanup #Mangroves #Coral
Florida's coral reefs have experienced a dramatic decline, losing an estimated 90% of their healthy coral cover since the late 1970s. This loss is largely attributed to a combination of factors, including disease, heat stress, and damage from storms and human activities.
“Full fathom five thy father lies, his bones are coral made, those pearls that were his eyes: Nothing of him doth fade, but doth suffer a sea-change. Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell: Hark! Now I hear them, ding-dong, bell.” -William Shakespeare #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #ShakespeareSunday
Critical habitat protections for five threatened coral species in the U.S. Pacific Islands, including Hawaii, were announced by @noaa.gov. Protecting 92 square miles of marine habitat is intended to prevent mass extinction and support recovery. #MPA
In 2023, the Center for Biological Diversity sued the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for failing to provide critical habitat protection for coral species listed as endangered. That lawsuit led to habitat protections announced only this week. #Coral #EndangeredSpecies
Coral reefs face a multitude of threats, with climate change and human activities the primary drivers. The Hawaiian Islands are caught between two distinct threats: increasing acidification from the north and heat from the south. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #OceanAcidification
Mālama ʻāina: Caring for the land. Mālama kai: Caring for the ocean. Mālama ka poʻe: Caring for the people. Mālama pono: Taking good care. Mālama Honua: Caring for our Island Earth. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #AlohaFriday #Malama #CoastalRestorationProject
Increasing ocean acidification is making it more difficult for organisms like corals, oysters, and other shellfish to build and maintain their shells and skeletons. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #FridayFieldUpdate #pH #OceanAcidification #Coral #Oysters #Shellfish
As pH is logarithmic, this decline represents about a 15% increase in ocean acidity. Ocean acidification is occurring at a faster rate than at any time in the past 300 million years. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #FridayFieldUpdate #pH #OceanAcidification #Coral #Oysters #Shellfish
Our field update picks up where we left off on Thursday, highlighting the pH in Thalassophile. The average pH of the ocean dropped from 8.11 in 1985 to 8.05 in 2022. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #FridayFieldUpdate #pH #OceanAcidification #Coral #Oysters #Shellfish
“Brandy you're a fine girl, what a good wife you would be, but my life my love and my lady is the sea.” Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) – Looking Glass youtu.be/DVx8L7a3MuE
“Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay, watching the tide roll away.” (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding youtu.be/rTVjnBo96Ug?...
Our Friday playlist picks up where Thalassophile Thursday left off, with some songs celebrating a love of the sea. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #FridayPlaylist #Thalassophile “The Sea of Love” – Phil Phillips youtu.be/G9_oASbbiPQ?...
Thalassophiles, lovers of the sea. The term originates from the Greek words "thalassa" (sea) and "phile" (love). “We are not strangers separated by countries; we are a tribe connected by ocean.” #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #ThalassophileThursday
We're surprised it wasn't the legendary "two weeks" ...waiting until the focus is off to do something unpopular ...or until the harm is already done.
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill significantly impacted Rice's whales, leading to a 22% population decline after an estimated 48% of their core habitat was exposed to oil. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #WhaleWednesday #RicesWhales #Endangered
A 2023 rule proposal by the Biden administration would have expanded designated critical habitat in the central and western Gulf, potentially restricting oil exploration. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #WhaleWednesday #RicesWhales #Endangered
The Trump administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will delay until summer 2027 a final rule for protections of the critically endangered Rice’s whale. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #WhaleWednesday #RicesWhales #Endangered
The team built a model based on plastic ingestion data. The goal was to assess the impact of plastic pollution on marine life. Sea turtles were chosen because of their unique vulnerability to the changing oceans. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #TurtleTuesday #CitizenScience
Scientists continue to make troubling discoveries after analyzing the diets of sea turtles. Research estimates that each green sea turtle could contain up to 26.4 grams of plastic. All marine life is affected by plastic pollution in the ocean. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #TurtleTuesday
“Once destroyed, nature's beauty cannot be repurchased at any price” -Ansel Adams
Although mangrove forests are declining globally, their cover in the contiguous US has grown by 13.5% in recent decades. Of course, this is a “shifting baseline,” showing recovery after decades of loss. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Mangroves store 4–5 times more carbon than land forests, making their conservation and restoration important for sustainable development, biodiversity, and climate. However, half of the remaining mangroves are threatened. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #MangroveMonday
Construction in the Everglades significantly impacts the ecosystem; the flow of water into Florida Bay influences salinity levels, nutrient input, and overall water quality, which directly impacts seagrass beds, marine life, and the surrounding coral reefs.
“Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, can be retentive to the strength of spirit…” -Shakespeare. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #ShakespeareSunday #AlligatorAlcatraz action.aclu.org/send-message...
Mangrove propagules found floating along with debris during ocean plastic recovery efforts tie our cleanup, mangrove, and coral protection efforts together, as mangroves have been shown to lower ocean acidification in adjacent waters. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #Cleanup #Mangroves #Coral
Plastics are a primary marine pollutant and a driver of the climate crisis. Plastics discarded in the environment release methane, ethylene, PFAS, and other toxic chemicals, which also interfere with the ocean’s ability to store carbon. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #FridaysforFuture #ClimateCrisis
Fantastic version! We had Kenny on our playlist as well.
Our Friday Playlist Song of the Day is ‘What a Fool Believes’ by The Doobie Brothers from ‘Minute by Minute.’ It is our response to climate deniers that ignore the facts: “What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away.” youtu.be/qKYQNtF11eg #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean
We are surfers, sailors, divers, scientists, and activists on a hero’s journey to recover ocean plastic, restore habitat, and mitigate ocean warming & acidification. “We are not strangers separated by countries; we are a tribe connected by ocean.” #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean
