November 5th, 2008 
As Peter put it in the last post and I mentioned over a month ago, ocean science and policy will observe a sea change coming its way from the new president-elect of hope and change. It will take a lot of work for ocean enthusiasts, conservationists and marine biologists to make their voices heard in the beginnings of the new administration. Barack Obama has a serious task ahead of him on many issues which need immediate resolution. We will be sitting on the edge of our seats as we await the appointing of the key players in this next administration. After listening to his acceptance speech last night, we may feel assured that he will be listening to our concerns and perhaps, for a change, even heed the advice and analysis of experts in the field.
This 18th edition of the Carnival of the Blue is one mixed with awe and pessimism, yet optimistic for the beginning of a new political era in the United States. Keep in mind these posts were written prior to the November 4th election. The future editions of the Carnival of the Blue will be very interesting to watch. With the new political landscape will optimism reign supreme? Will there be more blog coverage on proposed solutions to problems pertaining to our ocean’s health? More analysis of an administration’s plans to increase MPAs and no-take reserves, better manage our tasty ocean food-stock, and curb emissions that are directly linked with ocean acidification or human accelerated climate change and its effects? Only time will tell, but you can guarantee that marine blogosphere will be there covering it every step of the way!
Speaking of covering our oceans, lets get on with the 18th edition of the Carnival of the Blue!
To Hell In a Handbasket at The Intersection-You like fish and chips and imitation crab meat? Really, you like imitation crab meat? That’s sick. Well along with every other marine species, you can kiss pollock goodbye.
Mislabeled Fish at Shifting Baselines-Jennifer Jacquet discusses the contentious issue of mislabelling fish in restaurants. You can fool some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool genetic testing any time! The graph in this post will now be used in every class and lecture I give on ocean conservation.
How’s the Air Down There at The Oyster’s Garter-Depressed yet? Well don’t worry because Miriam covers recent research that says marine organisms are harmed by oxygen values higher than threshold typically used to assess hypoxia. Fantastic! Thanks Miriam!
Poverty and Seahorses at SeaNotes-The folks at the Monterey Bay Aquarium ask you to get off your oxygen sucking, mislabeled pollock eating, arse and help out with an organization that is both trying to save the marine world and take care of locals who depend on marine resources.
Too Big to Fail by Carl Safina-Carl Safina discusses the finer points of "drill, baby, drill" and whether the oceans are indeed too big to fail.
"Fishapod’ Fossil Provides More Clues for the Evolution of Terresriality at Living the Scientific Life-A post reminding us all that "the gradual transition from aquatic to
terrestrial lifestyles required much more than the evolution of limbs." If you think differently GrrlScientist will come to your house in the middle of the night and…
Day 2: South Beach at Swimming Around Bainbridge-Mark Powell is crazy. Of course, we all knew that. But now he may be crazier! In his own words "I’ve got an itch. I’m indoors too much, and lacking adventure. So, thrashing around a bit on what to do, it came to me. I’ll swim around Bainbridge Island, my home island." Crazy? Yes! But I guarantee the next time we are near Mark our debauchery will include a swim around the island with Mark.
The Bird That Runs from Waves at 10000 Birds-Corey writes about sanderlings and their insecurity with small amounts of moving fluids. Someone needs to get them a shrink.
Currently Reading: Green Inc. at MBSL&S-Rick is also crazy. Not really relevant here but it needed to be said. Rick reviews a book that is critical of the conservation biz. It’s all groupies, rock-n-roll, drugs, and disillusionment. Much like my graduate career in marine biology.
Marine Life Series: Deep-Sea Anglerfish at the Daily Kos-In what is a shameless ploy by the Daily Kos to get a prominent carnival spot, they post on the anglerfish. They would have done better with an invertebrate…
Undead Decapods at Cephalopodcast-Your expecting witty commentary here but we’re speechless about zombie crustaceans. This really changes how we prepare for the inevitable zombie attack. Where did I put my bib and butter?
Save Your Favorite Seafood, FishVote ’08 at Blogfish-Instead of "just saying no" to unsustainablly harvested fish, cast your vote to pick the fishery that you want to help improve so you don’t have to feel guilty!
Baby Walrus Bling and Piglet Squid at Zooillogix and Happy Hallzooween! at Zooborns-Last and definitely least is the Bleiman brothers, who remind us that marine life is cute and cuddly until you touch its private parts.
We hope you enjoyed this edition of the Carnival of the Blue! Thanks to all the blogs that submitted this month. Stayed tuned to the carnival’s website and to Blogfish for details on the next host.-KAZ & CRM
* Hell in a handbasket photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Tiklitak fossil photo courtesy of Ted Daeschler, Academy of Natural Sciences. Picture of zombie crab hat found at Geekologie.
Awesome link round up and YES it really looks like Obama is a president who is really willing to listen. The acceptance speech was wonderful.
I am less optimistic about our pres-elect. I was debating the purchase of a local aquarium store, when along comes Robin Hood, who wants to rob from the rich and give to the poor. Where’s the incentive to succeed?
I’ll still look at the numbers, but I fear taxes are going to eat me a live for the next four years,
Oops – the Zooborns link takes you back tot he super cute squidlet, but not to Zooborns . . . .
It’s not Andrew’s fault. When he was 6 years old, he was repeatedly molested by a lobster. It’s a vicious cycle…
Oops, Sorry about the Zooborns link. Fixed now. Enjoy your Hallzooween!
I’m not sure where best to post this, but as it deals partially with the current economy, here is as good a place as any. In the next two months, my favorite local fish/aquarium store, Aquamain’s, will be closing after 25 years in the business. The owner will retain the maintenance aspect of the business, while searching for a new owner for the physical store. While I understand the pressures of a brick and mortar aquarium store of competing with the internet, I nevertheless find myself intrigued with the possibilities.
The store is not in a prime location, nor are the display tanks in the best of shape. A change of location and new display tanks would be in order. There is also the possibility of purchasing an online reseller who is also looking for a new owner. Downsizing to a smaller store with fewer employees would be in the store’s best interest.
Within the next couple of years, my local Natural Science Center will be opening a five million dollar expansion; a water/aquarium themed area dubbed The H2O Zone. Several years ago, I proposed establishing a local aquarium club, with meetings to be held at the Science Center. At the time, the roster of associated clubs was full and no further consideration was given to the matter. Given the change of management at the Science Center, coupled with the impending expansion of the aquarium displays, I am now reconsidering such a venture.
Here in South Texas we have two choices for fish- PetSmart (a large scale retailer) and a Mom ad Pop Shop. Apparently, they have the same supplier. Mom and Pop complain that PetSmart gets all the good fish. So I go there now. PetSmart guarantees their fish. Mom and Pop have better service, but less selection. They’ve had to expand to home aquarium care to stay afloat. Doesn’t seem like a great business, even under a McCain administration.
The PetSmarts around here have plenty of fish but no saltwater livestock. They do have half an aisle of saltwater supplies. I have purchased salt from them, from time to time.
Ah, you’re right. I have freshwater, obviously. Thinking about one of those NanoCubes though, very cool.
Didn’t know there were freshwater deep sea coral. ;p
You gotta do your research, pal. Google “freshwater hydroid Lake Baikal”.
Peter, really? Coming from a cnidarian biologist to another? Since when are corals hydrozoans? I certainly know there are many freshwater hydroids…
Maybe you need to your research? LOL
Oh and hydrocorals don’t count, they are not true corals.
Stylaster spp. are hydrozoan. When you finish revising the phylum I guess you can tell us why they don’t count.
Because corals are Scleractinians. Hydrozoans are of a different order. Is this a disputed claim that I am not aware of?