Tag: coastal ecology
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Namibian Dolphin Boom: Thousands of Sightings in Walvis Bay Mark a Landmark Year
Record Dolphin Sightings in Walvis Bay Highlight a Coastal Conservation Boom Namibia is ringing in a milestone year for marine life research and conservation, as the Marine Eco Foundation Namibia reports an extraordinary tally of dolphin sightings in the Walvis Bay area in 2025. The foundation logged a total of 3,720 dolphin sightings, underscoring the…
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Thousands of Dolphins Spotted in Namibian Waters: Walvis Bay 2025
Record Dolphin Activity in Walvis Bay Namibia’s Walvis Bay has emerged as a hotspot for dolphin activity in 2025, as researchers document an unprecedented level of sightings along the coast. The Marine Eco Foundation Namibia (MEF Namibia) reports a total of 3,720 dolphin sightings for the year, a milestone that underscores both the region’s rich…
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Mystery Over Mass Stranding of Thousands of Starfish Near Edinburgh
Stranded in Numbers: What Happened at Wardie Bay? Thousands of starfish have washed up along Wardie Bay near Edinburgh, stunning beachgoers and marine researchers alike. Wild swimmers who frequent the Granton coast first spotted the dense mats of starfish, which stretched along the shoreline and clung to rocks and seaweed alike. The scene drew attention…
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Rare Hector’s or Māui Dolphin Spotted in Northland Sparks Conservation Questions
Introduction: A Rare Glimpse of a Flagship Species Conservationists and local residents were surprised when a sighting of a Hector’s or Māui dolphin occurred in the Bay of Islands, Northland. Department of Conservation marine species adviser Kristina Hillock described the event as exceptionally uncommon, noting that it could mark only the second confirmed Hector’s dolphin…
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Local scientists confirm rare minke whale presence north of the Sunshine Coast
Groundbreaking acoustic data confirms rare minke whale presence In a significant step for coastal conservation, local scientists have confirmed the presence of a rare minke whale in waters north of the Sunshine Coast. Acoustic analyses conducted by researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) provide the first published evidence that these elusive marine…
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Instagram Clues: How Selfies Help Track Invasive Carpobrotus Flower Patterns
Overview: Social Media as a Tool for Invasive Species Monitoring What happens when a beach selfie becomes a scientific data point? A global team of researchers has shown that Instagram photos and other citizen-science uploads can reveal how Carpobrotus species—better known as ice plants or sour fig—flower across invaded coastal regions. By analyzing more than…
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Nitrogen Run-off and Marine Sponges: Tolerance and Troubled species
New Insights into How Nitrogen Run-off Affects Marine Sponges Researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington have taken a close look at how elevated nitrogen levels, primarily from agricultural run-off, could influence marine sponges. The study examined seven sponge species from two geographic regions—three species along Wellington’s coast in New Zealand and four from…
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Rare Ocean Sunfish Washed Up Off Donegal Coast: A Quiet Wonder from Irish Waters
Rare Ocean Sunfish Found on Donegal Shore Sparks Interest A remarkable discovery has drawn attention to Ireland’s changing marine life. A rare ocean sunfish was found washed up on the Back Strand in Falcarragh, a small coastal town in west Donegal. The massive creature was spotted by two friends taking a morning walk on Saturday,…