It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
HMM Plans "Cost-Cutting Measures" After 90 Percent Drop in Profits
After reporting a 90 percent drop in profits in the first quarter, South Korean container line HMM has promised to cut costs to align with the cooling ocean freight market.
Volumes on the core east-west trade lanes have plummeted since the late-COVID import boom came to an end last year, and despite carriers' efforts to right-size capacity, rates have fallen precipitously. At HMM, revenue fell 58 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, and profitability dropped even further, down by 90 percent over the same period. To be fair, the line still posted a reasonable profit of $230 million for the quarter, but nothing like the supercharged $2.4 billion profit that HMM posted in the go-go days of early 2022.
Those days will not be back soon, according to most analysts and executives. The SCFI has fallen back to a normal level of about 1,000 points, 80 percent lower than it was at the same time last year. This is great news for shippers and consumers, but it means a return to lower profits for ocean carriers.
HMM predicts a protracted period of low demand, driven by inflation in energy and raw material costs. The carrier believes that a downward trend in the global economy will continue, and sees "no encouraging sign of restoring consumer confidence in the near term."
To match its overhead to the business environment, HMM plans "a wide range of cost-cutting measures and enhance operational efficiency" to ensure competitiveness. Competitor Maersk has issued similar guidance, advising that it is focused on "proactively managing costs."
With the container segment cooling, HMM may soon be expanding into a hotter segment of the shipping industry: LNG carriers. Its former LNG shipping operation was spun off a decade ago to raise funds, but last week, HMM gave notice of intent to enter into bidding to repurchase the business from current owner IMM Holdings.
Scientists call for chemical pollution monitoring in Antarctica to support global chemical policy
A horizon-scan of chemical pollution research needs in has Antarctica has called for Antarctic Treaty consultative parties to extend their national chemical monitoring programs to their Antarctic research stations and Territories.
Published in The Lancet Planetary Health, the ‘Personal View’ paper led by Griffith University’s Professor Susan Bengtson Nash from the Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, highlights that chemical pollution monitoring frameworks were lacking in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean region, which acts as barometers for planetary health.
In 2021, the UN announced global chemical pollution as one part of a ‘triplet planetary crisis’ (alongside climate change and biodiversity loss). The horizon scan was performed by the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) Action Group - Input Pathways of Persistent Organic Pollutants to Antarctica (ImPACT).
Four priority research and research facilitation gaps were outlined, with recommendations for Antarctica Treaty parties for strategic action against these priorities. They include:
Priority 1: Utilisation of Antarctica as a natural laboratory for the identification of persistent and mobile chemicals
Priority 2: Investigation of chemical behaviour, fate, and effects in changing Antarctic ecosystems
Priority 3: Assessment of the toxicological sensitivity of endemic Antarctic biota
Priority 4: Sustained circumpolar chemical surveillance
“The advanced stage of this global threat calls for a step-change in the way in which chemicals are regulated globally,” Professor Bengtson Nash said.
“In response, in 2022 the UN Environment Assembly (UN-EA) committed to establishing a UN Intergovernmental Science-policy Panel for the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and Pollution Prevention by 2024.
“This body is envisaged to serve in the same role as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; that is, to provide policymakers with scientific assessments.”
As with climate change, chemical pollution at the poles of the Earth serves as a barometer of Planetary Health, and robust data arising from these regions has a critical role to play in the support of global chemical policy, assessments, and decision-making.
Professor Bengtson Nash said pollution monitoring frameworks currently were lacking from the Antarctic and Southern Ocean region, with global efforts often neutralised by the lack of legal recognition of the international commitments of individual Antarctic Treaty parties in the region.
“Timely progress in the field of Antarctic chemical research calls for Antarctic Treaty consultative parties to transcend what is legally required of them, and to extend their national chemical monitoring programs to their Antarctic research stations and Territories,” Professor Bengtson Nash said.
“Holistically designed chemical research and monitoring programmes, that encompass ecological drivers of change, will facilitate the construction of novel longitudinal datasets that can be used to answer vital research questions for the protection of Planetary Health.”
The research ‘Monitoring Persistent Organic Chemicals in Antarctica in Support of Global Chemical Policy; A Horizon Scan of Priority Actions and Challenges’ has been published in The Lancet Planetary Health.
Last summer, we travelled to the remote Arctic Hausgarten observatory area in the eastern Fram Strait (west of Svalbard, Norway) on a research ship. The samples we collected there included ice cores, sea water and ice algae from large packs of floating ice called ice floes. These form 1–2 meter thick “plates” of sea ice across the Arctic Ocean, some of which melt over the summer period.
Algae grow on the underside of these ice floes. Melosira arctica – nicknamed “snot” due to its sticky, slimy and green nature – is one of the major algae species in the Arctic Ocean. It is an essential organism both in the Arctic food web and for marine life overall.
These ice algae provide nutrition for plankton and various other marine organisms in the Arctic. The algae also act as a conveyor belt of food for the organisms that live on the sea floor. As the ice melts, the algae detach and sink to the bottom where they are eaten by animals such as sea cucumbers and brittlestars.
Ice algae are also a carbon sink, using CO2 from the atmosphere and light energy from the sun to produce organic matter through photosynthesis – a process known in ecology as “primary production”. In 2012, these algae accounted for 45% of the Arctic’s primary production.
But now we’ve found that Arctic ice algae contain microplastics. This in itself may not be surprising: plastic has been found in every environment so far investigated on Earth. But the quantities we found were startling.
We discovered an average of 31,000 microplastic particles per cubic meter of Melosira arctica – a magnitude ten times higher than recorded in the surrounding water. Most of these particles were very small (less than 10 micrometers) and included many different types of plastic. The contamination of the ice algae could have major consequences for ecosystems and the climate.
An elevator to the seabed
These particles may come from the surrounding sea water, the supporting sea ice (either trapped when the sea ice forms, or from the movement of liquid and particles through the ice as it melts), or from atmospheric microplastics that have been deposited on the ice and sea surface. While the process by which sea ice algae take in these microplastics is not yet well understood, it is clear they are highly effective at “collecting” these small plastic particles.
In our earlier research, we were puzzled that the largest amount of microplastic on the Arctic seabed was always found underneath the sea ice melting zone along the ice edge, even in deep-sea sediment. The movement of Melosira clumps from the sea and ice surface to the seabed helps to explain why.
The speed at which the algal clumps descend means they fall rapidly almost in a straight line below the edge of the ice. Other algae, which become “marine snow” (a term used for organic material that slowly drifts to the seafloor), fall much slower. These are often eaten as they descend and are also pushed sideways by currents, so sink to the seabed much further away from the ice edge.
How microplastics could become trapped in Arctic sea ice algae and sink to the seabed. Bergmann et al. (2023), CC BY-NC-ND
Why is it a problem?
Melosira feeds essential Arctic seafloor and marine ecosystems. Its position at the bottom of the food chain means there is a risk of microplastics being passed upwards through the marine food web.
This threat is particularly acute in the area we studied, as the Melosira sampled had collected even very small microplastics. Smaller microplastic particles are more likely to be transferred across cell membranes.
Research finds that microplastics and their associated chemicals can alter the growth, function and breeding of marine species such as plankton and fish. It is extremely difficult to perform experiments on Arctic or deep-sea species because of the challenges associated with replicating their environmental conditions. However, one laboratory study found that microplastic exposure caused egg production rates to increase by up to eight times in Arctic zooplankton – a response that is probably the result of stress.
The impact of microplastic contamination on Melosira itself is not yet known. But it’s possible that microplastics change Melosira’s abundance, lifespan and health.
Microplastics that are stuck to the outside of algae could lower photosynthetic rates by blocking out sunlight. And if particles enter the algal cells, then they could damage the parts of the cell where photosynthesis takes place (called chloroplasts) and therefore also impede this process. This could affect the export of carbon by Melosira from the air or sea to the seabed, and thus alter the processes underlying this important Arctic carbon sink.
Arctic ice algae are collecting high quantities of microplastics – a previously unknown hotspot. But our findings are likely just the “tip of the iceberg”. They should accelerate conversations about the importance, and potential impact, of microplastics in Arctic sea ice algae on the ecosystems that these vital algae support.
Deonie Allen is a Research Fellow at University of Birmingham.
Melanie Bergmann is a Senior Scientist at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research.
Steve Allen is Ocean Frontier Institute researcher at Dalhousie University.
This article appears courtesy of The Conversation and may be found in its original form here.
The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Maritime Executive.
How old is that microplastic? A new way to estimate the age of microplastics in the upper ocean
Researchers develop a method to estimate the age of microplastics in the ocean, and find that offshore microplastics can range from 1 to 3 years old while nearshore microplastics can range from 0 to 5 years old
IMAGE: MICROPLASTIC SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM THE OCEANS. PLASTIC FRAGMENTS LESS THAN 5 MM IN LENGTH ARE CATEGORIZED AS MICROPLASTICS. THE SCALE BAR SHOWS A LENGTH OF 2000 ÎœM OR 2 MM.view more
CREDIT: KYUSHU UNIVERSITY/ASAHI KASEI CORPORATION
Fukuoka, Japan—Researchers from Kyushu University and Asahi Kasei Corporation have developed a new way to estimate the age of microplastics found in the upper oceans. The method involves a combination of analyzing plastic oxidation levels with environmental factors such as UV exposure and ambient temperature.
The team applied their new method to estimate the age of microplastics found in nearshore and offshore sites in the North Pacific Ocean. They found that the age of microplastics in nearshore regions ranged from 0 to 5 years old, whereas microplastics from offshore regions ranged from 1 to 3 years old. Their findings were published in the journal, Marine Pollution Bulletin.
In marine environments from lakes to oceans, plastics are the most abundant type of pollutant. As plastic waste is exposed to the elements they eventually break down and fragment. Plastic waste that has broken down to less than 5 mm in length are called 'microplastics.'
To find out how old microplastics found in the ocean can be, Isobe and his team began by investigating what metrics could be used to measure microplastic age in the first place.
"The most common material in plastic is called polyethylene. We know that as polyethylene interacts with the environment it, oxidizes and degrades," explains Rie Okubo, a researcher at Asahi Kasei Corporation and first author of the study. "This degradation level can be measured using the change in the material's molecular weight and something called the carbonyl index. Simply, when polyethylene degrades its carbonyl index increases and molecular weight decreases."
Of course, that's not enough. Since microplastics are being exposed to the elements the team also needed to standardize how temperature and UV radiation affects plastic degradation. The team first conducted a series of exposure experiments to polyethylene material and collected data on how various combinations of UV and temperature affected the material's molecular weight and carbonyl index.
The team found that UVER—ultraviolet erythemal radiation, a measurement of UV radiation at ground level—and seawater temperature were the two biggest contributors of plastic degradation.
"Once we had this data, we began to apply it to our microplastic samples. All our samples came from the upper ocean, up to one meter from the water surface," continues Okubo. "We also collected microplastics from a range of areas. Some samples were collected nearshore to Japan, ranging from 10 to 80 km off the coast. Other samples were collected offshore, in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean and Philippine Sea."
By analyzing the collected microplastics, the team was able to estimate the age of each induvial sample. They found that nearshore microplastics ranged from 0 to 5 years old, whereas offshore samples ranged from 1 to 3 years old.
"We hypothesize the reason why nearshore microplastics range from 0 to 5 years is because they are being frequently washed ashore and 'surviving' for a longer time. Offshore microplastics on the other hand take longer to reach that part of the ocean, hence why we didn't find microplastics over 3 years old," Okubo explains. "These offshore microplastics are also likely removed from the upper oceans by settling deeper into the waters."
The researchers hope that the new method will give them better insights into how microplastics are generated and spread in the environment. The data will also help in developing more accurate simulations to track microplastics across the ocean.
Isobe concludes, "Our research and understanding of microplastics is still very new, and thanks to this data we've gained a little more understanding on the fundamental science of microplastics. Our next step will be to investigate how mechanical stimuli like ocean waves and currents can degrade plastics, so we can collect even more accurate data.
Dr Okubo looking through a microscope studying microplastic samples. Plastic fragments less than 5 mm in length are categorized as microplastics.
Prof Atsuhiko Isobe and crew collecting microplastic samples from the upper oceans. The upper ocean is measured down to one meter from the water surface.
Prof Atsuhiko Isobe and gathering the microplastic samples collected from the upper ocean.
CREDIT
Kyushu University/Isobe Lab
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For more information about this research, see "Estimation of the age of polyethylene microplastics collected from oceans: Application to the western North Pacific Ocean," Rie Okubo, Aguru Yamamoto, Akihiro Kurima, Terumi Sakabe, Youichiroh Ide, Atsuhiko Isobe Marine Pollution Bulletin, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114951
About Kyushu University Kyushu University is one of Japan's leading research-oriented institutes of higher education since its founding in 1911. Home to around 19,000 students and 8,000 faculty and staff, Kyushu U's world-class research centers cover a wide range of study areas and research fields, from the humanities and arts to engineering and medical sciences. Its multiple campuses—including one of the largest in Japan—are located around Fukuoka City, a coastal metropolis on the southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu that is frequently ranked among the world's most livable cities and historically known as Japan's gateway to Asia. Through its Vision 2030, Kyushu U will 'Drive Social Change with Integrative Knowledge.' Its synergistic application of knowledge will encompass all of academia and solve issues in society while innovating new systems for a better future.
About Asahi Kasei The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber business, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 46,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to sustainable society by providing solutions to the world’s challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.
Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/
For the first time ever, researchers have been able to track eight fin whales in near real time as they swam along a stretch of fiber-optic cable line in the Arctic. The breakthrough suggests that fiber-optic cable networks could be harnessed to help prevent whale deaths by ship strikes.
Fiber-optic cables line the coasts of the continents and criss-cross the oceans, carrying signals that are the backbone of communication in the modern world. While their main job is telecommunications, researchers have been exploring ways to use this giant network to eavesdrop on everything from storms to earthquakes to whales.
Now, working with two nearly parallel fiber-optic telecommunications cables off the Norwegian arctic archipelago of Svalbard, researchers have been able to estimate the positions and tracks of eight fin whales along a section of the cable — for five hours.
This map shows the location of the fiber optic cables, which extend from Longyearbyen, the main settlement on Svalbard, which is in the lower right of the map, to Ny-Ålesund, a small research outpost to the northwest of Longyearbyen. Graphic: Rørstadbotnen et al. 2023.2023. Front. Mar. Sci. 10:1130898.
“This work demonstrates how we were able to simultaneously locate and follow these whales over an 1800 km2 area — with relatively low infrastructure investment,” said Martin Landrø, head of NTNU’s Centre for Geophysical Forecasting and one of the members of the team that did the work.
Transforming fiber cables into hydrophones
The system the researchers used for this work is called Distributed Acoustic Sensing, or DAS. DAS uses an instrument called an interrogator to send laser pulses into a fiber-optic system and records the returning light pulses, essentially turning the cables into a series of hydrophones.
Landrø and his colleagues first began to explore the ability of DAS to record underwater vibrations and sounds in the waters off Svalbard in June 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. At that time, they collected 40 days of recordings and roughly 250 terabytes of data. From these data, researchers were able to identify more than 800 whale songs and calls.
The researchers have built on this early work to expand their ability to identify different whale species and to conduct real time recording from the fiber optic cables in Svalbard.
For this latest effort, published in Frontiers of Marine Science, the researchers had access to two, nearly parallel 250 km long fiber-optic cables that extend from Longyearbyen, the main settlement in Svalbard, to Ny-Ã…lesund, a research outpost to the northwest. The paired cables allowed the researchers to localize the whales with an accuracy of roughly 100 meters, within an area of roughly 1800 km2.
This graphic is a closeup from the map above, showing how researchers were able to simultaneously tracking multiple whales using fiber-optic cables in the Arctic. The maps shows an overview of a 60 km long section of the cables, showing the positions and tracks of up to eight acoustically-detected whales, color-coded from dark to light over a 5.1-hour period. Graphic: Røstadbothnen et al. 2023. Front. Mar. Sci. 10:1130898.
“This shows that the two fiber cables are a very effective means of monitoring whales in the Arctic,” Landrø said.
A melting Arctic
As a Norwegian territory in the high arctic, Svalbard offers Landrø and other researchers an important base from which to study this changing ecosystem.
Recent research predicts that the Arctic could be ice free in the summer as early as 2035, which could increase shipping and cruise ship traffic across the top of the globe.
As one small example, as many as 35 cruise ships and additional smaller expedition ships are expected to transport up to 75,000 people to Longyearbyen and surroundings in 2023, according to Visit Svalbard.
Could reduce ship strike risk
Whales are already changing the way they use the Arctic and Antarctic as feeding grounds, with some research showing that fin whales have begun spending time year-round in Arctic regions. That means increased ship traffic in these areas can also increase the likelihood of ship strikes. The use of the existing fiber-optic cable network and DAS could help reduce this possibility, the researchers said.
“The capabilities demonstrated here establish the potential for a near-real-time whale tracking capability that could be applied anywhere in the world where there are whales and fiber-optic cables,” the researchers wrote. “Coupled with ship detection, using a similar approach . . . a real-time collision avoidance system could be developed to reduce ship strikes.”
This development comes at a time when NORDUnet, the Nordic Gateway for Research and Innovation and the Nordic NRENs have begun a number of initiatives to investigate and plan the first submarine fiber-optic cable system between Europe, Asia, and North America to secure a shorter route through the Arctic Ocean. The effort is called Polar Connect.
If such an initiative is realized, “it would open far greater areas for us to follow whale movements in the Arctic,” Landrø said.
This article appears courtesy of NTNU / Gemini News and may be found in its original form here.
The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Maritime Executive.
Vineyard Wind Tries "Bubble Curtain" System to Cut Pile-Driving Noise
Twin curtains of bubbles surround this pile-driver during turbine foundation installation (Vineyard Wind)
Vineyard Wind, the first wind farm to begin construction in U.S. federal waters, is beginning a trial of bubble curtain technology to reduce the subsea noise impact of pile-driving during installation of wind turbine foundations.
With $5 million in funding from Vineyard Wind's own Industry Accelerator Fund, run by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, survey contractor ThayerMahan will provide acoustic mitigation services using the Hydrotechnik-Luebeck "Big Bubble Curtain" technology. ThayerMahan will be moving its headquarters for this product line to the Foss Marine Terminal in New Bedford to support the project, and will be hiring and training locally to staff the operation. It will be the first bubble-curtain service in the U.S. offshore wind industry, according to Vineyard Wind.
The bubble curtain system consists of two concentric rings of perforated hoses laid on the bottom around the work area. Before piledriving begins, the hoses are inflated using special-purpose clean air compressors. The perforations leak a continuous stream of bubbles around the work site. The bubbles absorb and reflect sound energy, creating a barrier that reduces noise transmission from activity inside of the curtain. According to one European contractor which uses the technology, it can cut noise outside of the curtain by 90 percent.
“Our agreement with ThayerMahan ensures that for the first time, a US-based company will perform the service of providing a bubble curtain mitigation system for an offshore wind project,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus S. Moeller. “We believe this is the first step of getting US firms experience in this new industry and sets the stage for rapid expansion in the coming years, particularly in our hometown of New Bedford.”
Vineyard is the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the U.S., and it is proceeding at pace. It broke ground on its shoreside infrastructure in November 2021 and began offshore cable installation in November 2022. DEME holds the contract to install the turbines, and first power to the grid should be online later this year. The wind farm will generate enough power for 400,000 homes in Massachusetts, according to Vineyard Wind.
Dispatches from The Outlaw Ocean Episode 5: Raiders of the Deep
The Greenpeace ship Esperanza deploys a submersible off Brazil (Fabio Nascimento / Outlaw Ocean Project)
This episode is the fifth installment in a 10-part short film series from The Outlaw Ocean Project. It stems from more than a decade of reporting by Ian Urbina exploring crime on the high seas. The series chronicles a gritty cast of characters including traffickers and smugglers, pirates and mercenaries, shackled slaves and vigilante conservationists.
The deep ocean floor is our planet’s final frontier. It is also the most hostile environment on Earth. Scientists have yet to discover what lives in its profound ecosystems, but governments and corporations, driven by the green economy, are already tussling over its riches. Beyond regulation and independent oversight, a gold rush like no other has begun.
In this episode Ian Urbina joins Greenpeace in their race against time to locate and protect a fragile coral reef near the mouth of the Amazon River before government-approved drilling begins.
Wreck of OS 35 Off Gibraltar Will be Removed in the Coming Weeks
OS 35 will be removed in the coming weeks in an intricate effort to lift the two sections of the hulk (Gibraltar Port Authority photo March 2023)
The Port of Gibraltar reports that plans are being finalized for the removal of the wreck of the bulker OS 35 with the operation slightly behind the anticipated schedule. They point out that it will be a variety of intricate operations to remove the wreck of the 584-foot bulker which has fully broken in two and sits on the sea floor nearshore.
The government of Gibraltar had established a deadline on May 30 for the removal of the wreck, but the contractor Koole has advised they are slightly behind schedule. They completed at the end of April the removal of the 33,632 tons of steel bar, which had been the cargo aboard the vessel when she was departing Gibraltar at the end of August 2022 and struck a gas carrier at anchor in the harbor. However, the contractors have also had to deal with storms including one earlier this year that caused the aft section of the wreck to shift and completed the separation between the two sections. They now anticipate the removal project will be completed on June 16.
“The works to remove the OS 35 are progressing well, but the reality of the state of the wreck is dictating the pace of operations. It is vital that every stage is completed in a way that is careful, deliberate, and safe,” said Captain of the Port, John Ghio, in the most recent update. “Whilst the short delay for its final removal is unfortunate, this is the only safe way to do so that mitigates the potential future source of pollution and minimizes the impact on the environment and Gibraltar’s coastline.”
The salvage team is preparing the wreck for removal through a series of steps. They have been drilling into the structure to create lifting points. Divers are also working their way through the wreck starting with the forward section to seal and test the compartments to make them airtight. These steps will help to lighten the load during the lift process. They started with the forward section and then will move to the aft sections making these preparations.
Drilling is underway to create lifting points in the hulk (Gibraltar Port Authority)
The provisional date for the removal of the aft section, which is planned to proceed first, is May 29. As the stern section was less damaged, they plan to reverse the process that was used last fall to lower the hulk to the sea floor and re-establish buoyancy on the stern section. It will be positioned alongside a semi-submersible barge before being lifted out of the water.
The forward section, which sustained additional damage when the OS 35 struck the gas carrier and after sinking to the sea floor, will entirely need to be physically lifted using the lifting points. Once it is clear, they plan to pass additional chains under the hull to reinforce stability and provide further control during the lifting process. They anticipate this will happen on June 2.
Efforts are also underway to finalize a tactical oil spill response plan anticipating that trapped oil residues will be released as the hulk is lifted and removed. They are planning to use booms around each section and the contractor reports they have oil spill response assets on site to deal with any potential oil release.
The lifting and removal operation and the potential for a release of oil are not anticipated to impact port operations. The teams however are conscious that it is happening during the beach season and are trying to limit the impact to the shoreline.
Alberta SPCA Peace Officers and staff are working hard to help animals impacted by wildfires in Alberta. Team members have been active in Drayton Valley and Brazeau County, at the request of the municipalities, feeding animals in their homes, pets that were not able to evacuate with their families. Teams of Peace Officers, staff members, and locksmiths have been entering homes with the permission of the animal owners to check on the welfare of the pets, and to ensure they have food and water to last several days.
The animals receiving visits include a wide range of species, from cats and dogs, to rabbits and mice, and reptiles such as snakes and geckos. After each visit, the home is secured in the manner it was found before the visit. If pets are deemed to be in distress or at risk, they can be taken into the care of the Alberta SPCA.
Other members of the Alberta SPCA team have been helping to transport resources to other parts of Alberta, including delivering food and litter to animals that have been evacuated to the Hinton and Slave Lake areas. Alberta SPCA Peace Officers have received permission to travel past the road blocks to make the deliveries.
With so many fires in Alberta, and so many evacuation alerts in place, the Alberta SPCA remains ready to help any municipality that requests our assistance and expertise in managing animals during an emergency situation.
This graphic is a closeup from the map above, showing how researchers were able to simultaneously tracking multiple whales using fiber-optic cables in the Arctic. The maps shows an overview of a 60 km long section of the cables, showing the positions and tracks of up to eight acoustically-detected whales, color-coded from dark to light over a 5.1-hour period. Graphic: Røstadbothnen et al. 2023. Front. Mar. Sci. 10:1130898.
