Fire Burning Aboard Cuyahoga, Canada’s Oldest Laker

Fire broke out this afternoon aboard the Cuyahoga, Canada's oldest laker, while she was docked in Ohio (USCG)

PUBLISHED MAR 15, 2024 3:56 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

The US Coast Guard is reporting a fire burning aboard Canada’s oldest Great Lakes cargo vessel. The 81-year-old Cuyahoga has dodged several other close calls, including a 2023 engine room fire that threatened her future but she returned to service late last year and was preparing for the 2024 season.

The fire broke out while the vessel was docked in Ashtabula, southwest of Erie, Ohio on Lake Erie. The vessel appears to have still been in winter layup. The U.S. Coast Guard reports the captain and crew are safe while the city and country have dispatched fire teams to the vessel. 

The U.S. Coast Guard reports it has deployed boats and a helicopter to assist the city resources. They are also planning to send marine inspectors and investigators to begin investigating the cause of the fire.

 

 

It is the second incident for the vessel in less than a year. Last May, the ship which has been operated for many years by Lower Lakes Towing, part of Rand Logistics, suffered an engine room fire while she was underway near Point Pelee, Ontario, Canada, on a trip from Saginaw, Michigan, and in Ohio. She had to be towed to port with many fearing her career had come to an end.

The vessel spent months undergoing repairs but keen-eyed observers spotted her back at work on the Lake last fall. There were reports that during the repairs she also underwent a 5-year survey with unconfirmed reports her owners were looking to extend her life until 2030.

While it is not uncommon for lakers to have long lives, the Cuyahoga is considered to be a piece of living history on the lakes. She was built in 1943 as the tenth of a class of sixteen A1 type Maritime Class Bulkers. At the time they were among the most stylish vessels on the lakes featuring the first use of the cruiser stern design and powered by a double compound steam engine. 

Originally known as the J. Burton Ayers, a name she sailed under for 52 years, she was part of a vital World War II supply effort moving much-needed iron ore to the mills supplying the wartime production of tanks, aircraft, and artillery.

She was acquired by Lower Lakes in 1995 and along with a sister ship the Mississagi went on to become the oldest Canadian Lakers. Her sister who was just a few months older was retired and scrapped in 2021.

At an overall length of 664 feet, the Cuyahoga has a capacity of 18,000 tons. She is used to transport bulk commodities including stone, iron ore, and coal.

New report finds public spending on global health innovation delivers blockbuster returns, saving lives while generating billions of dollars in benefits globally and domestically

Analysis reveals that over a 16-year period, $46 bn in US public funding generated dozens of new tools for fighting HIV, TB and other global threats; boosted economic performance at home and abroad; and is likely to spur $102 bn in industry investments

GLOBAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES COALITION

WASHINGTON, DC (March 14, 2024)—Over the last 16 years, U.S. government funding for research and development (R&D) targeting global health challenges supported dozens of breakthrough innovations while generating billions of dollars in economic benefits, both global and domestic, and spurring a surge of industry investments, according to a new analysis from the Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC) and Policy Cures Research (PCR).   

“Public funding for global health R&D is small, relative to the incredible returns it provides for fighting neglected and emerging diseases like malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, Ebola and COVID-19 — and for stocking the pipeline with many promising new technologies,” said Dr. Kristie Mikus, GHTC’s executive director. “The innovations emerging from this work are important for advancing health and opportunity globally and for addressing America’s increasing vulnerability to infectious diseases.” 

Dr. Nick Chapman, CEO of PCR, said, “Our analysis shows that the $46 billion invested by the U.S. government between 2007 and 2022 has not only delivered a steady stream of new drugs, vaccines and prevention tools, but has also supported basic research that is expected to attract an additional $102 billion investment from industry.” 

The report, Doing Well by Doing Good, looks at the return on investment from federal funding for global health R&D that flows through agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This funding helps to support work targeting historically neglected diseases such as malaria, HIV and tuberculosis (TB); more recently emerging threats that include COVID-19, Ebola, chikungunya and mpox; and sexual and reproductive health issues. The report notes that new tools are urgently needed because these challenges cause a massive loss of life around the world, impede economic progress in low- and middle-income countries, and pose a growing threat to Americans — especially with climate change facilitating the spread of disease.  

For example, in the fight against neglected and emerging infectious diseases (other than COVID-19), the report found the funding contributed to the development of 67 new health technologies that have been approved since 1999. This includes 12 new products for fighting Ebola, which continues to spark new outbreaks; 12 for TB, a resurgent disease fueled by an alarming spread of drug-resistant strains; and 11 for malaria, which is once again on the rise globally and recently caused a surprising spate of locally acquired cases in the U.S.  

The report found the investments also are supporting a product development pipeline for neglected and emerging diseases that now includes 261 promising innovations in late-stage development. Many carry the potential to deliver major benefits in reducing the human and economic toll of these threats.  

New global health tools now available or close to fruition that benefited from recent U.S. government investments include: 

• A new drug, pretomanid, whose addition to a treatment regimen for TB has dramatically improved outcomes and reduced costs for treating patients infected with drug-resistant strains of the disease. Switching all patients with drug-resistant TB to pretomanid-based regimens could generate global health care cost savings of $740 million annually.  

• Two new long-acting HIV prevention options have the potential to transform global HIV prevention efforts by offering an alternative to daily pills for at-risk groups. Long-acting cabotegravir, delivered via a single bi-monthly injection, could avert 45% of new infections in the U.S. and up to 28% of potential future HIV infections in low- and middle-income countries. The dapivirine vaginal ring, a monthly product offering discreet protection, is another breakthrough option for use by women at high risk of infection. 

• The U.S. government’s multi-agency Operation Warp Speed supported development of four COVID-19 vaccines that have since been deployed around the world. These vaccines contributed to saving 14.4 million lives in the first year of the pandemic alone. Also, between December 2020 and March 2022, they played a prominent role in the estimated $895 billion in direct health care costs savings linked to vaccination.   

• Powerful new monoclonal antibodies or mAbs have emerged for fighting Ebola and malaria. Two approved mAbs for treating Ebola were found to significantly decrease mortality, to 11% for one of the drugs and 6% for the other, compared to 54% in untreated patients. Meanwhile, three promising mAbs for preventing malaria are in clinical development. There is already evidence for one of these mAbs indicating a potential to reduce infections by 54%–75% in communities where malaria emerges as a seasonal threat. 

The report also notes that U.S. investments in global health R&D are delivering considerable economic benefits globally and domestically.  

From 2007 to 2022, U.S. funding supported R&D capacity and product manufacturing capabilities in 43 low- and middle-income countries along with health innovations that can reduce the financial burden of neglected and emerging infectious diseases. For example, in countries where malaria is common, new drugs and vaccines can dramatically reduce the costs of managing the disease, which can consume up to 8% of a family’s budget and reduce national GDP by 1.3%. 

In the United States, the report estimates that from 2007 to 2022, the $46 billion in public spending on global health R&D created 600,000 new jobs, generated $104 billion in economic activity and supported basic research endeavors that are on track to catalyze $102 billion in additional industry investments. And it’s the gift that keeps on giving. By supporting basic research that will continue to inspire health innovations for years to come, the report finds that it’s likely the $46 billion in public funding ultimately will generate $255 billion for the American economy — a six-fold return on investment. (A companion analysis from GHTC available here explores the funding impact on a state-by-state level, which includes stimulating tens of thousands of jobs in top research states like Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Washington state, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia.)   

The report points out that Americans also benefit because funding for global health R&D is delivering tools for threats that are increasingly viewed as potential domestic risks. For example, the report notes that climate change is facilitating the spread of insect-borne pathogens into the continental U.S., including Chagas disease, dengue, Zika, chikungunya and malaria.  

“The irony is that despite producing blockbuster returns, public funding for global health R&D is not keeping pace with growing needs and rising risks,” said Dr. Mikus. “R&D funding for emerging threats largely has been reactive — mainly focused on emergencies like Ebola, Zika and COVID-19 — and R&D budgets for neglected diseases actually dropped 11% in 2022. We encourage policymakers to look at global health R&D as one of the best investments a government can make, right up there with roads, schools and national defense.”  

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About the Global Health Technologies Coalition 

The Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC) works to save and improve lives by encouraging the research and development of essential health technologies. We bring together more than 45 nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and aligned businesses to advance policies to accelerate the creation of new drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and other tools that bring healthy lives within reach for all people. 

 

About Policy Cures Research 

Policy Cures Research is an independent, not-for-profit, research and policy organisation providing strategic analysis and decision-making tools for those involved in the creation of new health technologies for neglected diseases, emerging infectious diseases and sexual & reproductive health issues. Its focus is on providing governments, funders, researchers and civil society organisations with the insights they need to make optimal R&D policy and funding decisions for diseases affecting the world’s most vulnerable populations. 

A UC3M study points out the changes needed to achieve an inclusive care model based on human rights

Reports and Proceedings

UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID

In order to achieve a personalised and community-based care model for certain vulnerable population groups (people with disabilities, the elderly, children and adolescents at risk and homeless people), it is necessary to make changes to the current legal, ethical and cultural framework of the current care system from a human rights perspective. In addition, other changes should also be made to professional skills and roles and to the evaluation of the quality of social services. These are some of the main conclusions of a study carried out by the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)'s Gregorio Peces-Barba Human Rights Institute, with the support of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030, as part of the Ministry's Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.

The “Study on the processes of deinstitutionalisation and transition towards personalised and community support models” (EDI project), as it is called, points out some data on the current situation, such as the fact that there are some 12.3 billion people in Spain at risk of poverty or exclusion, or that between 9.1 and 13.5 percent of the population requires support and care. Or other figures: almost 6.5 million people are potentially dependent; 4.32 million have some kind of disability; almost 35,000 children and adolescents are in foster care; and around 28,000 homeless people have used care centres.

Spain is obliged to urgently address the transition from a care model based on institutionalised settings to a community-based support model, the study argues. To this end, it highlights some key elements, such as considering people in need of care as subjects of rights, considering that the need for support is a consequence of the social structure, access to affordable and accessible housing, developing a network of inclusive community and family-based support, care, foster care and services (ACAIS), and recognising the rights to independent living and inclusion in the community, among others.

“Deinstitutionalisation is a political, social and cultural process, which provides for the transition from care in environments of isolation and segregation, generically identified as institutions, towards modalities of care and support, in line with a rights-based approach, which are person-centred and promote social participation and inclusion in the community,” explain the authors of the study.

This research is part of the EDI project, which aims to help ensure the transition from an institutionalised care model to one based on a human rights framework. To this end, five studies have been carried out, focusing on people with disabilities, the elderly, homeless people, children and adolescents and another with a transversalapproach.

These four population groups “share a situation of vulnerability that manifests itself in terms of structural discrimination based on an ableist, ageist, adult-centred and individualist cultural model”, says the project's lead researcher, Rafael de Asís Roig, a professor in UC3M's International Public Law, Ecclesiastical Law and Philosophy of Law Department.

In carrying out the studies, in which fifty researchers have participated in five working groups, various methodological techniques were applied, such as: analysis of databases, bibliography, cases, regulations and jurisprudence, surveys, in-depth interviews and discussion groups, etc.

The EDI project will continue to work on ensuring that all people in need of care can lead a life of choice in the community. Specifically, throughout 2024, seminars and conferences will be organised to debate and expand on the conclusions reached in the studies and scientific and other outreach publications will be produced.

More information:

Website of the study on the processes of deinstitutionalisation and transition towards personalised and community support models
https://estudiodesinstitucionalizacion.gob.es/

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METHOD OF RESEARCH

Observational study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

Estudio sobre los procesos de desinstitucionalización y transición hacia modelos de apoyo personalizados y comunitarios

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

10-Mar-2024

 

Lesbian, gay and bisexual women smoke more, are less likely to quit

Rutgers Health studies shed new light on tobacco use in subsets of the sexual minority population

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

People who identify as lesbian, gay and bisexual – particularly women – respond more positively to tobacco marketing, are more inclined to smoke cigarettes daily and may have a more difficult time quitting, according to two studies by a Rutgers Health researcher.

 

The studies, published in the Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health and Preventive Medicine Reports, investigated how some among the LGBTQ population respond to tobacco marketing, how they use tobacco and their history of quitting using two large national datasets, including the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

 

Ollie Ganz, a faculty member at the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies and an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health who is lead author of the studies, discussed the significance of the findings to future policy.

 

Why is specifically studying how sexual minority populations receive tobacco marketing important?

From previous studies, we know that sexual minority individuals are more likely to use tobacco products than heterosexual individuals. This may be because tobacco companies have targeted this population with advertising and promotions, but the impact of this has not been studied extensively. The main thing we wanted to understand in this study is, given that sexual minority individuals are exposed to more tobacco advertising than heterosexual individuals, are there also differences in terms of how receptive they are to the ads, such as having a positive response to the ads.

 

What did your study find regarding tobacco marketing among sexual minority individuals?

What was unique about our study is that we were able to look at subsets of the LGB population – gay men, bisexual men, lesbian/gay women and bisexual women – rather than looking at them as one group. By looking at these subgroups we discovered that lesbian/gay and bisexual women were more likely to be receptive to marketing for tobacco products overall, and that bisexual women – but not lesbian/gay women – were more likely to be receptive to marketing for cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, compared with heterosexual women.  

 

Among men, we discovered that gay men, but not bisexual men, were more likely to be receptive to cigar advertising compared with heterosexual men. We also found that gay and bisexual men were more likely to be receptive to e-cigarette advertising compared with heterosexual men.

 

In the Preventive Medicine Reports study, you also looked at subsets of the LGB population, but focused on cigarette use behaviors. What were your findings?

We discovered that sexual minority women – particularly bisexual women – are smoking at higher rates and are having a harder time quitting compared with heterosexual women. We also found that the differences in prevalence of cigarette smoking between lesbian/gay and bisexual women and heterosexual women was much greater than between the prevalence between sexual minority men and heterosexual men.

 

These findings show that we need more support to specifically help sexual minority women quit smoking –particularly bisexual women. This population presents unique challenges, such as greater mental health problems, and there is a need for more resources and tailored interventions to support them in quitting smoking.

 

How can these findings inform future policy?

In order for tobacco control policies and regulations and public education campaigns to be effective, they need to be able to identify the populations that are at greatest risk for tobacco use. They also need a body of evidence that identifies the factors that are driving elevated use among those populations so effective messages and policies can be developed that directly address those factors.

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JOURNAL

Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health

DOI

10.1891/LGBTQ-2022-0036 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Survey

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

Differences in Tobacco Advertising Receptivity Among Young Adults by Sexual Identity and Sex: Findings From the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study

Eliminating socioeconomic disparities in U.S. youth physical activity can save over $15 billion

Differences in physical activity between low and higher socioeconomic groups can lead to over $6.93 billion in direct medical costs and $8.67 billion in productivity losses

CUNY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH POLICY

What would happen if the existing disparities in physical activity levels between youth of lower and higher socioeconomic statuses were eliminated? Previous studies have shown that those between 6-17 years of age in lower socioeconomic groups get on average 10-15% less physical activity than those of higher socioeconomic groups. A new study published in the journal JAMA Health Forum on Mar. 15 shows that eliminating such disparities could end up saving society over $15 billion in direct medical costs and productivity losses. This in turn could end up benefiting all taxpayers, anyone who pays insurance premiums, and employers across the country.

These findings came from a computer simulation model of all the 6-17 year olds in the United States developed and run by the Public Health Informatics, Computational, and Operations Research (PHICOR) team at the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) along with researchers from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Adelphi University, and the Centre for Sport Leadership at Stellenbosch University. The model simulated the daily physical activities of each youth, their growth, the impact of the physical activity on their health, the different chronic medical conditions that could emerge, and the resulting costs over time. Simulation experiments showed what could happen if youth were to maintain their current physical activity level, where the aforementioned disparities exist and then what would happen if such disparities were reduced by varying degrees. This included the impact on subsequent health outcomes, the medical treatments and procedures needed, and productivity losses from different perspectives.

Results from the model show that the cost savings from eliminating the physical activity disparities vary across age, sex and socioeconomic groups. For example, eliminating physical activity disparities saves over $847 million in direct costs and productivity losses for females aged 11-13 years from lower income households, but saves only a little over $41 million for females aged 14-17 years from middle income households. This suggests when limited resources are available, it may be most beneficial to tailor physical activity interventions towards lower income groups. 

"Our work is one of the first studies to show the economic benefits of reducing socioeconomic disparities in physical activity levels among kids in the United States,” says Tiffany Powell-Wiley MD, MPH, a Stadtman Investigator and Chief of the Social Determinants of Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk Laboratory at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and first author of the study. “It shows how investing in programs to get kids from all backgrounds more physically active can reduce costs related to obesity and other chronic diseases, like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Our work highlights that we can all benefit when we reduce health disparities and move towards greater health equity."

Eliminating such disparities could help address the ongoing obesity epidemic in the U.S. The prevalence of obesity and overweight could decrease by 0.83%. This could then prevent 101,000 weight-related disease cases, including stroke, coronary heart disease events, type 2 diabetes, or cancer. Eliminating these disparities in physical activity levels could end up saving 191,000 years of life across the youth cohort's lifetime.

Substantial savings could result even if disparities were not fully eliminated but instead were reduced by smaller amounts. For example, reducing such disparities by 25% could still result in around 86,000 fewer cases of obesity/overweight and 26,000 fewer cases of weight-related diseases over the youths' lifetime. This could save over $4 billion in societal costs, including over $1 billion in direct medical costs and over $2 billion in productivity losses. Reducing disparities by 50% and 75%, increases cost savings from direct medical costs and productivity losses to over $8 billion and almost $13 billion respectively.

The PHICOR team's previous work has shown the benefits of overall increases in physical activity among youth. For example, a study published in 2017 in Health Affairs showed that increasing physical activity among children 8-11 years old so that they are engaged in 25 minutes of high-calorie burning physical activity three times a week, could save well over $50 billion. A study published last month in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed that meeting the Healthy People 2030 goals for youth sports participation could save the U.S. around $80 billion.

"These previously published numbers showed what could happen if more youth were to achieve physical activity and sports participation guidelines," explained Marie Martinez, MSPH, a senior analyst with PHICOR and co-author of the study. "But if the focus of physical activity efforts is primarily on those of higher socioeconomic status, simply increasing overall numbers can end up leaving those with lower socioeconomic statuses behind. Our most recent study quantifies the value of achieving more equity in physical activity levels among youth.”

Many factors may be contributing to the lower physical activity levels seen among those of lower socioeconomic status living in poorer neighborhoods. Such neighborhoods often don't have high quality facilities or locations that support youth physical activity, such as parks, schoolyards, gyms, and recreation centers, and oftentimes lack quality school physical education programs as well. Additionally, parents oftentimes have high demands on their time, conflicting work schedules, and financial constraints that make it difficult to get their children physically active.

"The physical inactivity epidemic and the obesity epidemic that the U.S. is facing right now are due in large part to broken systems and such systems are even more broken for those making less money," explained Bruce Y. Lee, MD, MBA, professor of Health Policy Management at CUNY SPH, executive director of PHICOR, and senior author of the study. "Our study showed how improving the surroundings and conditions for those of lower socioeconomic status could end up benefiting everyone around the country."

This work was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health via award number U54TR004279, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) via grant 1R01HS028165-01, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) as part of the Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study network under grants R01GM127512 and 3R01GM127512-01A1S1, the National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Award Number P01AI172725 and by the National Science Foundation (NSF) via award number 2054858. Additionally, this project was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Intramural Research Program via grants ZIA HL006168, ZIA HL006225, ZIA HL006252, and ZIA MD000010. The Social Determinants of Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk Laboratory is funded by the Division of Intramural Research at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funders, or imply endorsement by AHRQ, NIGMS, NIAID, NIH, NSF, NHLBI, NIMHD, or the US Department of Health and Human Services.

About CUNY SPH

The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy is committed to teaching, research, and service that creates a healthier New York City and helps promote equitable, efficient, and evidence-based solutions to pressing health problems facing cities around the world.

 

About PHICOR

Since 2007, PHICOR has been developing computational methods, models, and tools to help decision makers better understand and address complex systems in health and public health. Follow @PHICORTeam for updates.

 

About Adelphi: A modern metropolitan university with a personalized approach to higher learning

Adelphi University is dedicated to transforming students’ lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative programs supporting academic and career success. Long Island’s oldest private coeducational university, Adelphi is consistently ranked as a Best College by U.S. News & World Report. More than 7,400 students are enrolled at our main campus in Garden City, New York—just 23 miles from New York City’s cultural and internship opportunities—and at dynamic learning hubs in Brooklyn, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, as well as online.

About Centre for Sport Leadership, Stellenbosch University

The Centre for Sport Leadership (CSL) is a unit within Maties Sport (sports directorate) at Stellenbosch University (South Africa), that was created in 2019. Its objectives are to conduct leadership development within a sporting context for student-athletes, coaches and general sport practitioners and administrators. The Centre also provides thought leadership on key issues within South African, African and Global sport, through impactful partnerships and by conducting and facilitating interdisciplinary research for impact.

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JOURNAL

JAMA Health Forum

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Computational simulation/modeling

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

Health and Economic Value of Eliminating Socioeconomic Disparities in US Youth Physical Activity

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

15-Mar-2024

Health and economic value of eliminating socioeconomic disparities in U.S. youth physical activity

JAMA Health Forum

About The Study: This study quantified the potential savings from eliminating or reducing physical activity disparities, which can help policymakers, health care systems, schools, funders, sports organizations, and other businesses better prioritize investments toward addressing these disparities. 

Authors: Bruce Y. Lee, M.D., M.B.A., of Public Health Informatics, Computational, and Operations Research (PHICOR), CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy in New York, is the corresponding author.

To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/

(doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.0088)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Embed this link to provide your readers free access to the full-text article This link will be live at the embargo time https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.0088?utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_term=031524

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JOURNAL

JAMA Health Forum

 

Shark-bitten orcas in the Northeastern Pacific could be a new population of killer whale

Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

 

IMAGE: 

AN INFOGRAPHIC SHOWING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE THREE ORCA ECOTYPES THAT LIVE ALONG THE COASTS OF CALIFORNIA AND OREGON AND THE POTENTIAL UNIQUE POPULATION

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CREDIT: UBC

UBC researchers believe a group of killer whales observed hunting marine mammals including sperm whales, as well as a sea turtle, in the open ocean off California and Oregon could be a new population.

Based on available evidence, the researchers posit in a new study published in Aquatic Mammals  that the 49 orcas could belong to a subpopulation of transient killer whales or a unique oceanic population found in waters off the coast of California and Oregon.

“The open ocean is the largest habitat on our planet and observations of killer whales in the high seas are rare,” said first author Josh McInnes, a masters student in the UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF).“In this case, we’re beginning to get a sense of killer whale movements in the open ocean and how their ecology and behaviour differs from populations inhabiting coastal areas.”

Three ecotypes of killer whale live along the coasts of California and Oregon: ‘residents’, ‘transients’, and ‘offshores’.

The unknown orcas have been spotted before but the new paper contains a weight of evidence gathered from nine encounters with 49 animals from 1997 to 2021, enough to form a solid hypothesis, the researchers said.

“It’s pretty unique to find a new population. It takes a long time to gather photos and observations to recognize that there’s something different about these killer whales,” said co-author Dr. Andrew Trites, IOF professor.

The 49 killer whales could not be matched with any known animals through photos or descriptions. “In one of the first encounters researchers had with a pod of these oceanic killer whales, they were observed taking on a herd of nine adult female sperm whales, eventually making off with one. It is the first time killer whales have been reported to attack sperm whales on the west coast,” said McInnes. “Other encounters include an attack on a pygmy sperm whale, predation on a northern elephant seal and Risso’s dolphin, and what appeared to be a post-meal lull after scavenging a leatherback turtle.”

Shark scars provide vital clue

A key clue to the new population’s presumed habitat range lies in cookiecutter shark bite scars observed on almost all of the orcas. This parasitic shark lives in the open ocean, meaning the new population primarily inhabit deep waters far from land.

The orcas also feature physical differences from the three main ecotypes, including in their dorsal fins and saddle patches—the grey or white patches by the fin. “While the sizes and shapes of the dorsal fins and saddle patches are similar to transient and offshore ecotypes, the shape of their fins varied, from pointed like transients to rounded like offshore killer whales,” said McInnes. “Their saddle patch patterns also differed, with some having large uniformly gray saddle patches and others having smooth narrow saddle patches similar to those seen in killer whales in tropical regions.”

Along with marine mammal stock assessment surveys, fishermen and passengers on an open-ocean birding expedition and whale-watching tour also provided observations of the unidentified killer whales, said Dr. Trites. Spotting the new population has become something of a hobby among fishermen, some of whom have bought cameras for their trips specifically to snap an encounter, the researchers said.

The researchers hope to document more sightings and gather more information, including acoustic data about the orcas’ calls and genetic information from DNA samples to further investigate how these killer whales may differ, or not, from already documented populations.

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JOURNAL

Aquatic Mammals

DOI

10.1578/AM.50.2.2024.93 

Groundbreaking study reveals extensive leatherback turtle activity along U.S. coastline

Study is the first to identify the U.S. Atlantic coast as a significant region of feeding grounds for endangered leatherbacks migrating along the east coast of the United States. 

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI ROSENSTIEL SCHOOL OF MARINE, ATMOSPHERIC, AND EARTH SCIENCE

 

IMAGE: 

THE FIELD TEAM, MITCH RIDER, CHRIS SASSO, SAMIR PATEL, AND EMILY CHRISTIANSEN WITH A LEATHERBACK TURTLE.
 

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CREDIT: CREDIT: NOAA FISHERIES (PERMIT #21233)

A new study led by a team of marine scientists at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Southeast Fisheries Science Center, provides groundbreaking findings that offer insights on the migration and foraging patterns of leatherback sea turtles along the Northwest Atlantic shelf.

Scientists have known that leatherbacks commonly swim from the South and Mid-Atlantic Bights during the warmer months to reach feeding areas near New England and Nova Scotia, Canada where food is plentiful. They migrate southward again when water temperatures drop during the winter. But questions still remained about where the turtles went in between, and what they were doing along the way.

The study, published in the Journal Frontiers in Marine Science conducted over several years offers unique insights into the utilization of the U.S. coastline by these majestic creatures, challenging previous assumptions and emphasizing key conservation implications.

"Our findings signify a paradigm shift in understanding leatherback turtle behavior along the U.S. coastline,” said Mitchell Rider, a research scientist at the Rosenstiel School’s NOAA Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies and a lead author of the study. “By highlighting key foraging grounds and migration patterns, we aim to inform targeted conservation strategies to safeguard the future of these magnificent creatures."

Where the Leatherbacks roam

The research involved the tagging and monitoring leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) off the coasts of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Beaufort, North Carolina. Between 2017 through 2022 the team successfully tracked 52 leatherback sea turtles, using advanced satellite tags capable of recording location, depth, and temperature data. Applying the tags involves finding and capturing the leatherback turtles, which can weigh several hundred pounds—a challenging task. The scientists were able to track and learn where the turtles go and the behaviors they exhibit during their migrations.

The waters off Cape Cod and Nantucket promote a high abundance of jellyfish in the late summer and early fall, which the leatherbacks appear to be taking advantage of. The scientists observed some of the leatherbacks tagged along Nantucket Shoals, stayed in the area for weeks to months after tagging before migrating back south. 

In the Mid-Atlantic Bight, the team inferred that there is food availability, given the high number of leatherbacks that displayed feeding-like behavior year after year. However, the team noted the lack of research on prey distributions in this area, and further observations for leatherbacks would benefit by returning to the site to deploy camera tags to determine what the leatherbacks are feeding on. 

The South Atlantic Bight appears to support several stages of the migration cycle: nesting, post-nesting foraging, and overwintering. Not as many leatherbacks frequented this area, but the ones that were tracked displayed feeding-like behavior especially along the continental shelf ridge. Previous research in the area indicates that blooms of cannonball jellyfish occur nearshore in the South Atlantic Bight primarily during the spring, which coincides with leatherbacks overwintering and nesting stages of their migration cycle.

“Our study revealed a significantly higher utilization of the U.S. coastline by leatherbacks, particularly along regions of the Mid-Atlantic Bight, South Atlantic Bight, and Southern New England. These areas emerged as possible major foraging grounds for leatherbacks migrating along the United States coastline, with notable activity observed off the coast of North Carolina.

“A key finding was further defining the Mid-Atlantic Bight as a critical foraging ground for leatherbacks from past studies, identified through sophisticated behavioral analysis,” said Rider. “By incorporating diving metrics such as dive frequency and duration, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of leatherback behaviors that distinguishes between their migration and foraging activities.”

Furthermore, the study highlighted the vulnerability of leatherbacks to incidental capture by fisheries and vessel strikes, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts to mitigate these risks. With impending developments, particularly the construction of offshore wind farms in the Mid-Atlantic Bight and Southern New England regions, the findings serve as a relevant guide for conservation managers to minimize impacts on this endangered species.

This study titled, “Where the leatherbacks roam: movement behavior analyses reveal novel foraging locations along the Northwest Atlantic shelf,” was published on February 20, 2024 in the Journal Frontiers in Marine Science. The authors are Mitchell J. Rider1, Larissa Avens2, Heather L. Haas3, Joshua M. Hatch3, Samir H. Patel4, Christopher R. Sasso5.

Funding was provided by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management through Interagency Agreements M14PG00005, M10PG00075, and M19PG00007 with the United States Department of the Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) and Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC). This paper is also the result of research funded by the NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Competitive Research Program to the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC).

1Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States, 2Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, Beaufort, NC, United States, 3Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, Woods Hole, MA, United States, 4Coonamessett Farm Foundation, East Falmouth, MA, United States, 5Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, Miami, FL, United States

About the University of Miami

The University of Miami is a private research university and academic health system with a distinct geographic capacity to connect institutions, individuals, and ideas across the hemisphere and around the world. The University’s vibrant and diverse academic community comprises 12 schools and colleges serving more than 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 180 majors and programs. Located within one of the most dynamic and multicultural cities in the world, the University is building new bridges across geographic, cultural, and intellectual borders, bringing a passion for scholarly excellence, a spirit of innovation, a respect for including and elevating diverse voices, and a commitment to tackling the challenges facing our world. Founded in the 1940’s, the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science has grown into one of the world’s premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. Offering dynamic interdisciplinary academics, the Rosenstiel School is dedicated to helping communities to better understand the planet, participating in the establishment of environmental policies, and aiding in the improvement of society and quality of life. www.earth.miami.edu.

 

  

A leatherback turtle swims away after being succesfully outfitted with an advanced satellite tag which records location, depth, and temperature data. 

CREDIT

Credit: NOAA Fisheries, (Permit #21233)

JOURNAL

Frontiers in Marine Science

DOI

10.3389/fmars.2024.1325139 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Observational study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Animals

ARTICLE TITLE

Where the leatherbacks roam: movement behavior analyses reveal novel foraging locations along the Northwest Atlantic shelf