Marine BioLOGY Blog

Bird Flu is a serious threat to Irish Gannet Colonies. ORCA SCI-COMM TEAM | 04 September 2022 ORCA Ireland are deeply concerned about the severe epidemic of bird flu of the H5N1 strain, which is highly pathogenic in cases of pelagic seabirds and has now hit seabirds in Irish waters. According to top scientists at the University College Cork (UCC), avian influenza has now reached Irish Gannet colonies. Recent reports from Irish scientists and members of the public have indicated a huge increase in the numbers of dead northern gannets off the Irish coasts. These increases in seabird deaths may be linked to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1).

PCB Pollution Threatens Global Killer whale ( Orcinus orca ) Populations. ORCA SciComm Team | 14th July 2022 Global killer whale population are predicted to collapse due to pollution with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). A scientific report which used individual-based models combined with globally available data on PCB concentrations found that PCB-mediated effects on reproduction and immune function threaten the longterm viability of >50% of the world’s killer whale populations.

Russian Navy Trained Dolphins Deployed in Crimea ORCA SciComm Team | 29th April 2022 Russian Navy Trained Dolphins may have been deployed in Crimea, with two sea pens having been spotted at one of their bases in satellite imagery since the start of the Ukraine invasion in February, according to the US Naval Institute.

FEMALE KILLER WHALES FACE GREATER IMPACT FROM NOISE POLLUTION Danielle Brennan | Communications Officer | 15th March 2022

A solitary common dolphin can speak porpoise language! ORCA SciComm Team | 1st of March 2022 A new paper published in “ Bioacoustics - The International Journal of animal sound and its Recording ” has detailed how a solitary common dolphin in Scotland has learned to speak porpoise language!

Iceland to end whaling in 2024 with drop in demand for whale meat. ORCA SciComm Team | 4th February 2022 Iceland have announced an end to commercial whale hunts in 2024, after a government minister commented there was "little justification for the practice". Whaling in Iceland is no longer profitable, due to a decrease in the consumption of whale meat and since Japan re-commenced whaling operations after a three decade hiatus in 2019.

RUSSIAN MILITARY TESTS THREATEN WHALES IN IRISH WATERS ORCA SciComm Team | 25th of January 2022

Shell Oil & Gas Seismic Surveys Threaten Whales off South Africa ORCA SCI-COMM TEAM | 11th of December 2021 Across the globe there is public outrage due to the planned seismic surveys to search for oil and gas deposits off South Africa's Wild Coast by energy company Shell. Environmental NGO's, Human Rights Organisations and local fishing communities are trying to stop the seismic surveys through litigation, due to the harmful impact seismic surveys can have on marine wildlife. South Africa is home to 37 species of whales and dolphins, but these anthropogenic activities threaten the survival of wild whales off Africa's south coast. Let's dive deeper to investigate what seismic surveys are and how they can harm whales!

How to Create a Sustainable Wardrobe! ORCA SciComm Team - 9th December '21 The idea of creating a sustainable or ethical wardrobe from scratch is, without a doubt a challenging task. You may not be able to wear the brands you are used to, limiting your choices in terms of trends, not to mention having to spend a little more than you would normally. All of these are valid concerns, but creating a sustainable wardrobe isn't as hard as you may think. Read on to find out tips and tricks to help you transition from a "fast fashion" foe to a "slow fashion" soul sista!