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MBARI discovers new jellyfish

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) captured absolutely stunning ROV footage of a new species of jelly, inside the midnight zone of Monterey Bay:

Atolla jellyfish or Coronate medusa, is a species of deep-sea crown jellyfish with a characteristic deep red in color and a hypertrophied trailing tentacle that is significantly longer than the others and thought to help capture prey.

Over the past 15 years, MBARI researchers have observed and collected numerous specimens of three types of Atolla-like jellies that lack the typical trailing tentacle. Researchers realized this rare jellyfish, living at depths of 1,000m to 3,000m and with distinctive thorny projections around its body or bell, had never been seen before. It has subsequently been named the species Atolla reynoldsi, in honor of the Aquarium’s first volunteer Jeff Reynolds.

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Toothy Anglerfish

The ROV Nautilus spotted this very toothy goosefish (type of anglerfish) at a depth of 1,091m on their recent expedition that was live-streamed. It is always so exciting to find unusual species when on dive, whether as a diver or as an ROV pilot:

You can check out Ocean Exploration Trust‘s current expedition live-streamed to YouTube at: EVNautilus Live

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GLUBS sound library

Marine experts across the world are working together to create a global catalog of sounds of underwater life, to monitor the changing environment and inform marine conservation. The open-access Global Library of Underwater Biological Sounds (GLUBS) will use artificial intelligence (AI) and citizen science to capture signature sounds from mammals like whales, as well as invertebrates, fish and crustaceans.

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NOAA’s 2022 Sea Level Rise Report

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently released its Technical Report on the expected rise is sea levels in the next 30 years and its impact on U.S. states and territories. You can find the report here: 2022 Technical Report, Data, FAQs

Key points in the report:

  • Sea levels are going to rise by 10 – 12 inches (25 – 30 cm) by 2050
  • Sea level rise is affected by climate change and greenhouse gas emissions
  • The frequency of extreme flooding events will increase. For example, moderate flooding events, where damage is likely to occur, are expected to increase from ~1 to ~4 times per year

This report is certainly motivating us to look more closely at how we can reduce our overall carbon footprints.