Coverage of Arctic Ocean issues. https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/arctic/rss en Arctic Climate Change Governance Tue, 03 Jul 2018 07:40:00 +0000 Erica Cirino https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/03/narwhals-whales-at-greatest-risk-from-increasing-arctic-ship-traffic https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/03/narwhals-whales-at-greatest-risk-from-increasing-arctic-ship-traffic As sea ice disappears and more ships ply routes like the Northwest Passage in the late summer, better safety and conservation measures will be needed to protect marine mammals, scientists say. Arctic Blue Economy Climate Change Wed, 14 Mar 2018 07:40:00 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/14/as-the-arctic-melts-new-technologies-predict-where-sea-ice-will-be https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/14/as-the-arctic-melts-new-technologies-predict-where-sea-ice-will-be Will the week’s sea ice be thin or thick or not there at all? New kinds of satellite data and better computer modeling will provide crucial information to Arctic Ocean communities and industries. Arctic Plastic Pollution Mon, 12 Feb 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Yereth Rosen https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/12/how-microplastics-are-contaminating-seabirds-in-remote-regions-of-alaska https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/12/how-microplastics-are-contaminating-seabirds-in-remote-regions-of-alaska A decade of research has found that the muscles and eggs of birds in the far-flung Aleutian Islands contain endocrine-disrupting phthalates from plastics the animals have ingested, prompting Alaskan tribes to begin testing native foods for contamination. Arctic Biodiversity Climate Change Thu, 08 Feb 2018 08:10:00 +0000 Randall Hyman https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/08/polar-bears-need-disappearing-sea-ice-in-more-ways-than-one https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/08/polar-bears-need-disappearing-sea-ice-in-more-ways-than-one New research documents how important the algae that thrive under sea ice are to the Arctic food chain. But as sea ice disappears and the region warms, the timing and abundance of ice algae blooms is in flux. Arctic Climate Change Fri, 02 Feb 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/02/02/famed-polar-scientist-arctic-ocean-research-at-a-turning-point https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/02/02/famed-polar-scientist-arctic-ocean-research-at-a-turning-point Veteran oceanographer Eddy Carmack has witnessed five decades of accelerating change in the Arctic. As he accepted a lifetime achievement award in January, he talks about why ‘pan-Arctic’ research that crosses borders and disciplines is now imperative. Arctic Biodiversity Climate Change Thu, 11 Jan 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/11/the-unseen-way-in-which-climate-change-is-altering-the-arctic-ocean https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/11/the-unseen-way-in-which-climate-change-is-altering-the-arctic-ocean Scientists have found that melting sea ice is increasing the flow of nutrients into the central Arctic from the continental shelf. That could disrupt the marine food chain in unpredictable ways. Arctic Climate Change Fri, 29 Dec 2017 03:00:00 +0000 Eric Holthaus https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/29/this-is-the-year-we-lost-the-old-arctic https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/29/this-is-the-year-we-lost-the-old-arctic Climate change has irreversibly changed the Arctic from its reliably frozen past. Recently, U.S. government researchers, dubbing it the ‘New Arctic,’ said there’s little chance of going back to the way things were. Arctic Climate Change Wed, 13 Dec 2017 08:05:25 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/13/scientists-warily-look-to-geoengineering-to-stave-off-polar-catastrophe https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/13/scientists-warily-look-to-geoengineering-to-stave-off-polar-catastrophe From building barriers to buttress unstable marine ice sheets to thickening sea ice with a wind-powered pump, researchers want to start more conversations about climate interventions that don’t depend on actually cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Arctic Fisheries Governance Mon, 04 Dec 2017 07:18:37 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/04/international-accord-bans-fishing-in-central-arctic-ocean-spurs-science https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/04/international-accord-bans-fishing-in-central-arctic-ocean-spurs-science A landmark 16-year prohibition on commercial fishing in the once ice-covered central Arctic Ocean will allow nations to conduct research on marine life in a little-explored region that is rapidly changing as climate change accelerates. Arctic Climate Change Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:00:57 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/11/08/canary-in-the-climate-mine-arctic-seabirds-future-is-on-thin-ice https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/11/08/canary-in-the-climate-mine-arctic-seabirds-future-is-on-thin-ice Alone on a remote northern Alaska island, biologist George Divoky has been monitoring a population of sea ice-dependent black guillemots for four decades. Now he fears he’s watching the colony in a slow-motion collapse as temperatures rise and its prey disappears. Arctic Climate Change Thu, 12 Oct 2017 04:30:10 +0000 Ian Evans https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2017/10/12/avoiding-clashes-between-ocean-researchers-and-indigenous-communities https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2017/10/12/avoiding-clashes-between-ocean-researchers-and-indigenous-communities The University of Alaska has produced a procedure for what scientists on research vessels should do to avoid disrupting Indigenous communities’ traditional hunts. The university’s Brenda Konar hopes that other vessels will adopt codes of conduct. Arctic Biodiversity Fri, 15 Sep 2017 08:26:28 +0000 Ian Evans https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2017/09/15/why-scientists-are-firing-air-guns-at-narwhals https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2017/09/15/why-scientists-are-firing-air-guns-at-narwhals Growing evidence indicates that underwater air guns used to detect oil and gas deposits affect the behavior of marine mammals. Arctic biologist Eva Garde talks about her research into the impact of air guns on elusive narwhals Arctic Biodiversity Climate Change Thu, 31 Aug 2017 09:10:54 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/08/31/why-changing-pacific-walrus-haulout-habits-are-worrying https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/08/31/why-changing-pacific-walrus-haulout-habits-are-worrying Massive gatherings of the marine mammals can result in stampedes that crush calves. Conservationists are pushing to have the animal protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Arctic Biodiversity Climate Change Marine Protected Areas Thu, 24 Aug 2017 03:12:03 +0000 Brad Badelt https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/08/24/behind-the-plan-to-protect-the-serengeti-of-the-arctic https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/08/24/behind-the-plan-to-protect-the-serengeti-of-the-arctic Canada’s forthcoming Lancaster Sound conservation area would ban resource extraction while allowing local Inuit communities to benefit from hunting, fishing and tourism. Arctic Climate Change Technology Wed, 16 Aug 2017 03:00:52 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/08/16/nasa-puts-a-laser-focus-on-the-melting-arctic-ocean https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/08/16/nasa-puts-a-laser-focus-on-the-melting-arctic-ocean Scientists with NASA’s Operation IceBridge are shooting green lasers into the Arctic Ocean’s melt ponds to better understand the dramatic thawing that’s well underway. Arctic Governance Wed, 09 Aug 2017 04:57:46 +0000 Randall Hyman https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/08/09/competing-visions-clash-over-the-future-of-norways-lofoten-islands https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/08/09/competing-visions-clash-over-the-future-of-norways-lofoten-islands An archipelago off Norway’s northern coast is renowned for its beauty. It’s also near untapped oil-and-gas deposits. In light of recent demonstrations against oil-drilling in the Lofoten Islands, photojournalist Randall Hyman shares his experiences in the region. Arctic Blue Economy Governance Tue, 08 Aug 2017 03:00:41 +0000 Brad Badelt https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/08/08/exploring-the-mysteries-of-the-arctics-sea-unicorn https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/08/08/exploring-the-mysteries-of-the-arctics-sea-unicorn A new exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History examines the narwhal’s role in indigenous culture and the possible reasons behind its unusual tusk. Arctic Blue Economy Governance Fri, 28 Jul 2017 03:00:08 +0000 Morgane Fert-Malka https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/28/the-northern-sea-route-russias-coronary-artery https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/28/the-northern-sea-route-russias-coronary-artery It will take political courage and planning to make Russia’s Northern Sea Route the main thoroughfare of a healthy, unitary country – but there is no alternative, writes Morgane Fert-Malka, a French Moscow-based political analyst. Arctic Blue Economy Mon, 24 Jul 2017 07:27:46 +0000 Mia Bennett https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/07/24/an-alaskan-native-corporation-seeks-to-fill-the-void-left-by-shell https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/07/24/an-alaskan-native-corporation-seeks-to-fill-the-void-left-by-shell If you thought that all Indigenous peoples were uniformly opposed to oil drilling, think again. The Arctic Slope Regional Corporation sees offshore exploration as a way to create wealth for its communities, writes Mia Bennett at Cryopolitics. Arctic Climate Change Solutions Technology Fri, 21 Jul 2017 10:12:13 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/21/keeping-an-eye-on-what-the-arctic-throws-down-iceberg-alleya https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/21/keeping-an-eye-on-what-the-arctic-throws-down-iceberg-alleya Winds and currents funnel icebergs from the Greenland Ice Sheet toward Canada, crossing trans-Atlantic shipping lanes along the way. The International Ice Patrol tracks these movements using flights and, now, satellites. Arctic Thu, 20 Jul 2017 03:00:14 +0000 Valerie Cleland https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/07/20/more-needs-to-be-done-to-prepare-for-an-arctic-oil-spill https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/07/20/more-needs-to-be-done-to-prepare-for-an-arctic-oil-spill World Policy: Arctic nations should follow through on their commitments to prepare for an oil spill in icy waters, writes Valerie Cleland, a masters student in the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs at the University of Washington. Arctic Wed, 19 Jul 2017 09:00:32 +0000 Rhiannon Russell https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/19/tail-that-whale-researchers-track-orcas-in-arctics-warming-waters https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/19/tail-that-whale-researchers-track-orcas-in-arctics-warming-waters Scientists are using satellite tags, biopsy samples and a growing photo database to help get a handle on the distribution of killer whales through Canada’s northern waters. Arctic Climate Change Solutions Wed, 12 Jul 2017 08:06:07 +0000 Jillian Kestler-D’Amours https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/12/arctic-nations-agree-to-work-toward-curbing-use-of-heavy-fuel-oils https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/12/arctic-nations-agree-to-work-toward-curbing-use-of-heavy-fuel-oils Under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization, countries are looking at ways to limit the use of thick, viscous heavy fuel oils in Arctic waters. Arctic Climate Change Mon, 03 Jul 2017 05:00:18 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/03/from-cryosphere-to-blogosphere-sea-ice-enthusiasts-track-arctic-melt https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/03/from-cryosphere-to-blogosphere-sea-ice-enthusiasts-track-arctic-melt Arctic sea ice is more unstable than ever, and the ice may be melting toward a record in 2017 – or is it? The place to keep up on the debate over such questions is the Arctic Sea Ice Blog and Forum. Arctic Governance Mon, 19 Jun 2017 09:26:24 +0000 Ian Evans https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/06/19/ice-navigator-training-aims-to-plug-a-hole-in-the-polar-code https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/06/19/ice-navigator-training-aims-to-plug-a-hole-in-the-polar-code There is currently no international certification for mariners who navigate through icy Arctic waters, so industry is moving to fill the void, says Captain David “Duke” Snider, president of the Nautical Institute. Arctic Climate Change Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:21:22 +0000 Jillian Kestler-D’Amours https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/06/15/climate-change-thwarts-plans-aboard-canadian-research-icebreaker https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/06/15/climate-change-thwarts-plans-aboard-canadian-research-icebreaker Thick, multiyear sea ice pushed from the High Arctic to the coast of Newfoundland created havoc with fishing vessels, prompting a Canadian icebreaker to scrap some of its research plans. Arctic Climate Change Mon, 12 Jun 2017 12:36:25 +0000 Tom Yulsman https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/06/12/how-to-hitch-a-ride-on-an-arctic-ice-floe https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/06/12/how-to-hitch-a-ride-on-an-arctic-ice-floe Most mariners don’t deliberately freeze their vessels into Arctic sea ice. But that’s what researchers aboard the Lance did, in order to better study climate change’s impact on the region. Arctic Climate Change Governance Technology Tue, 30 May 2017 12:26:19 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/05/30/as-arctic-sea-ice-shows-record-decline-scientists-prepare-to-go-blind https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/05/30/as-arctic-sea-ice-shows-record-decline-scientists-prepare-to-go-blind Due to congressional budget cuts, the 38-year continuous U.S. Arctic satellite monitoring program is about to end, leaving researchers blind to ongoing Arctic sea ice losses. Arctic Blue Economy Fri, 26 May 2017 07:38:51 +0000 Emily Schwing https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/05/26/tiny-aleutian-island-has-big-dreams-for-a-deepwater-port https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/05/26/tiny-aleutian-island-has-big-dreams-for-a-deepwater-port Adak Island’s population dwindled after a U.S. Navy base shut down in the 1990s. Residents who remain are holding out hope that a new economy can be built on shipping traffic as Arctic ice melts. Arctic Governance Thu, 25 May 2017 07:18:14 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/05/25/trump-budget-axes-alaskas-sea-grant-program https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/05/25/trump-budget-axes-alaskas-sea-grant-program The proposed U.S. federal budget would cancel a program that provides support to coastal Alaskan communities with everything from monitoring shoreline erosion to maintaining healthy ecosystems.