Ocean Study Reveals Patterns of Undersea Life

A decade-long research study in which a variety of sea animals were tagged and tracked beneath the Pacific ocean has unveiled fresh insight into a world that has remained largely hidden and unknown.

The Washington Post's story and The New York Times blog report on the study's findings, and also offer additional links and multimedia information about the study and the state of the ocean.

It's a fascinating look at where animals go and why, and it holds out hope that we can yet preserve the ocean's abundance. Quoting from the Post's story:

“It’s precedent-setting. It’s a tremendous tool for conservation and management,” said Jesse Ausubel, vice president of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and co-founder of the Census of Marine Life.

In a week where news of another ocean study warned of the risk of extinction for many species, the tagging research points to a way forward by protecting the key areas that nourish so much sea life.

It's called protecting the best, which is why, in 1988, the Council adopted an amendment to both its fish and wildlife program and its power plan, designating some 44,000 miles of Northwest streams as "protected areas" because of their importance as critical fish and wildlife habitat.

As for the ocean:

The information revealed through electronic tagging, Ausubel said, should compel policymakers to protect these underwater animal meccas. “It’s a joy and a revelation, and it’s also a call to action.”