Playful Humpbacks & Other Whales “Kelping” — Wearing Seaweed as a Hat

There is so much that we do not understand about the social behaviors of whales and dolphins. Dolphins off the Australian coast, for example, have been observed wearing sponges as hats in what is believed to be an attempt, though … Continue reading

Sydney Beaches Close After Sharks Attack Dolphin — What are Risks of Shark Attacks?

The BBC reports that several popular beaches in Sydney, Australia have been closed after sharks attacked a dolphin in waters near the city. At least two bull sharks were spotted in the Shelly Beach area, in northern Sydney, after the … Continue reading

Cruise Ship Viking Orion Denied Port Entries Due to “Biofouling” — What Happened?

Eight hundred passengers, reported to be mostly Americans, found themselves stranded on the cruise ship Viking Orion off South Australia for seven days after the ship was denied permission to dock in Adelaide, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hobart, due to marine growth … Continue reading

Deja Vu — Covid Outbreaks on Cruise Ships Docking in Australia, Mask & Vaccination Mandates Return

In the words of Yogi Berra, “It’s like deja vu all over again.” Masks and vaccination mandates are returning to the cruise industry, at least for many cruise ships calling in Australia.  In March of 2020 at the beginning of … Continue reading

Watching for Migaloo — White Whale Washed up on Australian Beach Not Famous Albino Whale

A ten-meter-long white humpback whale carcass recently washed ashore on Australia’s Mallacoota beach raising fears that it could be the world-famous albino humpback nicknamed Migaloo. A closer examination by Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning revealed, however, that … Continue reading

The World’s Largest Plant, Poseidon’s Ribbon Weed, Discovered Off Australia

Australian researchers were performing a genetic survey of Poseidon’s ribbon weed (Posidonia australis), a species of seagrass growing widely in Shark Bay, off the westernmost tip of Australia. Researchers collected shoots from across the bay and examined 18,000 genetic markers … Continue reading

Suiso Frontier, World’s First Liquefied Hydrogen Carrier Readies to Sail From Japanese Shipyard

Reuters is reporting that Suiso Frontier, the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier could leave Japan for Australia to pick up its first cargo of hydrogen late this month. The ship will carry 1,250 m3 of liquefied hydrogen cooled to –253°C, … Continue reading

Citizen Scientist Volunteers Survey Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

Crowdsourcing has arrived on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Thousands of “citizen scientist” volunteers have spent the last 12 weeks participating in the Great Reef Census 2021. Volunteer teams of scientists, divers, tourists, and skippers have ventured to the far corners … Continue reading

50 Million Red Crabs Swarm to the Sea on Australia’s Christmas Island

Millions of bright red crabs have begun their yearly mating migration from the forest to the sea on Australia’s Christmas Island. The scarlet crabs are marching from the jungle toward the Indian Ocean, swarming roadways, parks, and residential neighborhoods, so … Continue reading

Australia to Build Nuclear Subs Under New Strategic Partnership with US & UK

AP reports that President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday a new U.S. security alliance with Australia and Britain that will provide Australia with the technology and capability to deploy nuclear-powered submarines. The agreement would make Australia the first country without nuclear … Continue reading

Ruby Princess Outbreak — Confused Test Results Allowed the Virus to Disembark

On March 19, 2020, the Princess Cruise Line ship Ruby Princess arrived in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and disembarked 2,700 passengers. These passengers included those who had been isolated in their cabins with fever. Roughly 2,000 of the passengers … Continue reading