Starfish, also referred to as a sea star, is not technically a fish. It belongs to the echinoderm phylum and is closely related to sea urchins and sand dollars. As the name suggests, they are star-shaped marine...
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American Oceans
Can You Eat Skate and What Does It Taste Like?
Skates are funky-looking, ocean-dwelling fish that looks like a stingray, with a flat, slimy body, wings on either side, and a long skinny tail. But skates don’t sting. Instead, they have many sharp spikes on the...
American Oceans
Biggest Sea Turtles Ranked by Size
There are seven living species of sea turtles, as recognized by scientists worldwide. These species are grouped into six genera. Like other biological organisms, each sea turtle is assigned a scientific name and a...
American Oceans
What Are The Different Types of Whale Species
Whales are vital species in our ecosystem. Today we will be looking at the different types of whales and what makes them unique. Each species has its own characteristics, such as baleen which filters food from water, or...
American Oceans
Marine Protected Areas: What Are They?
A Marine Protected Area is a body of water with restricted human activity, intended to protect a natural or cultural resource. These are established by the local government, and the maintenance of them varies depending...
American Oceans
What Is The Law Of The Sea Treaty?
The law of the sea refers to any customs, treaties and international agreements by which governments across the world follow in order to maintain peace, order and productivity at sea. The treaty is a branch of...
American Oceans
Where is the Wettest Place on Earth?
There are many wet places in the world, and while smart people might simply say ‘the ocean’ the wettest place on land is a little harder to pin down. There are many places that believe they are extremely wet, and...
American Oceans
10 Jobs You Can Get With a Degree in Marine Biology
Biological and biomedical sciences are some of the most highly awarded degrees in the country, just below business and humanities. Among these biological sciences is the science of marine biology, or the study of the...
Jessica Cummings
Red Tides in Tampa Bay: What’s the Deal?
Red tides can be deadly to some and downright unpleasant to others. Here’s what you need to know about red tides and what’s happening in Tampa Bay right now. What is a Red Tide? For starters, we need to understand what...
Jessica Cummings
What Are The Different Types of Grouper?
Grouper is a common and favorite species you’ll find when you’re along the Gulf of Mexico or in many places in the Caribbean. There’s more than one type of Grouper in the water, and they range in size...
Seth Carlson
Why Are Whale Sharks Endangered?
Whale sharks are some of the world’s largest animals and holds the record for being the largest vertebrate fish — they are indeed sharks. Though like their whale namesakes, they filter feed as opposed to catching...
Jessica Cummings
The Best Reusable Food Wraps to Replace Plastic Wrap
It is so important that we all work to reduce our carbon footprints, especially by using less disposable plastic products. Plastics pollute the land, sea, and air. Manufacturers also make most plastics with petroleum...
American Oceans