Oysters (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Did you know that oysters are an important part of coastal ecosystems? As they filter water for food such as algae, they also help to clarify the water. An adult oyster can filter more than 30 gallons a day — that’s a lot of clean water! Also, because oysters live together in reefs, they provide valuable habitat for the many kinds of marine life that live among them. Oysters, which are a type of bivalve shellfish, are also great for us land-dwellers! When eaten, oysters have a delicious, salty taste unique to their local environment. Now is the best time of the year to buy them fresh from the market. Look for shells that appear moist and are tightly closed. The shell should be well cupped, a sign that the oyster inside is plump and ready for you to take home and enjoy. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Deep Sea Expedition (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

University of Delaware scientists recently led an international team on an expedition to explore one of the most extreme environments on the planet: hydrothermal vents. The researchers plunged more than two miles beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean to learn more about the mysterious organisms that thrive in the areas around these geysers on the seafloor. But scientists weren’t the only ones learning about these animals that survive scalding water, toxic chemicals, and total darkness. More than 21,000 students from 350 schools participated in the mission via an interactive web site, curriculum, and other activities, including a “phone call to the deep” in which students asked questions about what it’s like to travel to the bottom of the ocean. Hear those phone calls, read the scientists’ blogs, and learn more about the creatures of the deep at expeditions.udel.edu. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Beach Nourishment (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

The sound of waves lapping at the beach might be soothing, but those waves are hard at work! Along with winds, tides, and currents, waves constantly change the shape of the beach and dune system. Sometimes sand is added to the beach, sometimes it’s moved along the shore, and sometimes it’s moved offshore.

When too much sand is removed from the shore, in a process called erosion, a reduced beach area can have negative effects. Animals lose their natural habitat; structures become vulnerable to flooding tides and storm waves; and people can’t use the beach anymore for recreation, resulting in a loss of tourism revenue. To help solve the problem, sometimes authorities complete a process called “beach nourishment” in which sand is pumped from offshore areas to rebuild beaches. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Tide Variance (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

In Delaware, water levels at high tide and low tide differ by several feet. Average tide ranges in Delaware are approximately four feet along the Atlantic coast and four to six feet along the Delaware Bay coastline. In other places the difference between high and low tide can be much greater. Canada’s Bay of Fundy has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world. About 110 billion tons of water move in and out of the bay twice a day. That makes for a sea level change of more than 50 feet! Folklore claims the high tides there are caused by a giant whale splashing its tail on the water. In reality, several factors affect the intensity of tides in coastal waters, including the shape of the shoreline, the wind, and gravitational attractions of the sun and the moon. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

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Apply for TIDE Summer Camp (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Do you know a high schooler who has an interest in the marine environment? Applications are being accepted for this summer’s TIDE Camp. TIDE, short for Taking an Interest in Delaware’s Estuary, is a two-week camp that gives high schoolers an up-close look at the scientific processes of Delaware Bay. Campers spend time at the University of Delaware’s Newark campus and also at the Hugh R. Sharp Campus, located at the mouth of Delaware Bay in Lewes. Students learn about topics such as sea breezes, tides, habitat loss, species adaptation, and climate change. They also build their own underwater research vehicles, interact with faculty members, tour marshes, and study wildlife at the beach. Any high school student with an interest in the coast and strong math and science skills may apply. Learn more at ocean.udel.edu/TIDE. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Signs of Spring: Osprey Returns (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Warm weather and blooming flowers signify the changing season, but when the ospreys return to Delaware, you know spring is really here. Ospreys are birds of prey that live throughout the world, except in polar regions. Each winter the birds migrate south to warm places like the Caribbean and Brazil and each spring they return to their northern homes to mate and raise young. Keep an eye out this spring and you might see these birds right here in Delaware. They build their nests on dead trees or man-made platforms along the coast where they can easily hunt for fish, their favorite meal. Osprey are large — up to two feet long and with a six-foot wingspan — and they have special spikes on their feet to help them keep hold of their slippery prey. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Horseshoe Crab Model (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Horseshoe crabs are among the world’s oldest and most fascinating creatures. They inhabited Earth for at least 100 million years before the dinosaurs arrived! In the spring, thousands of the critters come to Delaware Bay beaches to spawn. To help people learn more about these amazing animals that live right here in Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program offers a full-color, three-dimensional model of the animal, which children or adults can assemble in approximately 15 minutes. The model also comes with interesting information about the animals — for example, did you know they are actually more closely related to spiders and scorpions than crabs? To order your own horseshoe crab model, call 302-831-8083. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Earth Day (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

It may be called “Earth Day” but remember, whatever you do on land affects the ocean too! So this Earth Day, think about what you can do for the coast. Help eliminate marine debris by picking up trash in your neighborhood or taking part in a beach clean up. You’ll
likely be surprised by the items you might find — everything from toys to toilet seats wash up on our beaches and degrade the natural habitat there. You can also help reduce the amount of hazardous materials flowing into our waterways by using less fertilizer on your grass or by washing your car on the lawn so harmful chemicals don’t run directly down a storm drain and into streams. For more tips on things you can do to help the ocean, visit deseagrant.org. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

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Seashore Mallow (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

The seashore mallow, a salt-tolerant plant known for its brilliant hibiscus-like blooms, may bring a whole new meaning to “flower power” thanks to work being done by Delaware Sea Grant researchers. They are examining seashore mallow’s potential as a biofuel and as a viable crop to grow on low-lying farmland that is increasingly exposed to salt water. The researchers are studying the plant at the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes and at a nearby field site. With further understanding of the native marsh perennial’s many strengths, including its oil-rich seeds, ability to grow on non-arable land, and erosion-fighting deep-root system, Delaware farmers may soon have an option for sustaining the ecological and economic uses of agricultural land threatened by sea-level rise. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Call for Coast Day Crab Cake Recipes (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Seafood lovers, here’s your chance to shine! Enter your favorite crab cake recipe in one of the region’s most popular cooking contests — the Coast Day Crab Cake Cook-Off. All recipes are due Friday, August 7th. Eight finalists will prepare their recipes for a panel of judges at Coast Day on Sunday, October 4th, at the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes. The crab cakes will be judged on originality, abundance of crab meat, taste, and texture. For more information and a registration form, call 302-645-4346 or visit decoastday.org. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

First Day of Summer (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Summer is here and it’s time to hit the beach. But be sure to take care of your trash. Trash left on the beach can harm the animals that live there. Birds, turtles, and other wildlife can become entangled in carelessly discarded fishing line. And they can mistake plastic for food. Once an animal eats marine debris — a plastic bag, cigarette butt, or bottle cap, for instance — they can develop a false feeling of being full, stop eating, and eventually starve. So when you go looking for sun and sand this summer, make sure to dispose of your trash properly by putting it in a garbage can or ashtray or taking it home with you. You can also pick up any trash that you see on the beach. In one recent clean-up event, volunteers collected more than 12,000 pounds of trash from Delaware’s shoreline and other waterways! This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Father's Day and Seahorses (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

In celebration of Father’s Day, the “World’s Best Dad” title could go to the male seahorse, which carries his mate’s eggs until they hatch from a pouch on his body. After about two weeks, fully developed tiny seahorses emerge ready to take on the world. Many people are familiar with seahorses — a type of fish known for its horse-shaped head and curled tail — but are often fascinated to learn that one seahorse species lives in Delaware Bay. The lined seahorse, which usually grows to about 5 or 6 inches long, is found from Nova Scotia to Venezuela. They like to eat small crustaceans or other animals that fit in their long, toothless snout. But they’re hard to spot. Seahorses use their supreme camouflage abilities to hide among pier pilings or their tails to cling to blades of seagrass. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

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Lewes Tours (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Want to learn how scientists are addressing ocean issues in environments all around the world, from the icy seas of the Antarctic to the mid-Atlantic coast? The University of Delaware offers free guided tours of its world-class research complex in Lewes Tuesday and Friday mornings this summer. The walking tours showcase various research projects being conducted on marine and coastal environments and on the different organisms that inhabit them. A short video on our research activities kicks off the tours, which are suitable for adults and children ages 12 and up. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Call 302-645-4346. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Marine Bookmarks (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

The red knot makes one of the longest annual migrations on Earth. The bird travels up to 9,300 miles from wintering grounds in South America to Arctic breeding grounds. During their spring migration, most red knots stop along Delaware Bay to fuel up on the eggs of spawning horseshoe crabs. You can learn more about the red knot and five other marine-related topics — and brighten up your summer reading — by ordering Delaware Sea Grant’s set of Delaware Bay bookmarks. In addition to helpful information, each bookmark includes a full-color image in the shape of a critter — a blue crab, summer flounder, great blue heron, horseshoe crab, or red knot — or a surf board, which reminds swimmers to be aware of rip currents. To order your free set of bookmarks, call 302-831-8083 or visit deseagrant.org. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Mole Crabs (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Less than one-inch long, and with speckled shells that blend into their sandy environment, mole crabs are some of smallest and hardiest creatures found on beaches along the Atlantic coast. Also known as sand crabs, beach hoppers, or sand bugs, these diminutive egg-shaped crustaceans live in a harsh environment, where breaking waves constantly wash over their hiding places beneath the sand. Burrowed tail-down to hide from predators like shorebirds, the crabs keep their feathery antennae poking up at the sand’s surface, allowing them to filter feed on microscopic plants and other organic matter pulled from the retreating waters. Look closely — their antennae give away their hiding spots by forming a v-shaped pattern in the receding waters. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Worldwide Ocean Research (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

UD’s marine researchers are tackling ocean and coastal issues here in Delaware, where they’re studying issues such as the water quality of Delaware’s inland bays and the health of our fisheries. But they also are conducting research in partnership with institutions as far away as China and on projects as remote as the Arctic and miles below the sea’s surface. One project is looking at the vulnerability of groundwater to sea-level rise in Bangladesh. That country, one of the most densely populated on Earth, relies on groundwater for everything from agriculture to drinking water, and if sea level rises, that resource could be at risk. Another study takes researchers to volcanoes on the ocean floor, where sprawling colonies of bright orange bacteria thrive on iron entering the water through cracks in the earth’s surface. Learn more at ocean.udel.edu. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Coast Day (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Discover the many ways that the ocean touches your life at the 33rd annual Coast Day! UD’s celebration of the sea will take place Sunday, October 4th, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes. Tour ships in the harbor, meet sea critters at touch tanks, and hear scientists share what they are learning about the ocean and our relationship with it. Coast Day also features a crab cake cook-off, children’s activities, lectures, research demonstrations, and much more. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 302-831-8083 or visit decoastday.org. .  This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Beach Plum (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Each spring, beach plums decorate Delaware’s coastline with delicate white clusters of blooms. But come autumn, the native shrubs provide a tasty encore presentation.  Beach plums thrive in the sandy soils of Delaware’s harsh coastal environment, where they often take the form of rounded shrubs that are 3 to 4 feet tall. They also can be found growing in sunny areas further inland, where they may be more tree-shaped and reach up to 10 feet in height. The fruits are about a half-inch in diameter and purple in color when they mature in the fall. They tend to have a sour taste, even when thoroughly ripe. However, small-scale jam producers transform the fruit into delicacies, supplying farm stands and specialty markets with a sweet treat prized by local residents. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

UD Airship (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

Blimps flying silently overhead are familiar sights at sporting events. Now University of Delaware scientists are pioneering the use of a similar vehicle for environmental research. UD’s new 60-foot airship is a novel way for researchers and students to gather data about the coastal landscape. The airship can be equipped with a variety of tools such as infrared cameras and a GPS system before being sent into the air. Depending on the instruments used, it can gather information on land-use and the shape of changing coastlines. The remote-controlled airship also lets scientists gather data on areas they want to survey repeatedly to watch for changes over time, at a much lower cost than renting a small plane.  This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Predicting Storm Surge (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

The mid-Atlantic coastline is shaped by short- and long-term environmental conditions, some of which can expose communities, properties, and people to a unique set of hazards. Coastal storms, for example, can erode beaches, flood low-lying areas, and cause wind damage to homes. Understanding and preparing for storms is increasingly important, especially as our coastal population continues to grow.  By developing tools that can predict storm surge and flooding, Delaware Sea Grant is helping communities deal with coastal hazards. In addition, Sea Grant is helping communities identify the risks associated with living, working, and doing business along the coast. These and other efforts will help government officials, coastal residents, and beach visitors protect lives and property. Learn more at deseagrant.org.  This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

AUV (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

University of Delaware scientists are helping develop the next generation of coastal research tools. One of those technologies is called an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, or AUV. This 9-foot torpedo-shaped device explores below the water’s surface, gathering information on water chemistry, including salinity, temperature, and oxygen levels, and taking video and high-tech images of the seafloor.  The AUV can operate in places and conditions where other research vessels and humans cannot — including very shallow waters and depths of more than 700 feet. Once submerged, the AUV can get close to features on the seafloor without disturbing them. These fascinating robots are the new frontier in ocean science and provide opportunities to see underwater environments seldom if ever explored. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Seafood for the Holidays (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

If you’re looking for ways to spice up your holiday menu this year, consider trying a new seafood recipe! Chock full of protein and vitamins, and low in total fat, seafood is good for you. Visit the Delaware Sea Grant web site to download delicious recipes, including the creative award-winners from the 2009 Coast Day Crab Cake Cook-Off and the Great Seafood Chowder Challenge. The recipes are fun to make and have a new twist every year. Try them out on your family and friends, and see if you agree with the Coast Day judges. For free copies of this year’s winning Coast Day recipes, call 302-831-8083 or visit deseagrant.org. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Atlantic Ribbed Mussels (Geukensia demissa) (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

You won’t find Atlantic ribbed mussels on many restaurant menus. Though this native creature is edible, it’s larger and tougher than its more delicious cousin, the blue mussel. Atlantic ribbed mussels, which are named for their corduroy-like shells, play an important role in the marsh ecosystem, where they can be found among grasses protruding from the mud. When the water level rises with the tide, they open their shells slightly and draw in water, which they filter for food such as algae. This filtering action does a great service for places like Delaware’s Inland Bays because it helps clarify and clean the water. In fact, a large group of ribbed mussels can filter and re-filter the entire volume of water entering a marsh during each tidal cycle! This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.

Sea Breeze (0:60)

This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

There’s nothing like the smell of the salty sea breeze. But sea breezes are more than just something for your senses. They help control local weather throughout the year. For example, they often cause weather changes that lead to afternoon showers along the coastline. One Delaware Sea Grant scientist is researching sea breeze in an effort to understand its possible connection to human activities. Increased development can change the surface of the land, including how it reflects or absorbs light and heat. Those changes can impact sea breeze, particularly how far off the coast it travels, its strength, and its ability to cause rainfall. As the population in coastal regions continues to increase, changes to sea breeze could impact the local climate — a key factor influencing the region’s agriculture and tourism industries. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.