Marine Biology Research Articles

Cryopreservation of Noble Scallop Mimachlamys nobilis sperm: Optimization study of cooling rate and thawing temperature

In marine biology reproduction research, the cryopreservation of sperm is a crucial area, especially for economically valuable species. Effective freezing techniques help maintain genetic diversity and support sustainable development in aquaculture. This study examined the effects of freezing protocols and thawing methods on the cryopreservation of Mimachlamys nobilis sperm. Experimental results indicated that a cooling rate of 5 °C/min and an equilibration time of 5 minutes were the most suitable conditions for maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the sperm. Comparisons of different thawing temperatures showed that 38 °C provided the best results, minimizing ice recrystallization and cellular damage. Additionally, it was found that a 10 % concentration of DMSO effectively balanced protection and cytotoxicity, maintaining sperm viability and motility. Transmission electron microscopy further revealed the impact of freezing conditions on sperm, including damage to the plasma membrane, dissolution, blurring and swelling of the acrosome and mitochondria, and cristae fragmentation and loss. This study emphasizes the importance of optimizing freezing and thawing protocols and accurately controlling cryoprotectant concentration, providing key insights for the effective long-term preservation of M.nobilis sperm. This is significant for the conservation of marine organisms and aquaculture.

Results from a multi-laboratory ocean metaproteomic intercomparison: effects of LC-MS acquisition and data analysis procedures

Abstract. Metaproteomics is an increasingly popular methodology that provides information regarding the metabolic functions of specific microbial taxa and has potential for contributing to ocean ecology and biogeochemical studies. A blinded multi-laboratory intercomparison was conducted to assess comparability and reproducibility of taxonomic and functional results and their sensitivity to methodological variables. Euphotic zone samples from the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) in the North Atlantic Ocean collected by in situ pumps and the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Clio were distributed with a paired metagenome, and one-dimensional (1D) liquid chromatographic data-dependent acquisition mass spectrometry analysis was stipulated. Analysis of mass spectra from seven laboratories through a common bioinformatic pipeline identified a shared set of 1056 proteins from 1395 shared peptide constituents. Quantitative analyses showed good reproducibility: pairwise regressions of spectral counts between laboratories yielded R2 values averaged 0.62±0.11, and a Sørensen similarity analysis of the top 1000 proteins revealed 70 %–80 % similarity between laboratory groups. Taxonomic and functional assignments showed good coherence between technical replicates and different laboratories. A bioinformatic intercomparison study, involving 10 laboratories using eight software packages, successfully identified thousands of peptides within the complex metaproteomic datasets, demonstrating the utility of these software tools for ocean metaproteomic research. Lessons learned and potential improvements in methods were described. Future efforts could examine reproducibility in deeper metaproteomes, examine accuracy in targeted absolute quantitation analyses, and develop standards for data output formats to improve data interoperability. Together, these results demonstrate the reproducibility of metaproteomic analyses and their suitability for microbial oceanography research, including integration into global-scale ocean surveys and ocean biogeochemical models.

Emily Lawless, Natural History, and the Possibilities of Enchantment

Natural History – including entomology, marine zoology, and botany – enjoyed a significant vogue in the late nineteenth century, coinciding with the much more widely celebrated and discussed literary and cultural revival. These, I argue, are not distinct but rather entwined movements. Placing the Irish novelist, poet and scientist Emily Lawless (1845–1913) within this context, and examining both her scientific research and novels including Major Lawrence F.L.S (1885) and The Book of Gilly (1906), this article explores the overlapping modes of science and literature in the work, and suggests that Lawless’s sustained and committed engagement in naturalist study in Ireland led to an attempt to harness the discourses of natural science into narratives of spiritual and national resurgence. Whereas many contemporaries – Yeats among them – rejected science as a disenchanting force, Lawless provides an illuminating counter-example, whose scepticism regarding the occult spiritualities of her Revival contemporaries led her to develop an alternative form of positivist spirituality which foregrounded the materiality of the natural world and the spiritual potential of close, detailed scientific study.

Scientometric Analysis of Water Ecology Research: Insights from Chinese Ocean Universities

In response to increasing concerns about water ecology sustainability, this paper employs scientometric analysis to examine research trends at seven leading Chinese ocean universities from 2010 to 2021. Using CiteSpace software to analyze data from the Web of Science, we explored a comprehensive dataset of dissertations and published papers across disciplines such as water ecology, marine biology, fisheries, and environmental sciences. Our analysis shows a significant rise in research output after 2016, highlighting the pivotal role these universities play in advancing water ecology research. Through keyword co-occurrence and clustering analyses, we identified shifting research focuses, ranging from biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics to emerging topics like water quality management and ecological restoration. This study not only consolidates existing research achievements but also provides valuable insights for shaping future research directions in water ecology.

The Legal Regime of the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction in the BBNJ Agreement and Lessons Learned for Space Law

As a result of the discussions on ocean pollution in recent years, the ‘Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction’ (also known as the BBNJ Agreement) was signed on 4 March 2023. One of the most notable aspects of the Agreement in question is that it imposes certain responsibilities on states in a region that are not subject to the sovereignty of any state, while states may extend their jurisdictional authority to these regions only in the case of certain exceptions such as registration.This development can serve as a significant illustrative record of the interaction between environmental protection and state accountability in places like Antarctica or outer space, which are also not under state jurisdiction. This study addresses the lessons learned from the BBNJ Agreement for the environmental protection of outer space by examining benefit-sharing mechanisms, area management tools, and environmental impact assessment in the BBNJ Agreement and makes suggestions on how to strengthen the protection of the space environment through these mechanisms.

Fabulous but Forgotten Fucoid Forests

ABSTRACTFucoid forests are areas dominated by marine brown seaweed in the taxonomic order Fucales that, like the better‐known marine foundation species—corals, kelps, seagrasses, salt marshes, and mangroves—are threatened by anthropogenic stressors. Fucoid forests are fabulous and important because they, like the better‐known marine foundation species (i) span large areas, bioregions, and ecosystems, (ii) provide ecological functions such as high productivity, biodiversity, and habitat for iconic and endemic species, and (iii) support a variety of ecosystem services, like commercial fisheries, regulation of nutrients and carbon, and cultural values. Fucoid forests are, based on a new citation analysis, forgotten worldwide, because they are described orders of magnitude less than the better‐known marine foundation species, in ecology and marine biology textbooks, in Google Scholar and Scopus databases over scientific literature, and in recent reports and reviews about seaweed forests. Fucoid forests would be less forgotten if more people acknowledge their biological importance and societal value more often and equate their importance to that of the better‐known marine foundation species. To decrease the knowledge gap between fucoids and the better‐known foundation species, researchers and science communicators could join forces under a broad “fucoid umbrella,” establish stronger online presences, coordinate and collaborate on publications, and produce free eye‐catching non‐technical materials for teachers, managers, politicians, grass‐root organizations, philanthropists, and funding agencies.

Trace metal evolution of the Late Cretaceous Ocean

The Cenomanian-Turonian boundary (Late Cretaceous) witnessed the last spectacular manifestation of Mesozoic Anoxic Events (OAE 2, ~94 Ma), marked by a prominent carbon isotope excursion (CIE) and burial of organic-matter-rich sediments under high atmospheric CO2 concentrations. But the Late Cretaceous generally was a time of profound environmental change. OAE 2 was preceded by other CIEs, including the Mid-Cenomanian Event (MCE), and was punctuated by a short re‑oxygenation and cooling event (the Plenus Cold Event, PCE). Extensive previous studies, including many trace metal studies, have focused on OAE 2, but there is still debate concerning the degree of drawdown of oceanic trace metal reservoirs during OAE 2, whether this drawdown is global or local, its causes and consequences for ocean ecology. Here, we present records of eight trace metals, over about 5 Myr of the Late Cretaceous, from the Tarfaya Basin in the proto-North Atlantic. The long records from a core preserving a continuous sedimentary succession allow us to set changes occurring across OAE 2 in the broader context of Late Cretaceous, including the lead up to OAE 2. Moreover, the multiple trace metal dataset allows us to broadly investigate the oceanographic setting in the context of recent studies of multiple trace metals in modern organic-rich sediments aimed at refining the proxies.Trace metal enrichments in these organic-rich sediments are discussed on three different timescales. Firstly, comparison of these Late Cretaceous sediments with modern organic-rich sediments are consistent with deposition in an open ocean upwelling margin in the Late Cretaceous, very like the modern Peru or Namibian Margin, although the deep proto-North Atlantic was probably partially restricted. Secondly, in common with previous studies, metal/TOC ratios often show sharp drops in the early part of OAE 2. Thirdly, however, this sharp drop occurs within a framework of pseudo-cyclical variations in metal/TOC, with a period of about 143 ±19 kyr (1 SD), that is a feature of these long records well before OAE 2, including across the MCE. Different metals respond differently to the perturbation in the early part of OAE 2 itself. Simple mass balance considerations suggest that trace metal drawdown with organic carbon must be at least partially compensated by changes in the rate of chemical weathering on the continents, as previously inferred from Li and Ca isotopes. Moreover, changes in the patterns of variation between different metals, as well as covariation of metal/TOC ratios and Os isotopes, hint at changes in the pattern of chemical weathering, most prominently in the contribution of mafic rocks to the chemical weathering flux.

Tarakan city's marine potential as a teaching material for marine biology: A systematic literature review

This is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) research that aims to identify the marine potential of Tarakan City which can be used as teaching material in Marine Biology courses. Search using the Publish or Perish 8 application by analyzing articles indexed by Google Scholar and Crossref. After carrying out the process of identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion, a total of 9 articles were obtained, consisting of 6 Google Scholar articles and 3 Crossref articles. The entire article was analyzed for its suitability with the material content in the marine biology semester learning plan (RPS). Findings of this study show that the marine biota of Tarakan City that can be used as teaching materials for marine biology are seaweed, Signus Jjavus fish, Harpadon nehereus, Ilisha elongate, Protista, and Mangroves Research locations at Amal Beach, Binalatung Beach, Mamburungan, Juata waters, Juata Laut waters, KKMB Tarakan City, and Sadau Island, Indonesia. These articles can be used as teaching material for marine biology regarding the geographical conditions of Indonesian seas, marine animals, marine plants, marine biogeochemical cycles, marine primary productivity, coastal biota, mangrove biota, and research methods for plankton, benthos, and nekton. This research contributes to the planning and preparing of marine biology learning resources based on local potential.

Reinforcement learning-based framework for whale rendezvous via autonomous sensing robots.

Rendezvous with sperm whales for biological observations is made challenging by their prolonged dive patterns. Here, we propose an algorithmic framework that codevelops multiagent reinforcement learning-based routing (autonomy module) and synthetic aperture radar-based very high frequency (VHF) signal-based bearing estimation (sensing module) for maximizing rendezvous opportunities of autonomous robots with sperm whales. The sensing module is compatible with low-energy VHF tags commonly used for tracking wildlife. The autonomy module leverages in situ noisy bearing measurements of whale vocalizations, VHF tags, and whale dive behaviors to enable time-critical rendezvous of a robot team with multiple whales in simulation. We conducted experiments at sea in the native habitat of sperm whales using an "engineered whale"-a speedboat equipped with a VHF-emitting tag, emulating five distinct whale tracks, with different whale motions. The sensing module shows a median bearing error of 10.55° to the tag. Using bearing measurements to the engineered whale from an acoustic sensor and our sensing module, our autonomy module gives an aggregate rendezvous success rate of 81.31% for a 500-meter rendezvous distance using three robots in postprocessing. A second class of fielded experiments that used acoustic-only bearing measurements to three untagged sperm whales showed an aggregate rendezvous success rate of 68.68% for a 1000-meter rendezvous distance using two robots in postprocessing. We further validated these algorithms with several ablation studies using a sperm whale visual encounter dataset collected by marine biologists.

Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho’s scientific correspondence: historical connections between oceanography and marine biology from Portugal (1919–1949)

This article presents Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho’s scientific correspondence between 1919 and 1949, both nationally and internationally. It consists of 181 unpublished letters, exchanged with 30 relevant figures belonging to 11 countries, including France, the UK, Croatia, Japan, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Morocco, Belgium and Spain. This correspondence shows a network among different research institutions devoted to the marine sciences. This includes biological stations, such as the Istituto Italo-Germanico di Biologia Marina, laboratories and museums, e. g. the British Museum of Natural History. At the national level, the correspondence between Ramalho and Augusto Nobre represents a historical axis between Lisbon and Porto, involving two of the most relevant scientists in the fields of oceanography and marine biology. At the international level, Ramalho corresponded with personalities such as Henry Gascoyne Maurice and other members of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, including for example the oceanographer Vagn Walfrid Ekman. This correspondence represents an archival discovery of the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere in Lisbon, marking a decisive historical scientific moment for both Portuguese and international contexts in the field of marine sciences. This article aims to reconstruct Portugal’s internal and external networks.

From wild to captive: Understanding the main nutritional diseases of sharks in public aquariums.

The establishment of a well-adapted and accurate feeding regimen is a fundamental determining factor in the maintenance of shark species in captivity. Replicating the natural diet in captivity is commonly accepted and recommended. Given the diverse nutritional composition of prey, supplementation may become necessary. The captive environment poses unique challenges, making sharks susceptible to an array of health issues, including numerous diseases. Mitigating these risks demands detailed husbandry practices, an appropriate physical environment and a balanced diet. Supplementation, encompassing vitamins and minerals, becomes imperative for the provision of essential nutrients. This complexity has rendered the formulation of an adapted feeding plan for aquarists exceptionally challenging. The scarcity of information in these species adds to the issue, mandating extrapolation from various shark groups and to species with analogous characteristics. This literature review concentrates predominantly on benthic and pelagic shark species prevalent in contemporary aquariums. The central argument posits that dietary choices in captivity rely on factors such as availability, quality and consistency of supply. The advocated approach highlights the importance of a balanced, diverse feeding that closely mirrors natural diets. It is then crucial to emphasize that these are general guidelines, and the specific dietary requisites may diverge between shark species. Collaborating with experts in marine biology, shark husbandry and veterinary care is imperative for the formulation and perpetuation of an adapted diet for captive sharks.

Riverine nutrient impact on global ocean nitrogen cycle feedbacks and marine primary production in an Earth system model

Abstract. Riverine nutrient export is an important process in marine coastal biogeochemistry and also impacts global marine biology. The nitrogen cycle is a key player here. Internal feedbacks are shown to regulate not only nitrogen distribution, but also primary production and thereby oxygen concentrations. Phosphorus is another essential nutrient and interacts with the nitrogen cycle via different feedback mechanisms. After a previous study of the marine nitrogen cycle response to riverine nitrogen supply, here we include phosphorus from river export with different phosphorus burial scenarios and study the impact of phosphorus alone and in combination with nitrogen in a global 3D ocean biogeochemistry model. Again, we analyse the effects on near-coastal and open-ocean biogeochemistry. We find that riverine export of bioavailable phosphorus alone or in conjunction with nitrogen affects marine biology on millennial timescales more than riverine nitrogen alone. Biogeochemical feedbacks in the marine nitrogen cycle are strongly influenced by additional phosphorus. Where bioavailable phosphorus increases with river input, nitrogen concentration increases as well, except for in regions with diminishing oxygen concentrations. High phosphorus burial rates decrease biological production significantly. Globally, the addition of riverine phosphorus in the modelled ocean leads to elevated primary production rates in the coastal and open oceans.

Topological analysis of the three-dimensional radiodensity distribution of fish otoliths: Point sampling effects on dimensionality reduction

Otoliths are calcified structures found in the inner ears of teleost fish, pivotal in marine biology for studies on metabolism, age, growth, and the identification of fish stocks, potentially leading to sustainable management practices. An important feature of this structure is its density, as it corresponds to modifications in the crystalline form of calcium carbonate during the fish's lifetime, resulting in variations in its final shape. The internal and external 3D radiodensity of otoliths from different species was obtained utilizing micro-computed tomography, however, an appropriate methodology for describing and conducting comparative studies on these data appears to be absent in the current body of literature. Therefore, we study otolith density variations from 3D computed tomography images, employing the Ball Mapper technique of Topological Data Analysis. We focus on reducing the computational cost of this analysis by applying probabilistic sampling and assessing its effects on the density variations provided by the Ball Mapper graph. To determine the sample size, we used the topology to establish what we term "Topological Sample Validation", which provided the minimum resolution with the same density information as raw data. Sample representativeness was validated through non-parametric statistical tests on the density variable. Based on the network's structural characteristics, network properties allowed for evaluating similarity between graphs. Besides the small sample size, remarkable correlations were obtained between age and network variables. Additionally, the Ball Mapper technique proved effective as a preprocessing algorithm for tomographic images, enabling the segmentation of undesired features in the object of interest.

Sustainable development and utilization of marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction: A Chinese perspective.

Breakthroughs in marine science and technology have profoundly expanded our knowledge of the ocean, driving unprecedented levels of marine resource utilization. Consequently, the immense value of marine genetic resources (MGRs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) has catapulted them to the forefront of international competition. In response to the existing gap in international legal frameworks governing the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in ABNJ, the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) was adopted on 19 June 2023. This study aimed to explore China's participation in this new frontier of global ocean governance, focusing on the opportunities and challenges it faces. By employing document analysis and policy analysis, the study delved into international legal frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the BBNJ Agreement, as well as China's domestic policies related to marine resource development. It systematically examined the relevant legal frameworks and their historical contexts. Additionally, comparative analysis was used to contrast the policy-making and development practices of developed and developing countries, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of China's role and challenges in the sustainable use of MGRs in ABNJ. It is concluded that while China has made remarkable progress in MGR research, it still lags behind traditional maritime powers in patent accumulation and the commercialization of MGRs. China also lacks comprehensive domestic legislation to address issues such as benefit-sharing and effective regulation of MGRs in ABNJ. Therefore, China must enhance its scientific research and innovation capabilities, actively participate in the follow-up work of the BBNJ Agreement, and promote global marine biodiversity conservation guided by the concept of a Maritime Community with a Shared Future.

Hybridization and growth characteristics of interspecific crosses between Crassostrea hongkongensis and Crassostrea iredalei

Interspecific hybridization of oysters is a highly efficient breeding strategy that can produce commercially viable phenotypes. Crassostrea hongkongensis, the primary cultivar in southern China, faces increasing summer mortality risks and slow growth rates, which elevate commercial risks for farmers. C. iredalei, a commercially cultivated species in Southeast Asia, has been expanding its ecological niche northward in recent years, providing opportunities for interspecific hybridization with C. hongkongensis. This study conducted a 2 × 2 factorial cross between C. hongkongensis and C. iredalei (II: C. iredalei ♀ × C. iredalei ♂, HH: C. hongkongensis ♀ × C. hongkongensis ♂; IH: C. iredalei ♀ × C. hongkongensis ♂, HI: C. hongkongensis ♀ × C. iredalei ♂) and set up 6 salinity treatments (14, 17, 20, 23, 26 and 29 ppt) to explore the optimal salinity for embryo hatching. The results showed that the hybridization was successful, despite bidirectional fertilization and pronounced asymmetry in fertilization success. The optimal hatching salinity for C. iredalei and C. hongkongensis was 23 ppt and 17–20 ppt, respectively, while the optimal salinity for reciprocal hybrids was 20 ppt. Notably, the hatching rate of IH was lower than that of the control group at the optimal salinity. During the pelagic larval stage, hybrid larvae exhibited significant hybrid inferiority, with slower growth rates and higher mortality rates compared to intraspecific hybridization. It is worth noting that IH failed to overcome genetic incompatibility, resulting in complete mortality during the pelagic larval stage and failure to enter the growth stage. At the 360th day of the growth period, HI hybrids grown in Sanbaimen Sea exhibited significant hybrid vigor in shell height (15.65 %), and in Daya Bay Marine Biology Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences (MBRS), they showed significant single-parent hybrid advantages in shell height (28.44 %) and cumulative survival rate (58.11 %) compared to C. hongkongensis. In terms of gonadal development, HI hybrids were able to produce functional and viable gametes, although with some delay compared to their parents. The hybrid offspring inherited the phenotypic traits of their parents, with a grayish-yellow flesh color intermediate between the two oyster species. HI is a valuable genetic resource for oyster breeding, and its growth potential should be further explored to meet commercialization demands.

IR spectra simulations by anharmonic DFT and CDFT-saturated and unsaturated fatty acids of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt,1869)

The Siberian sturgeon is one of the most remarkable species in the field of aquatic biology which also has ecological importance, commercial significance, and nutritional characteristics. The purpose of this study is to determine the fatty acid content of different organs of Siberian sturgeon through both theoretical and experimental techniques to compare oxidative stability of the samples in terms of fatty acid profile. For this purpose, the fatty acid content of flesh, brain, caviar and liver of sturgeon was determined by gas chromatography and the middle infrared spectra of tissues were collected by an infrared spectrofotometer. The fatty acid content of samples was also computed by anharmonic DFT and CDFT calculations using IR spectra. Oleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in all tissues. All tissues accumulated by docosahexanoic, eicosapentanoic and linolenic acids. The PCA model was able to classified the tissues with respect to fatty acid contents. Comprehensive anharmonic DFT calculations were performed to better understand the fatty acid of samples at the atomistic level and to predict the spectra of more complex food samples with varying fatty acid compositions. Oxidative stabilities of fatty acids were also investigated through Conceptual DFT based computations. Maximum Hardness and Minimum Electrophilicity Principles accurately predicted saturated and unsaturated fatty acids of sturgeon as the experimental data revealed.

International Legal Regulation of Biodiversity Conservation in Northern Latitudes (Part 2)

International scientific and technical cooperation is critically important for making effective decisions and measures to manage Arctic biodiversity. The 2017 Agreement on Strengthening International Arctic Scientific Cooperation creates a solid legal basis for intensifying current and designing new scientific research in order to obtain the best scientific data as a basis for conservation and resource management. The basis of the international legal regime for the conservation and management of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction in the Arctic is the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. International legal acts on fisheries regulation have been adopted for all four areas of the high seas in the Arctic. The study of the Agreement on the Prevention of Unregulated Fishing on the High Seas in the central part of the 2018 SLA revealed significant shortcomings: when determining the spatial scope of application, an ecosystem approach is not used; a precautionary approach to fishing is not taken into account; the basis for the creation of a regional fisheries management organization is not created; the issue of fishing by third States remains open. The Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction 2023 develops a number of institutions, including IOE and EIA. An analysis of its provisions indicates the inexpediency of Russia’s participation in it, taking into account the existence of the 2017 Agreement and a significant system of organizations involved in the implementation of joint marine research projects. The 2023 Agreement is not capable of having a significant positive effect on international cooperation in the conservation of Arctic biodiversity, but on the contrary will create additional obstacles to scientific research and impose financial burdens.See the beginning: Lex russica. 2024;77(8):112-129. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.17803/1729-5920.2024.213.8.112-129.

Transnational maritime environmental crime and the BBNJ Agreement

Marine areas beyond national jurisdiction are a prime target for transnational maritime environmental crime due to a fragmented international legal framework and a lack of coordination and cooperation between governance and institutional structures. On 19 June 2023, member States of the United Nations adopted the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). As the third Implementing Agreement to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC), the BBNJ Agreement seeks to secure the long term protection and integrated management of marine biodiversity through the effective implementation of relevant provisions of the LOSC and by strengthening and promoting cooperation and coordination between and among relevant legal instruments, frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies. This article examines the relationship between the BBNJ Agreement and transnational maritime environmental crime and considers ways the instrument could assist in efforts to combat such crime. As part of this analysis, this article explores how the BBNJ Agreement could provide an important platform for the formation of key partnerships and alliances by means of regional and bilateral dialogues, outreach and coalition-building to address transnational maritime environmental crime and mobilize and sustain the momentum for global action on this issue.

STEM Enrollment Decision Trees as Graduation Predictors for Community College Students Enrolled in Remedial Mathematics

Objective/Research Question: Community college graduation rates are typically quite low, and developmental mathematics enrollment and coursetaking patterns may constrain academic outcomes. To identify ways in which community college graduation rates may be improved, decision trees were utilized to examine the STEM coursetaking patterns of N = 5,065 students who matriculated in remedial mathematics. Methods: The research design was guided by Tinto’s academic and social integration framework, which provided an analytical lens for identifying how decision trees facilitate academic decision making when academic and social integration is limited. Decision trees identified course sequence rules to predict graduation, which can be used to formulate course pathways for community college advisors and their students. Results: Nine rules from the decision tree were identified, which could be used to advise community college students in coursetaking that aligns with career aspirations. The most important variable predicting graduation was completing College-Level Mathematics, which included Algebra II, Statistics, Precalculus, and survey mathematics courses. General education sciences courses such as Astronomy, Geology, Environmental Science, and Marine Biology were the most important science courses predicting graduation. Conclusions/Contributions: Results suggest the importance of College-Level Mathematics in providing the skills necessary for students to be successful in subsequent STEM coursework and persist to graduation. Designating specific academic pathways may improve social and academic integration and graduation rates, providing continuity as students work with different advisors to choose majors and plan course sequences. Transparent, accessible enrollment planning fosters programmatic consistency and student agency in selecting coursework that will maximize their success.

A Tale of Many Marine Stations: 150 Years of Marine Ecology in the Eastern English Channel

AbstractLong before marine laboratories were commonplace, a few visionary scientists created the first of a growing number of biological field stations in the second half of the 19th century. This article tells the 150‐year tale of the rise and fall of six marine stations that belonged to three different universities and were sometimes operated simultaneously along a stretch of merely ten kilometers of the French coastline of the eastern English Channel. Specifically, I focus on the intellectual lineages, sense of brotherhood, rivalries, and even the indifference between individuals and institutions that shaped the local scientific landscape and paved the way for what became modern marine biology and ecology, and oceanography.