Giant Grenadier
The Grenadier is a Deep-Water Benthopelagic Macrourid found in the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea in Depths of 200-2,170 Meters. Few Macrourid Species are Commercially Targeted by United States Fisheries, but in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea many are caught Incidentally by Trawl and Longline Fishermen.
Grenadiers are related to Hakes and Cods that occur World-Wide in all Oceans. Also known as “Rattails”, they are especially abundant in Waters of the Continental Slope, but some Species are found at Abyssal Depths. At least Seven Species of Grenadiers are known to occur in Alaskan Waters, but only Three are commonly found at Depths Shallow enough to be Encountered in Commercial Fishing Operations or in Fish Surveys: Pacific Srenadier, and Popeye Srenadier. Of these, Giant Grenadier has the Shallowest Depth Distribution and the Largest apparent Biomass, and hence is by far the most Frequently caught Grenadier in Alaska. This Species ranges from Baja California, Mexico around the Arc of the North Pacific to Japan, including the Bering Sea, and it is the L
argest in Size of all the World’s Srenadiers. In Alaska, it is especially abundant on the Continental Slope in Waters 400-1,000 M. Depth, where it is the Dominant Species in terms of Biomass and therefore of Great Ecological importance. Virtually all the catch of Giant Grenadier in Alaska has been taken as Bycatch in Fisheries Directed at other Species, particularly Sablefish and Greenland Turbot. Although Giant Grenadier do not appear to be overfished at present, their slow Growth, Longevity, and Deep-Sea Habitat make them
particularly Vulnerable to Overfishing. Consequently, Fishery Scientists need to
continue Monitoring these Fish, especially if catches increase in the Future.
The Grenadier is a Deep-Water Benthopelagic Macrourid found in the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea in Depths of 200-2,170 Meters. Few Macrourid Species are Commercially Targeted by United States Fisheries, but in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea many are caught Incidentally by Trawl and Longline Fishermen.
Grenadiers are related to Hakes and Cods that occur World-Wide in all Oceans. Also known as “Rattails”, they are especially abundant in Waters of the Continental Slope, but some Species are found at Abyssal Depths. At least Seven Species of Grenadiers are known to occur in Alaskan Waters, but only Three are commonly found at Depths Shallow enough to be Encountered in Commercial Fishing Operations or in Fish Surveys: Pacific Srenadier, and Popeye Srenadier. Of these, Giant Grenadier has the Shallowest Depth Distribution and the Largest apparent Biomass, and hence is by far the most Frequently caught Grenadier in Alaska. This Species ranges from Baja California, Mexico around the Arc of the North Pacific to Japan, including the Bering Sea, and it is the L
argest in Size of all the World’s Srenadiers. In Alaska, it is especially abundant on the Continental Slope in Waters 400-1,000 M. Depth, where it is the Dominant Species in terms of Biomass and therefore of Great Ecological importance. Virtually all the catch of Giant Grenadier in Alaska has been taken as Bycatch in Fisheries Directed at other Species, particularly Sablefish and Greenland Turbot. Although Giant Grenadier do not appear to be overfished at present, their slow Growth, Longevity, and Deep-Sea Habitat make them
particularly Vulnerable to Overfishing. Consequently, Fishery Scientists need to
continue Monitoring these Fish, especially if catches increase in the Future.
Dumbo Octopus
The Dumbo Octopus is Named for their Ear-like Fins that Protrude from the top of their Heads. Aside from their Identifying Features, Dumbo Octopuses can reach up to 6 Feet, Weigh around 13 Pounds, and live very Deep in the Ocean: between
13,000 and 23,000 Feet. They use their Fins to Pulse the Water and Hunt for Food on the Sea Floor, Often Swallowing their Prey Whole.
The Dumbo Octopus is Named for their Ear-like Fins that Protrude from the top of their Heads. Aside from their Identifying Features, Dumbo Octopuses can reach up to 6 Feet, Weigh around 13 Pounds, and live very Deep in the Ocean: between
13,000 and 23,000 Feet. They use their Fins to Pulse the Water and Hunt for Food on the Sea Floor, Often Swallowing their Prey Whole.
Fur Seals
The Northern Fur Seals have a Stocky Body, Small Head, and a very Short Snout. Their hind Flippers can Measure up to One-Forth of their total Body Length. Males are much Heavier, Longer, Larger Chested, have Larger Necks, and Larger Shoulders than Females. Males can grow up to: 7 Feet, 600 lb.. Females can grow up to: 5 Feet, 130 lb.. Fur Seals can leave for approximately 10 Years (for Males) and approximately 27 Years (for Females). Theres Seals have very dense Coats that end at the Wrist line of their Flippers.
Males establish Territories in early May. Females then arrive around Mid-June to early July and give Birth to One Pup. During the Breeding Season, Females alternate between Feeding at Sea, where they Forage for Sish and Squid, and Nursing on the Shore. Upon returning, Mothers identify their Pups from Vocalizations and, when closer, Scent. When the Bredding Season Ends, the Seals travel South and remain "Pelagic" for the Winter Migration Perion (October-November to May-June).
Northern Fur Seals have two Habitats: the Open Ocean for Foraging, and Rocky Beaches for Reproduction. Adult Fur Seals Spend more than 300 Days per Year (80% of their Time) Foraging at Sea. The North Pacific Transition Zone is an important Productive Region. Breeding Seals tend to Haul-out on Rocky Beaches but colonies can use broad Sandy Beaches as well.
Northern Fur Seals Breed at 6 Locations in the North Pacific and Bering Sea. Three of these Locations (Pribilof Islands, Bogoslof Island, and San Miguel Island) are in the United States and the other Three (Commander Islands, Kuril Island, and Robben Islands) are in Russia. The Pribilof Islans support the largest Breeding Rookery of Northern Fur Seals (57% of the Worlds Fur Seal Population). In the Winter, the Southern Boundary of the Northern Fur Seals Range estends across the Pacific Ocean, between Southern California and the Okhotsk Sea and Honshu Islans, Japan. In the Spring, most Fur Seals Migrate North to Breeding Colonies in the Bering Sea. Male Northern Fur Seals leave the Breeding Colony in September and Spend most of their Time in the Bering Sea and North Pacific Ocean along the Aleutian Islands. Females return to Sea by late October and generally Travel to either the Central North Pacific or South along the California Coast to Feed. Some may Spend all Year around San Miguel Island.
The First Fur Seals to Populate San Miguel Islans likely Migrated from the Pribilof Islands. The Population grew steadily in the 1950's and early 1960's. A small Population has developed on the South Farllon Island (off the Coast of California), presumably Immigrants from San Miguel Island.
The Northern Fur Seals have a Stocky Body, Small Head, and a very Short Snout. Their hind Flippers can Measure up to One-Forth of their total Body Length. Males are much Heavier, Longer, Larger Chested, have Larger Necks, and Larger Shoulders than Females. Males can grow up to: 7 Feet, 600 lb.. Females can grow up to: 5 Feet, 130 lb.. Fur Seals can leave for approximately 10 Years (for Males) and approximately 27 Years (for Females). Theres Seals have very dense Coats that end at the Wrist line of their Flippers.
Males establish Territories in early May. Females then arrive around Mid-June to early July and give Birth to One Pup. During the Breeding Season, Females alternate between Feeding at Sea, where they Forage for Sish and Squid, and Nursing on the Shore. Upon returning, Mothers identify their Pups from Vocalizations and, when closer, Scent. When the Bredding Season Ends, the Seals travel South and remain "Pelagic" for the Winter Migration Perion (October-November to May-June).
Northern Fur Seals have two Habitats: the Open Ocean for Foraging, and Rocky Beaches for Reproduction. Adult Fur Seals Spend more than 300 Days per Year (80% of their Time) Foraging at Sea. The North Pacific Transition Zone is an important Productive Region. Breeding Seals tend to Haul-out on Rocky Beaches but colonies can use broad Sandy Beaches as well.
Northern Fur Seals Breed at 6 Locations in the North Pacific and Bering Sea. Three of these Locations (Pribilof Islands, Bogoslof Island, and San Miguel Island) are in the United States and the other Three (Commander Islands, Kuril Island, and Robben Islands) are in Russia. The Pribilof Islans support the largest Breeding Rookery of Northern Fur Seals (57% of the Worlds Fur Seal Population). In the Winter, the Southern Boundary of the Northern Fur Seals Range estends across the Pacific Ocean, between Southern California and the Okhotsk Sea and Honshu Islans, Japan. In the Spring, most Fur Seals Migrate North to Breeding Colonies in the Bering Sea. Male Northern Fur Seals leave the Breeding Colony in September and Spend most of their Time in the Bering Sea and North Pacific Ocean along the Aleutian Islands. Females return to Sea by late October and generally Travel to either the Central North Pacific or South along the California Coast to Feed. Some may Spend all Year around San Miguel Island.
The First Fur Seals to Populate San Miguel Islans likely Migrated from the Pribilof Islands. The Population grew steadily in the 1950's and early 1960's. A small Population has developed on the South Farllon Island (off the Coast of California), presumably Immigrants from San Miguel Island.
AN ANCIENT CHINESE MYTH
When the world was a new-created place, the gods decided to appoint one creature to see that it ran smoothly and to oversee all other creatures. The creature they selected was the cat. Thoughtful and contemplative, cats were given the power of speech in order to talk with the creator gods and give instructions to the other creatures who shared the world. For a long time all seemed to go well.
Cats, however, were sybaritic creatures. Rather than attend to the mundane, day-to-day running of a world, they wanted to doze in sunbeams on beds of fragrant catnip and matatabi vine. The creator gods saw this and asked the cats whether they were doing anything to ensure the smooth running of this newly made world.
"Running a world is not of great interest to us," said the cats, "we are content to roll on the grass and chase butterflies when the mood takes us. Mostly we let the world run itself so that we can enjoy the simple pleasures of warm sunshine and fresh, scented air."
The gods asked the cats to be more diligent in the running of the newly made world and the cats promised to pay a little more attention to their allotted task. Some while later, the gods paid another visit to their vibrant new world and they found the cats sleeping under cherry trees or playing with falling cherry blossoms. Once more they questioned the cats' dedication to overseeing the world.
"Running a world is, to be honest, a rather boring task. It is much more fun to sleep comfortably under cherry trees and frolic among the falling blossom," said the cats, "however, we will try to pay more attention to the business of being in charge of the world - it is a great responsibility."
The gods chastised the cats a second time and went away full of hope that the cats would pay closer attention to the running of the world the gods had given them. However, on a third visit, the gods found the cats chasing floating thistledown in the late summer sunshine.
"To be perfectly honest," the cats said, "we've realised that we really don't want the bother of running a world. We've noticed that one of your creatures shows much more promise in this respect, perhaps you could give the task of running a world to them so that we can spend our time enjoying the pleasures this world has to offer."
The gods reluctantly agreed, but on one condition. Those appointed to run the world required the power of speech. Therefore cats would no longer be able to talk and the other creature, called humans, would be endowed with speech. And while man busied himself about running the world and remaking it to his own liking and filling it with chatter, cats basked in scented sunshine with inscrutable expressions.
From that day on, mankind gained the power of speech while cats enjoyed the delights the world had to offer - sunshine, scents, textures and things to chase or play with. But the gods never forgot that the cat was their first chosen one to run the world and made them timekeepers so that humans could always tell the time of day by looking into a cat's eyes. In the morning their eyes are pools of blackness rimmed with gold; at noon they are mere black slits on disks of gold while in the evening they open out into pools of blackness
once more.
Not only that, the purring of the cat is the sound of the machinery moving the world around the heavens and should the cats cease to purr, the world would stand still in the sky and the seasons, and all of time, would come to an end. So while mankind has the day-to-day running of the world, the cat still remains its timekeeper and guardian which is why cats always look so inscrutable and so smug.
When the world was a new-created place, the gods decided to appoint one creature to see that it ran smoothly and to oversee all other creatures. The creature they selected was the cat. Thoughtful and contemplative, cats were given the power of speech in order to talk with the creator gods and give instructions to the other creatures who shared the world. For a long time all seemed to go well.
Cats, however, were sybaritic creatures. Rather than attend to the mundane, day-to-day running of a world, they wanted to doze in sunbeams on beds of fragrant catnip and matatabi vine. The creator gods saw this and asked the cats whether they were doing anything to ensure the smooth running of this newly made world.
"Running a world is not of great interest to us," said the cats, "we are content to roll on the grass and chase butterflies when the mood takes us. Mostly we let the world run itself so that we can enjoy the simple pleasures of warm sunshine and fresh, scented air."
The gods asked the cats to be more diligent in the running of the newly made world and the cats promised to pay a little more attention to their allotted task. Some while later, the gods paid another visit to their vibrant new world and they found the cats sleeping under cherry trees or playing with falling cherry blossoms. Once more they questioned the cats' dedication to overseeing the world.
"Running a world is, to be honest, a rather boring task. It is much more fun to sleep comfortably under cherry trees and frolic among the falling blossom," said the cats, "however, we will try to pay more attention to the business of being in charge of the world - it is a great responsibility."
The gods chastised the cats a second time and went away full of hope that the cats would pay closer attention to the running of the world the gods had given them. However, on a third visit, the gods found the cats chasing floating thistledown in the late summer sunshine.
"To be perfectly honest," the cats said, "we've realised that we really don't want the bother of running a world. We've noticed that one of your creatures shows much more promise in this respect, perhaps you could give the task of running a world to them so that we can spend our time enjoying the pleasures this world has to offer."
The gods reluctantly agreed, but on one condition. Those appointed to run the world required the power of speech. Therefore cats would no longer be able to talk and the other creature, called humans, would be endowed with speech. And while man busied himself about running the world and remaking it to his own liking and filling it with chatter, cats basked in scented sunshine with inscrutable expressions.
From that day on, mankind gained the power of speech while cats enjoyed the delights the world had to offer - sunshine, scents, textures and things to chase or play with. But the gods never forgot that the cat was their first chosen one to run the world and made them timekeepers so that humans could always tell the time of day by looking into a cat's eyes. In the morning their eyes are pools of blackness rimmed with gold; at noon they are mere black slits on disks of gold while in the evening they open out into pools of blackness
once more.
Not only that, the purring of the cat is the sound of the machinery moving the world around the heavens and should the cats cease to purr, the world would stand still in the sky and the seasons, and all of time, would come to an end. So while mankind has the day-to-day running of the world, the cat still remains its timekeeper and guardian which is why cats always look so inscrutable and so smug.
Friday Fun Fact!
Did you know that there are more Tiggers in American backyards than there are in the wild around the World?
The United States has one of the largest Populations of Captive Tigers in the World-estimated at about 5,000 Tigers; compared to as few as 3,200 in the wild. They are found in backyards, Urban Apartments, Sideshows, Truck Stops, and Private Breeding Facilities.
Did you know that there are more Tiggers in American backyards than there are in the wild around the World?
The United States has one of the largest Populations of Captive Tigers in the World-estimated at about 5,000 Tigers; compared to as few as 3,200 in the wild. They are found in backyards, Urban Apartments, Sideshows, Truck Stops, and Private Breeding Facilities.
Black-Footed Albatross
There are 13 Species of Albaross in the World. Three occur in the North Pacific, Nine in the Southern Oceans, and One in the Subequatorial Waters of Western South America. The Three Species found in the North Pacific are the Black-Footed Albatross, Laysans Albatross, and the Short-Tailed Albatross. The Southern Oceans ancestry of the Albatross is reflected today in the Southern Hemisphere. All Albatross mature slowly and begin to breed after many Years but they live for many Decades. They mate for life generally and some Reproduce every Second Year. All Albatross lay Single Egg Clutches. Food is converted into an Oily Energy Rich Liquid that can be Transported over great Distances without Deterioation. Key field marks for the Albatross are large size and soaring flight on motionless Wings. Calm Wings in the Tropical Pacific effectivley restric the Southern and Northern Albatross from entering their respective Hemisphere.
The Black-Footed Albatross is a Dark-Plumaged Albatross that resides in the North Pacific Ocean. It is the most frequently seen Albatross off North America. It Nests in Winter and Spring on Remote Islands in the Hawaiian Archipelago and ranges across North Pacific between the Bering Sea South to California and Taiwan. It is the only Albatross seen regularly off the Coast of North America.
Black-Footed Albatross eat mainly Squid and Eggs of Flying-Fish using its well Developed olfactory abilities to locate Food. It makes remarkable flights between the Breeding Grounds in Hawaii and North America, continent to Feed its Chick. Worldwide, there is an estimated 100,000 pairs and there is a great concern among conservation that many are killing in Fishing Nets.
There are 13 Species of Albaross in the World. Three occur in the North Pacific, Nine in the Southern Oceans, and One in the Subequatorial Waters of Western South America. The Three Species found in the North Pacific are the Black-Footed Albatross, Laysans Albatross, and the Short-Tailed Albatross. The Southern Oceans ancestry of the Albatross is reflected today in the Southern Hemisphere. All Albatross mature slowly and begin to breed after many Years but they live for many Decades. They mate for life generally and some Reproduce every Second Year. All Albatross lay Single Egg Clutches. Food is converted into an Oily Energy Rich Liquid that can be Transported over great Distances without Deterioation. Key field marks for the Albatross are large size and soaring flight on motionless Wings. Calm Wings in the Tropical Pacific effectivley restric the Southern and Northern Albatross from entering their respective Hemisphere.
The Black-Footed Albatross is a Dark-Plumaged Albatross that resides in the North Pacific Ocean. It is the most frequently seen Albatross off North America. It Nests in Winter and Spring on Remote Islands in the Hawaiian Archipelago and ranges across North Pacific between the Bering Sea South to California and Taiwan. It is the only Albatross seen regularly off the Coast of North America.
Black-Footed Albatross eat mainly Squid and Eggs of Flying-Fish using its well Developed olfactory abilities to locate Food. It makes remarkable flights between the Breeding Grounds in Hawaii and North America, continent to Feed its Chick. Worldwide, there is an estimated 100,000 pairs and there is a great concern among conservation that many are killing in Fishing Nets.