Winter Habitat for Marine Life (0:60)

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

Blue crabs are one of the most important fisheries in the Delaware and Chesapeake bays. The average commercial catch in Delaware Bay is more than 100,000 bushels of blue crabs per year. Recreational crabbing is also popular. But where do these critters go in the wintertime? As the water cools in the fall, blue crabs migrate to deeper water, seeking out the bay channels. They remain this way for the winter. As the water warms, usually in April, the blue crabs come out of their winter beds ready for the more active part of their life cycle. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Year of the Ocean (0:60)

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

The United Nations has declared 1998 the International Year of the Ocean. Visit the Ocean 98 Web site at www.ocean98.org to find out more about the fascinating sea. Read about ocean science, research the history and adventures of ship captains such as John Cook, and explore the myths and legends of sirens and mermaids. Follow the voyage of the Argentinian ship Hilda as she and her crew circle the globe during the Year of the Ocean. The Ocean 98 Web site is changed daily. Visit it often at www.ocean98.org. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Research Brief: Marine Probe (0:60)

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

Dr. George Luther and his graduate students have developed a small probe that has caused a lot of excitement in the world of marine research. The gold-tipped, ultra-thin probe can quickly measure a number of chemicals and metals in the aquatic environment. The probe can be inserted in fresh water and sediments in environments ranging from lakes to oceans. It measures compounds including oxygen, iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide. Detecting very small quantities of these chemicals is important because some of these compounds are toxic to aquatic life at even minute levels. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Winter Seafood (0:60)

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

We may think of seafood as summer fare. But local seafood is plentiful in winter as well. Black sea bass, hard clams, croaker, sea trout, scup, and scallops are all available. For a warming winter meal, try using seafood in a steaming chowder. Or serve a seafood quiche for brunch, lunch, or dinner. To request a complimentary seafood recipe for "Catch of the Day Stew," contact the Marine Communications Office at 302-831-8083. That's 302-831-8083. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

March/April 1998

YOTO Ocean Facts (0:60)

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

During the year of the ocean, think about all of the wonderful benefits we get from the sea. Food, transportation, recreation, livelihood, and scientific advances are all possible because of the ocean. More than 20,000 species of fish populate the world's waters. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, fish account for about 16 percent of the animal protein for the world. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Web Site (0:60)

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

If you'd like to visit the College of Marine Studies but haven't found the time, why not try an on-line visit to the college's Web site? You can tour the site to find out about faculty research and the facilities at both the Newark and Lewes, Delaware, campuses. You can also learn more about public information and the Marine Advisory Service, and check schedules for public events and lectures. Don't forget to visit the "What's New" section for the Discovery Gift Shop, where you'll find marine-theme gifts from books to ties. Go to www.ocean.udel.edu. That's www.ocean.udel.edu. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Clams: A Tasty Treat (0:60)

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

Hard clams, a member of the mollusk family, are found from Nova Scotia to the Yucatan. They can't tolerate fresh water but are sure to be found in salty areas of the bay near the ocean. These delectable shellfish have been pleasing palates for centuries. Clams were a staple in the Native American diet. When shopping for clams, keep in mind the terms "cherrystone" and "little neck" signify a size difference. Store clams in containers covered with clean, damp cloths, not air-tight lids. If a clam is open, tap it on the shell. If it doesn't close, it's dead. Discard it. Finally, never put clams in sunlight or in fresh water. Clams should be used within one to two days of purchase. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Pfiesteria Facts (0:60)

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

Last summer's notorious fish killer Pfiesteria caused lots of fervor in the press. This single-celled organism can morph into more than two-dozen forms to take advantage of whatever food is at hand. Although Pfiesteria may be present in a resting state in some waters, many factors must coincide to result in a fish kill. State officials are keeping a close watch on these conditions. To obtain a fact sheet on this chameleon-like creature, contact the Marine Communications Office at 302-831-8083. That's 302-831-8083. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

May/June 1998

Horseshoe Crab Census (0:60)

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

Census counts for the horseshoe crab population will be taken along Delaware Bay on the high tides associated with the full and new moons in May and June. Horseshoe crab eggs, which are buried on beaches, are an important food for migrating shorebirds. Horseshoe crab blood, which is extracted harmlessly, is being used to test medicines. But the horseshoe crab population is declining in part due to overharvesting of the female crabs for bait. A census taken each spring monitors the spawning population and helps to guide policy. Last year, the overall harvest was 1 million female crabs. In an animal that takes 10 years to reproduce, this is significant. This year, the harvesting will be restricted to public beaches, which will cut down on about 70% of the harvest area. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Ocean/Weather Research (0:60)

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

During this Year of the Ocean, El Niño is an extremely powerful weather phenomenon that has captured global attention. Its effects include droughts, floods, and unseasonal weather patterns. Researchers at the University of Delaware Graduate College of Marine Studies are examining these weather patterns to help us better predict and prepare for El Niño in the future. Dr. Xiao-Hai Yan is using satellite infrared imagery to study the Western Pacific warm pool. The warm pool is a body of unusually warm water believed to be the spawning ground of El Niño. A remote sensing study of the area by Yan and colleagues in 1992, was the first to confirm a definitive link between ocean surface temperature and a global climate trend. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Inland Bays Citizen Monitoring Program (0:60)

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

Delaware's Inland Bays, home to quiet coves and pristine wildlife areas, are suffering from eutrophication -- the result of too much nitrogen and phosphorous entering the bays from sewage and agricultural and residential runoff. Since 1991, the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program, with support from Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, has enlisted area citizens to help collect water-quality data about the health of the bays. This data is providing scientists and resource managers with a clearer portrait of the estuary's health. If you are interested in volunteering, call 302-645-4250. That's 302-645-4250. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Coast Day Crab Cake Cook-Off (0:60)

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

The University of Delaware's Coast Day festival is still a few months away, but now's the time to get your recipe ready for the annual crab cake cook-off. The cook-off's coordinator, Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service agent Doris Hicks, is seeking the best crab cake recipes in the area. The recipes will be screened by seafood experts to select eight finalists. The finalists will then be invited to prepare their recipes for a panel of judges at Coast Day on Sunday, October 4, at the University of Delaware's Lewes campus. Winners will receive cash prizes and the title of "Best Crab Cakes in Delaware!" For more information and a copy of the rules and registration form, please call Doris Hicks at (302) 645-4297. That's (302) 645-4297. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

July/August 1998

Extremophile Research (0:60)

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

The Year of the Ocean is a great time to learn about unusual sea creatures. At the University of Delaware Graduate College of Marine Studies, Dr. Craig Cary and colleagues are studying the Pompeii worm. This deep-sea dweller's head rests in water temperatures of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The remainder of its body is tucked into a tube near hydrothermal vents where temperatures reach 176 degrees. These worms wear a "fleece" of bacteria that Cary suspects contain heat-resistant enzymes. Researchers are interested in possibly using these enzymes to help dislodge oil inside wells, convert cornstarch to sugar, and support other processes by speeding up biological and chemical reactions. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

College of Marine Studies Tours (0:60)

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

Tours of the University of Delaware's Graduate College of Marine Studies research complex in Lewes are available to the public, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tours are guided by trained volunteers and typically include a 20-minute introductory slide presentation followed by a one-hour walking tour of the college's labs, where faculty and students conduct research on a wide variety of topics, from climate change to oyster genetics. Tours may include a half-hour visit to the Air-Sea Interaction laboratory, which houses one of the largest tanks in the world used to study wind, waves, and currents. Tours should be scheduled one week in advance. For more information, please call 302-645-4346. That's 302-645-4346. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Catfish Aquaculture (0:60)

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

Aquaculture is the farming of fish under environmentally controlled conditions. According to the Catfish Institute, more farm-raised catfish are produced in the United States than all other aquaculture-grown species combined. Year-round production of catfish ensures availability and a steady market price. Farm-raised catfish are processed and packaged in less that 30 minutes, making them some of the freshest fish to eat. Catfish has a mild, slightly nutty taste that combines well with many flavors. For a free recipe for Ozark Catfish Cakes, call 302-831-8083. That's 302-831-8083. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Tautog Facts (0:60)

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

The tautog is a greenish-black or brown fish found in coastal areas from Nova Scotia to Georgia. This fish feeds on mollusks and crustaceans, crushing the shells with specialized teeth in their throats. Tautog can live to be more than 30 years old and can reach sizes up to 3 feet long and 25 pounds. The tautog's preferred habitat is rocky reef areas. Since Delaware has no natural reefs, tautog are found near breakwaters, jetties, wrecks, and artificial reefs. Because this habitat is limited, researchers are concerned that the population may easily succumb to fishing pressure. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.