60-Second Public Service Announcements

An Ounce of Prevention (0:60)

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

Flooding and high winds can cause thousands of dollars in damages to homes that are located in the path of a coastal storm. Damage from flooding can be reduced if coastal homes are placed on pilings so that the living areas are elevated above the height of the storm surge. There are also many cost-effective steps that can be taken to protect your home and minimize damage from high winds. These winds can cause both structural damage and damage to the exterior finishes of your home. One example is to simply use six nails per roof shingle instead of four. To learn about other measures you can take to protect your home from coastal storms, call the Marine Advisory Service at (302) 645-4258. That's (302) 645-4258. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

The Ocean's Role in Climate (0:60)

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

With over 70 percent of the Earth covered with water, it is no surprise that the ocean has a significant influence on the Earth's climate. The amount of heat that must be added to or removed from the ocean to change its temperature by only a few degrees is very large. As a result, the ocean does not exhibit the rapidly fluctuating temperatures that occur in the air. By remaining at a relatively constant temperature, the ocean tends to have a moderating effect on the climate of adjacent coastal areas. In other words, the ocean tends to have a moderating effect on the temperature — we don't typically see the extreme "highs" and "lows" in temperature along the coast that are seen farther inland. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Storm Surge (0:60)

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

Northeasters are storms that typically occur along the Atlantic coast during the winter and spring months. The driving wind and waves that accompany these storms can create an abnormal rise in sea level called a "storm surge." Most of the storm surge is caused by strong winds that push the ocean water in one direction. The tendency of a northeaster to linger or even stall off the coast for several days can cause extensive flooding damage over a large area. For information on how to protect yourself and your property from a storm surge, call the Marine Advisory Service at (302) 645-4258. That's (302) 645-4258. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

Cold Fish (0:60)

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

Fish are cold-blooded animals with a body temperature that is the same as the water they live in. During the winter months, the decreasing temperature of ocean water can literally "freeze" a fish to death. They can't put a coat on to stay warm, so many fish must migrate to water that is warm enough for them to live in. However, some ocean fish, like the winter flounder and the Atlantic cod, can live and even thrive in icy waters. These fish have a special protein in their blood that acts to lower the freezing point of their body fluids. Fish that don't have this protein are susceptible to freezing in cold water. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

60-Second Public Service Announcements

An Ounce of Prevention (0:60)

Horseshoe Crab Census (0:60)

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

The Delaware Bay is home to the largest concentration of horseshoe crabs in the world. In May and June, more than a million horseshoe crabs can come ashore during the high tides associated with the full moons to spawn and bury their eggs. The horseshoe crab eggs are an important food for hundreds of thousands of shorebirds that migrate home to their breeding grounds in the north. The horseshoe crab is also very important to humans. For example, small amounts of blood can be harmlessly withdrawn from the horseshoe crab. A chemical in the blood is isolated and is used to test medicines for bacterial contamination. Each spring, the Marine Advisory Service conducts a census to count the number of horseshoe crabs. To find out how you can participate, call (302) 645-4253. That's (302) 645-4253. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.

The Tidal Marsh (0:60)

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

Salt marshes are valuable habitats that are located along tidal shores. The plants thrive on salty water and provide food and shelter to animals that live in the air, water, and land of the salt marsh. Mammals such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, and muskrats can be seen year-round, particularly in the early morning and evening hours. With the warm spring weather, the salt marsh comes alive. Turtles, frogs, and crabs emerge as they wake up from their winter hibernation. The air begins to buzz with the activity of birds and airborne insects, such as flies and mosquitoes. The waters of the salt marsh become a nursery and breeding ground for many different fish species. As spring turns to summer, the salt marsh will become a valuable resting place for hundreds of thousands of migratory shorebirds that stop off on their way home. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.


Be Careful When You Boat (0:60)

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

The return of warm weather during the spring months is usually the only signal that boating enthusiasts need to head for the water. And the most popular destination in Delaware is the Inland Bays. However, poor water quality threatens the Inland Bays with a loss of habitat that affects a variety of marine life. Boaters can minimize their impact on the bays by adopting safe and environmentally friendly practices. A new publication, "Boating in Delaware's Inland Bays," produced by the Sea Grant Program, can provide you with tips on how to reduce your impact on the environment. To order your free copy, 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.

A New Look (0:60)

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

What is it like to be on board a submarine and descend over a mile to the ocean floor? How can you determine the quality of fresh seafood? How do you protect yourself from lightning? You can find the answer to these and other questions at www.ocean.udel.edu, the Web site of the Graduate College of Marine Studies at the University of Delaware. That's www.ocean.udel.edu. Recently updated, the Web site offers an ocean of information at your fingertips. You can learn about the latest faculty research, visit the college's facilities in Newark and Lewes, find out what courses are being offered, go on a "virtual" research expedition, order gifts and publications, and much, much more. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.