For the past eight years, NOAA has been collecting data from inexpensive instruments attached to lobster pots, in a little-known program called eMOLT. Lobsters don’t have the sex appeal of NOAA’s newest recruit, the Virgin Galactic, but the information has helped in the understanding of ocean circulation in the Gulf of Maine, the dynamics of algae blooms, and the disbursement of pollutants. With noted marine biologist Jane Lubchenco just tapped to head NOAA, look for more focus on ocean health, and perhaps more low-tech, high-value data studies like eMOLT. Sea slugs, anyone?
Image: bionicteaching at flickr.
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