Migrations in the Sea Objectives  To investigate the migratory pathways of marine animals.  To compare and contrast migratory movements of different marine animals.  To reinforce mapping and plotting skills by plotting sample animal movement data.  To consider the environmental needs of marine animals and how they are met.

Migratory behavior patterns for humpback and gray whales in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans 1. a. The location at the start of their Journeys.   b. The differences in activities at winter and summer sites. c. The general direction of travel. d. The maximum total distance traveled during the migration. Plot the Data

Using the two maps, compare and contrast the loggerhead turtle route with the albatross (sea bird) route. Sea Bird Turtle

4. Animals may not stay in one location in the ocean. Food Oxygen Sea turtles eat invertebrates (animals without backbones) such as jelly fish, sponges, crabs, mussels, and seaweed. Seabirds, such as the albatross, eat mostly squid and fish eggs. Baleen whales (like the Gray and Humpback eat tiny invertebrates such as krill and zooplankton. Toothed whales and seals tend to eat fish and squid. Turtles, albatross and whales are air breathing, just like humans the turtles and whales must surface to get air. Fish breathe through gills, which are made of a series of membranes that allow them to extract oxygen from water by diffusion.

Human affect on turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. Fishing: Turtles seabirds, and marine mammals can become entangled in fishing nets and lines, causing them to drown because of all of these animals are air-breathing. Coastal Development: Human construction, including lights, beachfront houses, hotels and furniture, as well as jetties and piers, are detrimental to turtle nesting. If nesting is ineffective, then populations cannot thrive or be restored. Sea turtles think lights are the moon and they are drawn away from the ocean.

Human affect on turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. Pollution: Pollution leads to contaminated water and food, and may reduce populations numbers due to illness. Plastics are a big problem for many marine animals as the ingest them and then cannot eat or get the adequate nutrition they need. Whaling/Poaching: In some regions, whaling is still legal. Se turtle eggs are a delicacy in some places. Seals are sometimes killed because the compete with fisherman. Albatross used to be killed for their feathers.

Human affect on turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. Conservation: Conservation efforts, such as the Endangered Species Act, and recovery plans, attempt to reverse some of the negative impacts on marine animal populations. National Marine Sanctuaries and other areas work to protect habitats. Fishers are changing their fishing practices to reduce by-catch. (when animals other than those sought are caught) Shipping: Whales, particularly slower ones like the Right whale, are struck by ships and become injured.

6. Factors Effecting Marine Animal Movements EFFECTS ON MARINE ANIMAL MOVEMENTS QUESTIONS WE HAVE Landforms (above or below the ocean surface, shorelines) Food (types, location) Temperature (water, air) Some animals (seabirds, sea turtles, seals sea lions) need landforms for shelter, or they require sandy beaches or rocky shores for certain life stages ( egg laying or breeding) Are there landforms under water? Do animals run into these landforms? Animals need to follow the food. What do sea turtles eat? Is there food every where in the ocean? Every species of living thing can only survive in certain temperature ranges. Temperature also affects food availability. Do whales get hot and cold? Do sea mammals have a preference for warm or cold water?

Human affect on turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. Fishing Coastal Development Pollution Whaling/Poaching Conservation Shipping

Coping with environmental factors. Landforms Food Temperature How do you think each of these factors could change over time in the ocean? Which of these factors do you think change seasonally? Why?

Landforms In general, form over very long periods of time, like millions of years.

Food Changes seasonally, and can also vary in a matter of days.

Temperature Water temperature changes more slowly than air temperature, but can change significantly over the course of a month or so.

Seasonal Factors Water temperature changes with seasons due to the tilt of the earth on its axis. Food also changes seasonally because phytoplankton need sunlight and nutrients in order to do photosynthesis.