Matthew Berger is a journalist based in San Francisco specializing in ocean issues. His work has appeared in the Guardian, Newsweek, Discover, Nautilus and the San Francisco Chronicle. https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/contributor/matthew-o-berger/rss en Blue Economy Technology Thu, 28 Jun 2018 08:40:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/28/the-nuclear-option-technology-to-extract-uranium-from-the-sea-advances https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/28/the-nuclear-option-technology-to-extract-uranium-from-the-sea-advances In a lab, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy recently produced 5g of yellowcake from uranium collected from the ocean. Scientists hope to test the technology in the Gulf of Mexico next – but it is still far from being commercially viable. Blue Economy Coral Reefs Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/12/why-one-meter-of-coral-reef-is-worth-billions-of-dollars https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/12/why-one-meter-of-coral-reef-is-worth-billions-of-dollars Researchers have found that the top layer of coral reefs prevents $4 billion in flood damage annually by breaking up waves that propel destructive storm surges. As storms increase in frequency and force, reefs play a crucial role in protecting coastal property. Plastic Pollution Solutions Wed, 30 May 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/30/banning-ocean-plastic-pollution-at-30000-feet https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/30/banning-ocean-plastic-pollution-at-30000-feet Put your tray tables and seat backs in an upright position and prepare to go plastic-free. Alaska Airlines becomes the first U.S. carrier to replace plastic stir straws on its flights with sustainable alternatives, as the campaign against single-use plastic grows. Biodiversity Fisheries Wed, 23 May 2018 07:40:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/23/why-sea-otters-are-moving-inshore-and-alligators-are-hitting-the-beach https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/23/why-sea-otters-are-moving-inshore-and-alligators-are-hitting-the-beach Coastal predators are increasingly living in habitats beyond their traditional niches – a sign, a new paper argues, that they may be more resilient than thought. Solutions Technology Tue, 22 May 2018 07:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/22/robots-dont-fear-pirates-allowing-scientists-to-study-risky-seas https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/22/robots-dont-fear-pirates-allowing-scientists-to-study-risky-seas Regions of the world where scientists have struggled to collect data on ocean health due to geopolitical and safety concerns are becoming accessible by stealthy, seafaring robots. Biodiversity Climate Change Marine Protected Areas Mon, 07 May 2018 11:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/07/report-marine-protected-areas-offer-no-protection-from-climate-change https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/07/report-marine-protected-areas-offer-no-protection-from-climate-change Scientists modeled projected increases in ocean temperatures through the end of the century and found that even the largest and well-protected marine reserves will not blunt the impact of climate change on biodiversity. Biodiversity Solutions Mon, 30 Apr 2018 06:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/30/how-regulating-ships-carbon-emissions-saves-endangered-whales https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/30/how-regulating-ships-carbon-emissions-saves-endangered-whales Since California imposed clean air restrictions on vessels that travel through state waters, the number of fatal collisions with the big marine mammals has fallen as captains slow down. But much more needs to be done to reduce ship strikes, marine biologists say. Technology Mon, 23 Apr 2018 07:40:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/23/the-man-swimming-across-the-pacific-ocean-for-science https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/23/the-man-swimming-across-the-pacific-ocean-for-science Next month, Ben Lecomte – who swam across the Atlantic in 1998 – will begin his attempt to swim from Tokyo to San Francisco to raise awareness about plastic pollution and other marine threats and to collect data on ocean conditions. Plastic Pollution Solutions Technology Mon, 02 Apr 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/02/tracking-ocean-plastic-pollution-from-space https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/02/tracking-ocean-plastic-pollution-from-space The European Space Agency is developing technology to allow satellites to identify the concentration, movement and origin of plastic debris across the world’s oceans. Climate Change Fisheries Wed, 28 Mar 2018 14:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/28/fish-crossing-genetic-borders-as-oceans-warm https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/28/fish-crossing-genetic-borders-as-oceans-warm Scientists have identified a ‘biogeographic boundary’ for commercially valuable marine animals in the northwest Atlantic that divides genetically distinct populations of the same species. As temperatures rise, that dividing line is moving north. Solutions Technology Thu, 22 Mar 2018 10:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/22/soft-machine-the-robot-that-fools-fish-into-believing-its-one-of-them https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/22/soft-machine-the-robot-that-fools-fish-into-believing-its-one-of-them MIT scientists have developed a soft-skinned robotic fish that can study marine life up close and personal in coral reefs and other ecosystems without altering their behavior. Coral Reefs Governance Marine Protected Areas Thu, 08 Mar 2018 10:20:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/08/study-sharks-bounce-back-when-coral-reefs-are-strictly-protected https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/08/study-sharks-bounce-back-when-coral-reefs-are-strictly-protected With more nations considering creating shark sanctuaries, new research shows that strict fishing bans can help predator populations recover rapidly, as has been the case on a remote Australian reef. Biodiversity Solutions Technology Thu, 22 Feb 2018 07:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/22/whale-of-a-journey-robot-searches-for-elusive-humpbacks-on-high-seas https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/22/whale-of-a-journey-robot-searches-for-elusive-humpbacks-on-high-seas A Wave Glider named Europa is slowly crossing the Pacific, listening for whale songs. If the robot finds evidence that humpbacks congregate in the remote open ocean, it could help scientists protect endangered populations of the marine mammal. Blue Economy Climate Change Fisheries Wed, 07 Feb 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/07/mass-die-off-of-farmed-salmon-linked-to-climate-change https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/07/mass-die-off-of-farmed-salmon-linked-to-climate-change Scientists have attributed an algal bloom that killed off $800 million worth of salmon in Chile to rising ocean temperatures, and they say other aquaculture operations around the world are at risk. Marine Protected Areas Solutions Technology Tue, 30 Jan 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/30/how-a-scientist-counted-the-fish-in-a-huge-marine-reserve-in-just-8-days https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/30/how-a-scientist-counted-the-fish-in-a-huge-marine-reserve-in-just-8-days Sound not vision: Hydroacoustics allowed a single researcher to survey the fish population of a 17,600-acre preserve in Mexico in days. The technology could help small island states that are creating big marine protected areas but lack the resources to monitor them. Biodiversity Blue Economy Climate Change Deep Sea Mining Solutions Technology Mon, 22 Jan 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/22/how-scientists-use-bioluminescent-deep-sea-creatures-to-fight-cancer https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/22/how-scientists-use-bioluminescent-deep-sea-creatures-to-fight-cancer Researchers have developed a new way to test the effectiveness of immunotherapies by injecting enzymes from glowing deep-ocean crustaceans into cancer cells. But threats to the ocean from climate change and exploitation threaten marine life and its medicinal potential. Climate Change Governance Solutions Tue, 09 Jan 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/09/scientists-times-running-out-to-avert-dangerous-ocean-oxygen-loss https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/09/scientists-times-running-out-to-avert-dangerous-ocean-oxygen-loss As temperatures rise, oxygen levels in the ocean are falling, threatening marine life and coastal economies. But the only solution to deoxygenation is to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and it may already be too late. Climate Change Technology Thu, 21 Dec 2017 07:12:46 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/21/robots-dive-below-antarctica-ice-sheet-to-collect-climate-change-data https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/21/robots-dive-below-antarctica-ice-sheet-to-collect-climate-change-data Scientists know little about how the West Antarctica Ice Sheet is melting from below, but a mission to deploy autonomous vehicles in the ocean underneath the glacier could provide crucial answers. Marine Protected Areas Wed, 06 Dec 2017 09:02:40 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/06/why-mexicos-new-marine-reserve-is-a-model-for-ocean-protection https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/06/why-mexicos-new-marine-reserve-is-a-model-for-ocean-protection The Revillagigedo Archipelago National Park puts 57,176 square miles of the Pacific Ocean off limits to commercial fishing – and comes with funding to enforce the ban. But patrolling an area the size of Illinois, which is rich in unique marine life, will be a challenge. Biodiversity Technology Tue, 28 Nov 2017 03:00:05 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/11/28/as-ocean-drones-proliferate-marine-wildlife-are-getting-a-bit-annoyed https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/11/28/as-ocean-drones-proliferate-marine-wildlife-are-getting-a-bit-annoyed Marine scientists and sanctuary managers are grappling with how to contain a growing nuisance – which could harm whales, seals and other marine mammals – while ensuring scientists can continue using drones for valuable research.