Gulf of Mexico

Lionfish are an invasive species in the region that prey on native fish. Due to their venomous spines, lionfish have no known predators, making them a potential threat to commercial and recreational fisheries.

Energy companies secured access to 1.6 million acres of waters offered at auction. It's the second time this month that the administration has opened federal territory for new fossil fuel drilling.

The lawsuit alleges the lease sale would jeopardize the survival of endangered marine life and prolong the nation's dependence on fossil fuels.

"These agencies are basically pretending that another catastrophic oil spill cannot possibly occur, cannot possibly be a risk for the Gulf of Mexico. And we know that that risk is real, and they need to be paying attention to that," said Chris Eaton, Earthjustice attorney.

During the oil extraction process, radium is released through what's called "produced water" – it’s the water that comes up with a mixture of oil when the rigs pump.

The absence of chemical signatures in some areas could indicate that repopulation is moving the water and sediment around, but marine chemistry student John Hilliard said he wants to continue his research.

Acidification is “not terribly bad right now” in the Gulf, but due to climate change, the water will likely become more acidic in the future. This threatens the estimated $2.04 trillion annual marine economy.

On the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act last month, a group of scientists asked the federal government for protection and funds for recovery of Rice’s whales.

Their populations have dropped by 80%, and both could soon be recommended for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The area of low to no oxygen— also known as a hypoxic zone— that can kill fish and marine life, is about 3,275 square miles.

The project offers underrepresented students the opportunity to document climate change and the lingering BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacts from 2010.

The federal lawsuit challenges allocations approved by NOAA as part of Amendment 53 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.