The first time scientists explored deep in the Indian Ocean, they found a new species of glowing squid. Now researchers who departed from South Africa last Monday with even better equipment are hoping for similar success.
In 2009, the scientists collected some 7,000 samples, including the newly discovered squid, which has light-producing organs that it uses to attract its prey. Researchers aboard the RRS James Cook are taking along special cameras for photographing the ocean floor — something they did not have last time.
“We don’t know much about the deep sea community,” Aurelie Spadone, a sea specialist with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), said in a telephone interview on Nov. 21 before setting out. “It would be very surprising if we don’t find something like a new species.”
Photo: Reuters
照片:路透
The trip is focused on learning more about how deep sea fishing is affecting marine life along seamounts — peaks rising from the floor of the southern Indian Ocean.
Carl Gustaf Lundin, director of IUCN’s Global Marine and Polar Program, said many of the species that live around seamounts grow and reproduce slowly, so overfishing can severely affect their populations.
(AP)
科學家首度探測印度洋深處時,他們發現了一種身體會發光的新品種烏賊。如今,上週一從南非啟程、裝備更好的研究人員,希望取得類似的成功。
二○○九年,這些科學家蒐集到約七千個樣本,其中包括該種新發現的烏賊,牠擁有能製造光線的器官用來吸引獵物。「庫克船長號」上的研究人員,將帶著拍攝海床的特殊攝影機,這是他們上次沒有的東西。
國際自然保護聯盟(IUCN)的海洋專家歐海莉‧史巴登十一月二十一日啟程前接受電話訪問時說:「我們對深海(生物)群落所知不多」。他說:「如果我們沒找到一些新物種,將令人很訝異。」
這趟行程著重在更進一步了解深海捕魚正如何影響沿著海洋山脈—從南印度洋海床升起之山峰—的海洋生命。
IUCN全球海洋與極地計畫主任卡爾‧古斯塔夫‧倫丁說,許多棲息在海洋山脈周遭的物種生長與繁殖速度緩慢,因此過度捕撈足以嚴重影響牠們的總數。
(美聯社/翻譯:陳成良)
A: I want to go to Neihu to see the cherry blossoms. B: Do you want to go by YouBike? A: Well, how much does it cost? B: The Taipei City Government just announced that riders can use the bicycles for free for the first 30 minutes! A: Great! Riding bikes is also more eco-friendly than driving. A: 我想去內湖賞櫻花耶。 B: 那要不要騎YouBike微笑單車去? A: 車費怎麼算? B: 台北市政府最近宣布︰前30分鐘免費! A: 太棒了,而且也比開車更環保。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
One of us is a murderer. The terrifying thought fills your head. There’s a corpse in the next room, and one of your fellow diners put it there. As the evening progresses, you learn disturbing secrets about everyone, and you’re forced to confess to a few yourself. You all have motives for the crime, but who committed it? Fortunately, it’s just a game. Murder mystery games are multiplayer role-playing games designed to be played over the course of an evening. The concept likely originated with “wink murder,” an amusing pastime that became popular in the early 1900s. In this game, a “murderer” kills
A: How does Taipei’s YouBike service charge after the free ride for the first 30 minutes? B: It’s NT$10 every 30 minutes within four hours. A: What a bargain. No wonder Taipei is listed by Britain’s “Time Out” magazine as one of the best 50 cities in the world. B: But I spotted a few English mistakes on YouBike’s Web site. A: I guess that aspect of it still has room for improvement. A: 台北市YouBike前30分鐘免費,之後怎麼算? B: 4小時內每30分鐘10元。 A: 真劃算,難怪台北市會入選英國《Time Out》雜誌全球最佳的50座城市。 B: 不過我在YouBike的網站上看到了好幾個英文錯誤。 A: 看來這個部分還有改善的空間。(By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/ 台北時報張聖恩)
Mullet roe is a highly-priced delicacy typically served during special occasions like wedding banquets or Chinese New Year’s dinners, where families come together in celebration. The mullet roe can be prepared in various ways. It is usually pan-fried but can also be roasted or torched. To cook a pan-fried mullet roe, soak it in liquor or wine and peel off its membrane. Then, it is browned over a low fire and turned several times. Finally, the fried mullet roe is cut diagonally and is ready to be served. This dish is usually served with garlic scapes and daikon slices, but