The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is one of about 75 species of lobsters worldwide. The American lobster is a "clawed" lobster, versus the "spiny," clawless lobster that is common in warmer waters. The American lobster is a well-known marine species and is easily recognizable from its two hefty claws down to its fan-like tail.

Lobsters have been described as aggressive, territorial, and cannibalistic, but you may be surprised to know they've also been referred to as "tender lovers".

Learn More About the American Lobster

Photo of American Lobster Courtesy of NOAA

Scientists have monitored Ilya, a 10-year old, 10-foot long male Florida manatee, for the last 10 years and watched him migrate as far north as Massachusetts. Last month, Ilya was seen regularly off the New Jersey coast, causing speculation that he might freeze to death as the water dipped below 65 degrees.

Finally, a secret rescue was planned. Last year's rescue of Dennis, another male manatee, from Cape Cod, ended in frustration as Dennis died shortly after being transported to Florida. So Ilya's rescue was hush-hush, due to worry that an onslaught of media and well-wishers would stress the manatee.

When he was rescued on October 29, Ilya was near the outfall pipe of a refinery, where the water was a chilly 53 degrees. Rescuers herded Ilya to a nearby creek, where they lifted him into a stretcher using a net and a crane. He was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ, and then transported by a U.S. Coast Guard cargo jet, then by van, to the Miami Seaquarium in Florida where he is currently recovering. Rescuers hope he will be returned to the wild.

Learn More

• Wayward Manatees
• Florida Manatee Facts
• Northernmost Manatee Dies During Rescue Attempt

Image Of a Florida Manatee Courtesy Jim Reid, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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Thanks to Blue Ocean Institute and Chefs Collaborative, chefs and culinary students can learn more about sustainable seafood using a new online training site, Green Chefs, Blue Ocean.

You can visit the site for an online, interactive sustainable seafood course, industry news, and profiles of ocean-friendly chefs. You'll need to register to participate, but the registration form looked pretty simple. If you take the course, come back and let me know what you thought!

This is not entirely related to marine life. But really, anything that makes the Earth a cleaner, nicer place is good for marine life. So I wanted to share this site I recently learned about - Green Halloween, which is "a non-profit, grassroots community initiative to create healthier and more Earth-friendly holidays, starting with Halloween."

Go to the site for tips on planning a green Halloween party (keep this in mind for next year if you've already held yours!), or download a parent or neighborhood action kit, where you can learn learn such things as how to make eco-friendly treat bags and recycle or compost used candy wrappers.

What are you doing to have a green Halloween?