10 Organisms

Brown Pelicans are a large bird, but the smallest of the pelican species. They vary between 39 to 54 inches long, and have a wing span of 78 inches. Their beak is 9 inches in length and they have a large throat pouch used for fishing. Brown pelicans live off the sea coast on islands, where there are no predator's. They will usually stay in flocks or groups when they nest, fly, or come inland, but they will only go to southwest coastal areas like southern California. They live in marsh like, and tropical areas around salt water coast lines. They are hunted for their feathers, eggs, and meat. While commercial fishing impacts their food source, they are heavily effected by climate change and toxins, like oil spills. Red list status: Least concern. But is protected under the U.S Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Harbor seals are one of the most common marine mammals along the East and West coast of the United States. They can weigh up to 285 pounds, and measure up to 6 feet. Once hunted for bounty due to competition with the fishing industry, they are now protected by the MMPA, but are in the category of "least concern" under the IUCN Red list. Harbor seals live in temperate costal habitats of North America, Europe, and Asia. When they are not relaxing on rocks, reefs, beaches, and glacial ice, they are eating and socializing. They are threatened by entanglement from commercial fishing lines and nets, illegal feeding, habitat degradation, chemical contaminants, and vessel collisions.  

At 7 feet and between 200 and 500 pounds, bull sharks are a solitary species, only joining other for breeding. Bull sharks are found in costal waters all over the world. They prefer shallow coastal waters, so they are considered to be the most dangerous sharks. Bull sharks have sensing organs called electroreceptors " the ampullae of Lorenzini", a system of jelly filled pores guiding them to injured fish. They have the ability to swim in fresh waters as well. They have been found in the Mississippi and Amazon rivers. They are fished for their skin, oil fins, and for display in aquariums. Because of their costal preference they are at risk for pollution and habitat degradation. Red list status: Vulnerable

Giant clams are the largest living marine bivalves, and are found in tropical coral reefs, in costal regions throughout the Indo pacific ocean. They weigh around 440 pounds and can live up to 100 years. The giant clam stays on the reef it's entire life. Giant clams are filter feeders, but the clams algae produces metabolic waste products, which serve as a secondary nutrition source. This allows the giant clams to grow large, even in nutrient deficient waters. The giant clams threats include aquarium trade, and the fact that it's giant abductor muscle is a delicacy. Red list status: Vulnerable. 

Nerocystis is the Greek word for "Mermaids bladder" referring to the bull kelp bulb. Bull kelp is the largest species of brown kelp, and the largest species of kelp in the ocean. Bull kelp are the most prolific kelp species in the pacific northwest. They prefer cooler waters, and can be found between San Luis Obispo county, California, and the Aleutian Island of Alaska. They grow on rocky surfaces in the subtidal region, at least 65, to 98 feet deep. They are able to grow up to 115 feet tall, and are capable of stretching up to a third of their length. Bull kelp dense kelp forests that serve as an important habitat for many species. They protect our shores from extreme wave action. Current status: Does not warrent listing.

Shoal grass is found all over the world. It grows predominantly throughout the southern U.S, and South America. They are usually in waters up to 40 feet deep, and can withstand prolonged exposure to low tide conditions. Shoal grass reproduce by shoot and seed production, and fragmentation. Shoal grass resembles land grass, and can grow up to 13 inches long. It forms dense meadows that becom important habitats for invertebrates, and fish. Because it sequesters carbon in plays a significant role in counteracting ocean acidification. Shoal grass is threatened by human development and disturbance, and pollution. Red list status: Least concern.

Moss cushions that have been infected with Cyanobacteria are called blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are classified as bacteria, even though they are photosynthetic. Blur-green algae are found in soil, both salt and fresh water, and can grow over a wide range of temperatures. Cyanobacteria can also occur as symbionts of protozoans, diatoms, lichen forming fungi, and vascular plants. Blue-green bacteria contain chlorophyll a, and produce free oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. Blooms of blue-green algae can be toxic to humans, and lethal to marine life and livestock. There are forms that are grown and marketed as a high protein diatary supplement. Red list status: Unknown