News and Updates
This section features stories that highlight how remarkable yet fragile the ocean is. It also speaks to the connection between humans and the ocean and our responsibility to protect it.
Stories, unless otherwise noted, are written by Pam Ferris-Olson, PhD. Pam has studied ocean creatures, worked in communication, and, as founder of Women Mind the Water, focuses on the relationship between humans and water. Her Wo(men) Mind the Water Artivist Series explores the work of artivists (artists +activists) and their impact in influencing change.
Photo Recognition Software, New Tool for Understanding Harbor Seals
I don’t know about you but I find harbor seals irresistible. They are one reason I love to kayak in Casco Bay. I never know when one of their roundish heads will appear on the surface. Though curious, seals are cautious creatures, I can never get too close, thus, it is nearly impossible to get to recognize any one seal by sight. Fortunately, seal researchers are making progress in understanding these enigmatic creatures. The latest tool developed at Colgate University is machine learning software that recognizes the faces of individual seals with 95% accuracy.