Short Wave Sea Camp: The Largest Daily Migration On Earth
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Jul 28, 2025 
This time, Noelle Bolin, a fisheries biologist at NOAA, dives into the ocean's twilight zone, revealing its secrets. She discusses the diel vertical migration, where marine creatures rise nightly to feed, marking the largest migration on Earth. Bolin explains how squishy organisms adapt to this unique habitat and their crucial role in carbon cycling. The conversation also highlights urgent challenges facing these ecosystems, including fishing pressures and climate change, stressing the need for ongoing research and awareness.
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WWII Sonar Mystery Explained
- During World War II, sonar operators noticed the ocean floor seemed to move up and down daily, which was initially puzzling.
- This was caused by the largest synchronous migration on Earth where twilight zone organisms travel up to the surface nightly.
Fish Adaptations for Energy Savings
- Twilight Zone fishes are soft-bodied and use swim bladders to travel huge daily distances efficiently.
- This adaptation saves energy by avoiding heavy muscle use on their long vertical migrations.
Migration Moves Carbon Deep
- Twilight Zone organisms move carbon from surface to deep ocean by eating and then releasing waste at depth.
- This daily migration helps store atmospheric carbon deep underwater, aiding Earth's carbon cycle.