BoatU.S. - August-September 2012

tion, up from 10,000 in the 1950s, has
increased steadily since federal protection in
1972. But population growth has sparked
complaints from anglers and boaters as the
animals interfere with sport and commercial
fishing, block traffic at boat ramps, and trash
— even swamp — moored boats by climb-
ing aboard to sleep, reproduce, or relieve
themselves. The new rules on the Columbia
authorize removal of 92 animals a year,
although the number is expected to be far
fewer. In other news, NOAA proposes to
remove the West Coast’s Steller sea lion
from its current “threatened” status under
the Endangered Species Act. Agency biol-
ogists have found that the species is recov-
ering successfully and the population is
deemed self-sustaining. — C.L.

NEW STRIDES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

TAKING THEIR CUES from the way an insect called a water strider skates across the surface of the water, researchers at Helsinki University of Technology in Finland are working on new, super-buoyant materials that could be used for a variety of marine applications.

Their work on “nature-derived designs” uses nanocellulose, tiny fibers that make up plant stems, leaves, and roots, to construct an “aerogel” only a little heavier than air. Theoretically, one pound of it would be buoyant enough to float 1,000 pounds on water. Because it can absorb large amounts of oil as well, aerogel also could be used for environmental cleanup. Using wood-based fibers would require no petroleum to manufacture, making it a green and readily available material. The Finnish researchers shaped the aerogel to mimic the feet of water striders, which enable the insects to stand on the water without breaking surface tension. — CHRIS LANDERS

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