One of the most straightforward watersports, kayaking is not only a good workout, but it is a practical way to see some cool sights while out on the ocean. California’s Channel Islands National Park is a great place for kayaking enthusiasts to look into as it provides great boating opportunities for all different skill levels.

Whether one is a beginner to kayaking or a seasoned expert, Channel Islands National Park offers stunning views and manageable waters for visitors to explore.

Basics of Kayaking

Invented several thousand years ago by the Inuit, kayaking has evolved into a popular pastime for people all over the world. Slightly different than canoeing (in which the rider sits in a kneeling position, versus the legs-forward position in a kayak), and wield a paddle with two blades instead of one. Perhaps the key to kayaking’s success and popularity is its versatility- beginners can learn fairly quickly, and professionals are known to master very rough currents and waves. There is even a spot for kayaking in the Summer Olympics!

Before diving into the different places within California’s Channel Islands, it’s always a good idea to brush up on some basic kayaking skills before going.

Maintain a seated, upright position, with arms resting comfortably on the sides of the boat. Grip the paddle and use rhythm and momentum to propel through the water.

New research has revealed how aquatic food sectors can play a vital role in providing healthy diets and a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food system across the globe. The proceedings of the study were published in the journal Nature. The study highlighted the opportunity that the vast diversity of aquatic, or "blue" foods can provide in the coming decades, which can solve the problem of malnutrition, provide livelihoods, restore ecological harmony, and lower food crises across the world.

According to the lead researcher, Ben Halpern, who is also a marine ecologist at UC Santa Barbara's Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, claims that "People are trying to make more informed choices about the food they eat, in particular, the environmental footprint of their food". Halpern, along with his other team members, carried out a study on the environmental sustainability of aquatic foods, small-scale producers, and the climate risks faced by the aquatic food systems. The researchers gathered the findings of over a hundred studies to find out more about the aquatic food sector. It was observed that blue foods provided a great option for sustainable food.

Study claims, 'blue food' can help solve climate change, malnutrition & economic crisis

The research claims that demand for blue foods in the global market is likely to double in the next 30 years and will be met primarily through increased aquaculture production and not by capturing fisheries. Investing in innovation and improving fishing management can enhance the consumption level and have profound effects on malnutrition. The lead author of the study claimed that "small-scale fishers—the individuals and small boats that fish in places all around the world—are a huge part of the global seafood system and are incredibly diverse in who they are and how they fish, who also directs the National Center for Ecological Analysis & Synthesis at UCSB. That diversity creates both opportunities and challenges for sustainably managing the oceans. We unpacked this diversity to help guide better management. "

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The study states that blue foods are ranked more highly than terrestrial animal-sourced foods in terms of their nutritional benefits and sustainability. Many blue food species have more nutritional value compared to chicken. Trout contained 19 times more omega-3 fatty acids, while oysters and mussels had 76 times more vitamin B-12 and more iron and calcium.

The shark is called an angular roughshark and is distinguished by its wide-set eyes and its short, blunt snout, giving it the appearance of a pig.

On August 19, a group of Italian naval officers on the island of Elba came across an unusual fish floating in the water. But when they pulled it to the surface, they realized it was no ordinary specimen but a lifeless, pig-faced shark.

The sailors were stationed at Medici marina in Elba’s largest city of Portoferraio when they made the confounding find that caused a local stir.

It didn’t take long for its captors to get on social media to publish photos of the creature on the Isola d’Elba Facebook page. According to Toscana Media News, the post received hundreds of likes, shares, and comments from people around the world desperate for answers. Fortunately, one expert just provided some.

The shark has been identified as an angular roughshark (Oxynotus centrina), and it’s unlike any of its peers. Colloquially known as a “pig fish,” this shark species is distinguished by its large, pink snout and bulbous, wide-set eyes.