Southern Fried Science

Key takeaways from my Convention on Migratory Species report on fish aggregating devices in the Mediterranean Sea

September 3, 2026 David Shiffman No Comments

The United Nations Environment Programme hired me to produce a Convengtion on Migratory Species report on the environmental impacts associated with fish aggregating devices and how to mitigate those impacts. Here are some key takeaways. FADs very widely in design, and different designs have different environmental impacts. Because open-ocean fish tend to associate with any … Read More “Key takeaways from my Convention on Migratory Species report on fish aggregating devices in the Mediterranean Sea” »

Aliens, Ridley Scott, and bad science

September 3, 2026 Chris Parsons No Comments

Popular Culture, Science

I am a huge fan of the Alien franchise…mostly. Alien and Aliens were ground-breaking movies and instant classics. Alien 3 had good parts (mostly the great British actors shining up a quickly knocked out script). Alien Resurrection was … not great. Alien: Romulus was pretty good, despite a dodgy CGI android and a practical effect … Read More “Aliens, Ridley Scott, and bad science” »

Sharks, science, and summer camp: Jeff Carrier’s underappreciated Seacamp legacy

September 2, 2026 David Shiffman No Comments

Academic life

This summer, the American Elasmobranch Society held a memorial symposium for beloved scientist Dr. Jeff Carrier, and I was asked to speak about Jeff’s work at Seacamp. By request, here’s the text of my remarks, along with some photos. Many AES members worked with Jeff Carrier for longer than I did. But I bet that … Read More “Sharks, science, and summer camp: Jeff Carrier’s underappreciated Seacamp legacy” »

Have we found the city of Atlantis?

September 1, 2026 Chris Parsons No Comments

Exploration, Popular Culture

Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet (retired) made an exciting announcement recently on the American Alchemy podcast. Gallaudet has significant credentials: he served as the Navy’s oceanographer and later headed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He said that he is working with a team of “very esteemed archaeologists and geologists” and they believe that they … Read More “Have we found the city of Atlantis?” »

Jabberwocks and Snallygasters: teaching environmental education with monsters, mayhem, and dice.

August 31, 2026September 1, 2026 Andrew Thaler No Comments

Conservation, Education, Exploration, Featured, Popular Culture

Did you see the Snallygaster? It was there, clear as day, rooting through the trash at Foxy’s Harbor Grille, its tentacles probing for scraps of fish and week-old oysters. More than a few people heard its horrifying caw as it took the the sky. Thus begins the Curse of the Snallygaster. The Snallygaster is an … Read More “Jabberwocks and Snallygasters: teaching environmental education with monsters, mayhem, and dice.” »

Toxic workplaces: the “tall poppy” problem in conservation and academia

August 26, 2026 Chris Parsons 2 Comments

Academic life, Conservation, Science

Are you in conservation or academia and have noticed these things happening? Somehow, those concerns never seem to involve the actual quality of their work. Welcome to the wonderful world of “Tall Poppy Syndrome”, where the flower that stands out above the others must be cut down. It is the peculiar phenomenon in which someone … Read More “Toxic workplaces: the “tall poppy” problem in conservation and academia” »

The conservation impacts of recreational fishing

August 25, 2026 David Shiffman 1 Comment

Conservation, Featured, Science

Fishing for fun, even “catch and release” fishing, can sometimes have a significant impact on fish species of conservation concern. When most environmentalists think about the impacts of fishing, they’re thinking about large-scale industrial commercial fisheries. These impacts are serious and absolutely deserve our attention, and indeed how to mitigate those impacts is the subject … Read More “The conservation impacts of recreational fishing” »

Refuge – I think this word does not mean what you think it means

August 24, 2026 Ali Gaster No Comments

Uncategorized

The Trump Administration opens up the national “refuge” system for hunting On August 13, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced what it called the largest expansion of hunting and sport-fishing opportunities in the agency’s history. The headline states: 1,488 new hunting and fishing opportunities, spread across 111 national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries in … Read More “Refuge – I think this word does not mean what you think it means” »

The Trump Administration’s latest attack on the Endangered Species Act

August 21, 2026 Ali Gaster No Comments

Conservation, Policy, Science

There are three ways to destroy an environmental law. You can repeal it. You can withhold funds to enact or enforce the law. Or you can keep the law on the books, but rewrite the machinery that makes it work (i.e., you can sabotage it). Over the course of two weeks, the U.S. Fish and … Read More “The Trump Administration’s latest attack on the Endangered Species Act” »

How to help protect the deep sea in the Marianas and American Samoa today

August 20, 2026 Angelo Villagomez

Conservation, Featured, News, Policy

Deep sea mining lease sales are scheduled to take place in American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands in November and December, respectively. The Trump administration has advanced a rushed and secretive process in both U.S. territories with limited public participation. Thankfully the United States is still a democracy and the First Amendment guarantees us … Read More “How to help protect the deep sea in the Marianas and American Samoa today” »