Giant tube worms dwell in the deep places beneath the ocean floor.

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Featured, Science

Giant deep-sea tube worms. When the RV Knorr arrived above Galapagos Rift in 1977, a team of geologists, geochemists, and geophysicist, including Robert Ballard who would go on to locate the wreck of the Titanic among other ocean-shaping discoveries) was prepared to witness something never before seen: a geyser of superheated, chemical rich water erupting … Read More “Giant tube worms dwell in the deep places beneath the ocean floor.” »

6 Ways to Support the America the Beautiful for All Coalition

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Conservation, Featured, Policy

The membership of the America the Beautiful for All coalition stretches from the Marianas to Maine, Alaska to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  We are the largest, most diverse coalition of its kind to ever exist in the United States. Last week, 170+ conservation, climate change, and community leaders from across the United States … Read More “6 Ways to Support the America the Beautiful for All Coalition” »

The story of the pride flag made from NASA imagery: Bluesky’s most-liked image

Posted on By David Shiffman
Science

Last June, a striking image of a pride flag made up of NASA imagery became the most-liked post on the new social media network Bluesky, a post it held for 2 months. I spoke with its creator Rachel Lense about how it was made, and what it’s reception means for inclusion in science. This image … Read More “The story of the pride flag made from NASA imagery: Bluesky’s most-liked image” »

My remarks for Biodiversity Leaders for Harris Walz

Posted on By David Shiffman
Conservation, Science

On Thursday, September 26th, I spoke on a “Biodiversity Leaders for Harris-Walz” zoom call. This is the text of my remarks, including links to learn more. Good evening. I’m Dr. David Shiffman, an ocean conservation scientist who studies threats to marine life and how we can solve those problems using wise evidence-based policymaking, through equitable … Read More “My remarks for Biodiversity Leaders for Harris Walz” »

Comparing the OpenCTD to a YSI Castaway

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Education, Featured, Oceanography for Everyone

For close to two decades now, the venerable YSI Castaway has been the gold standard for small, relatively cheap, handheld CTDs. In the early days of OpenROV, the robot’s little payload bay was sized explicitly to fit a Castaway. When Kersey and I started building the OpenCTD, our benchmark for viability was how well the … Read More “Comparing the OpenCTD to a YSI Castaway” »

Catching up with the Cephalosquad on Dugongs and Sea Dragons

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Conservation, Education

The Cephalosquad recently celebrated our 300th episode of Dugongs and Seadragons. Listen along as we reminisce on 6 years of D&D podcasting, getting to old for all this, and the surprising discovery that our younger members do not know who Jennine Garofalo is. Meanwhile, in the ongoing adventure of a bunch of very nerdy marine … Read More “Catching up with the Cephalosquad on Dugongs and Sea Dragons” »

Jumping the shark: New study reviews the breaching behavior of sharks and rays

Posted on By David Shiffman
Featured, Science

One of the most iconic images of shark behavior is a great white shark hitting its prey so hard from below that the whole shark flies out of the water. This behavior, called “breaching,” has been documented in many species, and is useful for a variety of ecological functions, not just hunting. I spoke to … Read More “Jumping the shark: New study reviews the breaching behavior of sharks and rays” »

Resources for Donald Trump’s Project 2025 and the Environment

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Featured, Policy

Donald Trump’s Project 2025 is an extreme MAGA policy blueprint that aims to reshape the U.S. federal government significantly.  While it touches on nearly every facet of life in America, it poses substantial threats to environmental and climate change action. This is a list of resources that call attention to this terrifying vision of a … Read More “Resources for Donald Trump’s Project 2025 and the Environment” »

Leticia Carvalho will be the next Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Featured, News, Policy

In a surprise upset on the final day of the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority, Leticia Carvalho secured the position of Secretary General over 8-year incumbent Michael Lodge. The 79 to 34 vote was a decisive rejection of Lodge’s leadership, whose tenure has been marred by criticism that he has improperly shared information … Read More “Leticia Carvalho will be the next Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority” »