CITES update: Bluefin and crocodiles and polar bears? Oh my!

Posted on By David Shiffman
Conservation, Science

The latest news out of CITES isn’t encouraging.  Marie Levine, President of the Shark Research Institute, is attending and made the following statement: “Animals did not fare well at CITES today. The USA’s bid to have the polar bear uplisted from Appendix II to Appendix I was defeated, as was  Egypt’s attempt to have the … Read More “CITES update: Bluefin and crocodiles and polar bears? Oh my!” »

Ancient sharks, not only sub-par, but also pretty gross

Posted on By Andrew Thaler 4 Comments on Ancient sharks, not only sub-par, but also pretty gross
Science

If you’re still unconvinced by previous meditations into the sub-par-ody of sharks, consider this study, reported over at Laelaps: The simplest explanation was that the shark (or sharks) which left the marks had been intentionally trying to eat the feces. “From the curvature of the toothmarks and their positions on the specimens,” Godfrey and Smith … Read More “Ancient sharks, not only sub-par, but also pretty gross” »

Bluefin tuna fails to make UN’s list of protected fish

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Conservation

Seriously, what the fuck? A proposal to protect the Atlantic bluefin tuna prized in sushi was rejected at a UN wildlife meeting today. The decision was reached after Japan, Canada and scores of poor nations opposed the measure on the grounds that banning exports of the fish would devastate fishing economies. Monaco introduced the proposal … Read More “Bluefin tuna fails to make UN’s list of protected fish” »

Shark conservation is not off to a good start at CITES

Posted on By David Shiffman 6 Comments on Shark conservation is not off to a good start at CITES
Conservation

The first shark conservation proposal at CITES has been defeated. This was not a proposed appendix II listing that I wrote about yesterday, but rather a nonbinding measure that “called for increased transparency in the shark trade and more research into the threat posed to sharks by illegal fishing” (from the AP article linked to above). If a non-binding measure that doesn’t actually ban any trade in shark products can’t pass, that’s not a good sign. Why did some countries vote against this non-binding measure to support research and increase transparency?

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Science blogs and public engagement with science: across the disciplinary divide

Posted on By Amy Freitag 3 Comments on Science blogs and public engagement with science: across the disciplinary divide
Uncategorized

Debate over a communications study investigating science blogs and public engagement has recently engaged some of the research subjects and their friends to review the paper, which they’re totally entitled to do. Except that they, as traditional natural scientists, may not have the tools at hand to do justice to such a review. Dr. Isis’ response to the article may have been a bit dramatic but not entirely off the mark.  The study was well-grounded within social studies of science theory, but perhaps not executed or written like a seasoned researcher, which I suspect the author’s not.  So, beyond the fold, my social science perspective on the paper…

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