Isn’t ironic, don’t you think: dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative on World Oceans Day

Posted on By Southern Fried Science No Comments on Isn’t ironic, don’t you think: dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative on World Oceans Day
Climate change, Featured, Policy, Science

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is pulling the plug on the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), systematically dismantling one of the world’s most advanced deep-sea monitoring networks. This aggressive “descoping” plan means hundreds of high-tech instruments are actively being hauled out of the water. The timing of this infrastructure rollback carries a painful, bitter irony. The … Read More “Isn’t ironic, don’t you think: dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative on World Oceans Day” »

Tackling the least important debate in deep-sea mining: the desultory hyphen

Posted on By Andrew Thaler No Comments on Tackling the least important debate in deep-sea mining: the desultory hyphen
Education

Is deep-sea mining inevitable? Can deep-sea mining be sustainable? Will the deep-sea mining community ever agree on a payment regime under the common heritage principle? Can the United States issue deep-sea mining licenses in the high seas without ISA approval? Will deep-sea mining awaken eldritch horrors vast and unknowable, from their millennia of slumber? These … Read More “Tackling the least important debate in deep-sea mining: the desultory hyphen” »

“Why Sustainable Seafood Matters” is now available for preorder! Here’s what it’s about, and why I decided to write it.

Posted on By David Shiffman No Comments on “Why Sustainable Seafood Matters” is now available for preorder! Here’s what it’s about, and why I decided to write it.
Conservation, Education, Featured

I am thrilled to announce that “Why Sustainable Seafood Matters,” my second book, is now available for preorder through my publisher Johns Hopkins University Press! Use code HWSSM for 30% off your preorder! Preorders are important because they help signal to booksellers how much interest there is in a book, so please consider ordering a … Read More ““Why Sustainable Seafood Matters” is now available for preorder! Here’s what it’s about, and why I decided to write it.” »

Deep-sea Mining, Domestic Cats, Star Trek, and Ocean Exploration: Andrew’s mid-year podcast round-up.

Posted on By Andrew Thaler No Comments on Deep-sea Mining, Domestic Cats, Star Trek, and Ocean Exploration: Andrew’s mid-year podcast round-up.
Policy, Popular Culture, Science

The first six months of 2026 have been busy. Between writing for my OpEd fellowship, working on congressional testimony, drafting my upcoming book on the use and misuse of the deep sea, and, well, working an actual job because I still have to keep my family fed and my daughter has developed a taste for … Read More “Deep-sea Mining, Domestic Cats, Star Trek, and Ocean Exploration: Andrew’s mid-year podcast round-up.” »

Oceans week 2026 – a lost hope

Posted on By Southern Fried Science No Comments on Oceans week 2026 – a lost hope
Academic life, Climate change, Conservation, Science

This week is National Oceans week. One of the main events in Washington DC is Capitol Hill Ocean Week (or CHOW). This two-day event, sponsored by the U.S. Government, brought policymakers, scientists, and conservationists together for policy discussions, networking, and raising awareness about ocean issues. I went to the event two years ago, and at … Read More “Oceans week 2026 – a lost hope” »

Why ocean science is still one of the worst-funded scientific fields worldwide

Posted on By Chris Parsons No Comments on Why ocean science is still one of the worst-funded scientific fields worldwide
Climate change, Conservation, Exploration, Science

For a planet that is 71% ocean, humanity spends a surprisingly small amount of time (and money) trying to understand it. Ocean science sits in a strange place in the research ecosystem. It underpins climate science, fisheries management, biodiversity conservation, and coastal economies. It’s essential for understanding everything from hurricanes to heatwaves to global carbon … Read More “Why ocean science is still one of the worst-funded scientific fields worldwide” »

250 years of climate change – it’s as hot as hell in Philadelphia!

Posted on By Chris Parsons No Comments on 250 years of climate change – it’s as hot as hell in Philadelphia!
Climate change

“Someone open up a window!” Adams yells.“No!” a Congressman barks back.“It’s stifling!” Adams protests.“It’s hot as hell!”“It’s ninety degrees! Have mercy, John, please! It’s hot as hell in Philadelphia!” If you’ve ever seen the play or watched the movie musical 1776, you probably remember the Founding Fathers sweating through their wool waistcoats. The opening scene … Read More “250 years of climate change – it’s as hot as hell in Philadelphia!” »

I just told 850 shark scientists a hard truth: We’re not communicating shark conservation correctly.

Posted on By David Shiffman No Comments on I just told 850 shark scientists a hard truth: We’re not communicating shark conservation correctly.
Conservation, Education, Policy, Science

At the 2026 Sharks International conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, I was invited to present my research on the causes and consequences of public misunderstanding of shark conservation issues. The meeting brought together more than 850 shark scientists and conservation professionals from 84 countries, a new record for the conference. Here’s what I told them. … Read More “I just told 850 shark scientists a hard truth: We’re not communicating shark conservation correctly.” »

Earth Day 2026: We paved paradise and put up a parking lot

Posted on By Southern Fried Science
Conservation, Uncategorized

Earth Day used to be about the environment. In 2026, it’s about traffic. The Trump administration marked April 22 with a mix of infrastructure announcements, deregulation, and a heavy dose of branding … while environmental protection took a noticeable back seat. Freedom to Drive… Over Everything The headline initiative? A “Freedom to Drive” push from … Read More “Earth Day 2026: We paved paradise and put up a parking lot” »

Here’s how to join my IMCC8 symposium, “Ocean Science Communication: What’s New and What’s Next?”

Posted on By David Shiffman
Conservation, Education, Featured

I am pleased to announce that I’ll be leading a symposium at the upcoming 8th International Marine Conservation Congress in Scotland! We’ll be discussing new developments and emerging trends in the field of ocean science and conservation communication, and will produce a multi-coauthor peer reviewed scientific journal manuscript. Here’s how to sign up to present. … Read More “Here’s how to join my IMCC8 symposium, “Ocean Science Communication: What’s New and What’s Next?”” »