Southern Fried Science

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

August 20, 2026 Angelo Villagomez No Comments

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” »

Want to wish someone happy birthday with shark facts? I’m now on Cameo!

August 20, 2026 David Shiffman No Comments

Blogging

Want a fun and unique birthday gift+ for the shark nerd in your life? I’m now on Cameo, the app that lets you get a personalized video message from celebrities*. You can now hire me through Cameo to deliver a personalized birthday message, including a fun fact about sharks! Here’s how it works, for those … Read More “Want to wish someone happy birthday with shark facts? I’m now on Cameo!” »

Trump Administration Advances Mariana Trench Offshore Mineral Leasing Process

August 19, 2026 Angelo Villagomez No Comments

Conservation, Featured, News, Policy

Yesterday the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management ignored the voices of 60,000 public comments and issued a proposed leasing notice for the seabed surrounding the Mariana Trench. This is a key step in selling off 69 million acres of the American seafloor to the mining industry, an area about the size of Nevada. A new … Read More “Trump Administration Advances Mariana Trench Offshore Mineral Leasing Process” »

The locksmith and the conservation scientist

August 18, 2026 David Shiffman No Comments

Conservation, Education

Why well-intentioned but uninformed guessing cannot and will not solve conservation problems, and what we should do instead. Picture this scene: you’re walking down the street, and you see your neighbor pacing back and forth nervously near the door to his house. He’s locked himself out of his house, accidentally leaving his keys inside. A … Read More “The locksmith and the conservation scientist” »

Endangered species in limbo

August 17, 2026 Ali Gaster No Comments

Conservation, Policy, Science

If you spend any time scrolling through the Federal Register (and let’s be honest, that’s just one of the cool, hip, and happening ways we pass the time here at Southern Fried Science), you will notice an alarming trend. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is widely considered the gold standard of conservation law and it … Read More “Endangered species in limbo” »

Ten very bad, no good things the latest Trump Administration has done to the oceans

August 14, 2026 Ali Gaster No Comments

Conservation, Policy, Uncategorized

The last 18 months have been an absolute nightmare for U.S. ocean and conservation policy. But here are the top ten worst things (in no particular order) this administration has done to marine conservation. 1. Opening Papahānaumokuākea to fishing In June 2026, a sweeping executive proclamation tore down commercial fishing bans in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine … Read More “Ten very bad, no good things the latest Trump Administration has done to the oceans” »

Emergency room conservation: why waiting for the Endangered Species Act to save a species is a fiscal disaster

August 11, 2026 Ali Gaster No Comments

Conservation, Policy, Science

Let’s talk about a pervasive zombie idea (a disproven idea that refuses to die) that continues to shamble through the halls of resource management. This is the belief that we shouldn’t spend money on conservation until a species is officially, legally designated as Threatened or Endangered. The logic behind this delay usually wears a suit … Read More “Emergency room conservation: why waiting for the Endangered Species Act to save a species is a fiscal disaster” »

Is Academic Publishing is breaking conservation science?

August 10, 2026 Chris Parsons No Comments

Academic life, Blogging, Conservation, Policy, Science

Let’s be honest: if you are working in conservation, you have probably stared down a peer-review nightmare that made you want to throw your laptop into ocean. We’ve all been told the same myth since undergrad: do the science; write the paper; pass the peer-review gauntlet; and magically you’ve saved the planet. The peer-reviewed paper … Read More “Is Academic Publishing is breaking conservation science?” »

Zombie ideas in conservation: trophy hunting and conservation

August 6, 2026 Ali Gaster

Uncategorized

A “zombie idea” is a policy, belief, or theory that has been thoroughly disproven by facts and evidence, and continues to resurface again and again… it just won’t die. Somehow they continue to stagger through public discourse, dragging their rotting limbs into legislative chambers and conservation galas. One of the loudest, most persistent groans from … Read More “Zombie ideas in conservation: trophy hunting and conservation” »

Please Help This Little Dumbo Octopus Travel Across America

August 3, 2026August 3, 2026 Angelo Villagomez 1 Comment

Climate change, Education, Featured, Policy

A small, friendly Dumbo Octopus named Miss Abyss is currently traveling across the United States, and she needs your help. Miss Abyss carries a message of urgent importance for the future of our oceans. As she makes her journey, she is gathering allies from every corner of the country to oppose the looming threat of … Read More “Please Help This Little Dumbo Octopus Travel Across America” »