Author: Andrew Thaler

Marine science and conservation. Deep-sea ecology. Population genetics. Underwater robots. Open-source instrumentation. The deep sea is Earth's last great wilderness.

How close did the world’s first deep-sea mining come to the dredging the world’s largest cold-water coral reef?

Posted on By Andrew Thaler No Comments on How close did the world’s first deep-sea mining come to the dredging the world’s largest cold-water coral reef?
Conservation, Exploration, Featured

The Blake Plateau, off the coast of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, is one of the most remarkable ecosystems in the United States. It is home to the world’s largest cold water coral reef, a coral complex larger than the state of Vermont, which may be the single largest contiguous ecosystem in the continental US. … Read More “How close did the world’s first deep-sea mining come to the dredging the world’s largest cold-water coral reef?” »

Tales from the Limitless Abyss: House Cats and Hydrothermal Vents

Posted on By Andrew Thaler No Comments on Tales from the Limitless Abyss: House Cats and Hydrothermal Vents
Exploration

A fun new project from me and Andrew Lewin. I have a contract to write a book this year on the many ways that humans use and misuse the deep sea. To help keep me on track and act as my accountability buddy, I’m checking in with Andrew to share some of the fun little … Read More “Tales from the Limitless Abyss: House Cats and Hydrothermal Vents” »

Talking about deep-sea mining, permitting, and my recent congressional briefing on How to Protect the Ocean.

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Policy

Last week, I joined Andrew Lewin on How to Protect the Ocean to talk about my recent congressional briefing, the experience of testifying in front of congress, and the potential consequences of deep-sea mining. A few key points of my testimony, and my response to Congresswoman Dexter, were clipped by Forbes. I think they’re worth … Read More “Talking about deep-sea mining, permitting, and my recent congressional briefing on How to Protect the Ocean.” »

Smart Buoys, Deep-sea Mining, Marine Careers, and Dungeons & Dragons: 2025 in Ocean Science Podcasts

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Conservation, Education, Exploration

2025. Holy Mola was that a long year. I made a concerted effort to appear on more podcasts last year across more topics than I usually do. Excepting the weekly ocean science podcast I’m a part of, I hit a little more than 1 podcast a month throughout the year. If you need an expert … Read More “Smart Buoys, Deep-sea Mining, Marine Careers, and Dungeons & Dragons: 2025 in Ocean Science Podcasts” »

The Urgency Does Not Exist: My statement on Deep-sea Mining to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Featured, Policy

This week, I was invited to testify in front of Congress on the environmental and social impacts of deep-sea mining for the House Natural Resources Committee hearing Deep Dive: Examining the Regulatory and Statutory Barriers to Deep Sea Mining. In my opening statement, I touched on three critical points: the lack of urgency to access … Read More “The Urgency Does Not Exist: My statement on Deep-sea Mining to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources” »

That’s not a blobfish: Deep Sea Social Media is Flooded by AI Slop

Posted on By Andrew Thaler 1 Comment on That’s not a blobfish: Deep Sea Social Media is Flooded by AI Slop
Education, Featured

Well, it finally happened. Over the last two week, my usually well-curated feeds of videos from the deep sea have been overrun with AI slop masquerading as authentic images of strange and delightful creatures of the abyss. AI slop is permeating everything, but it’s particularly noxious when dealing with images from the deep. We generally … Read More “That’s not a blobfish: Deep Sea Social Media is Flooded by AI Slop” »

Norway and Cook Islands put their deep-sea mining plans on pause.

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Conservation, Exploration, Featured, Policy

In the last month, two major players in the development of the deep-sea mining industry have put their plans on pause, calling for more research and less urgency in the race to the bottom. In November, the Cook Islands opted to extend their current exploration programs for an another five years, giving contractors and scientists … Read More “Norway and Cook Islands put their deep-sea mining plans on pause.” »

What we know we don’t know: impacts of deep-sea mining on whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and other migratory species.

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Conservation, Exploration, Featured, Science

Migratory species depend on a vast, interconnected ocean. Disturbance in the deep-sea isn’t localized, it ripples across a globally-connected ocean and impacts made today may persist long after our species fades. Deep-sea mining is an industry in its infancy. As it has slowly matured towards commercial production, the major focus on the impacts of deep-sea … Read More “What we know we don’t know: impacts of deep-sea mining on whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and other migratory species.” »