Author: David Shiffman

NOAA carries a two century legacy of America’s first government science agency

Posted on By David Shiffman
Featured, Policy, Science

NOAA, the US government science and management agency in charge of sustainable fisheries, the national weather service, and ocean exploration, is in the crosshairs of the Trump administration and Project 2025. Though criticisms from “small government” types imply that having a US government science agency at all represents some kind of expansion of government power … Read More “NOAA carries a two century legacy of America’s first government science agency” »

We’re making a new marine conservation science and policy textbook. What do you want to be in it?

Posted on By David Shiffman
Academic life, Conservation, Science

The leading textbook in Marine Conservation Biology (Norse and Crowder) is 20 years old. It’s great and it shaped the field for a generation, but a lot has happened since it came out. There are new conservation threats, new policy tools, and new research methods to study them. And in that time, we’ve radically changed … Read More “We’re making a new marine conservation science and policy textbook. What do you want to be in it?” »

The wrongest belief about the deep sea is wronger than you know

Posted on By David Shiffman
Blogging, Conservation, Exploration, Featured, Science

More people care about marine biodiversity and saving the ocean than ever before. But progress towards evidence-based conservation is hindered by widespread public misunderstanding of the key issues in play.   You’ve heard versions of this rant from me for 15 years, but this is not a post about sustainable fisheries, or shark conservation. This … Read More “The wrongest belief about the deep sea is wronger than you know” »

My “Follow ocean science and conservation experts on Bluesky and Instagram” assignment

Posted on By David Shiffman
Conservation, Education, Science

As an informal learning assignment, I have my students use social media to follow ocean science and conservation experts for the semester. Each week, they’re asked to check social media for a few minutes, and report on something interesting they learned about marine science or conservation (and why they thought it was interesting.) I’m sharing … Read More “My “Follow ocean science and conservation experts on Bluesky and Instagram” assignment” »

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” »

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” »

Bonnethead sharks are this year’s guest #BestShark

Posted on By David Shiffman
Science

Everyone knows that sandbar shark is #BestShark. But to help raise money for graduate student shark research, I asked professional wrestler Ryan “Hollywood Hunk” Nemeth to help me auction off the right for some other species to be guest #BestShark for a year– an honor that comes with a custom wrestling championship belt I commissioned … Read More “Bonnethead sharks are this year’s guest #BestShark” »

Stuff to do in Pittsburgh if you’re in town for JMIH 2024

Posted on By David Shiffman
Science

The upcoming 2024 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists is in my hometown of Pittsburgh! I can’t wait to show yinz around dahntahn n’at! Don’t be a jagoff, learn a little about the city before you go aht and explore! What’s with the weird accent? Lots of cities have regional dialects, and we have Pittsburghese. … Read More “Stuff to do in Pittsburgh if you’re in town for JMIH 2024” »