Over 15 years of ocean science and conservation online
A new study breaks down the biomechanics of one of the marine world’s most unusual hunting behaviors. Thresher sharks have one of the strangest body plans of any fish, with almost half their body comprised of a scythe-like tail. It had long been suspected that that they use this tail is a whip to stun … Read More “Here’s how thresher sharks whip their tails back and forth” »
A North Carolina aquarium has reported that a round stingray named Charlotte, the only member of her species living in her tank, is pregnant. An animal becoming pregnant without a mate (and in this case, at an inland aquarium hundreds of miles from the ocean, and thousands of miles from any wild round stingrays) is … Read More “No, a shark did not get a stingray pregnant. But what really happened is pretty cool!” »
The once-great science twitter is, depending on who you talk to, either dying or dead. Once a vibrant place for many discussions related to my fields of marine biology, ocean conservation, and public science communication, it’s been described now as an abandoned shopping mall that’s been taken over by neo-Nazi gangs. Lots of people have … Read More “Bluesky is now open. Science Twitter, here’s how to use it!” »
In which I attempt to answer an interesting question I received during a public talk. Much of the focus of my career in shark research, policy, and communications has been influenced by my time doing public science engagement on social media. I’ve attended dozens of scientific conferences and conservation policy meetings, I’ve spent thousands of … Read More ““If that’s so important to shark conservation, why have I never heard of it?”” »
Today marks 15 years of blogging for Southern Fried Science! In that time, I’ve written over 600 blog posts on a huge variety of topics, and spread the good word about shark science and conservation. I’d like to celebrate the occassion by looking back on 15 things that I’m proudest of during my time as … Read More “15 things I’m proudest of in 15 years of science blogging” »
I recently got an incredible opportunity to do some public science engagement. My friends’ daughter, who absolutely loves sharks, was turning 5 and having friends over for a shark (and pirate, and octonauts) themed birthday party. And she wanted to know if I would be willing to attend and answer the kids’ questions about sharks. … Read More “I was the entertainment at a 5th birthday party: A new favorite science communication gig” »
In January 2024, I presented the John Moore Lecture at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology conference. The aim of the Moore plenary is to offer the society a new perspective on science education, and my talk was entitled “You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Engagement Strategy: Lessons Learned from Teaching the Public About Shark … Read More “Lessons learned from teaching the public about shark science and conservation: Insights from my SICB Plenary” »
A new Broadway show based on the making of Jaws, co-written by and starring Robert Shaw’s son, is some of the most fun I’ve had at the theater in years. Wearing my finest elasmo-swag to the theater “Jaws” changed the world, with scientific, cultural, and political impacts that continue to this day. Jaws made the … Read More ““The Shark is Broken” is a Broadway-loving shark scientist’s dream come true” »
Summer 2023 marks an important cultural milestone. That’s right, it has now been ten years since the release of SharkNado, which became a full-blown franchise with six movies, tens of millions in ad revenue and merchandise sales, real-world references in the floor of Congress, and near-universal awareness- all things that are otherwise unheard of for … Read More “Oh Hell No: Ten Years of SharkNado” »
Following a growing problem of mishandling of species of conservation concern, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing some new shark fishing regulations. Here is the text of the letter I sent them supporting some of those proposed regulations, and proposing additional regulations. A dead sand tiger shark washed up on a New York … Read More “My comments on New York’s proposed new shark fishing regulations” »
