Category: Exploration

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” »

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” »

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.” »

9 Quick Questions About Deep-Sea Mining from My Congressional Briefing

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Exploration, Featured, Science

Last Friday, I was invited by Congressman Case to brief congressional staffers on the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining alongside former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ocean, Fisheries and Polar Affairs, Dr. Mahlet Mesfin, and native Hawaiian Elder, Solomon Pili Kahoʻohalahala. It was a complex and wide ranging discussion across a range of scientific, policy, and … Read More “9 Quick Questions About Deep-Sea Mining from My Congressional Briefing” »

I’m offering a free online crash course in scientific writing and publishing. Here’s how to join!

Posted on By David Shiffman
Academic life, Exploration, Science

The world of scientific writing and pubilshing is complex and confusing, and it can be hard for early career scientists to master. But don’t worry! I am an experienced and award-winning scientific writer, reviewer, editor, and writing instructor, and I’m here to help! I am offering a free online crash course in scientific writing and … Read More “I’m offering a free online crash course in scientific writing and publishing. Here’s how to join!” »

Nodules, Lost Mines, and Dark Oxygen: A new documentary on deep-sea mining asks important questions about the future of the industry.

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

Nodules, a new documentary by Clare Fieseler and Jason Jaacks takes a deep dive into polymetallic nodule mining and two recent discoveries that help reshape our understanding of the seafloor. Fieseler explores the discovery of dark oxygen production in nodule fields and the rediscovery of the world’s first deep-sea mining test site on the Blake … Read More “Nodules, Lost Mines, and Dark Oxygen: A new documentary on deep-sea mining asks important questions about the future of the industry.” »

The Urgency is Artificial. My comment on the proposed permitting of deep-sea mining leases off American Samoa

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Conservation, Exploration, Featured

Last month, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, who oversees seabed mineral mining within US water received an application from Impossible Metals to lease an area offshore of American Samoa for deep-sea mining trials. Unlike The Metals Company’s bid to mine the high seas under US license, the Federal Government had clear authority to issue … Read More “The Urgency is Artificial. My comment on the proposed permitting of deep-sea mining leases off American Samoa” »