Category: Featured

Here’s how to join my IMCC8 symposium, “Ocean Science Communication: What’s New and What’s Next?”

Posted on By David Shiffman
Conservation, Education, Featured

I am pleased to announce that I’ll be leading a symposium at the upcoming 8th International Marine Conservation Congress in Scotland! We’ll be discussing new developments and emerging trends in the field of ocean science and conservation communication, and will produce a multi-coauthor peer reviewed scientific journal manuscript. Here’s how to sign up to present. … Read More “Here’s how to join my IMCC8 symposium, “Ocean Science Communication: What’s New and What’s Next?”” »

Deep Sea Mining Symposium Announcement

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Featured, Science

Abstract submissions are now open for the 8th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC8), taking place November 13–17, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland—and we’re excited to announce an open symposium on deep‑sea mining. Titled “Between a Rock and a Deep Place: Science and Deep Sea Mining Policy,” this session will examine the science, ethics, and governance shaping … Read More “Deep Sea Mining Symposium Announcement” »

Join Me at Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice — Our Fourth Year!

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Conservation, Featured, News

I hope that you will join me at Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice this June 2-3 in Washington, DC. Please register today. Due to popular demand, Upwell is moving to a larger venue this year and we are adding a second day. We are holding this year’s event at the Martin Luther King Jr. … Read More “Join Me at Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice — Our Fourth Year!” »

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
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?” »

Here are some ocean conservation technologies that I’m excited about

Posted on By David Shiffman
Conservation, Featured

“Is there any technology the left is excited about?” This question was asked on social media this week by a supporter of AI who was frustrated by criticisms of that technology. It’s led to some interesting discussions on Bluesky, and I wanted to answer it from my perspective as an ocean conservation scientist and policy … Read More “Here are some ocean conservation technologies that I’m excited about” »

Walking Backwards Into the Future: Applying Indigenous Knowledge to Deep Sea Mining

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Conservation, Featured, Policy

The Trump administration argues that opening America’s seafloor to deep sea mining is essential for strengthening our economy and securing our energy future. But from a Pacific Islander perspective, this rush to extract metals from the ocean – especially near the Mariana Trench and American Samoa – ignores hard-earned lessons and risks repeating past mistakes. … Read More “Walking Backwards Into the Future: Applying Indigenous Knowledge to Deep Sea Mining” »

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” »

Bipartisan Concern Expressed Over Deep Sea Mining at Congressional Hearing

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Conservation, Featured, News, Policy

On January 22, 2026 the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing titled “Deep Dive: Examining the Regulatory and Statutory Barriers to Deep Sea Mining.”  The hearing revealed significant bipartisan resistance to deep-sea mining in the US Pacific territories, including a unified position from Republican members Radewagen of American … Read More “Bipartisan Concern Expressed Over Deep Sea Mining at Congressional Hearing” »

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.” »