Over 15 years of ocean science and conservation online
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” »
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.” »
2025 was a great year for my public outreach! Among other things, I was selected as a Sigma Xi distinguished lecturer (starting in 2026,) won the American Fisheries Society’s Excellence in Public Outreach Award, and was honored as one of the people most shaping policy in Washington, DC by Washingtonian Magazine. Here are some of … Read More “2025: My year in writing, public speaking, and media interviews” »
Long time friend of the blog, Dr. Jake Levenson, delivers a talk twenty years in the making, about how space technology and open data standards can help protect the ocean.
Sharks are some of the most threatened animals on Earth, and accordingly many scientists who study sharks want their research to be useful for conservation. However, most scientific training does not include a detailed explanation of the policymaking process, resulting in lots of shark research being positioned as relevant to conservation and policy when it … Read More “Shark scientists want their research to help save threatened species, but don’t know how. Our new paper can help.” »
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.” »
I was invited by the Sierra Club National Marine Team to talk about the science and policy of deep-sea mining. Watch the panel, above!
“My family lived and died in America, hmGood ol’ USA (good ol’ USA), shitWhole lotta red in that white and blue, huhHistory can’t be erased, ooh-ohAre you lookin’ for a new America? (America)Are you tired, working time and a half for half the pay?” – Ya Ya lyrics, Beyonce The Trump administration is attempting to … Read More “Beyoncé is Right: History Can’t Be Erased” »
By outlining my role and expectations as a committee member, my goal is to help make sure that we have a productive professional relationship, and that we avoid any conflict stemming from not being on the same page about these important matters. This document is a work in progress and may be edited. And this … Read More “I can serve on your graduate thesis committee. Here’s what you can expect of me, and what I expect in return.” »
I am extremely pleased to announce that a book I contributed to is now available for pre-order. Ocean: From Shore to Abyss, led by the legendary Dr. Asha de Vos, is a visual journey through the oceans, from sandy beaches to the deepest trenches. I, along with Tony Martin, Helen Scales, Peter Godfrey-Smith, and Rebecca … Read More “Ocean: From the Shore to the Abyss” »
