Over 15 years of ocean science and conservation online
This editorial originally appeared as my farewell letter when I ended my tenure at the Deep-sea Mining Observer. In light of recent news surrounding deep-sea mining, I am republishing it here for posterity. Four years ago, I took over the Deep-sea Mining Observer from my predecessor, Arlo Hemphill. Conceived by the Pew Charitable Trust in … Read More “Deep-sea Mining: It’s science fiction, until it isn’t.” »
Increasing focus on nearshore ocean conservation will benefit people and communities and provide more effective protections for wildlife. The Center for American Progress and several of our partners with the America the Beautiful for All Coalition, including Carolina Ocean Alliance, Endangered Species Coalition, Healthy Ocean Coalition, Minorities in Shark Science, and National Congress of Environmental … Read More “Nearshore Ocean Progress: State and Local Leadership That Works for People and Ecosystems” »
I have several upcoming public talks, panels, and workshops in May and June. Here they are all in one place! Public talk! Endangered Species in U.S. Waters: What threatens, them, and how can we save them? May 16th in Baltimore through the Natural History Society of Maryland. Get tickets here. Talk description: Over 100 marine … Read More “Sustainable Seafood, Endangered Species, and Jaws: Some upcoming talks and panels” »
It’s another podcast round-up! I was on how to Protect the Ocean talking about the most recent developments in deep-sea mining. Angelo and I caught up with Beth Pike of Marine Conservation Institute for Deep Day, to talk about marine protected areas, mining, and fishing. And over on my very silly ocean science Dungeons and … Read More “Deep-sea mining, marine protected areas, and the eternal struggle to open doors: This Week in Andrew (and Angelo) Doing Podcasts” »
“Show me your budget and I’ll tell you what your values are” — President Joseph R. Biden The 10th Our Ocean conference ended on April 30, 2025 and touted its success in securing 277 new ocean conservation commitments totaling $9.1 billion in pledged support across the conference’s areas of action. Despite the primacy of 30×30 … Read More “2025 Our Ocean Commitments Reveal Disparity in Global Ocean Priorities” »
Earlier this month, the good folks at the Schmidt Institute for Oceanography, unveiled the first video footage of a colossal squid. Colossal squid were first described 100 years ago, but have never been seen live. What little information we have comes from specimens that washed up on beaches or from hard parts found in the … Read More “First live video of a colossal squid highlights one of the most exciting knowledge gaps in deep ocean exploration” »
Last night, the President signed an Executive Order on Deep-sea Mining. The order directs primarily NOAA and DOI to develop an expedited permitting process for mining in both the US EEZ and, chaotically, the high seas beyond US jurisdiction. I provide a brief overview of the industry here: Understanding the Executive Order on Deep-sea Mining … Read More “Understanding the Executive Order on Deep-sea Mining and Critical Minerals: Part 2, what is in the Executive Order?” »
Late yesterday afternoon, the President signed and executive order on Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources. This order accelerates the US’s expansion into the nascent deep-sea mining industry, asserts its claims over minerals of the US outer continental shelf, and reasserts its claims over mineral deposits in the high seas, with some interesting caveats. … Read More “Understanding the Executive Order on Deep-sea Mining and Critical Minerals: Part 1, what are we talking about?” »
Nature recently shared a list of the most-cited papers of all time in any scientific field. That got me thinking: what are the most-cited papers in my field? And do they have any traits in common? Me at the New England Aquarium Methods: Simple! I performed a Web of Science database search for “shark,” and … Read More “These are the 10 most-cited shark science papers of all time” »
Donald Trump opened an area of about 250 million acres of protected American waters to industrial fishing fleets on Thursday. This sets a very dangerous precedent that our public lands and waters are for sale to the highest bidder. I know that we’re all exhausted from the onslaught of daily outrages by the Trump administration. … Read More “5 things you can do if you’re pissed off about the latest Trump EO” »
