Stone Walls and Historical Harbors Are Unexpected Havens of Biodiversity

You never know what you’ll see looking back from the cracks.

Jul 13, 2023 | 550 words, about 2 minutes

Wanted: Lost Crab Traps. Reward: $5

A pioneering project is cleaning up ghost fishing gear one crab trap at a time.

May 8, 2023 | 750 words, about 3 minutes

In Mexico, Dive Tourism Is Worth as Much as Fishing

The surprising value of the country’s dive tourism industry gives another reason to protect its marine ecosystems.

Jun 10, 2021 | 650 words, about 3 minutes

Whale Songs Tell a New Story about Humpback Migrations

Humpbacks from across the North Pacific share songs.

Aug 8, 2019 | 800 words, about 4 minutes

A Tsunami of Trash

The rate of marine debris washing up on North American shores increased tenfold after the 2011 Japanese tsunami.

Feb 19, 2018 | 500 words, about 2 minutes

Rare Intersex Shark the First of Its Kind

The shark, discovered in Taiwan, has a complete set of male and female sexual organs.

Dec 27, 2017 | 600 words, about 3 minutes

Humpback Whales May Have a Secret Hideout

New research supports the theory of a hidden humpback breeding ground.

Nov 24, 2017 | 600 words, about 3 minutes

Industrial Whaling’s Incredibly Long Tail

For some whale populations, even 100 years is not long enough to recover.

Oct 25, 2017 | 450 words, about 2 minutes

How To Fix a Jellyfish Sting

Pack tweezers and vinegar in your beach bag—and forget what you’ve heard about the pee cure.

May 10, 2017 | 400 words, about 2 minutes

The Invisible Fishing Fleet

Women have a crucial—yet often overlooked—role in fisheries.

May 4, 2017 | 700 words, about 3 minutes

China’s Relentless Campaign to Pave the Coast

In China, coastal development comes at a high cost.

Jul 27, 2016 | 500 words, about 2 minutes

No-Show Pacific Ocean Humpbacks Stump Scientists

In winter breeding grounds like Hawai‘i and Mexico, migrating humpback whales arrived later, left earlier, and showed up in fewer numbers than normal.

May 25, 2016 | 700 words, about 3 minutes

The Price of Rejection

New research uncovers hidden losses in the aquarium fish trade.

Apr 12, 2016 | 650 words, about 3 minutes

The Sea Cucumber’s Vanishing Act

Coastal communities don’t always realize their sea cucumbers are targets of a voracious, international fishery until it’s too late.

Mar 30, 2016 | 2,100 words, about 11 minutes

Nine Out of Ten Shark Scientists Agree: Sustainable Shark Fishing Is Fine

Researchers worry extreme voices in the conservation community may be overshadowing an evidence-based approach.

Feb 15, 2016 | 500 words, about 2 minutes

Fishonomics 101: the Illusion of Abundance

How globalization of the seafood industry keeps consumers in the dark and prices down.

Oct 26, 2015 | 1,800 words, about 9 minutes

“Fishers” or “Fishermen”—Which Is Right?

The gender neutral “fishers” is outpacing “fishermen” in some circles.

Oct 13, 2015 | 650 words, about 3 minutes

Three Questions for Award-Winning Oceanographer David Karl

This year’s Balzan Prize winner on what the future holds for the ocean’s microbial life.

Sep 23, 2015 | 800 words, about 4 minutes

Not All Seaweeds Are Superfoods

Only some seaweeds pack iron your body can actually use.

Aug 12, 2015 | 450 words, about 2 minutes

In a Pickle

Hawaii has passed emergency protections for sea cucumbers.

Jun 30, 2015 | 450 words, about 2 minutes

Five Aquarium Fish Best Left in the Ocean

For some fish, life in an aquarium dooms their very existence.

Apr 27, 2015 | 700 words, about 3 minutes

Building a More Ethical Aquarium

Tropical fish collectors are loving the ocean to death. As the toll on reefs becomes better known, some public aquariums look for ways to lighten their environmental footprint.

Apr 22, 2015 | 1,600 words, about 8 minutes