Dead in the Water

As abandoned and derelict boats multiply from Alaska to California, officials scramble for solutions.

Dec 21, 2020 | 800 words, about 4 minutes

Scientists Surveyed the Sea off South Africa—1890s Style

By retracing the steps of scientists working at the turn of the last century, modern researchers show how the sea itself has changed.

Dec 18, 2020 | 950 words, about 4 minutes

Lack of Consensus Leaves Tuna in Legal Limbo

Regulators failed to preserve protections for eastern tropical Pacific tuna—a situation they’ll be pressed to fix at an upcoming emergency meeting.

Dec 16, 2020 | 600 words, about 3 minutes

This Channel Isn’t Big Enough for Two Behemoths

Ships killed at least 20 whales in California in 2018 and 2019. Now, a nonprofit is demanding action.

Dec 14, 2020 | 1,000 words, about 5 minutes

The Military Wants to Hide Covert Messages in Marine Mammal Sounds

The human fascination with hiding military messages in whale and dolphin sounds has led to US military Cold War experiments and modern Chinese research.

Dec 10, 2020 | 1,200 words, about 6 minutes

Who Will Save the Slender Yoke-Moss?

In the crush of conservation priorities, scientists grapple with how to help an endangered species with no obvious value.

Dec 9, 2020 | 1,000 words, about 5 minutes

On the Trail of the Giant Squid

Advances in genetic research are creating new ways to hunt for this most mysterious of creatures.

Dec 7, 2020 | 950 words, about 4 minutes

After Eta and Iota, Central America Braces for a COVID-19 Surge

With hundreds of thousands of people left homeless, and some healthcare infrastructure in shambles, the countries afflicted by these dual hurricanes are worried about what comes next.

Dec 2, 2020 | 1,100 words, about 5 minutes