In the Chesapeake Bay, Shell Mounds Show a Long History of Sustainable Oyster Harvests

Indigenous peoples in the Chesapeake harvested oysters sustainably for thousands of years—until the introduction of new techniques by Europeans decimated the stocks.

Nov 22, 2018 | 650 words, about 3 minutes

After Decades of Effort, the Chesapeake Bay Is Turning Around

The Chesapeake Bay’s nutrient diet is working, but the gains have been hard won. Is a decades-long run of successful restoration enough to save the cleanup effort from government cutbacks?

Aug 1, 2018 | 1,000 words, about 5 minutes

Crossing the Line

In eastern Quebec, the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam lost their ancestral salmon fishing grounds more than 100 years ago. Now they’re sparring with an elite private fishing lodge and the government to get them back.

Jun 22, 2018 | 1,300 words, about 7 minutes

As Offshore Wind Power Picks Up, Do Seabirds Need to Suffer?

By tracking birds off the east coast of the United States, scientists identified hotspots of bird activity.

Mar 1, 2018 | 750 words, about 3 minutes

Slinging Sediment

Scientists may have been systematically overestimating seagrass as a carbon sink wonder.

Feb 7, 2018 | 700 words, about 3 minutes

Blasting Through the Hunley Mystery

A maverick scientist claims she has done what scores of researchers before her failed to do: solve the century-old mystery of why a legendary Civil War submarine sank.

Aug 1, 2017 | 2,900 words, about 15 minutes

Tapping the Freshwater Ocean Under the Sea

Vast stores of fresh water exist deep beneath the seafloor—but who gets to decide how they’re used?

Jan 11, 2017 | 850 words, about 4 minutes

Commercial Ships Could Be Quieter, but They Aren’t

Shipbuilding economics and lack of regulations are getting in the way of a quieter ocean.

Nov 10, 2016 | 750 words, about 3 minutes

Ocean Acidification: More Gloom than Doom?

Scientists’ emphasis on laboratory trials can give a distorted view of the threat of ocean acidification.

Sep 14, 2016 | 850 words, about 4 minutes

Do Ancient Shipwrecks Stand a Chance?

Fishing trawlers are destroying ancient shipwreck sites.

Aug 24, 2016 | 800 words, about 4 minutes

Sizing Up the Tsunami Threat

Scientists are surveying the East Coast for signs of tsunami-generating submarine landslides.

Aug 10, 2016 | 1,000 words, about 5 minutes