Fear factor: How sensationalised shark documentaries undermine conservation efforts

Experts explain why misleading documentaries about sharks can be problematic. When Brendon Sing first encountered sharks he was as a young boy behind the safety of aquarium glass in his native South Africa. Like many children of his generation, Brendon’s limited knowledge about sharks came from the 1975 smash-hit movie “Jaws,” which meant he was … More Fear factor: How sensationalised shark documentaries undermine conservation efforts

Penguin Problems: Are human-induced food shortages driving population declines?

We all love penguins. Clumsy and awkward on land, stealthy and precise underwater- these charismatic creatures have captured our hearts ever since the release of March of the Penguins. Unfortunately, penguin populations across the globe (especially in South Africa and Antarctica) are facing hardship. Researchers have recently concluded that African penguin populations, as well as other … More Penguin Problems: Are human-induced food shortages driving population declines?

Farming Fiasco: The world’s first commercial octopus breeding programme

It seems ironic that shortly after an amendment to the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill stating octopuses to be ‘sentient beings’ capable of a range of human-like emotions such as joy, pleasure, excitement, as well as pain, distress, and harm, plans of the word’s first commercial octopus farm arose. Yet that is exactly what happened with … More Farming Fiasco: The world’s first commercial octopus breeding programme

Which countries eat the most seafood per person?

The top 10 seafood-consuming nations in the world, plus trends among the world’s richest countries. Seafood is a vital food group and form of income for millions of people around the world. The seafood industry has more than quadrupled in the last 50 years and is estimated to be worth around $167.4 billion in 2021, … More Which countries eat the most seafood per person?

Cownose rays at Bristol Aquarium (video)

Watch Bristol Aquarium’s newest residents in action. Bristol Aquarium reopened its doors on May 18 after being closed for months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning visitors were finally allowed to return and see their favourite ocean creatures up close. But during the lockdown, the aquarium also acquired some new residents that are starting to … More Cownose rays at Bristol Aquarium (video)

Book Club: ‘The Island of Sea Women’ by Lisa See

Little is known about Jeju- a Korean island- occupied by brutal Japanese troops in the 1930s and ’40s, later liberated by US forces and turned over to the even more barbarous Korean regime whose wrongdoings were overlooked by both American and U.N. occupiers. Lisa See travels back 75 years to these horrifying events and weaves … More Book Club: ‘The Island of Sea Women’ by Lisa See

Culture Club: Time to let the cetaceans in?

Up until recently, culture has been thought of as a primarily human characteristic. However, recent studies shine a light on the fact that non-human animals including Cetaceans (dolphins and whales), may also possess it. They live in tightly-knit social communities, exhibit complex social behaviours, talk to one another and even have pod-specific dialects! A lot … More Culture Club: Time to let the cetaceans in?

Book club: ‘Spineless’ by Juli Berwald

“The story of jellyfish… is a significant part of the environmental story. Berwald’s engaging account of these delicate, often ignored creatures shows how much they matter to our ocean’s future” – New York Times If you were to write a list of the most interesting and important creatures in our oceans the humble jellyfish is … More Book club: ‘Spineless’ by Juli Berwald

Pacific salmon hatcheries: More greed than a good deed?

In the American Northwest, one of the main strategies to supposedly save endangered wild salmon has been the creation of hatcheries. While initially, this seemed to boost wild stocks and increase total biomass, the release of hatchery-reared salmon is now seen as more of a problem in itself than a ‘solution to’.  While a landmark … More Pacific salmon hatcheries: More greed than a good deed?