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?

Great white sharks: top predators or unlikely prey?

Written by Eve Dean The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) has been portrayed as a ferocious ‘mindless eating machine’ for generations. Fears, fuelled by the media and movies, lurk in the back of people’s minds every time they step into the ocean. However, there is a creature who has, in recent years, gone head to … More Great white sharks: top predators or unlikely prey?

More than just a pretty reef: why corals are so important and how they might be saved

Written by Alicia Shephard In 2020 it was announced that the Great Barrier Reef had lost more than half of its corals since 1995, due mainly to warmer seas driven by climate change. But it was also the year that plans for a huge coral biobank were announced in Australia. The purpose? To provide a … More More than just a pretty reef: why corals are so important and how they might be saved

Circadian rhythms within aquaculture: on the path for a sustainable future

Written by Charlie Gregory Sustainable and efficient aquaculture practices will be essential to meet the demands of a growing human population. However, to achieve this the natural biological clocks of the organisms being cultivated must start to be properly taken into account. All organisms share a common theme, whether it’s a plant closing its leaves … More Circadian rhythms within aquaculture: on the path for a sustainable future

The effects of offshore wind farms on marine life

Written by Owen Harris Increasing awareness about anthropogenic climate change and mounting public pressure has led to many countries committing to reduce their use of fossil fuels and increase their development of renewable energy sources. Although the switch to renewable energy will have an overall positive effect on the global climate and natural world, the … More The effects of offshore wind farms on marine life

The potential benefits of COVID-19 on marine wildlife

Written by Rebecca Greatorex As we continue to experience a global pandemic on a scale many of us have never seen before, I would like to discuss a rather overlooked group of animals which have also been affected by this global crisis – marine creatures. However, unlike us, they are likely to be affected in … More The potential benefits of COVID-19 on marine wildlife

How low can we go? The importance & impacts of deep sea mining

Written by Jenny Hickman For centuries, the high seas have been a place of exploitation and misuse. The “out of sight, out of mind” attitude that pervades offshore activity has resulted in the ocean becoming steadily depleted of fish stocks and filling up with anthropogenic waste. For far too long it was believed that the … More How low can we go? The importance & impacts of deep sea mining

Applying sensory ecology to fisheries & aquaculture: maximising efficiency whilst achieving sustainability

Written by Zuzanna Dusza Fisheries are critical to supplying a large proportion of the world’s animal protein, with demand for fish products increasing annually. As such, well maintained, sustainable and efficient fisheries and aquaculture systems will be crucial in order to continue meeting this demand in the future. However, it is clear that sustainable management … More Applying sensory ecology to fisheries & aquaculture: maximising efficiency whilst achieving sustainability