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

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: ‘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

Solar-powered sea slugs chop off their heads and grow new bodies

It is one of the “most extreme” examples of animal regeneration ever seen. Two species of sea slugs can pop off their heads and regrow their entire bodies from the noggin down, scientists in Japan recently discovered. This incredible feat of regeneration can be achieved in just a couple of weeks and is absolutely mind-blowing. … More Solar-powered sea slugs chop off their heads and grow new bodies

Book club: ‘The Brilliant Abyss’ by Helen Scales

True Tales of Exploring the Deep Sea, Discovering Hidden Life and Selling the Seabed The deep sea is the least explored ecosystem on Earth and as a result our understanding of the creatures that live there and the vital roles they play have long been overlooked. But with advancements in technologies and a long list … More Book club: ‘The Brilliant Abyss’ by Helen Scales

Book club: ‘What a fish knows’ by Jonathan Balcombe

‘Eye-opening’ – Sunday Times Despite being the largest and most diverse group of all the vertebrates, fish are also one of the most misunderstood and exploited groups of animals on the planet. A majority of people imagine that fish are unfeeling, unintelligent and unremarkable, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In his 2016 … More Book club: ‘What a fish knows’ by Jonathan Balcombe

Book club: ‘Narwhals’ by Todd McLeish

‘A broad view of the narwhal’s history and legend, remaining awestruck and deeply concerned for a species that remains a miraculous creation’ – Booklist. Narwhals are one of the most unique and mysterious of all the cetaceans. They spend their lives hidden in one of the few environments still unconquered by man. This makes them … More Book club: ‘Narwhals’ by Todd McLeish

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?