Scientists discover ‘giant luminous shark’ off New Zealand coast
The ability for living organisms to produce visible light through a chemical reaction is known as bioluminescence, and it’s one of the most spectacular phenomenons found in nature. Bioluminescence has been observed in a wide range of marine life such as jellyfish and algae, but recently, marine Read More...
Ivory Coast designates first-ever marine sanctuary
Grand-Bereby is a tiny western town on the Ivory Coast home to mangroves, reefs, and important nesting grounds for sea turtles. It is also home to the Ivory Coast’s first-ever marine protected area. The 1,000 square mile area is the first of five that the Ivory Coast government has Read More...
Katharine, the massive great white shark, reappears after 18-month hiatus
Recently, we brought you good news from the West Coast as marine biologists reported a record number of white sharks swimming in southern California’s waters. This time around, we’re bringing you good news from the East Coast after a beloved great white shark by the name of Katharine resurfaced Read More...
Rising white shark populations off California signals ‘a healthy ecosystem’
White sharks have long been impacted by humans. Commercial fisheries caught them for decades, and the sharks’ primary food—marine mammals—has been hunted to the brink of extinction. After California moved to protect its white shark population back in 1994, white shark numbers have risen Read More...
Scientists discover two rare new species of sharks with chainsaw-like snouts
If you like teeth, underwater predators, and strange things, then we have some good news for you: Researchers have identified two new rare species of six-gilled sawsharks in the waters off Eastern Africa. What makes these unusual sharks particularly extraordinary is the fact that they have six Read More...
CITES convention is gearing up to protect dozens of species of sharks and rays
This week, representatives from 180 countries meet for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). A landmark achievement of this most recent convention is the potential protection of a dozen species of sharks and rays, including the world’s fastest shark, the mako Read More...
Satellite data can help scientists save endangered shark species
Sharks have patrolled our oceans for more than 400 million years. They survived near-global extinction events and outlived countless other marine species. But according to several studies, shark populations around the world are suffering a serious decline due to human activities like over-fishing, Read More...
Sequencing shark DNA could lead to better treatments for cancer
There’s no doubt that sharks are one of the most feared creatures on Earth, but they are also one of the most sophisticated and enduring ones. They are particularly good at healing themselves and resisting cancer, with some species even living to the ripe old age of 400. In an attempt to decode Read More...
New law in Hawaii will ban the killing of any sharks in state waters
Lawmakers in Hawaii have been busy bees over the past couple years when it comes to drafting laws that protect the natural beauty of their islands. The Aloha State banned all sunscreens that harm coral reefs last year and banned all plastic bags years ago, with new legislation being proposed that Read More...