Skip to content
oceanbites

oceanbites

Ocean science for everyone!

  • About oceanbites
    • Style Guide
  • Our authors
  • Oceanbites Out Loud
  • Write for oceanbites!
  • Other science bites sites

Author: Megan Chen

I'm a past oceanbites writer, occasional editor and guest poster.  I graduated with a Masters of Coastal & Marine Management from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, and am currently working in marine conservation.  In particular, I'm supporting an Indigenous-led initiative to safeguard the largest inland sea in the world (Hudson Bay & James Bay, Canada). I love weird ocean critters and *sigh...I really do enjoy long walks on the beach.
Studying tiny ocean organisms on a large scale: How do we make sure we have accurate, useful data?
Undergraduate Research

Studying tiny ocean organisms on a large scale: How do we make sure we have accurate, useful data?

Studying phytoplankton across the Northeast U.S. Shelf is much more accessible with continuous chlorophyll-a data, but the data may need…
August 28, 2021August 30, 2021 Megan Chen
Blue is the New Green: How Melting Sea Ice Might Save Us Billions
Climate Change Sea Ice

Blue is the New Green: How Melting Sea Ice Might Save Us Billions

As Arctic sea ice melts, the ocean absorbs more carbon. Could this actually be a good thing? Researchers in Norway…
June 20, 2021 Megan Chen
Venomous sea anemones “pick their poison” depending on their life stage
Biochemistry

Venomous sea anemones “pick their poison” depending on their life stage

Many scientists are interested in studying venom for medicinal properties. A fascinating finding from a new study involving the starlet…
April 9, 2018April 9, 2018 Megan Chen
3 Courtship Tips From the Ocean: Valentine’s Day Edition
Behavior Biology

3 Courtship Tips From the Ocean: Valentine’s Day Edition

Long before we celebrated V-Day, animals in the ocean have evolved courtship strategies to help them score mates.  Might there…
February 14, 2018February 14, 2018 Megan Chen
Can we build a multisensory shark repellant?
Behavior Coastal Management

Can we build a multisensory shark repellant?

Human-shark interactions don't always end well on both sides. Is it possible to build a shark repellant that can keep…
January 19, 2018January 24, 2018 Megan Chen
Top 5 Highlights of Deep Sea Exploration in 2017
deep sea Ocean Exploration

Top 5 Highlights of Deep Sea Exploration in 2017

What have this year's deep sea exploration expeditions encountered so far? Read more to find out!
December 10, 2017December 11, 2017 Megan Chen
Marine Halloween: Crabs Dress Up To Trick-or-Treat
Biology

Marine Halloween: Crabs Dress Up To Trick-or-Treat

Dressing up is a Halloween tradition. In the ocean, some animals 'dress up' to trick their predators or go unnoticed…
October 31, 2017October 31, 2017 Megan Chen
Science Behind the Scenes: The Corps of Exploration on the Exploration Vessel Nautilus
deep sea Ocean Exploration

Science Behind the Scenes: The Corps of Exploration on the Exploration Vessel Nautilus

What kind of people does it take to do research out at sea? Oceanbites writers Ashley Marranzino and Megan Chen…
September 29, 2017September 29, 2017 Megan Chen
2+ Ocean Exploration Expeditions to Join This Year
Biological oceanography Ocean Acidification

2+ Ocean Exploration Expeditions to Join This Year

Ninety-five percent of the ocean is unexplored, but there a few ocean expeditions happening this year that you can join!…
August 18, 2017September 28, 2017 Megan Chen
Conference Conservation Science Communication

Why We Need Ocean Optimism

Social science has shown that too much doom and gloom about the ocean and other environmental issues is depressing. So…
July 18, 2017July 18, 2017 Megan Chen
Behavior Biology Climate Change

Orca vs Narwhal

Orcas are natural predators of narwhals, but they are seasonally kept at bay by Arctic sea ice. As the Arctic…
June 12, 2017June 12, 2017 Megan Chen
Coastal Management Sharkbites Saturday

Does long term SCUBA diving affect shark behaviour?

What happens when SCUBA divers and sharks mix? Do divers scare off sharks or attract them? Read more to find…
May 6, 2017May 8, 2017 Megan Chen
Biology

Sea lampreys: grow faster = grow male

A new study suggests that growth rate may determine if lampreys, an invasive fish in the Great Lakes becomes male…
April 19, 2017April 24, 2017 Megan Chen
Ecology

Seagrasses reduce the risk of disease outbreaks

Seagrasses are one of humans’ greatest sidekicks. They are nursery areas for many species including commercially important ones, they protect…
March 21, 2017March 21, 2017 Megan Chen
Fisheries

Should all shark fishing be banned?

It might seem like a no-brainer to ban shark fishing as well as the sale and trade of shark products.…
March 1, 2017March 4, 2017 Megan Chen
Science Communication

A scientist’s guide to addressing fake science

Do scientists have a responsibility to address fake science? If so, what should their role be?
January 19, 2017January 19, 2017 Megan Chen
Plastic Pollution

First evidence of plastic microfibre consumption by deep-sea animals

For the first time ever, scientists have found evidence that deep sea animals are actually consuming plastic microfibres. Read more…
December 7, 2016December 7, 2016 Megan Chen
Science Communication

7 Reasons to Give Thanks For Our Ocean

This Thanksgiving, let's give pause and reflect on reasons to be thankful for the ocean!
November 21, 2016June 17, 2020 Megan Chen
Aquaculture Fisheries

Why do restaurants join sustainable seafood labelling programs?

Why do some restaurants join sustainable seafood eco-labeling programs? A new study identifies some motivating factors that can help the…
October 22, 2016October 23, 2016 Megan Chen
Aquaculture

How is the changing diet of farmed Atlantic salmon affecting their nutritional value?

We eat oily fish to get the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. However, the level of omega-3s in farmed…
September 21, 2016September 21, 2016 Megan Chen

Posts navigation

Older Posts

Search oceanbites

our sister sites

astrobites
astrobites en español
astrobites in Farsi
envirobites
reefbites
evobites
chembites
particlebites
oncobites
softbites
BitesSci K12 education
PERbites
immunobites

oceanography on the web

UNder the C
ClimateSnack
Southern Fried Science
Deep Sea News
Inner Space Center
Exploration Now
Consortium for Ocean Leadership

affiliated institutions

URI GSO
WordPress Theme: BlogGrid by TwoPoints.