Megan Chen – oceanbites

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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!

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…

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…

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!…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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?

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…

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!

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…

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…