Tiger shark teeth
A tiger reveals her teeth

Sharks: Loss of Diversity Through Time

Sharks first appeared in the fossil record about the same time that plants covered the land, nearly half a billion years ago. Evolution has made them so perfect that they have retained their main characteristics over all of this abyss of time. But despite their formidable lineage, modern sharks face unprecedented threats and challenges that endanger their diverse roles within ecosystems.

Turtle receiving an ultrascan examination

Diagnosing the "Bends" in Turtles Caught in Fishing Nets

When sea turtles get trapped in fishing nets and are brought to the surface, they can suffer from gas emboli because their normal diving processes are disrupted. This can cause abnormal gas build-up in their organs. 

To address this, marine veterinarians worldwide are developing methods to understand the possible consequences of this and to determine the most ideal treatment for them. 

Jacob Sharvit, Israel Antiquities Authority's marine unit (left), with Dr Karnit Bahartan, environmental lead at Energean (right), with the ancient jars. TOP PHOTO: The world's oldest known deep-sea ship cargo. (Photo: Energean via press release)

World's Oldest Shipwreck Discovered Off Israel's Coast

The shipwreck was found at a depth of 1800m, some 90km from shore, during a survey by a natural gas company, Energean. The wreck is believed to date from a period known for significant cultural and trade exchanges across the region. Artefacts recovered from the site include pottery, weapons, and tools, suggesting that the ship was part of extensive trade routes connecting ancient civilizations across the Middle East, Egypt, and possibly even further afield.

This diagram shows the difference in length between a PCFG gray whale born in 2020 and one born before the year 2000.

Why Have Pacific Coast Gray Whales Become Shorter?

Marine scientists from Oregon State University have observed a concerning trend in the body size of gray whales off the Pacific Northwest coast. Since around 2000, these whales have shown a significant decrease in length, raising alarms about their overall health and the state of the ecosystem.