The Ocean Brief
Ocean stories and insights covering science, policy, innovation, and the ocean community
The plight of the vaquita
If awards were given to cetaceans, the vaquita (Phocoena sinus) would certainly win a few. Sadly, not all of them would be given for positive things...
How special is a ‘Special Area of Conservation?
With proposals being put forward to open up a Welsh Special Area of Conservation sparking controversy, I ask - What is so special about a Special Area of Conservation anyway?
Oh Canada – what about your ocean?
Scientists call out Canada for undermining it's own ocean protection mandate and putting marine species at risk.
Protecting Kenya’s dolphin habitat
Marine protected areas for dolphins need to focus on their critical habitat if they are to do a good job
The Invisibility of Microplastic Pollution
To tackle plastic pollution, we need to make is visible – and a charismatic problem.
The unique ecology of human predators
The human predator shares many similarities with other animal predators on this planet. But we are not just predators,...we are “super predators”.
A brighter future for the shy albatross
When stressors pile up in the ocean, their cumulative impact can be much worse for marine life. Just ask Australia's shy albatross.
Blue Whales have a subtle and not very convincing ability to get out of the way of oncoming ships
Research by Megan McKenna from the Marine Mammal Commission, alongside colleagues from Cascadia Research Collection, NOAA, and Stanford Universit reveals just why blue whales are so vulnerable to ship strikes.
Australia’s protected area network failing threatened marine fishes
Australia’s protected areas are inadequate for protecting one of the world’s most threatened marine fishes – the sawfish