Dive into Marine Conservation
Saltwater Life is passionate about the study, conservation, and protection of sharks, skates, and rays - the elasmobranch species that play a crucial role in ocean ecosystems. Based in Scotland, UK, Saltwater Life conducts marine research while advocating for sustainable conservation efforts.
Discover the Science
Founded by Dr. Lauren Smith, a specialist in elasmobranch research, Saltwater Life combines scientific study, underwater exploration, and public engagement to drive real change. By working with policymakers, educators, and marine enthusiasts, she helps bridge the gap between research and conservation action.
Defend Our Oceans
The mission: to Dive, Discover, Defend. Through research, advocacy, and awareness, Saltwater Life strives to protect marine biodiversity and ensure a thriving future for our oceans. Explore Lauren's work, get involved, and be part of the movement to safeguard our seas.
About Saltwater Life
Explore the complexity, diversity, and vastness of the ocean with Saltwater Life, where adventure, conservation and education come together.
The Research
“Elasmobranchs: one of two subclasses of fish that have cartilaginous skeletons, they include the sharks, skates and rays
(the other subclass is the Holocephali, the chimaeras)”
Elasmobranchs, primarily Shark and Skate species are the focus of Saltwater Life’s founder, Dr Lauren Smith, who is committed to undertaking and communicating the latest scientific research on these incredible animals.
Understanding them, their physiology, behaviour, and habitats, informs government policies resulting in effective legislation vital to the conservation and management of these species.
Saltwater Life combines the practical aspects of diving and underwater photography with scientific research, collaboration, and communication to adhere to its mission to Dive, Discover and Defend elasmobranchs worldwide.
Shark Diary
Meeting Sharks is one of the most exciting and humbling experiences of a lifetime. Here are some of my favourite encounters.
Shark Encounters
Locations on the planet of Lauren’s own encounters with sharks.
Blog
Call of the Blue
On the 19th of November i headed down to the Natural History Museum in London, i was attending a book launch party and would be doing a Q&A session on sharks
Investigating Shark Cage Diving
My blog for The Guardian online, following the decision to ban cage diving in New Zealand : https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2018/sep/17/is-banning-cage-diving-actually-bad-for-sharks
Beach cleans & shark guts… it’s all rubbish
Alongside my work as a shark biologist, I am a volunteer for the charity Surfers Against Sewage. As part of this role I organise and participate in numerous beach cleans along
Manta Rays and Mirrors…
Here I discuss research conducted by Dr Csilla Ari and Dr Dominic D’Agostino on the Giant Manta Ray. Their study provides evidence for behavioural responses in Manta’s that are known to
Life After Death: How we hatched live shark pups from dead females
Here I report on a conservation project by Sharklab-Malta that i became involved with; removing eggcases from trawl captured sharks, hatching them out and releasing them back into the wild. https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2018/feb/19/life-after-death-how-we-hatched-live-shark-pups-from-dead-parents
Octopus release goes swimmingly!
After a temporary stay at Macduff Marine Aquarium, this octopus was carefully transported back to the sea so that she would have time to find a mate and complete her lifecycle.
Glow in the dark shark!
In my tenth shark piece for the Guardian I report on a recently discovered deep sea shark that glows in the dark… Light emitted by a new species of lanternshark, Etmopterus
In a Battle of the Predators who wins?
This Guardian piece covers the fascinating predations of Orca’s on Great White Sharks in South Africa… It is difficult to imagine the great white shark as prey, yet could the Orca
Giving Fiji’s Shark God a Helping Hand
In this Guardian blog I take a closer look at the Marine Protected Areas in Fiji, specifically the Shark Reef Marine Reserve in the Beqa Channel. Legend has it that Dakuwaqa,
The Cull Controversy
In my sixth Guardian blog I examine the issues around the call for culls of sharks following the tragic death of a boarder in the waters off Reunion Island earlier this
Taking the Plunge with Predators
In my latest Guardian blog I report on diving with sharks which are well known for their bold, unhesitant approach. Sun, sand and apex predators: taking the plunge with oceanic whitetip
When the Research is Wrong
A public campaign to cull ‘invasive’ cownose rays was hugely successful. But re-examining the data revealed a horrible truth: the rays weren’t the problem. Read more in my fifth Guardian blog
Associates & Affiliates
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BSAC (British Subaqua Club)
Seasearch
East Grampian Coastal Partnership
