Two new species of saw sharks discovered
The newly discovered Pliotrema kajae and Pliotrema annae six-gill saw sharks, were discovered during research investigating small-scale fisheries operating off the coasts of Madagascar and Zanzibar. The discovery of these two new sharks highlights how little we still know about life in the ocean and the impact we are having on it. Read more here: https://biomeecology.com/news/2020/04/two-new-species-of-saw-sharks-discovered/
The 3.2 million year history of Great White Sharks in the Mediterranean Sea
Read more about the incredible evolutionary history of the Great white in the Mediterranean in my latest piece for BiOME Ecology webzine here: https://biomeecology.com/news/2020/03/the-3-2-million-year-history-of-great-white-sharks-in-the-mediterranean-sea/
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 be prerequisites for self awareness in other species. Given that Manta Ray fisheries exist globally, where does that leave us ethically? https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2018/feb/27/mirrors-have-revealed-something-new-about-manta-rays-and-it-reflects-badly-on-us
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 here: What happens when the research underpinning conservation is wrong?
The Real Sharknado
For my fourth blog instalment with The Guardian I have discussed some of the research I undertook as part of my PhD whilst reflecting on the latest shark pop culture: “The Real Sharknado: how sharks deal with extreme weather”