Nature & Wildlife
The colossal squid with a cult following
The world’s only complete specimen of a colossal squid – on display in New Zealand – has developed a cult-like following.
Category: Oceans
Energy
Deep-sea mining: Gold rush or disaster?
The risks of mining the deep ocean floor are just too high. Australia should back a global moratorium on mining activities at the bottom of the ocean, argue marine ecology experts Professor Jessica Meeuwig and Professor Callum Roberts.
Climate
Algae Armageddon
Why has an unprecedented growth of tiny toxic plants been killing marine life en masse along Australia’s southern coastline?
Climate
Torres Strait Islanders lose climate change case against Australian government
The Federal Court has handed down its long-awaited judgement in a four-year climate case brought by Torres Strait Islanders.
Climate
Iconic Ningaloo Reef in hot water
Western Australia’s Ningaloo and some remote northern reefs had largely escaped the worst effects of coral bleaching – but now a severe marine heatwave is taking its toll.
Flora & Fauna
Orcas filmed grooming each other with seaweed in rare case of ocean mammal tool use
Australian marine scientists say new research documenting orcas using seaweed as a tool for grooming is further evidence of the species’ complex social structures.
Flora & Fauna
Sharks filmed ‘smashing’ sea urchins
What started as a study to better understand how lobsters prey on sea urchins instead discovered sharks also predate on the pest.
Biodiversity
Maugean skate baby delivers hope for endangered species
In a world first, a Maugean skate has hatched from an egg laid in captivity. Scientists hope it’s the first of many.
Flora & Fauna
The world’s rarest whale has captivated scientists since the 1800s
A spade-toothed whale washed up on a New Zealand beach earlier this month. To understand how momentous this is requires a look back at the history of the enigmatic species.
Flora & Fauna
What causes pilot whale strandings?
It’s one of nature’s strangest mysteries that has baffled humans for millennia.