The Peopled Seas

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  • The Sea Forgets, But We Must Not: On Shifting Baseline Syndrome

    The Sea Forgets, But We Must Not: On Shifting Baseline Syndrome

    How do we know what once was, if we have all forgotten? My grandfather pulled cod the size of toddlers from the water with fingers leathered by salt and grit.Now, his grandson counts mackerel like pearls and calls it a good day. What if the world is disappearing and we don’t even know it,because we…

    April 22, 2025
  • New Research Finds That Whales Have ‘Accents’, but Should We Be Eavesdropping On Their Conversations? The Ethics of AI in Whale Communication Studies.

    New Research Finds That Whales Have ‘Accents’, but Should We Be Eavesdropping On Their Conversations? The Ethics of AI in Whale Communication Studies.

    Today’s post is a little less human-focused and a little more ethics-centered. Here, we will discuss the use of Artificial Intelligence to solve today’s environmental problems, discuss ‘whale accents’ and answer some intriguing ethical debates, such as: Do whales have privacy rights? Read on to find out. Humpbacks at Home The waves are dancing today.…

    April 22, 2025
  • Blue (In)justice and Marine Protected Areas: The human cost of ocean conservation

    Blue (In)justice and Marine Protected Areas: The human cost of ocean conservation

    Too often, policymakers disregard the human impact of management decisions in the name of conservation. Now, more than ever, we need equitable solutions for a thriving planet and people. When we picture Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) I think it is fair to say that many of us imagine something akin to flourishing seagrass meadows, pristine…

    March 20, 2025
  • The Fisherman

    The Fisherman

    The air is thick and drunk with mizzle. Down by the quay, all is quiet except for the fizz of LEDs lining the work sheds, a faint protest against the morning grey. No one is out today, they tell me—it’s too rough for the little guys. Newquay habour shot on b&w film – William Wakefield.…

    February 10, 2025