Dr. Catherine Macdonald
@drcatmac.bsky.social
Marine scientist and teacher Field School & University of Miami. Director of sharktagging. NatGeo Explorer. Shark & ray ecology, biology, conservation. She/her.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
Darwin also famously had beef with the marine iguanas of the Galapagos, writing "The black lava rocks on the beach are frequented by large, most disgusting, clumsy lizards" and calling them "imps of darkness"
February 12, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Darwin also famously had beef with the marine iguanas of the Galapagos, writing "The black lava rocks on the beach are frequented by large, most disgusting, clumsy lizards" and calling them "imps of darkness"
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
This female lemon shark graced us with three great passes this afternoon. We couldn’t figure out which to feature, so here’s all three. What other city but Miami can serve megafauna serving like this?? 🙌🍋🦈🍋🦈🍋🦈 #lemonshark #shark #catwalkswim #coralcity #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #biscaynebay
February 8, 2026 at 4:16 PM
This female lemon shark graced us with three great passes this afternoon. We couldn’t figure out which to feature, so here’s all three. What other city but Miami can serve megafauna serving like this?? 🙌🍋🦈🍋🦈🍋🦈 #lemonshark #shark #catwalkswim #coralcity #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #biscaynebay
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
It’s a striking headline given the…backstory
February 6, 2026 at 12:22 AM
It’s a striking headline given the…backstory
Important PSA: do not let powerful interests use your love of the planet and desire to conserve it as a bludgeon against marginalized people.
Doubt that’s a risk? Well, in a leaked diplomatic cable, the US State Department noted …
1/3
Doubt that’s a risk? Well, in a leaked diplomatic cable, the US State Department noted …
1/3
Plan to allow fishing around Chagos Islands alarms conservationists
Plan to allow fishing around Chagos Islands alarms conservationists
Chagossian people would be allowed to fish in area that has teemed with life since ban was introduced in 2010
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Important PSA: do not let powerful interests use your love of the planet and desire to conserve it as a bludgeon against marginalized people.
Doubt that’s a risk? Well, in a leaked diplomatic cable, the US State Department noted …
1/3
Doubt that’s a risk? Well, in a leaked diplomatic cable, the US State Department noted …
1/3
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
Last year we published the longest post in the more than 17 year history of our science blog.
It contains a panel of experts (including me) responding to nearly 50 common questions that people have about marine biology career advice.
Please read and share! I'm happy to answer any questions.
🧪🦑🌍
It contains a panel of experts (including me) responding to nearly 50 common questions that people have about marine biology career advice.
Please read and share! I'm happy to answer any questions.
🧪🦑🌍
Marine Biology Career Advice
You asked us questions about marine biology careers, and our panel of experts answered them! In April, I solicited your questions about careers in marine biology, and we received nearly 100 questio…
www.southernfriedscience.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Last year we published the longest post in the more than 17 year history of our science blog.
It contains a panel of experts (including me) responding to nearly 50 common questions that people have about marine biology career advice.
Please read and share! I'm happy to answer any questions.
🧪🦑🌍
It contains a panel of experts (including me) responding to nearly 50 common questions that people have about marine biology career advice.
Please read and share! I'm happy to answer any questions.
🧪🦑🌍
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
You nerds will appreciate this.
I got married on Saturday! It was wonderful.
It was at a rare and historic book library, and we leaned into the theme.
Table centerpieces were books checked out of our library based on our interests, themed to that tables’ guests.
And Eileen made paper roses.
I got married on Saturday! It was wonderful.
It was at a rare and historic book library, and we leaned into the theme.
Table centerpieces were books checked out of our library based on our interests, themed to that tables’ guests.
And Eileen made paper roses.
February 2, 2026 at 6:50 PM
You nerds will appreciate this.
I got married on Saturday! It was wonderful.
It was at a rare and historic book library, and we leaned into the theme.
Table centerpieces were books checked out of our library based on our interests, themed to that tables’ guests.
And Eileen made paper roses.
I got married on Saturday! It was wonderful.
It was at a rare and historic book library, and we leaned into the theme.
Table centerpieces were books checked out of our library based on our interests, themed to that tables’ guests.
And Eileen made paper roses.
I’ve gotta tell you, we’re having the best time at @whysharksmatter.bsky.social ‘s wedding this weekend!
February 1, 2026 at 3:15 AM
I’ve gotta tell you, we’re having the best time at @whysharksmatter.bsky.social ‘s wedding this weekend!
This actually sounds heavenly. Oh, to be a Greenland shark, and partake of the peace of their dark slowness.
Every moment like:
Every moment like:
January 27, 2026 at 5:47 PM
This actually sounds heavenly. Oh, to be a Greenland shark, and partake of the peace of their dark slowness.
Every moment like:
Every moment like:
Stingrays feel like wet mushrooms.
Stingrays are soft! I’ve fed them at Stingray City in the Caymans.
January 26, 2026 at 11:13 PM
Stingrays feel like wet mushrooms.
Trying to do my part, but it’s a product that un-sells itself.
thank you for attempting to head off the nascent greenland shark smoothie industry
January 26, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Trying to do my part, but it’s a product that un-sells itself.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
People who tell me not to drink shark blood: experts
People who lie for secret nefarious reasons: experts
Conclusion:
People who lie for secret nefarious reasons: experts
Conclusion:
January 26, 2026 at 8:30 PM
People who tell me not to drink shark blood: experts
People who lie for secret nefarious reasons: experts
Conclusion:
People who lie for secret nefarious reasons: experts
Conclusion:
The latest in blindingly obvious life advice from me: do not drink Greenland shark blood for non-existent anti-aging benefits.
How Greenland sharks defy aging
When it comes to bucking the biological ails of aging, humans could learn something from Greenland sharks.
urldefense.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:28 PM
The latest in blindingly obvious life advice from me: do not drink Greenland shark blood for non-existent anti-aging benefits.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
oo, I have a good one for you, Charles! Leatherback sea turtle shells apparently feel like the meat between your thumb and pointer finger.
*eyes glaze over as shameless self-promotion brain parasite takes over* Learn more in my new book, GRIZZLED! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804002...
*eyes glaze over as shameless self-promotion brain parasite takes over* Learn more in my new book, GRIZZLED! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804002...
Grizzled by Jason Bittel: 9781426223358 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
Funny, fascinating, and scientifically grounded, this charming book reveals unknown details about 50 well-known animals. Effortlessly readable, Grizzled reintroduces nature lovers to species they th...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:33 PM
oo, I have a good one for you, Charles! Leatherback sea turtle shells apparently feel like the meat between your thumb and pointer finger.
*eyes glaze over as shameless self-promotion brain parasite takes over* Learn more in my new book, GRIZZLED! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804002...
*eyes glaze over as shameless self-promotion brain parasite takes over* Learn more in my new book, GRIZZLED! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804002...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
Mostly not soft. RTing for the "angry waterbed wrapped in sandpaper" description, which is 🤌
I am sorry to report they mostly are not. Although restraining a large pregnant bull shark is a little bit like trying to restrain an angry waterbed wrapped in sandpaper.
January 26, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Mostly not soft. RTing for the "angry waterbed wrapped in sandpaper" description, which is 🤌
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
Brb, pitching a series of videos similar to 'will it blend' but just answering the question of 'is (thing or creature) soft?'
January 26, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Brb, pitching a series of videos similar to 'will it blend' but just answering the question of 'is (thing or creature) soft?'
Being a scientist who can answer this question: also pretty sick.
Being a journalist is sick: I just contacted a pre-eminent jaguar conservationist in Argentine with a question that has been weighing on me for ages and he wrote back right away with an informed answer.
January 26, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Being a scientist who can answer this question: also pretty sick.
It’s tragic that late in his life a man who devoted himself to the common good of disease eradication had to watch society walk backwards away from the great work of his life, and towards avoidable mass suffering, disability, and death.
William Foege has died. He was a central architect of smallpox eradication, pioneering surveillance-driven ring vaccination when vaccine supply was limited. That strategy helped eliminate the deadliest human pathogen we’ve ever known.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
William H. Foege, Key Figure in the Eradication of Smallpox, Dies at 89
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:06 PM
It’s tragic that late in his life a man who devoted himself to the common good of disease eradication had to watch society walk backwards away from the great work of his life, and towards avoidable mass suffering, disability, and death.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
My attempt to explain the skepticism Pacific people have of deep sea mining. Please give it a read and a share.
dcjournal.com/applying-ind...
dcjournal.com/applying-ind...
January 23, 2026 at 2:24 PM
My attempt to explain the skepticism Pacific people have of deep sea mining. Please give it a read and a share.
dcjournal.com/applying-ind...
dcjournal.com/applying-ind...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
FYI there is a public hearing on proposed changes to shark fishing regulations tomorrow morning, and you can join remotely:
Proposed Rule: Revisions to Commercial Atlantic Blacknose and Recreational Atlantic Shark Fisheries Management Measures www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/propo...
Proposed Rule: Revisions to Commercial Atlantic Blacknose and Recreational Atlantic Shark Fisheries Management Measures www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/propo...
Proposed Rule: Revisions to Commercial Atlantic Blacknose and Recreational Atlantic Shark Fisheries Management Measures
NOAA Fisheries Requests Comments on Revisions to Commercial Atlantic Blacknose Shark and Recreational Atlantic Shark Fisheries
www.fisheries.noaa.gov
January 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM
FYI there is a public hearing on proposed changes to shark fishing regulations tomorrow morning, and you can join remotely:
Proposed Rule: Revisions to Commercial Atlantic Blacknose and Recreational Atlantic Shark Fisheries Management Measures www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/propo...
Proposed Rule: Revisions to Commercial Atlantic Blacknose and Recreational Atlantic Shark Fisheries Management Measures www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/propo...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
There are just a few weeks left to sign up for my Center for Wildlife Studies "biology and ecology of sharks" online course, which you can take for transfer credit or just to learn something.
There's an optional 3-day field research experience in additon to the online lectures and assignments!
There's an optional 3-day field research experience in additon to the online lectures and assignments!
Shark Biology and Ecology Online Course — Center for Wildlife Studies
www.centerforwildlifestudies.org
January 21, 2026 at 7:48 PM
There are just a few weeks left to sign up for my Center for Wildlife Studies "biology and ecology of sharks" online course, which you can take for transfer credit or just to learn something.
There's an optional 3-day field research experience in additon to the online lectures and assignments!
There's an optional 3-day field research experience in additon to the online lectures and assignments!
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
Decline is not inevitable.
Where fishing mortality has been reduced — through catch limits, retention bans, or spatial protection — shark and ray populations are stabilizing or recovering.
Recoveries documented for wide-ranging and restricted-range species @charlie-huveneers.bsky.social
Where fishing mortality has been reduced — through catch limits, retention bans, or spatial protection — shark and ray populations are stabilizing or recovering.
Recoveries documented for wide-ranging and restricted-range species @charlie-huveneers.bsky.social
January 22, 2026 at 3:35 AM
Decline is not inevitable.
Where fishing mortality has been reduced — through catch limits, retention bans, or spatial protection — shark and ray populations are stabilizing or recovering.
Recoveries documented for wide-ranging and restricted-range species @charlie-huveneers.bsky.social
Where fishing mortality has been reduced — through catch limits, retention bans, or spatial protection — shark and ray populations are stabilizing or recovering.
Recoveries documented for wide-ranging and restricted-range species @charlie-huveneers.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
And they are udderly ruthless
January 21, 2026 at 2:40 AM
And they are udderly ruthless
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Macdonald
Well have to ruminating on it
They have legitimate beef with us, David.
Everyone’s sharing this “cows use tools” news like they’re harmless creatures.
You guys know that cows kill more people than sharks do, right?
Right?
You guys know that cows kill more people than sharks do, right?
Right?
January 21, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Well have to ruminating on it
They have legitimate beef with us, David.
Everyone’s sharing this “cows use tools” news like they’re harmless creatures.
You guys know that cows kill more people than sharks do, right?
Right?
You guys know that cows kill more people than sharks do, right?
Right?
January 21, 2026 at 2:20 AM
They have legitimate beef with us, David.
Also, one has to imagine at the moment that many elected reps are doing a “we HAVE to do something…right?” calculation right about now and your irate call could be what tips them over the edge into action!
It took me less than ten minutes to call my senators and representative to let them know I expect them to uphold our NATO treaty obligations. If you haven’t let your elected representatives know your thoughts on topics in the news lately, here’s your reminder that calling them is quick and easy!
January 21, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Also, one has to imagine at the moment that many elected reps are doing a “we HAVE to do something…right?” calculation right about now and your irate call could be what tips them over the edge into action!