David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
@whysharksmatter.bsky.social
I am a marine conservation biologist studying sharks and a science writer. Posts are about science and the environment, science communication, and more! He/him
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
24 years ago, I was on the first research cruise to the newly established Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron to map all of the shipwrecks in the area.
We had a huge binder of research on all the suspected wrecks. Most of them sank in a "collision in the fog."
We had a huge binder of research on all the suspected wrecks. Most of them sank in a "collision in the fog."
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 2:41 AM
24 years ago, I was on the first research cruise to the newly established Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron to map all of the shipwrecks in the area.
We had a huge binder of research on all the suspected wrecks. Most of them sank in a "collision in the fog."
We had a huge binder of research on all the suspected wrecks. Most of them sank in a "collision in the fog."
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
Fun fact: Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song first, and then sank the Edmund Fitzgerald himself in what has come to be recognized as one of the first viral marketing stunts
November 11, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Fun fact: Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song first, and then sank the Edmund Fitzgerald himself in what has come to be recognized as one of the first viral marketing stunts
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
Me: Hey I'm donating a bunch of books to a group that's adding to the local public school libraries, any you want to add?
Partner: Oh good I thought we could stand to thin them out (turns to books) which ones?
Me: (shows waist high stack)
Partner: ...wait our shelves look like this AFTER?!
Partner: Oh good I thought we could stand to thin them out (turns to books) which ones?
Me: (shows waist high stack)
Partner: ...wait our shelves look like this AFTER?!
November 11, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Me: Hey I'm donating a bunch of books to a group that's adding to the local public school libraries, any you want to add?
Partner: Oh good I thought we could stand to thin them out (turns to books) which ones?
Me: (shows waist high stack)
Partner: ...wait our shelves look like this AFTER?!
Partner: Oh good I thought we could stand to thin them out (turns to books) which ones?
Me: (shows waist high stack)
Partner: ...wait our shelves look like this AFTER?!
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
Specifically, it was the National Weather Service Modernization and Associated Restructuring, begun in the 70s, which completely overhauled how we predict and respond to rapid weather events.
vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heri...
vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heri...
The NWS Modernization and Associated Restructuring - A Retrospective (Part 1) - National Weather Service Heritage - Virtual Lab
Planned in the 1980s and implemented in the 1990s, the NWS Modernization and Associated Restructuring modernized the agency’s organization and technology to ensure more rapid detection of storms and d...
vlab.noaa.gov
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Specifically, it was the National Weather Service Modernization and Associated Restructuring, begun in the 70s, which completely overhauled how we predict and respond to rapid weather events.
vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heri...
vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heri...
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
#MondayMood 🛫
A striking white coloration makes this spiny skate (Bathyraja spinosissima) easy to spot. These active swimmers hover and glide well above the seafloor, while their relatives tend to stay close to the bottom. This species is especially common in rocky lava fields.
A striking white coloration makes this spiny skate (Bathyraja spinosissima) easy to spot. These active swimmers hover and glide well above the seafloor, while their relatives tend to stay close to the bottom. This species is especially common in rocky lava fields.
November 10, 2025 at 10:41 PM
#MondayMood 🛫
A striking white coloration makes this spiny skate (Bathyraja spinosissima) easy to spot. These active swimmers hover and glide well above the seafloor, while their relatives tend to stay close to the bottom. This species is especially common in rocky lava fields.
A striking white coloration makes this spiny skate (Bathyraja spinosissima) easy to spot. These active swimmers hover and glide well above the seafloor, while their relatives tend to stay close to the bottom. This species is especially common in rocky lava fields.
Sea Otters May Be Small Marine Mammals, But Their Effect on an Ecosystem Can Be Huge
Their fur is so soft it almost led to their extinction, but otters’ recovery has been a boon to Pacific kelp forests, a key habitat for other sealife www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Their fur is so soft it almost led to their extinction, but otters’ recovery has been a boon to Pacific kelp forests, a key habitat for other sealife www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Sea Otters May Be Small Marine Mammals, But Their Effect on an Ecosystem Can Be Huge
Their fur is so soft it almost led to their extinction, but otters’ recovery has been a boon to Pacific kelp forests, a key habitat for other sealife
www.smithsonianmag.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Sea Otters May Be Small Marine Mammals, But Their Effect on an Ecosystem Can Be Huge
Their fur is so soft it almost led to their extinction, but otters’ recovery has been a boon to Pacific kelp forests, a key habitat for other sealife www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Their fur is so soft it almost led to their extinction, but otters’ recovery has been a boon to Pacific kelp forests, a key habitat for other sealife www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Insights into the trophic ecology of Etmopterus molleri, one of the smallest shark species: a multi-tracer analysis www.int-res.com/abstracts/me...
Insights into the trophic ecology of Etmopterus molleri, one of the smallest shark species: a multi-tracer analysis
Deepwater sharks represent nearly half of all known shark species but aspects of their biology and ecology remain poorly understood, largely due to challenges associated with their complex life...
www.int-res.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Insights into the trophic ecology of Etmopterus molleri, one of the smallest shark species: a multi-tracer analysis www.int-res.com/abstracts/me...
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
While the Edmund Fitzgerald is the most famous, the #GreatLakes are home to an estimated 6000 - 10,000 shipwrecks. Many wrecks occur in fall due to the "November Witch" winds caused by a clash of cold Canadian air from the north + warm Gulf air from the south www.discovermagazine.com/as-an-underw...
As an Underwater Graveyard, the Great Lakes Have Claimed Close to 10,000 Ships
Though called the Great Lakes, these massive bodies of water are actually inland seas, and can be just as unpredictable as the ocean.
www.discovermagazine.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:46 PM
While the Edmund Fitzgerald is the most famous, the #GreatLakes are home to an estimated 6000 - 10,000 shipwrecks. Many wrecks occur in fall due to the "November Witch" winds caused by a clash of cold Canadian air from the north + warm Gulf air from the south www.discovermagazine.com/as-an-underw...
One of my favorite* things as a writer is when I spend a ton of time on an article I think is important and interesting, and then all the social media discussion is about the image in the preview link that I did not choose.
November 10, 2025 at 6:33 PM
One of my favorite* things as a writer is when I spend a ton of time on an article I think is important and interesting, and then all the social media discussion is about the image in the preview link that I did not choose.
Guinean landing surveys of Bentfin devil rays add insight into threatened elasmobranch catch link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Guinean landing surveys of Bentfin devil rays add insight into threatened elasmobranch catch - Environmental Biology of Fishes
Populations of many elasmobranchs have decreased globally, with over a third of species threatened with an elevated risk of extinction, largely due to fishing pressure. In West Africa, a general lack…
link.springer.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Guinean landing surveys of Bentfin devil rays add insight into threatened elasmobranch catch link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
Global manta and devil ray population declines: Closing policy and management gaps to reduce fisheries mortality doi.org/10.1016/j.bi...
"Over 264,520 mobulids are caught per year, with small vessel fisheries accounting for 87% of global mortality. "
"Over 264,520 mobulids are caught per year, with small vessel fisheries accounting for 87% of global mortality. "
Global manta and devil ray population declines: Closing policy and management gaps to reduce fisheries mortality
Significant progress has been made in advancing priority actions to conserve manta and devil rays, yet implementation and enforcement of protective me…
doi.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Global manta and devil ray population declines: Closing policy and management gaps to reduce fisheries mortality doi.org/10.1016/j.bi...
"Over 264,520 mobulids are caught per year, with small vessel fisheries accounting for 87% of global mortality. "
"Over 264,520 mobulids are caught per year, with small vessel fisheries accounting for 87% of global mortality. "
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
The AFS Climate Committee and the Science Communication Section will be hosting an encore presentation of our lightning talks and a summary of our session from this summer’s annual meeting!
The webinar will be held on Wed , Nov 19 at 3pm ET. Registration required - fisheries.org/2025/10/webi...
The webinar will be held on Wed , Nov 19 at 3pm ET. Registration required - fisheries.org/2025/10/webi...
November 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The AFS Climate Committee and the Science Communication Section will be hosting an encore presentation of our lightning talks and a summary of our session from this summer’s annual meeting!
The webinar will be held on Wed , Nov 19 at 3pm ET. Registration required - fisheries.org/2025/10/webi...
The webinar will be held on Wed , Nov 19 at 3pm ET. Registration required - fisheries.org/2025/10/webi...
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
Eels are frequently active during thunder storms...a fact that the premodern English used extensively as a metaphor!
In 1604 John Hanson used the image of eels roused by thunder to describe Catholic priests coming out of their slimy caves to spread their heresy in the world.
🗃️🧪
In 1604 John Hanson used the image of eels roused by thunder to describe Catholic priests coming out of their slimy caves to spread their heresy in the world.
🗃️🧪
November 10, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Eels are frequently active during thunder storms...a fact that the premodern English used extensively as a metaphor!
In 1604 John Hanson used the image of eels roused by thunder to describe Catholic priests coming out of their slimy caves to spread their heresy in the world.
🗃️🧪
In 1604 John Hanson used the image of eels roused by thunder to describe Catholic priests coming out of their slimy caves to spread their heresy in the world.
🗃️🧪
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
What's happening this week for the #DeepSea
#COP30 has begun and is running until the 21st November. We are hosting a booth at the Virtual Ocean Pavilion . It's easy and free to register and view all the resources we have made available.
Register here: buff.ly/0sMrWLG
#COP30 has begun and is running until the 21st November. We are hosting a booth at the Virtual Ocean Pavilion . It's easy and free to register and view all the resources we have made available.
Register here: buff.ly/0sMrWLG
November 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
What's happening this week for the #DeepSea
#COP30 has begun and is running until the 21st November. We are hosting a booth at the Virtual Ocean Pavilion . It's easy and free to register and view all the resources we have made available.
Register here: buff.ly/0sMrWLG
#COP30 has begun and is running until the 21st November. We are hosting a booth at the Virtual Ocean Pavilion . It's easy and free to register and view all the resources we have made available.
Register here: buff.ly/0sMrWLG
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
Son, you got a turtle on yer head.
November 10, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Son, you got a turtle on yer head.
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
Biodegradable Plastics: Help or Hype? https://therevelator.org/biodegradable-plastics-help-or-hype/
Biodegradable Plastics: Help or Hype? • The Revelator
Plastic pollution is poisoning the planet. Some experts suggest making plastics from more “natural” materials, but research shows those still have risks.
therevelator.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Biodegradable Plastics: Help or Hype? https://therevelator.org/biodegradable-plastics-help-or-hype/
While acknowledging the challenges of finding an equitable venue, I might suggest that not hosting 10,000 government delegates from around the world in a city whose plumbing doesn't work very well.
Any system that requires 10,000 busy people to read and remember an e-mail will fail.
Any system that requires 10,000 busy people to read and remember an e-mail will fail.
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
While acknowledging the challenges of finding an equitable venue, I might suggest that not hosting 10,000 government delegates from around the world in a city whose plumbing doesn't work very well.
Any system that requires 10,000 busy people to read and remember an e-mail will fail.
Any system that requires 10,000 busy people to read and remember an e-mail will fail.
Some of my students asked me what weather they could expect in South Florida in November.
I replied "Yes."
It was 86 yesterday. It'll be 45 tomorrow.
I replied "Yes."
It was 86 yesterday. It'll be 45 tomorrow.
November 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Some of my students asked me what weather they could expect in South Florida in November.
I replied "Yes."
It was 86 yesterday. It'll be 45 tomorrow.
I replied "Yes."
It was 86 yesterday. It'll be 45 tomorrow.
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
I love that my little midnight musing has created a movement. Bluesky is snails, now. Snails, only.
Okay I am getting creative. Snails are everywhere 🐌
2350m up in the Alps, under da sea, and in between. Heliciniae indet, Doriprismatica atromarginata, Aplysia californica
2350m up in the Alps, under da sea, and in between. Heliciniae indet, Doriprismatica atromarginata, Aplysia californica
November 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I love that my little midnight musing has created a movement. Bluesky is snails, now. Snails, only.
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
i mean, we say sucker fish but who's the one doing all the work here
Rare footage shows sucker fish riding on a humpback whale near Gold Coast of Australia | Offbeat News | Sky News 🦑🧪
Rare footage shows sucker fish riding on a humpback whale near Gold Coast of Australia
The remoras, also known as sucker fish, survive on dead skin flakes and spend their lives aboard whales or other large sea creatures.
news.sky.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
i mean, we say sucker fish but who's the one doing all the work here
Rare footage shows sucker fish riding on a humpback whale near Gold Coast of Australia | Offbeat News | Sky News 🦑🧪
Rare footage shows sucker fish riding on a humpback whale near Gold Coast of Australia
The remoras, also known as sucker fish, survive on dead skin flakes and spend their lives aboard whales or other large sea creatures.
news.sky.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Rare footage shows sucker fish riding on a humpback whale near Gold Coast of Australia | Offbeat News | Sky News 🦑🧪
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
It's been ~250 days since I was fired. Just gives me the warm fuzzies that the courts had to force DOC and NOAA to say that I obviously wasn't fired based on my personal performance.
November 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
It's been ~250 days since I was fired. Just gives me the warm fuzzies that the courts had to force DOC and NOAA to say that I obviously wasn't fired based on my personal performance.
Reposted by David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
You need to know how to do two things to be a successful mid-career fisheries scientist:
1. Skim and delete emails
2. Dual-factor Authentication
Know about fish? That's a bonus!
1. Skim and delete emails
2. Dual-factor Authentication
Know about fish? That's a bonus!
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
You need to know how to do two things to be a successful mid-career fisheries scientist:
1. Skim and delete emails
2. Dual-factor Authentication
Know about fish? That's a bonus!
1. Skim and delete emails
2. Dual-factor Authentication
Know about fish? That's a bonus!