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Nuestro objetivo es mostrar lo maravilloso que es el océano y crear consciencia para protegerlo ��

Nuestra web: oceanmar-project.org

Instagram: oceanmar_project
No te pierdas nuestras stories! ��

07/10/2026

The results of our Seafloor Duel! 🏆🦀
In our recent poll, most of you predicted the winner... and according to marine biology literature, here are the odds in the arena:
🐙 90% chance of victory: Octopus
🦈 10% chance of victory: Angel Shark
Why the huge tilt toward the cephalopod?
The Octopus (90%): A tactical, active hunter. Ethogram studies (Mather et al.) show they use „dynamic camouflage“ (changing texture/color) while advancing. An octopus will assess, stalk, and claim the crab long before reaching the shark’s zone.
The Angel Shark (10%): A strict „sit-and-wait“ ambush predator (Ferry-Graham et al., 2002). It won’t give chase. For that lethal 10% to happen, the crab must walk directly over its hidden jaws. Its jaw kinematics generate almost zero water disturbance—pure stealth (Holzman & Wainwright, 2009). If the crab steps there, it’s vacuumed in milliseconds!
Could we film this live to prove it? 🎥
Conservation groups like the Angel Shark Project (Canary Islands) and octopus ecologists at ECOBIOMAR (IIM-CSIC) IIM - CSIC would give us a firm NO 😅.
Provoking fights or using live bait violates ethics. The Angel Shark (Squatina squatina) is critically endangered in Europe, and true science relies on passive observation—not creating an underwater Colosseum! 🌊
We’ll have to rely on theoretical biology and hope a lucky diver captures it naturally! 📸
Did you predict the right winner? Let us know below! 👇
📚 References:
Ferry-Graham et al. (2002) - Prey capture by the Pacific angel shark
Holzman & Wainwright (2009) - Kinematics and stealth
Mather et al. (2010) - Ethogram for benthic octopods
Hanlon et al. (1999) / Josef et al. (2012) - Dynamic camouflage
📸 Photos/illustrations from the Canva library.

05/10/2026

El Duelo del Camuflaje: ¿Tiburón Ángel o Pulpo? 🦈🐙

Imagina un apetitoso cangrejo caminando por el fondo arenoso del mar. A un metro de distancia a su izquierda, un tiburón ángel está perfectamente enterrado en la arena, con solo los ojos al descubierto, esperando en total inmovilidad. A un metro a su derecha, un pulpo está mimetizado contra las rocas, imitando la textura y el color de su entorno.

Ambos son depredadores bentónicos. Ambos comen cangrejos. Ambos son buenos disfrazandose.

Si los dos ven a la presa al mismo tiempo... ¿Quién se queda con la cena? 🦀

👇 ¡Déjanos tu teoría táctica en los comentarios y en el próximo post revelaremos la respuesta!

_______
The Camouflage Duel: Angel Shark or Octopus? 🦈🐙

Imagine an appetizing crab walking along the sandy seafloor. A meter away to its left, an angel shark is perfectly buried in the sand, with only its eyes exposed, waiting in total stillness. A meter to its right, an octopus is camouflaged against the rocks, mimicking the texture and color of its surroundings.

Both are benthic predators. Both eat crabs. Both are good at disguising themselves.

If both spot the prey at the same time... Who gets dinner? 🦀

👇 Leave us your tactical theory in the comments, and in the next post, we will reveal the answer!

28/09/2026

Hoy queremos leerlos a ustedes. Escriban en los comentarios a que animal marino salvarían 👇🏼🩵

27/09/2026

You don’t need a science degree to play a real role in ocean conservation. 🧬🌊

Through citizen science, anyone can contribute valuable data: from snapping a photo of wildlife to logging beach cleanup debris or reporting reef health. Researchers around the globe rely on these everyday observations to better understand and protect marine ecosystems.

In this carousel, we highlight practical tools and platforms you can use to transform your coastal walks, dives, or beach days into active scientific contributions. 📸🐋

Save this post as your reference guide and share it with fellow ocean enthusiasts!

23/09/2026

🌡️🌊The water temperature in the North Sea has risen by 4 °C over the past century, and cephalopods have found the perfect habitat in which to reproduce. 🦑🐙

Belgian fishermen’s nets no longer yield what they used to. Where crabs and cod once abounded, tonnes of octopus and squid now turn up. 🐟➡️🦑

The North Sea’s food chain has changed, and global warming is responsible for this transformation.

🐟Cod used to be at the top of the North Sea’s food chain.
Its main prey were herring, crabs and prawns.🐟🦀🦐

🌡️As sea temperatures rise, cod populations are declining due to heat stress.
Their prey populations are increasing.

🦑🐙 Cephalopods, which are better adapted to higher temperatures, are occupying this ecological niche.

Cephalopod eggs require water temperatures of between 9 and 11 ºC to develop and hatch.

Previously, the North Sea was too cold, but now, according to Polet, numerous species are managing to survive. In short, the cold is no longer an obstacle… Cephalopods (octopuses, cuttlefish and squid) currently account for more than a fifth of the total catch from the Flemish sea fishery.

‘I love squid; they are truly marvellous creatures [...] The changes in the oceans are very drastic from an ecological point of view. It’s not a matter of taste. It’s a warning.’ ⚠️

The spread of cephalopods in the North Sea is not an isolated phenomenon. It is a symptom. 😬

Octopuses have found a refuge where they previously could not survive. Squid have turned a migratory route into a permanent habitat.

The North Sea’s ecosystem is changing at a rapid pace.

The disappearance of cod, the arrival of new predators and the reshaping of the food chain are all pieces of the same jigsaw puzzle.

The driving force behind all this change is the rise in
temperature. 🌡️🌊☀️

Did you know about this phenomenon?
Let us know in the comments!

🌎

20/09/2026

🚨 Meet the “Panda of the Sea” 🐼🌊 (and why it is the most exclusive animal in the world).
The Vaquita Marina is an endemic species of the Upper Gulf of California, Mexico—the only place in the universe where they exist. It is the smallest cetacean on the planet (~1.5m and 45kg), and today there are fewer than 10 individuals left in the world, placing them in Critically Endangered status. Although we might think all is lost, science has just given us immense hope.

They are genetically “immune” to inbreeding! A study in Science magazine discovered that evolution has already “cleaned” dangerous mutations from their genetic code over thousands of years. We are still in time to protect them. They are not a weak species; they are survivors fighting against a human error: illegal fishing nets.

However, their extinction could be the result of a dark international triangle. Mexico argues it lacks the capacity to enforce regulations and plans to reduce its protection zone by 85%, opening a transit route right in the center of its refuge. This lack of control allows illegal nets to operate to catch totoaba, a coveted fish that is trafficked through the United States to be sold for millions on the black market in China.
🗓️ October 10th is International Save the Vaquita Day. To save them, we must demand that the government maintains the protected area, avoid consuming seafood or consume only sustainable seafood, and support the organizations that remove these lethal nets from the sea. There are so few left that the world needs to see and protect them. Share to your stories to reach more people! 🚀💙. 📸 Photos sourced from various magazines. If any of these images belong to you and you have copyright concerns, please write to us (DM) and we will adapt or remove them.

📚 Sources:https://awionline.org/awi-quarterly/spring-2026/mexico-intends-to-weaken-vaquita-protection/
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abm1742
Http://vivavaquita.org/

18/09/2026

Viajar y conectar con el océano es una experiencia increíble, pero nuestro paso por el agua siempre deja una huella. 🌊✨

A veces, pequeñas acciones que parecen inofensivas —como acercarnos demasiado para una foto, usar el protector solar equivocado o tocar la fauna marina— pueden alterar gravemente los ecosistemas y la salud de las especies que allí habitan.

En este post te compartimos una guía rápida con principios clave para practicar un turismo marino responsable y cuidar de la vida marina en tus próximas vacaciones. 🐋🪸

Guarda esta publicación para tu próximo viaje y compártela para que más personas exploren el mar de forma consciente.
Traveling and connecting with the ocean is an unforgettable experience, but our presence always leaves an impact. 🌊✨

Sometimes, small actions that seem harmless—like getting too close for a photo, using non-reef-safe sunscreen, or touching wildlife—can deeply disrupt marine ecosystems and the health of the species that call them home.

In this carousel, we break down essential guidelines for practicing responsible marine tourism and keeping wildlife safe during your next getaway. 🐋🪸

Save this post for your next trip and share it to help promote conscious exploration!

15/09/2026

Tips❗How to eat fish more sustainably (if you do eat fish) 🐟

1️⃣ Reduce your fish consumption and opt for less overfished species. Such as smaller, pelagic species: sardines, horse mackerel, etc. 🐟

2️⃣ Prioritise locally sourced fish. This will reduce the carbon footprint 👣 – that is, all the emissions generated before the fish reaches you.

3️⃣ Choose small-scale fisheries. This way, you’ll support the local economy 💰 and encourage selective fishing methods, which reduce the risk of accidentally catching protected species such as cetaceans, sharks or turtles. 🦈🐬

4️⃣ Buy seasonal fish. To do this, you’ll need to take into account where you are and the legislation in your area. 📆

5️⃣ Check for certifications. ✅ Look for labels such as these: MSC (Marine Stewardship Council), Certified Seafood International, Friend of the Sea, ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council), GGN (GLOBALG.A.P. Number – Good Agricultural Practices).

Do you follow these tips? Let us know what other actions we can take. 🙌

📸Photographer unknown — happy to update credit upon request.

sostenible

12/09/2026

🌊 ¡Bienvenidos a la semana favorita de cada mes: la semana de competencia! 🐋💙

Este mes hablamos de animales marinos en Peligro ⚠️🌊

¿Sabías que muchos de estos animales enfrentan desafíos enormes todos los días por culpa de la pesca incidental, la contaminación, los plásticos y la pérdida de su hogar? 😢 A pesar de todo, siguen siendo piezas clave para que nuestro océano y nosotros respiremos.

Hoy te presentamos a 8 candidatos que necesitan nuestra voz y protección. ¡Vota por tu favorito o por el que quieras que investiguemos a fondo!

🧬 Los competidores de esta semana:

🇲🇽 Vaquita marina – La más crítica. Solo vive en México y es víctima directa de las redes de pesca ilegales 🥅
🐢 Tortugas marinas – Las grandes viajeras. Nadan por todo el planeta pero enfrentan una dura batalla contra los plásticos 🥤
🐬 Delfines – Los inteligentes. Presentes en todos los océanos, pero muy vulnerables a las redes y al ruido submarino 🔊
🦈 Tiburones – Los guardianes. Fundamentales para el ecosistema, pero en crisis global por la sobrepesca y el aleteo 📉
🦅 Albatros – Los nómadas. Pasan su vida planeando en mar abierto, pero son víctimas de los anzuelos y el plástico flotante 🪝
🪸 Corales de profundidad – Los bosques oscuros. Viven sin luz solar, pero la pesca de arrastre los destruye en segundos ⚓
🐋 Ballena franca del norte – La gigante al límite. Quedan muy pocas y su mayor amenaza son los choques con grandes barcos 🚢
🐴 Caballito de mar – La magia costera. Maestros del camuflaje afectados por la destrucción de pastos marinos y el tráfico ilegal 🎒

🗳️ ¿Cómo participar?

✅ Vota cada día en nuestras historias (encuestas diarias)
🏆 El ganador recibe un post profundo el domingo con todos los datos científicos
📢 Comparte con alguien que ame los animales marinos y quiera protegerlos
💾 Guárdalo para después y no olvides votar mañana

¿Cuál es tu favorito? 👇
¡Vota ahora en historias! 🗳️🌊

10/09/2026

Can a shift in the wind tip the balance of an entire ocean? 💨🌊

The ocean never acts alone. It is in constant conversation with the atmosphere.

Last month, we explored El Niño’s effects. Now, we trace the story back to the tropical Pacific, where heat stored beneath the surface and westerly wind pulses can tip a delicate balance.
A chain reaction begins: warm water moves east, the trade winds weaken further, and less of the cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface off South America. If this pattern persists, El Niño develops. When the opposite pattern takes hold - stronger trade winds and cooler waters - the system enters La Niña.

Together with neutral conditions, these states make up ENSO (the El Niño–Southern Oscillation), a natural ocean–atmosphere cycle with global reach. As of September 2026, El Niño is active.

Swipe to follow the chain reaction. Did you know the ocean and atmosphere were so deeply connected, and that a shift in the wind could help tip the balance? 🌍👇

Sources: NOAA Ocean Service and NOAA Climate Prediction Center.

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