Science Saves Sharks

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Science Saves Sharks A science-based platform to raise awareness, foster links and point to resources about sharks & rays.

The specialised cells (photocytes) responsible for bioluminescence contain a substrate called luciferin which reacts wit...
15/10/2026

The specialised cells (photocytes) responsible for bioluminescence contain a substrate called luciferin which reacts with oxygen, then catalysed by an enzyme called luciferase. The energy released by this reaction emits as light.

Scientists now believe that these sharks can control the bioluminescence that they possess using melatonin as a trigger. It’s the only hormonal controlled bioluminescence known in the animal kingdom.

How do scientists know what’s happening to sharks and rays? 🔍 I have been travelling through Peru and Patagonia, experie...
10/10/2026

How do scientists know what’s happening to sharks and rays? 🔍

I have been travelling through Peru and Patagonia, experiencing the Pacific Ocean for the first time, so here are five real case files from these waters, each solved with a different research tool: DNA barcoding, chemical diet tracers, fisheries records, egg case surveys and satellite tags.

Swipe, keep score, and comment your result 👇

Science doesn’t just describe the ocean. It tells us where to act: which nurseries to protect, which labels to check, which species are vulnerable.

Marín A. et al. (2018). A glimpse into the genetic diversity of the Peruvian seafood sector: unveiling species substitution, mislabeling and trade of threatened species. PLoS ONE 13:11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206596.

Biffi D. et al. (2020). Mislabelling and high mercury content hampers the efforts of market-based seafood initiatives in Peru. Scientific Reports 10: 20390. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-77338-x.

Segura-Cobeña E. et al. (2021). Stable isotope and fatty acid analyses reveal significant differences in trophic niches of smooth hammerhead Sphyrna zygaena among three nursery areas in northern Humboldt Current System. PeerJ 9:e11283. doi: 10.7717/peerj.11283.

Gonzalez-Pestana A., Kouri J. C., Velez-Zuazo X. (2016). Shark fisheries in the Southeast Pacific: a 61-year analysis from Peru. F1000Research 3:164. doi:10.12688/f1000research.4412.2.

Matusevich F. et al. (2023). Chondrichthyans from the southern tip of South America with emphasis on the marine protected area Namuncurá-Burdwood Bank: exploring egg nursery grounds. Polar Biology 46: 4. doi: 10.1007/s00300-023-03128-6.

Irigoyen A. J. et al. (2018). Habitat use, seasonality and demography of an apex predator: sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus in northern Patagonia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 603:147–160. doi: 102.100.100/560233.

Patagonia Azul Project sevengill satellite tagging (Noticias Ambientales)

Fish aren't dumb??Vinesky et al. (2026) document observations of interspecific scraping events between Galapagos sharks ...
29/09/2026

Fish aren't dumb??

Vinesky et al. (2026) document observations of interspecific scraping events between Galapagos sharks and Oceanic Mants rays as an alternative cleaning method. This behavioural flexibility demonstrates sophisticated cognative abilities.

🧬 What if scientists could use DNA to catch a mislabeled ray?A new study published in Scientific Reports examined skate ...
25/09/2026

🧬 What if scientists could use DNA to catch a mislabeled ray?

A new study published in Scientific Reports examined skate and ray products from markets around the Cantabrian Sea and found that DNA barcoding can help identify species that may be difficult to distinguish visually.

Accurate identification isn’t just about getting the name right. It can help scientists better understand fisheries, monitor species, and support conservation efforts. 🌊

The more accurately we know what’s in our oceans, the better we can protect it. 🩵

📖 Source: Piedrafita-Zubillaga et al., Scientific Reports (2026)

Community aided MPA’s are vital to assisting scientists in their work and the Namena Marine Reserve is no different. The...
27/08/2026

Community aided MPA’s are vital to assisting scientists in their work and the Namena Marine Reserve is no different. The dive tag initiative aids the environment and the locals in the area through funding and research 🔬

The largest skate in the world lives in Orkney, Scotland’s waters, and a small team of volunteers has spent over a decad...
25/08/2026

The largest skate in the world lives in Orkney, Scotland’s waters, and a small team of volunteers has spent over a decade tracking it, one tag, egg case and camera trap at a time 🦈

Orkney Skate Trust is proof of what community-led science can achieve for a species on the brink.

Swipe through to meet the flapper skate, and the people working to protect it 🌊

Fishing line can entangle corals and animals. Plastic can be swallowed. Lost items can damage corals and become part of ...
18/08/2026

Fishing line can entangle corals and animals. Plastic can be swallowed. Lost items can damage corals and become part of the reef for years. Meet the team working towards a cleaner reef for our future!

Coral Cartel started as a small group of friends heading out to pick up trash on the reef. In just a few months, they’ve become a community for so many different people on the island of Grand Cayman! Everyone gets together on Sunday mornings at 10am and picks up trash on the reef - from fishing line and hooks to aluminium cans, tyres, and more🗑️

Swipe to see more about Coral Cartel in action 🪸

Planning a whale shark encounter? 🐋 Not all wildlife tourism is created equal.Ethical ecotourism means choosing operator...
12/08/2026

Planning a whale shark encounter? 🐋 Not all wildlife tourism is created equal.

Ethical ecotourism means choosing operators that prioritize wildlife welfare: no touching, no feeding, respectful distances, and limited boats.

Whether you’re in Thailand, the Philippines, Mexico, or elsewhere, do your research before booking. The best encounters let us experience wildlife without disrupting it. 🌊

Have you dove with whale sharks?

Our theme for August is ~Working With the Water~ and as a first community spotlight, let's zoom into Ghanaian fishers as...
07/08/2026

Our theme for August is ~Working With the Water~ and as a first community spotlight, let's zoom into Ghanaian fishers as citizen scientists. 🎣💙🌍

Ghana's small-scale fishing communities depend on the sea for their food, income and way of life. But decades of overfishing have pushed fish populations to the brink of collapse. Tne solution is transforming the relationship between fishers and the scientists tasked with managing their waters: inclusion. 👥🫶👩‍🔬👨‍🔬

Have a look on YouTube: "Citizen scientists of the sea: the power of fisher inclusion in Ghana's closed season monitoring" filmed by the Environmental Justice Foundation.

🌍🦈 World Nature Conservation DayWhen people think of sharks and rays, they often think of predators, but these incredibl...
28/07/2026

🌍🦈 World Nature Conservation Day

When people think of sharks and rays, they often think of predators, but these incredible animals are so much more than that.

Many sharks and rays are keystone species, meaning they play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. By regulating prey populations and shaping marine food webs, they help protect coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and the rich biodiversity that our oceans depend on.

When these species decline, the effects ripple throughout the entire ecosystem, impacting countless marine organisms and reducing the resilience of our oceans.

Conserving sharks and rays isn’t just about protecting individual species; it’s about safeguarding the health and future of our oceans for generations to come.

💙 Protect sharks. Protect rays. Protect our oceans.

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