Ilima Loomis’s Contributions:
Stone Walls and Historical Harbors Are Unexpected Havens of Biodiversity
You never know what you’ll see looking back from the cracks.
Jul 13, 2023 | 550 words, about 2 minutes
Wanted: Lost Crab Traps. Reward: $5
A pioneering project is cleaning up ghost fishing gear one crab trap at a time.
May 8, 2023 | 750 words, about 3 minutes
In Mexico, Dive Tourism Is Worth as Much as Fishing
The surprising value of the country’s dive tourism industry gives another reason to protect its marine ecosystems.
Jun 10, 2021 | 650 words, about 3 minutes
Whale Songs Tell a New Story about Humpback Migrations
Humpbacks from across the North Pacific share songs.
Aug 8, 2019 | 800 words, about 4 minutes
A Tsunami of Trash
The rate of marine debris washing up on North American shores increased tenfold after the 2011 Japanese tsunami.
Feb 19, 2018 | 500 words, about 2 minutes
Rare Intersex Shark the First of Its Kind
The shark, discovered in Taiwan, has a complete set of male and female sexual organs.
Dec 27, 2017 | 600 words, about 3 minutes
Humpback Whales May Have a Secret Hideout
New research supports the theory of a hidden humpback breeding ground.
Nov 24, 2017 | 600 words, about 3 minutes
Industrial Whaling’s Incredibly Long Tail
For some whale populations, even 100 years is not long enough to recover.
Oct 25, 2017 | 450 words, about 2 minutes
How To Fix a Jellyfish Sting
Pack tweezers and vinegar in your beach bag—and forget what you’ve heard about the pee cure.
May 10, 2017 | 400 words, about 2 minutes
The Invisible Fishing Fleet
Women have a crucial—yet often overlooked—role in fisheries.
May 4, 2017 | 700 words, about 3 minutes
China’s Relentless Campaign to Pave the Coast
In China, coastal development comes at a high cost.
Jul 27, 2016 | 500 words, about 2 minutes
No-Show Pacific Ocean Humpbacks Stump Scientists
In winter breeding grounds like Hawai‘i and Mexico, migrating humpback whales arrived later, left earlier, and showed up in fewer numbers than normal.
May 25, 2016 | 700 words, about 3 minutes
The Price of Rejection
New research uncovers hidden losses in the aquarium fish trade.
Apr 12, 2016 | 650 words, about 3 minutes
The Sea Cucumber’s Vanishing Act
Coastal communities don’t always realize their sea cucumbers are targets of a voracious, international fishery until it’s too late.
Mar 30, 2016 | 2,100 words, about 11 minutes
Nine Out of Ten Shark Scientists Agree: Sustainable Shark Fishing Is Fine
Researchers worry extreme voices in the conservation community may be overshadowing an evidence-based approach.
Feb 15, 2016 | 500 words, about 2 minutes
Fishonomics 101: the Illusion of Abundance
How globalization of the seafood industry keeps consumers in the dark and prices down.
Oct 26, 2015 | 1,800 words, about 9 minutes
“Fishers” or “Fishermen”—Which Is Right?
The gender neutral “fishers” is outpacing “fishermen” in some circles.
Oct 13, 2015 | 650 words, about 3 minutes
Three Questions for Award-Winning Oceanographer David Karl
This year’s Balzan Prize winner on what the future holds for the ocean’s microbial life.
Sep 23, 2015 | 800 words, about 4 minutes
Not All Seaweeds Are Superfoods
Only some seaweeds pack iron your body can actually use.
Aug 12, 2015 | 450 words, about 2 minutes
In a Pickle
Hawaii has passed emergency protections for sea cucumbers.
Jun 30, 2015 | 450 words, about 2 minutes
Five Aquarium Fish Best Left in the Ocean
For some fish, life in an aquarium dooms their very existence.
Apr 27, 2015 | 700 words, about 3 minutes
Building a More Ethical Aquarium
Tropical fish collectors are loving the ocean to death. As the toll on reefs becomes better known, some public aquariums look for ways to lighten their environmental footprint.
Apr 22, 2015 | 1,600 words, about 8 minutes