Article

Native Knowledge of the Narwhal

The narwhal is an elusive mammal. During the winter months they feed in the deep...

Article

If You Build An Ocean, Sea Monsters Will Come

Building a productive ocean is complicated. The process is long (on the order of...

Article

An App Helps Scientists Combat Illegal Fish Trade

Relationships often begin with the locking of eyes. For Yvonne Sadovy, it was a...

slideshow

Robotic Ocean Explorer

This is the world’s first unmanned, underwater robot—or “glider”—to cross...

slideshow

The Ocean Throughout Geologic Time, An Image Gallery

Evidence shows that life probably began in the ocean at least 3.5 billion years...

slideshow

X-Rays of Fish Reveal Diversity

Scientists in the Division of Fishes at the Smithsonian's National Museum of...

slideshow

Laysan Albatrosses’ Plastic Problem

Laysan albatrosses (Phoebastria immutabilis) are incredible birds. They have a...

slideshow

Celebrating Marine Moms

The ocean is home to many moms of all shapes and sizes: from charismatic polar...

Article

Flippers or Feet? An Extinct Mammal May Have Been Replaced By Today's Sea Cows

In the seagrass beds and kelp forests of the Oligocene-Miocene transition, nearly...

Article

Fishing for Plastic: Science in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

By now, you have probably heard of The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The name...

Personal Perspectives

Whale fossils on the mainland, and into a CT scanner

After a few long days of hard work on the island, we were finally able to excavate...

Personal Perspectives

Searching for Cancer Drugs in the Ocean

Ever since fourth grade I’ve wanted to explore the creatures and landscapes of...