STANDING ON THE SHOULDER OF

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From the colossal blue whale to the Giant Sequoia trees of California, nature's giants play vital roles in Earth’s ecosystems. Their size alone is remarkable, but they’re also a keystone species shaping the environments around them. Great whales, for example, are incredible at blue carbon sequestration – each removing up to 33 tons of carbon from the atmosphere. Similarly, a single Giant Sequoia absorbs about the same amount of carbon that a person in the developed world emits during their lifetime (an average of four tons of CO₂ for every person on earth each year). 

This concept of 'giantness' – whether in size, impact, or legacy – applies to human endeavours as well. Sir Isaac Newton once penned: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulder of giants.” He was acknowledging that scientific progress builds on the work of earlier thinkers, and the same can be said for conservation efforts. The work of environmental leaders and organisations mobilises collective action to influence global policies and public awareness. These pioneering efforts are, at the very least, ‘shoulders’ for the future of conservation to stand on. 

WORLD MANTA DAY

Yesterday marked World Manta Day, so naturally, we’re celebrating one of the biggest and most magnificent ocean species – the giant manta ray. With wingspans reaching up to 8.8 metres, they are among the largest fish in the world, yet we know surprisingly little about them.

This year's theme was ‘The Power of Storytelling’, highlighting how narratives can transform our understanding of these gentle giants. One such story comes from marine biologist Madalena Pereira Cabral, whose work in Mexico’s Revillagigedo National Park (North America’s largest marine protected area) is unveiling the mysteries of giant manta rays.

For over four years, Madalena has used satellite tags to track these endangered creatures, revealing that their movements are influenced by El Niño. Her research also shows that, for reasons unknown, many manta rays eventually leave the safety of the park, putting them at great risk. Describing swimming with rays as an “underwater dance”, Madalena’s dedicated work is key to learning more about these ocean giants and providing crucial insights for their conservation. 

SEA MOUNTAINS

A team of oceanographers recently uncovered a different type of giant – an underwater mountain nearly two miles (3.2km) tall. This newly discovered seamount is part of the Nazca Ridge which lies about 900 miles (1400km) off Chile's coast. 

Scientists mapped the underwater mountain and encountered even more life teeming on its slopes. Using an underwater robot, Ocean Census, in collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute, they found sponge forests and coral gardens the size of three tennis courts providing a home to rockfish, brittle stars, and king crabs.

The team also captured the first-ever footage of a living Promachoteuthis squid and observed two rare ‘flying spaghetti monsters’ (Bathyphysa siphonophores), pictured above. These findings, while small in size, are hugely important, expanding our understanding of deep-sea biodiversity. Overall, the expedition increased the known species in this region by almost a third, from 1,019 to over 1,300. This highlights the enormous benefits of establishing more marine protected areas to safeguard these species, but also reminds us what we stand to lose in the face of deep-sea mining.

OUR PLANET'S MVPs

Sport has the power to change the world, and our next wave of Environmental Sports Champions are doing just that. We are thrilled to introduce 16 new extraordinary individuals and teams harnessing the power of sports to advocate environmental causes. Their work includes documenting climate-change effects on glaciers, advancing worldwide solar energy access, honouring Indigenous scientists and knowledge keepers through long-distance desert runs, promoting sustainability within rugby, challenging polluting sponsors in sport, and rallying surfing communities for climate action, to highlight just a few. From mountain peaks to coral reefs, from cold water swimmers to cricket-pitch powerhouses, this inspiring group all share a passion to protect our planet. We applaud the incredible work they do. 

OCEAN BULLETIN

🐠 Arctic tern and common gull join endangered list as climate crisis and overfishing threatens UK seabirds. 

🐠 Scientists search for great white sharks in Irish and UK waters, hoping to turn unconfirmed sightings into reality.

🐠 Orcas may use yachts to practise hunting their favourite food, scientists suggest. 

🐠 Migrant surge through Darién Gap leads to ‘polluted rivers’ and ‘cultural erosion’ for Indigenous communities. 

🐠 Climate crisis drives sharks from coral reefs, threatening already delicate ocean ecosystems.

A WHALE OF A STORY

This intriguing illustration from Abraham Ortelius' 1603 edition of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum – the first modern atlas – depicts a ‘Steipereidur’. Despite its unfamiliar and fearsome appearance, Ortelius described the creature as the tamest of whales, claiming it “fights other whales on behalf of fishermen”. Since many artists and cartographers never saw these animals firsthand, depictions often relied on secondhand accounts and the teller’s imagination. This leaves us wondering which real whale species might have inspired this medieval version. Any suggestions? 

Image credits
Whale breaching © Clayton Harris | Madalena and a giant manta © Simon Pierce | Flying spaghetti monster © ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute