In the News: Creating Art and Spreading Hope

Fig.1. Humpback whale breaching in Stellwagen Bank National
Marine Sanctuary (Credit: Whit Welles/2008)

Amidst fears for the planet’s future, these artists and marine biologists have a clear message of hope. From an active campaign to spread the word, to art that engages children and researchers, we can celebrate the biodiversity and beauty of our oceans. 

• Instead of describing the “death of the ocean,” the #OceanOptimism campaign seeks to engage audiences with optimism: “The Rise of Ocean Optimism,” Smithsonian Magazine (08 June 2016)

• If you visit the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., you might notice some unusual and larger than life animals. These marine creatures are made out of trash that washed up on beaches, highlighting the dangerous plastic pollution in our oceans: “Ocean Trash Turned Into A Thing Of Beauty,” Washington Post (24 May 2016)

• Hoping to combat small sample sizes and expensive collecting expeditions, this special drone could change how whale research is done: “Biologists Are Now Collecting Whale Snot With Drones,” Motherboard (01 June 2016) 

• Although these ocean specimens have never touched the water, they provided beautiful and accurate models for marine invertebrate research and education: “These Intricately Designed Glass Sea Creatures Served An Important Educational Purpose,” PRI (28 May 2016)