There’s an Ocean of Pseudoscience Out There

In honor of a fresh new semester for us grad students (and for those non-grad students reading this, the rest of you whippersnappers too), the Southern Fried Science Network has declared this week to Ocean of Pseudoscience Week, complete with a spiffy logo.  The world is a wacky place filled with a lot of people believing a lot of strange things that are just not supported by the science behind them, and the ocean has more than it’s share of pseudoscience.  So we’re gonna write about it.  I’m planning on contributing two epic research posts to the cause, but until those are up stop by Southern Fried Science, who are kicking off the week in style with a load of new posts, including the sea ape, a supposedly pristine tribe in the Philippines, the fact that sharks do in fact get cancer (also covered with class over at Observations of a Nerd.  You don’t have to be a network member to hang with us), and more disturbing news about sustainability certification for fisheries.  Stay tuned, keep checking the Gam, and remember to keep your critical thinking caps on.

4 comments

  1. WhySharksMatter · September 6, 2010

    If Christie “ALSO covered with class”, does that mean that I covered with class?

    • Chuck · September 6, 2010

      David, you’re essentially a walking, talking pile of class.

      • Southern Fried Scientist · September 6, 2010

        he’s certainly a walking, talking pile of something

      • Ina · September 6, 2010

        And the chances of that hieppnang are…?Wanna maybe start an according petition! to the Tunisian government?The fact is that this happens all the time!Not with GWS that are rare – but no fisherman wants a large live Shark snapping away on the deck; so even those who observe the law and don’t fin them kill them before retrieving their oh-so-precious hooks and then “releasing” them into the water.The solution would be to mandate that live Sharks (the majority) are to be released alive whilst they’re still in the water, and this by cutting the line (or in this case, by lowering or tilting the net) – but as far as I know, only very few, if any countries have enacted this measure.And this would also mandate 100% coverage by observers as once the ships are over the horizon, anything goes.But to be frank, I’m not expecting any of this to happen anytime soon.

Comments are closed.