A top-tier ocean predator tracked and studied across seas
In the Mediterranean, invasive silver-cheeked toadfish have damaged nets and threatened swimmers. Greece has launched a program to cull and dispose of the fish, while authorities warn of their dangerous neurotoxin. Reports span Crete to Athens, with sites in Cyprus following similar measures. Scientists link arrivals to warm seas and the Suez Canal route.
The government has signed Lulu’s Law, directing the FCC to enable emergency mobile alerts when shark attacks occur. States will implement warnings; Alabama already has a similar system. Lulu Gribbin, who survived a 2024 shark attack, advocates the measure, saying it could save lives.
Meteorological agencies and the UN have reported a very strong El Niño that has continued to intensify in August 2026. Forecasts show record-warm Pacific sea-surface temperatures, rising global heat and an elevated risk of droughts, floods and food insecurity that will push tens of millions more people into acute hunger this year and next.
Massachusetts fishermen released a juvenile tiger shark after catching it at a Falmouth beach. The five-foot shark, common in warmer southern waters, appears off New England amid rising ocean temperatures, indicating shifts in marine ecosystems.
Dolphins off Australia’s east coast are using empty shells to trap prey, a behavior called shelling. The approach has been observed in Hervey Bay and Queensland’s Great Sandy Marine Park, with footage suggesting maternal transmission. Researchers say this adds to evidence of tool use in dolphins and may illuminate how humans evolved tool use.
A string of recent shark attacks near Florida and Australia has left survivors with severe injuries, including amputations. Responders have mobilized quickly, with GoFundMe campaigns supporting recovery and authorities warning beachgoers as investigations continue.
Researchers have been tagging great white sharks off Long Island to study nursery habitats and migratory patterns. The effort shows tropical species moving north as waters warm, with drones and acoustic tags tracking movements across the coast.