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Colin Simpfendorfer

@sharkcolin.bsky.social

3.3K followers 400 following 160 posts

Shark scientist since 1986. Passionate about sharks and rays, and their conservation and management. Lapsed academic.

Videos

Environmental science 66%

Geography 17%

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group @iucnshark.bsky.social · 1d

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has just been updated and now includes assessments of 1,266 species of sharks, rays, and chimaeras.

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Colin Simpfendorfer @sharkcolin.bsky.social · 4d

Read my review of John Long’s book The Secret History of Sharks in @currentbiology.bsky.social

A fascinating read about the deep history of sharks, the scientists who study them, and the adventures they have in the quest to learn more.

authors.elsevier.com/a/1luVG3QW8S...

authors.elsevier.com

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

European Tracking Network @aquatictracking.bsky.social · 5d

Recently, 124 Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) were delineated for the European Atlantic 🦈
This effort had data contributions from 214 researchers, including ETN members! Many of these ISRAs were partially/ompletely supported with telemetry data, underscoring the importance of this information.

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group @iucnshark.bsky.social · 7d

In the Philippines, there are 10 designated ISRAs.
Swipe left to learn more about the shark and ray species in these individual sites.

© Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines

#shark #ray #chimaera #ISRA #ISRAlOPH #SharksPH #ConservePHsharks #sharkada

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

marinefreshwater.bsky.social @marinefreshwater.bsky.social · 7d

Calling all marine & freshwater sciences students 📣

@marinefreshwater.bsky.social has a new #StudentPrize!

The first winner will be announced in 2027 to allow time for submissions and nominations.

More details:
www.publish.csiro.au/mf/forauthor...

#MarineFreshwaterRes

CSIRO PUBLISHING

Awards and Prizes

www.publish.csiro.au

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Colin Simpfendorfer @sharkcolin.bsky.social · 8d

New #sharkscience from Julia Constance at @charlesdarwinuni.bsky.social

Acoustic telemetry provides mortality estimates for threatened river sharks in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Neonates experience very high rates of natural mortality.

rdcu.be/eJb04

@iucnshark.bsky.social

Acoustic telemetry provides mortality estimates for threatened river sharks in the Northern Territory, Australia | Animal Biotelemetry

rdcu.be

Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Current Biology @currentbiology.bsky.social · 8d

And for more on #shark #conservation, check out this well-aged review from @sharkcolin.bsky.social and colleagues

www.cell.com/current-biol...

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Reposted by Allan D. McDevitt

Colin Simpfendorfer @sharkcolin.bsky.social · 8d

New #sharkscience out in @currentbiology.bsky.social by @seaprinceaaron.bsky.social and colleagues.
Deep-sea mining risks for sharks, rays, and chimeras. A must read for this looming threat to many already threatened species.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
@iucnshark.bsky.social

Deep-sea mining risks for sharks, rays, and chimeras

Judah et al. identify 30 species of chondrichthyans that overlap with proposed deep-sea mining activities, nearly two-thirds of which are already threatened with extinction. Precautionary management o...

www.cell.com

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group @iucnshark.bsky.social · 9d

OPEN CALL | Session at Sharks International 2026 (SI2026) 🦈

Abstract submissions for SI2026 are officially open! The IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group is thrilled to host the session:
“Leveraging Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) for Policy Action.”

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group @iucnshark.bsky.social · 11d

OPEN CALL | Session at Sharks International 2026 (SI2026) 🦈

Abstract submissions for SI2026 are now open! The IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group is excited to host the session:
“Advancing Area-Based Management for Chondrichthyans: Challenges and Opportunities.”

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Ben Bond‐Lamberty

Morgan Piczak (she/her) @morganpiczak.bsky.social · 11d

Rob Lennox and I are hiring a PhD student based out of Dalhousie to study the movement ecology of imperilled Atlantic mackerel starting in January 2026! In collaboration with DFO and @oceantracking.bsky.social Please share widely!!!

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Martin J. Attrill, Gareth J. Williams

The Coral Reef Research Hub @coralreefresearch.bsky.social · 12d

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Lecturer in Marine Biology and Scientific Diving (University of Plymouth)

www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOS637/l...

#jobs #lecturer #scientificdiving #plymouth #coralreefs #university #marinescience #marinebiology #marineecology #jobopportunity

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Integrated Marine Observing System @imos-aus.bsky.social · 15d

Rising marine extremes demand rapid response. IMOS is using ocean gliders & a national science network to deliver near real-time insights on heatwaves, floods & storms -knowledge to protect ecosystems, fisheries & coastal communities.

🔗 bit.ly/3KmJrhv

#NCRISimpact

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group @iucnshark.bsky.social · 18d

A landmark scientific workshop has identified 124 Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) across the European Atlantic, providing the first comprehensive map of critical habitats for threatened species such as Basking Shark, Tope, Spiny Dogfish, Sicklefin Devil Ray, and Angelshark.

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Colin Simpfendorfer @sharkcolin.bsky.social · 18d

Very cool observation. Consistent with observations in other species like Whitetip Reef Shark (www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...) and Nurse Shark (www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/1...)

Group courtship, mating behaviour and siphon sac function in the whitetip reef shark, Triaenodon obesus

We analysed video records of three mating events involving nine free-living whitetip reef sharks in Cocos Islands, Costa Rica to examine reproductive …

www.sciencedirect.com

Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group @iucnshark.bsky.social · 26d

We want to invite you to discover the latest 12th issue of Shark News – the official IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) magazine.

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Dr Vincent Raoult @sawsharkman.bsky.social · 26d

Some awesome news for your Monday. Critically endangered grey nurse sharks are increasing in number by about 5% a year, the first time the conservation efforts have seemed to work for this species! Still just 1500 breeding adults across eastern Australia...

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

Population surge for endangered sharks labelled 'labradors of the sea'

Scientists say increasing numbers of east coast grey nurse sharks is rare good conservation news for the critically endangered species.

www.abc.net.au

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Integrated Marine Observing System @imos-aus.bsky.social · Sep 11

We are looking for an Office Coordinator to support the IMOS AODN team in delivering high-impact, data-driven projects that contribute to Australia’s marine research capabilities.

🔗 bit.ly/3VHfTxu

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Australian Society for Fish Biology @austsocfishbiol.bsky.social · Sep 10

📑 #NewStudy by Amini et al. reviews how relatedness and kinship has been studied in sharks and rays, highlighting knowledge gaps that can guide future work.

👀 doi.org/10.1007/s111...

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Valentina Di Santo @vdisanto.bsky.social · Sep 10

Apply for the Scripps Postdoctoral Fellowship! I'm looking to support a strong candidate in fish physiology and/or biomechanics. Deadline: Oct 9, 2025. Eligibility: PhD by Nov 30, 2026 with ≤3 years postdoc experience. 2 years, $74K salary, $6K research allowance 👉 apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04348 🧪 🐟

Scripps Postdoctoral Scholar Award - 2026

University of California, San Diego is hiring. Apply now!

apol-recruit.ucsd.edu

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Integrated Marine Observing System @imos-aus.bsky.social · Sep 9

Join us in Walyalup / Fremantle on 19–20 November for the Forum for Operational Oceanography.

This year’s program features keynote talks from Katrina Maguire and Arani Chandrapavan.

Places are limited, so register now 🔗 bit.ly/4oWaiks

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Julie L. Lockwood

Dr. Jessica L Ware @jessicalwarelab.bsky.social · Sep 6

AMNH is hiring a #curator! We are searching for an “Assistant Curator in #Climate #Physics: #Atmosphere or #Ocean”! Join us! careers.amnh.org/postings/4579 #academicjobs #tenuretrack

careers.amnh.org

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Science Magazine @science.org · Sep 5

“Just when you think you’ve seen it all, social insects reveal another surprise.” https://scim.ag/47sVFyS

Ant queen lays eggs that hatch into two species

Bizarre discovery of interspecies cloning “almost impossible to believe,” biologists say

scim.ag

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Jessica A. Gephart

David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · Sep 5

Huh.

Unprecedented substitution of seafood species with non-aquatic species was found...Almost 60 % of shark products were identified as pork.

"Face-off: Shark or pork? DNA barcoding authentication and labelling analysis of shark products"

Redirecting

doi.org

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Colin Simpfendorfer @sharkcolin.bsky.social · Sep 5

Sometimes biology just blows your mind. If you have not seen the new paper "One mother for two species via obligate cross-species cloning in ants " in @nature.com or some of the posts or commentary about it. Do yourself a favor and marvel in the wonders of nature...

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

One mother for two species via obligate cross-species cloning in ants - Nature

In a case of obligate cross-species cloning, female ants of Messor ibericus need to clone males of Messor structor to obtain sperm for producing the worker caste, resulting in males from the same moth...

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Integrated Marine Observing System @imos-aus.bsky.social · Sep 5

This Sunday is #NationalThreatenedSpeciesDay 🦈 We’re highlighting the grey nurse shark, critically endangered on Australia’s east coast.

Learn more 🔗 bit.ly/4p61LeH

#NCRISImpact

@drrossdwyer.bsky.social

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer

Australian Society for Fish Biology @austsocfishbiol.bsky.social · Sep 4

📑 #NewStudy by Matley et al. studied two species of shark visiting piers on an Australian island to understand how discarded fishing scraps contributed to their diet.

👀 doi.org/10.1038/s415...

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer, John R. Hutchinson, Trevor A. Branch

Dr. Karly E. Cohen @karlycohen.bsky.social · Sep 4

Article link here! www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

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Reposted by Colin A. Simpfendorfer, John R. Hutchinson, Zen Faulkes

Dr. Karly E. Cohen @karlycohen.bsky.social · Sep 4

New paper is officially out!
Ratfish have a second jaw on their foreheads - CT + histology show they’re real teeth, built from the same tissues and signals as oral teeth.

www.washington.edu/news/2025/09...

This common fish has an uncommon feature: forehead teeth, used for mating

New findings call into question one of the core assumptions about teeth. Adult male spotted ratfish, a shark-like species native to the eastern Pacific Ocean, have rows of teeth on top of their heads,...

www.washington.edu

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