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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 1h

Moana had a canoe, a demi-god, and a soundtrack.
Desert iguanas? Just a log and bad timing.
5,000 miles and a few million years later later—new address, and a new species.
🦎🌊

Hear the true story Oct 23 @ Faction Brewing with USF’s Dr. Simon Scarpetta.
#OceanHoptimism #MoanaVibes #ScienceIsWild

Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 5h

“Understanding the history of life on oceanic islands—like the origins of Fiji’s iguanas—shows why we must protect their habitats. Native forests and reefs are the only homes for these iguanas and countless other species, and local conservation is key to their survival.”
- Dr. Simon Scarpetta

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 20h

Look, we’re beer people here: it’s in our name! 🍺 But when someone gifts you 150 passionfruit from their yard, you improvise. Tonight’s special: California passionfruit martinis that taste like summer and tropical islands. Cheers to creativity, community, and the big blue. 🌊
#OceanHoptimism

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 23h

Some good news for your Friday: 🐢💚
The green sea turtle has officially bounced back: from endangered to least concern! Proof that decades of care, protection & persistence can pay off. Let’s carry that hope into the weekend. 🌊✨
#OceanHoptimism #ConservationWin #SeaTurtles #GoodNewsFriday

Green turtle bounces back from brink in conservation 'win'

Once endangered due to hunting, it is making a strong recovery thanks to global conservation efforts.

www.bbc.com

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 1d

This isn’t a takedown of the aquarium hobby. It’s a blueprint.
If we get trade, policy, and passion right, tanks at home can help reefs recover.
Because if you love your fish, you already love reefs. Let’s buy like it.
#OceanHoptimism #ReefRecovery #BlueAction

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 1d

And for industry & policy: traceability, fair aquaculture investment, and accurate global databases are the bolts that hold this system together. Build trust, not opacity.
#ScienceToPolicy #ReefFuture

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 1d

Want to help? Here’s what you can do today:
✅ Choose captive-bred fish
✅ Ask where they came from
✅ Never release pets into local waters
✅ Support retailers with transparent sourcing
Small choices, big ripple. 🌊
#ReefCare #ConservationAction

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 1d

Home aquariums aren’t villains, they’re gateways. Many ocean scientists started with a single tank and a spark of wonder. That spark just needs better sourcing and care to become stewardship.
#OceanCuriosity #OceanHoptimism

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 1d

The problem isn’t “wild vs captive.” It’s how to make both work.
🪸 Managed wild harvests that support locals
🐟 Scaled aquaculture for high-demand species
💡 Transparent labeling
That’s the reef-friendly future.
#ReefResilience #SustainableTrade

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 1d

This isn’t just about fish. It’s about people. Most ornamentals come from tropical coasts where reefs feed families. If trade isn’t traceable or fair, both communities and corals pay the price.
#OceanJustice #CommunityDriven

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 1d

Here’s the plot twist: captive-bred fish were ~28% cheaper than wild-caught for the same species. So “sustainable” doesn’t have to mean “luxury.” It can actually save money and reefs.
#Aquaculture #ReefEconomy

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 1d

Researchers scraped 4 big U.S. aquarium platforms from 2021–2024. 734 species sold.
🟢 89% wild-caught
🟡 45 flagged for conservation concern
🔴 38 of those only wild-caught.
And 100 weren’t even listed in trade databases. We’re flying blind.
#ReefTrade #DataGap

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 1d

Ever scrolled an aquarium site and thought: wow, ocean candy? 🐠 Turns out, that neon wrasse in your feed may have been wild-caught from a reef thousands of miles away. A new study just revealed what our fish tanks are really hooked to. Our blog breaks it down in detail, but here are the highlights.

Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 2d

For many, a reef aquarium is where ocean wonder begins. 🐠💙 But nearly 9 in 10 fish sold online are still wild-caught. New research shows aquaculture can protect reefs and lower costs… and hobbyists can help turn the tide. Read our latest blog for a summary of the study.👇
#OceanHoptimism

The Fish in Our Feeds

What Online Aquarium Shopping Reveals and How Hobbyists Can Help ReefsScroll any big aquarium site and it feels like a candy shop: neon wrasses, cartoon-bright clownfish, tiny gobies with oversized pe...

www.oceanhoptimism.org

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 1d

If you assumed we’d rise above childish Halloween-season gimmicks like using a Gilligan’s Island parody to hype our Oct 23 talk about iguanas rafting 5,000 miles to Fiji… you were wrong.
Spectacularly wrong. 🏝️🦎

#OceanHoptimism #CreatureFeature #GilliganScience #LowRoadHighHopes

Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 2d

Always.

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 2d

For many, a reef aquarium is where ocean wonder begins. 🐠💙 But nearly 9 in 10 fish sold online are still wild-caught. New research shows aquaculture can protect reefs and lower costs… and hobbyists can help turn the tide. Read our latest blog for a summary of the study.👇
#OceanHoptimism

The Fish in Our Feeds

What Online Aquarium Shopping Reveals and How Hobbyists Can Help ReefsScroll any big aquarium site and it feels like a candy shop: neon wrasses, cartoon-bright clownfish, tiny gobies with oversized pe...

www.oceanhoptimism.org

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Reposted by Ocean Hoptimism

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution @whoi.edu · 3d

The Philippines just protected 200 square miles of ocean to safeguard “super reefs” that can withstand heat and bleaching. WHOI’s Anne Cohen says such protected areas not only save existing reefs, but also help new ones develop.

📲 Learn more from insideclimatenews.org: go.whoi.edu/icn-superreef

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 3d

Our kind of camping morning!

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 3d

Look, we’re ocean conservationists and we have eyes. 🫧🔥
Respectfully: the Gill-man was serving swampy thirst-trap realness long before Aquaman made it trendy. 🌊💚 #HotGillman #CreatureFeature #OceanHoptimism

La La La Llorona @marisasandlin.bsky.social · 3d

Look at what a smoke show the dude in the Gill Man costume was:

Ricou Browning, the actor in the costume for the Creature From The Black Lagoon

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 3d

🚨 Ocean drama off California: 4 humpbacks went full “Hall Monitor” 🐋🚫🍽️ charging in to break up an orca sea-lion snack. Orcas still won dinner but threw in some “you tried” victory breaches anyway. 🌊🎭 #CetaceanSoapOpera #TeamSeaLion #OceanHoptimism

Humpback whales rush to stop hungry orcas from hunting in CA. Celebration followed

Boaters called the moment a “once in a lifetime trip.”

www.sacbee.com

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 3d

More spooky season themed promos? We got you!
🎈“They all float…” 🪓 but not all on red balloons: some on storm-torn trees. 🦎🌊
Join us Oct 23 at Ocean Hoptimism to hear how iguanas rafted 5,000 miles to Fiji.
7–8 pm • Faction Brewing • Alameda
Creature-feature science you can’t miss!
#OceanHoptimism

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Reposted by Ocean Hoptimism

The Nature Conservancy @nature.org · 4d

Indigenous-led conservation is reshaping philanthropy. A new Alliance Magazine article spotlights how the PFP model empowers long-term stewardship and sovereignty. Read how First Nations leaders are driving change.

The future of environmental stewardship is Indigenous - Alliance magazine

Lessons from the Great Bear All along the coastal waters of the Great Bear Sea, First Nations Guardians navigate networked waterways, patrolling protected areas, conducting research, and monitoring salmon populations and their habitats. Some 1,500 ...

www.alliancemagazine.org

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 4d

Hooked by our thread on the DNA breakthrough to protect reef sharks? 🦈 Dive into our full blog for the story behind the science & what it means for shark conservation.
#SharkConservation #OceanHoptimism #StopIUU

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Ocean Hoptimism @oceanhoptimism.org · 4d

Reposted by Ocean Hoptimism

Great Southern Reef Foundation @greatsouthernreef.bsky.social · 5d

Scientists have developed a scalable “holdfast-graft” method to reseed Tasmania’s lost giant kelp forests. By binding hatchery kelp to other seaweed stubs, divers achieved 40× higher survival. Within a year, the grafted kelp began reproducing—kick-starting self-sustaining forests. #GreatSouthernReef

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