Bottles-Up Diving

03/03/2026

26/02/2026

The waters in and around Antarctica are home to 5 distinct forms of killer whales—they each differ in appearance, behavior, range, and genetics.

🐋 Type A: These are the largest killer whales in the world, reaching lengths of up to 31 feet. They prefer the ice-free waters around Antarctica and feed on large marine mammals such as minke whales, bottlenose whales, and elephant seals. They are seasonal visitors to Antarctica and may travel as far north as as they tropics.

🐋 Type Bs: One of two forms of type B killer whales, the B1 ecotype is larger overall and possesses extremely big eye patches. They are famous for their unique “wave-washing” technique, where they coordinate their movements to create a pressure wave that knocks seals off of ice floes. Type B1 killer whales are smaller, more gregarious, and seem to prefer penguins over other marine mammals. Both forms of type B killer whales often display a yellowish brown hue on their skin; this is caused by a build-up of diatoms (algae) on their bodies. They rid themselves of this algae by traveling to warmer waters off the coast of South America. They have also been documented in New Zealand and Australia.

🐋 Type C: These are the smallest killer whales in the world: males reach lengths of only twenty feet! Soviet whalers once described these as “dwarf killer whales” and believed they were a distinct species. They have unique, upswept eye patches that are fairly small in size. These whales are particularly abundant in the Ross Sea and are are primarily fish-eaters. They have also been seen in New Zealand and Antarctica as well.

🐋 Type D: Perhaps the most poorly understood killer whales of them all, type D killer whales were discovered in 1955 after a mass stranding in New Zealand. They look very different from all other killer whales; their extremely small eye patches and bulbous foreheads make them stand out. Scientists rarely encounter these whales in the wild, so much is still unknown about their lives. They seem to inhabit subantarctic waters and do not venture into the icy regions of Antarctica. Little is known about their diet, but fishermen and scientists have documented them eating Patagonian tooth fish off of fishing lines in the Crozet Islands. There is a possibility these whales represent a unique species of killer whale.

For more reading, see:

Donnelly, D. M., McInnes, J. D., Jenner, K. C. S., Jenner, M.-N. M. & Morrice, M. (2021). The first records of antarctic type B and C killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Australian coastal waters. Aquatic Mammals, 47(3), 292– 302. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.292

Durban, J.W., Fearnbach, H., Burrows, D.G. et al. Morphological and ecological evidence for two sympatric forms of Type B killer whale around the Antarctic Peninsula. Polar Biol 40, 231–236 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-016-1942-x

Robert L. Pitman, Wayne L. Perryman, Don LeRoi, Erik Eilers, A Dwarf Form of Killer Whale in Antarctica, Journal of Mammalogy, Volume 88, Issue 1, 28 February 2007, Pages 43–48, https://doi.org/10.1644/06-MAMM-A-118R1.1

Pitman, R.L., Durban, J.W., Greenfelder, M. et al. Observations of a distinctive morphotype of killer whale (Orcinus orca), type D, from subantarctic waters. Polar Biol 34, 303–306 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-010-0871-3

26/02/2026

Sharks have a superpower — they can sense tiny electric fields in the water. Now scientists are using that against accidental catch. By coating fishing hooks with cheap zinc and graphite, researchers can generate a small electric field that nudges sharks away from the bait, without affecting the target fish. It's a simple, affordable fix that would reduce shark bycatch for hundreds of species threatened with extinction.

12/11/2025

12/11/2025

💙Thank you to the Herald Sun for reporting on The Bandero and our amazing team of crew and volunteers working tirelessly, in Victoria to ready our ship to defend the Antarctic!

READ MORE > https://bit.ly/494H1Pa

Krill Wars will see our ship sail into harm's way to protect Krill, the primary food source for whales, penguins and seals.

To support our local crew >
https://bit.ly/AustraliaWishList

Herald Sun

11/08/2025

Sharks are the guardians of our oceans! 🦈 Without them, the entire marine ecosystem is at risk. At Fins Attached, we’re passionate about protecting shark populations and inspiring real change. Join our mission—your voice matters! Together, we can safeguard our oceans for generations to come.

05/08/2025

05/08/2025

05/08/2025

Seafood companies are racing to build octopus factory farms in the U.S., trapping intelligent, sensitive animals into tiny tanks, only to slaughter them for profit.

But we have a real shot to stop this nightmare before it begins: a groundbreaking bill in New Jersey that would ban octopus farming entirely.

It has bipartisan support, and only needs three more lawmakers to move forward. If we flood them with public pressure, we can shut the door on octopus factory farming before it opens—and spark a global turning point.

Sign and share now to pass this historic octopus farm ban

Octopuses are some of the most extraordinary creatures on Earth, capable of feeling pain, solving puzzles, even recognising people. Keeping them in tanks is torture, plain and simple.

And it’s also an environmental disaster in the making. Octopus farms guzzle wild fish from the ocean and could end up emitting over 4 kilotons of CO₂ per year just from its energy use and operations.

That’s why what happens in New Jersey matters. If this ban passes, it could set off a ripple effect in states like New York and North Carolina—and even shape the outcome in Spain, where similar legislation is already on the table.

What’s even more groundbreaking about this specific bill is that it would also outlaw the sale, possession, and transport of farmed octopus. That’s a direct economic blow to an industry desperate to expand.

And here’s the thing: we know this strategy works, because we have done it before. When California debated a similar ban last year, our global outcry helped push it over the finish line. Now, we need that same pressure in New Jersey, before the seafood lobby kills the bill in committee. A vote could happen any day, so we need to act fast.

Add your name now to stop cruel octopus factory farming–before it spreads🙏

Seafood companies are racing to build octopus factory farms in the U.S., trapping intelligent, sensitive animals into tiny tanks, only to slaughter them for profit.But we have a real shot to stop this

21/07/2025

LEGACY. A LASTING IMPRESSION. 🐋💙

What does it mean to leave something behind that truly matters?

Right now, you have a rare opportunity to be part of something bigger than all of us — to sign your name on the John Paul DeJoria.

Back by popular demand, we’re reopening this special chance to physically sign the vessel that carries our hopes, our courage, and our fight for the ocean. This isn't just a name — it’s a statement. A declaration. A legacy.

By adding your name — or the names of your loved ones — you are forever etched into our journey. Each signature becomes part of the fabric of the ship and the story we’re writing across the waves.

Every name 👊
– Helps fund our next mission.
– Shows the world that we are not alone — that people everywhere stand together to defend what cannot defend itself.
– Secures your family’s place in this movement, riding with us to save our blue planet. 🌎

SIGN THE SHIP > https://paulwatsonfoundation.donorsupport.co/page/SigntheShip

Learn more about our artist > https://www.instagram.com/adelie.lopez

21/07/2025

Scientists in Australia are using 3D-printed coral structures to revive dying reefs.In a bold step toward coral reef restoration, Australian nonprofit Reef Design Labs (RDL) has deployed the Maldive