Renowned wildlife and underwater cameraman Doug Allan has passed away at the age of 74, according to reports from the BBC and other sources. Widely regarded as one of the defining figures in modern natural history filmmaking, Allan spent decades capturing some of the most striking images ever shown on television.

At the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol, Allan contributed to productions such as Blue Planet. Often, he worked alongside Sir David Attenborough. His footage—much of it from extreme environments—transformed how audiences connect with the natural world.

Once seen as a conservation success, southern right whales may now face renewed challenges. A study in Scientific Reports finds that some populations are slowing in recovery or declining, eliciting concern among researchers. Research suggests that shifting ocean conditions, especially changes in prey, are impairing whale health and breeding.

Global shark bite incidents returned to typical levels in 2025, according to new figures from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF). The data suggests that, following fluctuations in recent years, the number of recorded incidents aligns with long-term averages.

Researchers report that while shark bites continue to occur worldwide, the proportion of incidents in the United States has declined compared to previous years. This shift highlights the variability in where incidents occur rather than any overall increase in risk.

The incident occurred on 6 April 2026 in the North Sound area of the Cayman Islands, according to local reports. Divers who had entered the water returned to the surface to find their vessel overturned.

All divers and crew were safely recovered, with no serious injuries reported. Nearby boats responded quickly, assisting in bringing those in the water back to safety.

The European Underwater Federation has highlighted ongoing concerns about dive boat safety, following a cluster of incidents in the Red Sea and elsewhere since 2023.

According to the federation, the period after the COVID-19 shutdown saw mixed responses within the dive tourism industry. While some operators used the downtime to refit and modernise vessels, others laid boats up to reduce costs—potentially affecting maintenance standards.

My new book, Yes, Fish Feel Pain: How Science Has Proven That Fish Can Suffer, brings together the growing body of scientific evidence that challenges this belief and explores what it means for the way we treat these animals. The gap between what science shows and what the public believes remains wide. This book is an attempt to close that gap by presenting the evidence clearly and by inviting a shift in perception, one in which fish and their environments are considered to have intrinsic value, as the important part of nature that they are.

Sharks and rays possess a remarkable ability: They can detect the faintest electrical impulses in the water. Hidden in their snouts are tiny sensory organs, called Ampullae of Lorenzini, filled with conductive gel. With them, a shark can sense the heartbeat of a fish buried beneath the sand, or detect the weak signals of prey hidden in darkness.

Even in murky water, even at night, even when prey is perfectly still. The electric field gives it away. It is a form of perception almost unimaginable to us, a way of seeing life itself.