Distressing images of turtles with plastic straws sticking out of their bodies or dead seabirds with stomachs brimming with synthetic trash justifiably attract public attention. 

However, this pollution extends to the microscopic scale from an increasing number of micro and nano plastics. These tiny particles permeate the depths of the oceans, posing significant health risks to marine creatures and humans alike. 

Sharks first appeared in the fossil record about the same time that plants covered the land, nearly half a billion years ago. Evolution has made them so perfect that they have retained their main characteristics over all of this abyss of time. But despite their formidable lineage, modern sharks face unprecedented threats and challenges that endanger their diverse roles within ecosystems.

When sea turtles get trapped in fishing nets and are brought to the surface, they can suffer from gas emboli because their normal diving processes are disrupted. This can cause abnormal gas build-up in their organs. 

To address this, marine veterinarians worldwide are developing methods to understand the possible consequences of this and to determine the most ideal treatment for them. 

The shipwreck was found at a depth of 1800 meters, some 90km from shore, during a survey by a natural gas company, Energean. The wreck is believed to date from a period known for significant cultural and trade exchanges across the region. Artefacts recovered from the site include pottery, weapons, and tools, suggesting that the ship was part of extensive trade routes connecting ancient civilizations across the Middle East, Egypt, and possibly even further afield.