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Media Tip Sheet – May 2026

May 7, 2026

 

 

MAY 2026 MEDIA TIP SHEET 

Welcome to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s media tip sheet. Our goal is to provide an advanced or detailed look at stories we believe are impactful or trending, and offer WHOI experts if you’re interested in a deeper dive.

 

Forecasting with fins: Sharks can improve ocean temperature predictions, new study finds

A new WHOI study shows that sharks equipped with sensors can help improve seasonal ocean forecasting. Researchers from WHOI and the University of Miami tagged 18 blue sharks and one shortfin mako in the Northwest Atlantic, collecting more than 8,000 profiles of depth and temperature from hard-to-sample regions to build a detailed, three-dimensional view of the ocean.

When this “shark-derived” data was added to climate models, forecast accuracy improved significantly, reducing surface temperature errors by up to 40%, particularly in dynamic coastal areas. More accurate forecasts can help fisheries plan, give coastal communities earlier warnings of changing conditions, and improve our ability to manage and protect marine ecosystems in a shifting climate. Interviews with researchers are available.

Tag along in the WHOI Press Room. 

 

Celebrate the International Day of Biodiversity on May 22

WHOI is expanding efforts to track ocean biodiversity and carbon by installing a continuous plankton imaging system, or Imaging FlowCytopot (IFCB), aboard the container vessel Oleander. Operating along a fixed New Jersey–Bermuda route through the Gulf Stream, the instrument captures high-frequency data on microscopic life that underpins marine ecosystems and carbon cycling. The project, supported through partnerships with the shipping industry, demonstrates how commercial vessels can help scale sustained ocean observations beyond what research cruises alone can provide. Interviews with scientists are available.

Learn more in the WHOI Press Room.

Images available for use can be found here.

Kick off your summer by the sea! Visit WHOI for a hands-on science experience

WHOI’s Discovery Center is open for the season! A new accessibility-focused exhibit brings shipwreck ecosystems to life through touch, sound, and interactive experiences, offering visitors new ways to explore ocean science and the impacts of marine debris. Features include tactile elements, sound-based learning, and a virtual game inspired by the ResQ ROV that highlights how technology can help protect underwater environments. This new exhibit is in addition to many other highlighting topics and technologies like HOV Alvin, the ocean twilight zone, and sharks.

Starting in June, WHOI is kicking off its summer series of events, like ‘Ask a Scientist,” Splash Lab, and guided walking tours of its Village Campus. Interviews are available.

Find out what else there is to do when you visit WHOI.

Images and video available for use with credit can be found here.

Other stories:

On the May Calendar:

 

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Get WHOI-related science news updates and story ideas in 280 characters or fewer with links to press releases, news highlights, events, and research information.

This account’s DMs are always open. We are excited to work with you!

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