In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders dive into a fun and science-backed ocean myth-busting session, unpacking some of the most common “facts” we’ve all heard growing up by the sea. Using scientific evidence and real-world examples, they separate fact from fiction and explain why these myths persist.

This episode highlights how misinformation about the ocean can shape the way we understand marine life and ocean processes - and why getting the science right matters for ocean literacy and conservation.

Some key resources from this weeks episode include:

• Professor Cullum Brown talking about goldfish memories - https://www.livescience.com/goldfish-memory.html
• Mark Rober's YouTube testing if sharks can smell blood - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugRc5jx80yg
• Journal of Biological Rhythms study talking about different shark species rhythms - 10.1177/0748730420932066

Plus, in this week’s Tide Talk, Nina and Bronwyn discuss what’s been making waves in ocean science. Bronwyn talks about how the Great Australian Bight might soon become a UNESCO world heritage site, and Nina talked about Narwhals behaviour changing from noise pollution. Read more here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/25/shipping-noise-arctic-whales-narwhals-sound-quieter-vessels

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Get in touch: Nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au