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Oceans Past Initiative

@oceanspast.bsky.social
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The Oceans Past Initiative (OPI) is a global research network for marine historical research. OPI XI: 15-19 June, 2026 📍 University of Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

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Rachel M. Winter @rachelmwinter.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Have not been on BlueSky in (checks calendar...) quite some time so let's have a quick catch up! Earlier in 2026 I had some work out (exciting!) covering: Trace element distribution in muskox tissues: doi.org/10.1007/s120... Stable isotope values from fish in the Levant: doi.org/10.1016/j.ja...
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Highlights from a successful OPXI Conference at @uvic.ca, 15-19 June, 2026. A huge thank you from the OPI Governing Board & Local Organising Committee to everyone involved this year, from our fantastic keynotes & ECRs, to speakers & attendees. What a fantastic week filled with fruitful discussions!
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
We are pleased to support ECRs in order to attend the Oceans Past XI Conference at @uvic.ca this week. Here are some words from those we have supported! 🔹 Irene García-Pérez  🔹 Lenin Alfonso Morales 🔹 Christina Treinen Crespo 🔹 Tessa Thomson 🔹 Lais Chaves 🔹 Wendi Coleman 🔹 Sabrina Schettino
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
We had a flying start to Oceans Past XI! 🐟 Carmen Dick from the Songhees First Nation generously welcomed all Oceans Past XI attendees to Victoria 🇨🇦 We also heard from our first two keynotes, Professor Daniel Pauly and Professor Cristina Brito.
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ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea @icesmarine.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
ICES is committed to supporting early-career scientists. Meet some of the individuals we have supported at Oceans Past XI this week @oceanspast.bsky.social 🔷Madison Bowden-Parry 🔷Arlin Rodriguez 🔷Meaghan Efford 🔷Anna Guasco 🔷Hannah Kobluk
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Cristina Brito @crisbri.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
@oceanspast.bsky.social OPI conference is under way at Victoria University. Check all the talks and topics in #historicalecology and #marenvhist at oceanspast.org and project's mew results such as @erc4oceans.bsky.social
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ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea @icesmarine.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
We are proud to support early-career scientists attending Oceans Past XI this week at the University of Victoria in Canada, hosted by the Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social Meet our ECS here! 🔷@gwynchil.bsky.social 🔷Jannick Scheepstra 🔷Leah D. Rubin 🔷Jaime Ojeda
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Attending Oceans Past XI with us at the University of Victoria this month? Find the draft programme here: oceanspast.org/conferences/... 📸 Throwback to a sunny Oceans Past X Conference in Cornwall, UK
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
We are looking forward to meeting you all next month at Oceans Past XI! Not registered for in-person attendance yet? You only have a few days left! 📣 The deadline for in-person full conference registration is Sunday, May 31st, at midnight British Summer Time.
Post shows a portrait asset with a background picture of an underwater shipwreck, with text on top describing the closing date for registration of the Oceans Past XI conference, with logos on the bottom of all the sponsors and recognition of local lands.
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Early bird rates to join us for OPXI in June end tomorrow! @icesmarine.bsky.social @unoceandecade.bsky.social @uvic.ca
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ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea @icesmarine.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
What questions were marine scientists asking in 1926? Are they still asking the same questions? A new paper has the answers! 📄One hundred years of topics and citations in ICES Journal of Marine Science doi.org/10.1093/ices... ✍️ Szymon Smoliński, Natalie Isaksson, Silvana Birchenough, Howard Browman
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ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea @icesmarine.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Early bird registration deadline coming up 🎟️🐦 Interested in documenting and understanding changes in marine systems and human-ocean interactions❓ Join Oceans Past XI Conference on 15-19 June in Victoria, Canada. Deadline for early bird registration is 15 May: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oceans-pas...
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Joining us for Oceans Past XI this June? We'll be reducing the availability of discounted room rates at the University of Victoria from April 15. Book via our conference website 🔗 sway.cloud.microsoft/KADEy01cx1zB... Looking to split costs & share accommodation? Email us as info@oceanspast.org.
sway.cloud.microsoft
Oceans Past XI: June 15-19, 2026
Logos of the sponsors
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Registration for the Oceans Past XI Conference is now OPEN! Early bird rates available until May 15! 🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oceans-pas... For more details and information on OPI XI registration, see the link above. We look forward to seeing you at the conference! 🐟
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Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Fish folk - have you ever heard of old (18thC) name Mylwell or Melvell?🐟 @oceanspast.bsky.social @thefsbi.bsky.social @projectfishistory.bsky.social @leafyhistory.bsky.social Apparently sometimes applied to cod, but not in this context (as named alongside, along with ling, conger, hake and bream)
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Want to keep up to date with #MarineHistoricalEcology research news and more? Join our mailing list 👉 info@oceanspast.org Missed our January newsletter? Catch up here: oceanspast.org/newsletter/
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ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea @icesmarine.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
⏰ Last call! Abstracts for Oceans Past XI close tomorrow ⏰ If you're interested in past human–ocean interactions and changing marine systems, don't miss the deadline! Submit today 📩 oceanspast.org/2026-opi-xi/ Early career researcher? ✨ ✅ Don’t forget to request travel support in your submission
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Don’t miss out! Abstract & ECR funding submissions for the OPI XI conference are still open.. for now! The deadline is approaching! Closing date: 15th January 2026 Visit oceanspast.org/2026-opi-xi/ to submit 🐟 📍University of Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada 📅 15-19 June, 2026
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ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea @icesmarine.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Want to share your work at Oceans Past XI? Want some funding to get to the conference as an early-career researcher? The abstract submission and ECR funding application deadlines have been extended! Visit oceanspast.org/2026-opi-xi/ for all the information!
oceanspast.org
2026 OPI XI - Oceans Past Initiative
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Our deadline for Abstracts & ECR Funding Award submissions for the OPI XI Conference has been EXTENDED! New closing date: 15th January 2026 Visit oceanspast.org/2026-opi-xi/ to submit! 📍 OPI XI University of Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada 📅 15-19 June, 2026
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
📅 Reminder: 19th of December is the deadline for the Oceans Past conference abstract and ECR funding submissions! 🐟 Conference dates: 15-19 June 2026 Location: University of Victoria on Vancouver Island, Canada Further information at: oceanspast.org/2026-opi-xi/
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Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Webinar alert! Join us for a project introduction, some early findings & find out how you can get involved. When: Fri 5th Dec, 10am (GMT) Where: Online (Teams) Schedule: 20-30 minute presentation + Q&A Interested? DM for a link to join!
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Rachel M. Winter @rachelmwinter.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Early December and I am now 4 months into my project, FINS! It’s been a busy and AMAZING start to this project which is so dear to me! August included what would be my first of many visits up to @nhmdk.bsky.social to look at the elasmobranchs in their collections and attending @isba11.bsky.social !
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Our call for Abstracts & ECR Funding Award submissions are OPEN for the OPI XI Conference! 📍 University of Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada 📅 15-19 June, 2026 Closing date for abstracts: 19 December 2025 See our website oceanspast.org/2026-opi-xi/ to explore conference sub-themes & submit!
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Dr. Liz M. Quinlan @archaeoliz.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Very excited to share that I've been given a ECR Spotlight in Volume 34 of the @oceanspast.bsky.social Quarterly Newsletter to discuss my "Beyond Stockfish" project and research journey (so far 😊!) bsky.app/profile/ocea...
bsky.app
Oceans Past Initiative (@oceanspast.bsky.social)
Our latest newsletter is here 🐟 This month we're celebrating two decades of OPI, with special features & reflections from Prof. Cristina Brito and Prof. Daniel Pauly, plus lots more! Keep up to date…
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Our latest newsletter is here 🐟 This month we're celebrating two decades of OPI, with special features & reflections from Prof. Cristina Brito and Prof. Daniel Pauly, plus lots more! Keep up to date with current research in the field by joining our mailing list 👉 info@oceanspast.org.
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
Exciting news! We’re thrilled to announce the Call for Abstracts and ECR Funding Award submissions are now open for the OPI XI Conference. Join us & our hosts at the University of Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada 🇨🇦, 15–19 June 2026! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... #marinehistoricalecology
docs.google.com
Oceans Past XI: Abstract and Funding Award Submission
The Oceans Past Initiative connects scholars and practitioners interested in documenting and understanding changes in marine systems and human-ocean interactions in past decades, centuries and millenn...
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Miguel Clavero @chikichanka.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Cooperation between ecologists and historians has allowed a robust reconstruction of the historical introduction of the Italian crayfish, Austropotamobius fulcisianus, to Spain in the late-16th century @ebdonana.bsky.social @um.es New OA paper: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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Laetitia Navarro @laenavarro.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Fresh off the press! Our perspective in @natrevbiodiv.nature.com discusses the wealth of information on biodiversity contained in historical sources, and its integration for long-term ecological knowledge and biodiversity conservation. A thread on the paper and what led to it: rdcu.be/eEcIt
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Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
We'll be visiting ports in Mid-South Wales e.g., Fishguard and Aberystwyth next week (2nd-4th September). If you're from the area and know anything about the Irish Sea herring fishery (past or present), or know someone who does, please get in touch here or at fishistory@bangor.ac.uk🐟
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University of Exeter News @uniofexeternews.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
More than a century of data reveals how the UK has gone from supplying domestic seafood needs from productive home waters to importing seafood from almost 90 countries Read more here 👇 @exeter.ac.uk @exetermarine.bsky.social @uniexecec.bsky.social @profcallum.bsky.social @ruththurstan.bsky.social
news.exeter.ac.uk
Study tracks UK’s journey from seafood self-sufficiency to dependence on imports
More than a century of data reveals how the UK has gone from supplying domestic seafood needs from productive home waters to importing seafood from almost 90 countries. University of Exeter researcher...
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Nayeli Jiménez Cano @nayelijc.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
We have a couple of spots for our SAAs symposium on Marine resources exploitation in the preindustrial Americas. We welcome papers that builds long-term baselines of human–marine interactions, blending methodological approaches, zooarchaeology, GMM, geochemistry, ZooMS, and aDNA!
Contac.  njimenezcano@ucsd.edu
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Our latest newsletter is here! This month features new projects, special research issues, OPI conference information and more 🐟 If you'd like to keep up to date with current research in the field, join our mailing list by emailing info@oceanspast.org. #marinehistoricalecology #oceanspast
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
We are pleased to invite you to the Oceans Past XI Conference! Taking place between 15-19 June 2026 at the University of Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada (www.uvic.ca) Abstract submissions open early Autumn 2025; stay tuned for updates! More info: oceanspast.org/conferences/... (1/2)
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Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Newspaper archives for marine biology research Amongst crossword puzzles & sports news are fragments of evidence we can piece together to understand change b4 scientific surveys started Species, date, location, size-all data points for analysis In this case, on marine megafauna we have lost
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Have you visited our new website yet?! Follow the link below to meet our Governing Board, read the latest research, news & projects in #MarineHistoricalEcology, browse our resources & more! 🔗 oceanspast.org
oceanspast.org
Oceans Past Initiative
Oceans Past Initiative (OPI) is a scientific organization focus in marine research and care the marine environment
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
A new paper by @rachelwinter.bsky.social used stable isotope data derived from fish bones from Middle to Late Holocene Levantine archaeological sites to explore trophodynamics and foraging ecologies prior to Lessepsian invasions and the overfishing seen in more recent times. doi.org/10.12681/mms...
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Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
📢 Calling all members of the fishing and seafood industry, historians, government and local experts! 🐟 Know where herring were caught, when they arrived, where they spawned, or how they were used? 🗣️ We want to hear from you! 📩 Contact fishistory@bangor.ac.uk
HERRING KNOWLEDGE WANTED
Project aims
We aim to identify herring spawning grounds in the Irish Sea by incorporating historical sources (e.g., old newspapers and fisheries reports), local knowledge and modern data (e.g., seabed sediment maps). 
Information needed 
•	Where were herring caught locally?
•	When in the year did herring arrive?
•	Where did herring spawn?
•	How were herring used locally?
We need YOUR help!
We are seeking anyone with local knowledge on herring, past & present. 
•	Fishing industry- active & retired
•	Sea anglers
•	Fish trade/seafood industry 
•	Historians- local & maritime 
•	Government agencies & NGOs
Area of interest: Irish Sea 
Can you offer any information? 
Or know someone that might?
Contact 
email address: fishistory@bangor.ac.uk
bluesky: projectfishistoryCHWILIO AM WYBODAETH AM BENWAIG
Amcanion y project 
Ein nod yw nodi mannau silio penwaig ym Môr Iwerddon drwy ymgorffori ffynonellau hanesyddol (e.e. hen bapurau newydd ac adroddiadau pysgodfeydd), gwybodaeth leol a data modern (e.e. mapiau’n nodi gwaddod gwely'r môr). 
Y wybodaeth sydd ei hangen 
•	Ble yn lleol y daliwyd y penwaig?
•	Pryd yn ystod y flwyddyn y cyrhaeddodd y penwaig?
•	Ble wnaeth y penwaig silio?
•	Sut oedd y penwaig yn cael eu defnyddio'n lleol?
Mae arnom angen eich help CHI!
Rydym yn chwilio am unrhyw un sydd â gwybodaeth leol am benwaig, yn y gorffennol a’r presennol. 
•	Y diwydiant pysgota - p’un a ydych yn rhan ohono ar hyn o bryd neu wedi ymddeol
•	Pysgotwyr môr
•	Y fasnach bysgod/diwydiant bwyd môr 
•	Haneswyr - lleol a morwrol 
•	Asiantaethau’r llywodraeth a chyrff anllywodraethol
Maes diddordeb: Môr Iwerddon 
Allwch chi gynnig unrhyw wybodaeth? 
Neu'n adnabod rhywun a allai?
Cyswllt 
fishistory@bangor.ac.uk
projectfishistory
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Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Fascinating demonstration of the application of alternative data sources - poetry - in marine historical ecology - to inform conservation & management @oceanspast.bsky.social @projectfishistory.bsky.social @leafyhistory.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/scie...
scientificamerican.com
Ancient Poems Reveal the History of the Endangered Yangtze Porpoise
Mentions of the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise in ancient Chinese poetry have revealed missing information about the habitat of the world’s only freshwater porpoise
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
New paper out now in @natcomms.nature.com! Multiproxy analysis reveals the earliest evidence of whale bone working and broadens the range of taxa known to have been used in the Bay of Biscay during the Late Paleolithic 🐋 Paper 🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
The identification of flatfish remains in archaeozoological studies has often been limited to higher taxonomic levels or species groups. Here a new paper provides excellent drawings and descriptions of selected skeletons elements! Check the paper here: doi.org/10.26028/cyb... 🐟
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Our latest newsletter has just dropped! This month features new research, interviews with researchers and lots more 🐟 If you'd like to keep up to date with current research in the field, join our mailing list by emailing info@oceanspast.org. #marinehistoricalecology #oceanspast
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
New paper out this week 📣 Authors detail 120 years of the UK's reach for seafood, revealing a rapid growth of dependence on global fisheries. By the 21st century, imports tripled 20th-century levels, with seafood travelling over 30% farther. 🐟 🔗 Link to read: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
New study on archaeological New Zealand sea lion and New Zealand fur seals from Māori settlement, middle European expansion and modern time periods, reconstruct resource niche positions of these taxa, using stable isotope analysis 🦭 www.int-res.com/articles/mep...
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Oceans Past Initiative @oceanspast.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
New #opeanaccess paper 📣 Ancient Atlantic bluefin tuna DNA up to 5000 years old revealed that the frequency of haplotypes has remained similar through time and highlights the utility of aDNA for temporal insights. Link to read: buff.ly/LxREtOQ
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Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
International day of women & girls in science While studying local languages & providing medical assistance in Yemen in 1901/2, Marie Hein (1853-1943) collected numerous biological specimens - including a shark & a stingray which turned out to be undescribed ("new") species
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Marie Jaros @mariejaros.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
#Moonfish, caught by a dutch fisherman in 1560 and drawn by Adriaen #Coenen, fishmonger and author of three 'fish books' Moonfish/ #Sunfish are rare in the North Sea. Three(!) are recorded 1560-83 1/6 🖼️https://galerij.kb.nl/kb.html#/nl/visboek/page/154/zoom/2/lat/-59.355596110016315/lng/20.7421875
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Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
In a world of powerful science & big data, how can historical documents usefully inform sustainable management of our oceans? Looking forward to giving this talk tonight @sosbangor.bsky.social @bangoruniversity.bsky.social @ystadaucymru.bsky.social
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