Melissa Hobson
Marine science and conservation writer
Melissa Hobson, doing business as The Ocean Writer Ltd., is a marine science and conservation writer based in Hastings. She has written about the ocean for outlets including BBC Wildlife, BBC Countryfile, National Geographic, New Scientist and the Guardian. Visit Melissa’s website at melissahobson.co.uk or follow her on LinkedIn.
Recent articles by Melissa Hobson
Electric organs, venomous spines and eyes that migrate – meet the world's most peculiar fish
These ambush predators can also create a vacuum that sucks prey right into their mouths.
Eerie and elusive 'doomsday fish' washes up on beach in Mexico
The rare deep-sea oarfish, nicknamed the 'doomsday fish', is said to be a predictor of earthquakes.
"Little is known about their movement in these river systems” – mysterious animal tagged in India for first time ever
Researchers hope the tags will help them learn more about these elusive animals.
Was this man really swallowed by a whale? Experts analysed the video and here’s what they think
Whale experts say the news "is not quite what it seems” as a humpback whale’s throat is no bigger than a human fist.
"Who would have thought it would be so frilly!” See moment a cheeky baby whale sticks its tongue out
The little whale can drink up to 80 litres of its mother's milk every day to grow big and strong – and its tongue helps it do this.
Monstrous deep-sea fish filmed in daylight for first time ever
Most people never see this bizarre fish in their lifetime – these researchers found one by accident.
Here’s what the first-ever detailed drawing of a deep-sea mountain looks like
The beautiful yet scientifically accurate illustration depicts the diverse life found on a little-known seamount in the central Pacific.
Like maggots on a wound, these surprising creatures could help heal dying coral reefs around the world
Scientists have discovered that a species of crab that feeds on the dying tissue of corals could help protect stressed reefs during heatwaves.
Penguin's-eye view: take a bumpy ride into the deep blue with this spellbinding footage from Antarctica
Amazing footage lets people join a Adélie penguin as it glides through the water.
The International Shark Attack File report has just been published – unprovoked shark bites plummeted in 2024
Unprovoked attacks dropped to 47 with just four fatalities, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History's new report.
“This does not look like normal hunting behaviour”: remarkable footage shows orcas hunting in a way never filmed before
The pod of orcas was filmed playing with their food – but not for the reason you might think.
A view most humans will never see – rare and moving footage of whale mother and calf
The critically endangered North Atlantic right whale population is threatened by ship strikes, entanglement and climate change.
It has enormous jaws, a tail that glows pink, and can eat prey bigger than itself – meet the deep-sea animal rarely seen by humans
The shape-shifting gulper eel is one of the ocean's strangest and most fascinating creatures.
"That's where I met the snake!” Watch moment diver comes face-to-face with one of the ocean's most deadly, venomous creatures
Diver and video journalist Nina Konstantin bumped into the highly venomous banded sea snake whilst exploring the tropical waters around the island of Kofiau.
"It brings me so much joy": watch this gorgeous leopard shark glide effortlessly through the water
The docile shark was spotted in an Australian marine reserve, showing how protected waters can benefit these stunning animals.
“Check out this SUPER POD!" See awesome moment 1,500 dolphins surround boat in California
The Risso's dolphin super pod was joined by 33 gray whales and 3 northern right whale dolphins.
Deep-sea scientists just found an ancient and exceptional thing at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean
With the help of a remotely operated vehicle, the researchers discovered a 7,000-year-old underwater mud volcano – but that's not all...
Incredible footage shows thousands of hammerhead sharks swimming “like a mighty river” in Japan
The sharks were filmed in the waters around Mikomoto Island, a small uninhabited island just 15-minutes by boat from the southernmost town on Japan's Izu Peninsula.
"One of the most exhilarating and unexpected dives of my life” – scuba divers enveloped by huge fish off Mexican coast
The enormous group of yellowfin tuna surrounded them on all sides, reminding them of the importance of marine sanctuaries.
Turtles in Saudi Arabia just led scientists to a gigantic carbon sink
Fitted with satellite tags, the green turtles helped researchers discover 34 new seagrass meadows in the Red Sea
Ocean scientists may have just found the cutest animal in the world
This teeny baby crab was found while researchers were removing trash from deep-sea corals in the Gulf of Mexico
"It's like a glimpse of a world before people arrived" – vast marine sanctuary declared in middle of Pacific Ocean
The islands of Bikar and Bokak – two of the most pristine ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean – will be fully protected from fishing.
Diver films incredible moment she's engulfed by enormous ball of baby pufferfish in the Maldives
As the shoal of fish approached, she realised she was seeing something very rare.
Adorable leaf sheep filmed mooching around reef in Indonesia is so cute you won’t believe it’s real
Often known as Shaun the Sheep, these lovable sea slugs are powered by the sun’s rays.