Melissa Hobson
Marine science, conservation and sustainability 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
"It was amazing": diver films mesmerising wildlife encounter in underwater meadow
Wildlife filmmaker Adam Radage says the experience was "like a dream straight out of a Studio Ghibli”
"So unbelievable”: ancient sea creature filmed off Devon coast
Leatherback turtles have the longest migration of any reptile and are known to swim in UK seas.
Rare ocean giant as big as a king-size bed spotted in Orkney
Flapper skates can grow over 2.5 metres long and weigh as much as 100kg.
“For the first time ever”: see magical moment home-grown shark is released into the wild in Sussex
A diver has released a baby shark back into the waters off Brighton after rescuing it as an embryo
"I don't think I've seen an individual quite as big as this one”: freediver films colossal sea creature off Cornish coast
A freediver in Cornwall saw six octopuses in one dive – and one of the animals was bigger than he has ever seen
Venomous fish are lurking in the sand on British beaches. Here’s what to do if you get stung
Many UK beachgoers will accidentally be stung by venomous weever fish this
summer. Here’s what to do if that happens
What would the extended bottom-trawling ban mean for UK wildlife and fishers?
The proposed ban, which aims to protect important marine life, has been welcomed by environmentalists, but some fishers are concerned.
Shark DNA found in Welsh waters suggests rare species is hiding in plain sight
Fishers in Wales have been seeing fewer critically endangered angelsharks in Wales – but that doesn't mean they're not there, according to a new study.
"Look at the size of that one – wow, it's huge!" Boater films stunning wildlife spectacle off Sussex coast
Skipper Kurt Lander was cruising through the English Channel when the "magical" moment happened.
Is it normal to see a seal on the beach? Yes – but here are the warning signs to look out for
Seals come onto land to rest as part of their natural behaviour – here’s what to look for to know if they’re in trouble, and how to help
How to help a beached whale or dolphin – you could help save its life while waiting for medics to arrive
When a whale, dolphin or porpoise finds itself on land, something is wrong. Here’s what to do – and not to do – to help these beached animals.
'Sea parrot' cam: heartwarming livestream offers intimate glimpse inside puffin colony on remote Farne Islands
In celebration of caring for the Farne Islands for 100 years, the National Trust has shared a puffin livestream so people can watch the sweet birds from home.
“As I got closer, I saw its tail": astonished gardener finds large animal in pond
Kerry Irwin-Hall had snuck out at dawn in the hope of seeing ducks nesting, but what she spotted was even more amazing.
"Unbelievable": rare killer whale encounter stuns wildlife watchers in Northumberland
The orcas swam alongside the wildlife watching boat near the Farne Islands off the north-east coast of England.
Are there any killer whales in UK waters?
Did you know there are just two individuals remaining in the UK’s resident orca population, which will soon go extinct?
Beaver fart caught on night cam in Cornwall
Beavers mark their territory using a scent gland near their tail, so this individual may have had a good reason to let one rip.
“The largest common stingrays I have ever seen have been here in Sussex" – scuba diver shares incredible underwater footage
These hefty marine animals can measure almost a metre across.
Boater films magical dolphin encounter in Sussex
The playful dolphins approached the boat off the coast of Brighton and leapt through the water, bow riding in the waves.
This lethal predator is the most venomous in the ocean – and rising temperatures could drive them to the UK…
While this deadly marine animal is commonly found in Australia and the Indo Pacific, rising sea temperatures could force it to migrate to cooler waters.
It’s smarter than a toddler, ‘hypnotises’ prey and impersonates females to trick love rivals – meet this clever marine creature
These intelligent invertebrates are incredible illusionists and have better self-control than a toddler.
Diver films astonishing footage of baby sharks growing in Brighton
When Gio Prince found live shark eggs on Brighton Beach, he decided to try and hatch them to give the little critters a second chance at life in the ocean.
The world’s fastest shark and centuries-old giants: Discover 7 shark species found in UK waters
The UK is home to several species of sharks – including the world’s second largest fish.
Fierce battle between seal and enormous sea creature filmed in Dorset
The huge eel – which measured around a metre and a half long – put up a good fight.
"A new era for nature recovery": see "historic moment" beavers are released into wild
Wild beavers have been released into UK waterways, almost 500 years after they were driven to extinction.
