Olivia Smailes

Scientific illustrator & communicator // MSc (Fisheries Science and Management), James Cook University // Fish & Fisheries Lab 🐟, CTSFA

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

Also, I will be at the AMSA conference in the Gold Coast next week. Who else is going to be there?! I look forward to networking with as many people as possible 😊

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

Just in time for EOFY, I have finally bought my domain! If anyone is interested in increasing engagement with their research or exploring new ways to communicate with the public please head to my website: https://t.co/BdAkXz8DR3

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

@LLLutzenkirchen I have done! Very concerning 😳

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

Working with FishStatJ is a sobering reminder of how much marine life is caught each year. Can anyone imagine what our oceans would look like with an extra 42 million tonnes of chondrichthyans? This is the total of chondrichthyan landings reported to the FAO between 1950-2021 😳

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

Something a little different - I have been drawing marine life for quite some time now so I felt it was only right to include terrestrial animals in my portfolio. For some reason I thought a giraffe would be the best place to start 🦒

#illustration #graphicdesign #scicomm

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

A belated post to yesterday’s World Oceans Day. Through my work I strive to engage and educate people about the wonders of our blue planet. As a science communicator, I want to inspire action for a sustainable and thriving future for Earth’s seas and oceans!

[Rob Harcourt @RobHarcourt]

Its World Oceans Day! Our seas are powerful & awe inspiring but fragile & deserving of greater care & respect than we have yet to offer. Let’s improve on that 🌊

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

Coral trout - everyone’s favourite fish! #oliviaadesigns

[mickgrant.bsky.social @MickkGrant]

@SprepChannel @saveourseas @madigreenmarine @spinnershark7 @sawfishconserv @jcu @CSTFA_JCU @PngPles @IUCNShark @SharkAdvocates @SharkColin @ABCPacific Don't know what happened with that image but here it is again

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

I’m back to drawing after a short hiatus! Oriental sweet lips - I love finding schools of these fish on the reef. Recently, my dad (@IainMits59) came to visit me in Australia and I joined him as he snorkelled on the GBR for the first time. This post is an ode to that day 🐠

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

@crigby4 Thanks Cassie! 😊

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

Officially graduated as a Master of Science with Distinction! This marks the end of a chapter and the beginning of an incredibly exciting journey as I embark on my career as a fisheries scientist. Watch this space! 🐟👩‍🎓

[mickgrant.bsky.social @MickkGrant]

Plenty of exciting shark science on the way from our JCU team!

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

The juvenile pinnate batfish - mimicking a toxic flatworm in shape, colour and movement this juvenile is a stark contrast from its adult form! To see more of my designs, head to my Instagram @oliviaadesigns #oliviaadesigns #scicomm

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

A truly insightful report, in particular that ‘recycling is failing to scale fast enough and remains a marginal activity for the plastics sector’. Only 2% of single-use plastics were produced by recycled plastic waste in 2021. The recycling system is flawed in so many ways! 🤦🏼‍♀️

[Minderoo Foundation @minderoo]

Want to know exactly who is driving the fossil fuel plastic crisis? Hit follow and come back tomorrow to find out.

#MinderooFoundation

[Minderoo Foundation @minderoo]

It’s time to turn off the tap on new fossil fuel plastic production.​

Our groundbreaking Plastic Waste Makers Index reveals the plastic-waste crisis is worsening and highlights the critical action that is needed.

Download today: https://t.co/ZQZpx1eFFb

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

The blue-ringed octopus - a small but deadly cephalopod found in tidal regions from Australia to Japan. The venom carried by a single individual can kill 26 adults, within just a few minutes! It is best to keep your distance and enjoy their beauty from afar 🐙 #scicomm

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

The juvenile yellow boxfish - recognised by its box-shaped body and bright yellow colouration. An interesting fact about these guys is that when stressed they release a deadly toxin, ostracitoxin, which can kill any fish in its vicinity! For more illustrations: @oliviaadesigns

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

Nature at its finest!

[Science girl @sciencegirl]

This is a lobster (Panulirus ornatus )

📸Image via https://t.co/isA49bUTsg

[Olivia Smailes @olivia_scicomm]

Caught some beautiful blue swimmer crabs this afternoon 🦀