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Science
Parrotfish are very fussy over the company they keep; they only tolerate the company of their neighbours, not strangers! They also play a key role in maintaining healthy coral reefs and white sandy beaches.
Findings show that fiddler crabs are migrating north to cooler waters, and new information has been revealed about nuclear parasites in deep-sea mussels.
Thousands of female Port Jackson sharks have intrigued scientists as they have been discovered resting together in Australia, and the first documented predation event of a porbeagle shark has been recorded…was it another shark?
Fisheries
Will Labour do anything to fix British fishing?
The EU is ‘failing to enforce rules on illegal fishing, and allowing member states to conceal information that could help uncover breaches of fishing law’.
This can’t continue: ‘Prawn trawlers in Queensland’s east coast fishery haul in nearly 25,000 tonnes of sea life each year but throw back nearly 20,000 tonnes’!
The Peruvian fishing industry has complained about the government’s regulation on a minimum catch size for anchovies, and West African fisheries continue to experience challenges between global industry and local communities. There are also further concerns about over MSC ‘ecolabelling’.
The European Commission is taking further steps to explore the socio-economic impacts of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) closures, and has published a report on the implementation of the fisheries multiannual plan in the Baltic Sea.
The UK’s Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has opened a survey to encourage stakeholders to share their views on the future management of wrasses and black seabream in English waters. This will feed into their Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) (Closes 31st January).
British Overseas Territories
Jonathan Powell has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the BIOT.
There are concerns about an exploratory deep-sea mining exploration run by Deep Sea Mining Finance (DSMF), a company registered in the British Virgin Islands. The President of Palau is calling on more countries to call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
The Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency has released a Climate and Energy Challenge to raise awareness about climate change in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands has also become ‘a leading example’ of how tourism and conservation can coexist.
The Blue Belt annual update has been published which includes a message from His Majesty King Charles III from the Blue Belt Symposium, and a quote from Minister Stephen Doughty.
The UK Overseas Territory Conservation Forum (UKOTCF) is hosting an online webinar on the status and impacts of Avian flu in the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies (3pm 30th September). Register here.
Conservation
The famous beluga whale ‘spy’ named Hvaldimir, has died. Two conservation groups are demanding a criminal investigation as they fear the whale was shot dead.
New discoveries: Giant manta rays’ movements are influenced by the El Niño phenomenon; an aggressive seagrass species has been discovered; the deep-sea behaviours of northern elephant seals have been uncovered, and thousands of jellyfish are multiplying in British Columbia lakes!
Protected marine reserves act as a refuge for Queen Conch populations who breed here, but recent analysis has shown how this also affects populations outside it.
Marine Protection
Five seabird species have joined the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The puffin population in the Farne Islands has been doing well, despite fears that bird-flu may impact the population.
The death of 24,000 fish in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is being explained as a ‘turnover event’, and scientists are desperately trying to understand what caused the deaths of hundreds of rare pink dolphins in the Amazon last year.
A section of ocean in Brazil has been given legal personhood!
Climate Crisis
A global study has shown that demersal fishing affects ocean floor carbon storage.
Just 16% of sites of special scientific interest, owned by English water companies, are in good condition! The new Water (Special Measures) Bill is aiming to combat pollution, by giving increased power to regulators to tackle water polluters.
The UK has installed a first of its kind wind energy system.
Could Australia be doing more to meet climate targets? By the looks of things, yes, as the Australian government ‘may delay the announcement of a 2035 climate target’, and the Climate Change Authority has released a report on how the Australian Government can reach net zero by 2050!
Although temperatures are alarming, scientists are convinced that it is not too late to limit global warming. Meet Zemu: the first hydrogen-powered, zero-emissions passenger train in North America!
Plastics
5th September marked Plastic Overshoot Day: The day which marks the point where humanity’s plastic waste surpasses the capability of waste management systems. Waste management won’t solve the problem, shouldn’t we start with consumption and the global plastics treaty?
Misc
Today is Read A Book Day! Discover some top ocean reads here.
Marine activist Paul Watson says Japan is ‘seeking to make an example of him’, and EU lawmakers are calling for his release.
Fishmeal production has increased by 40% this year compared to last year.
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