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Positive Ocean News
Azores has created Europe’s largest Marine Protected Area.
A giant fish that was thought to be extinct has been spotted! Salmon have also been sighted for the first time in more than a century, making their way upstream to begin spawning following dam removal.
Sounds of healthy coral reefs have been found to influence coral larvae growth!
Science
New species alert: Melita panda.
Faster prey is easier prey for the striped marlin.
The earliest evidence of photosymbiosis in corals has been revealed and it may explain why such corals were able to grow to massive sizes despite being in ‘nutrient-poor environments’.
Dolphins have been found to sense military sonar at ‘much lower levels’ than predicted.
Fisheries
The EU has decided to request the establishment of an arbitration tribunal over the UK’s prohibition of sandeel fishing. There are concerns that if Starmer does not grant EU fishermen full access to British waters then Britain’s energy deal with the EU may come into question.
The EU council agreed on 2025 Baltic Sea fishing quotas, but it did not go without disappointment and criticism from environmental groups over the concern that, yet again, catch limits were set too high, ignoring scientific advice. German fishermen have criticised the quota reductions and Baltic states are pushing for a seabird cull to replenish their fish stocks – is that really the answer?
A new poll has revealed that ‘84% of citizens from Belgium, France, Spain and Cyprus demand expanded consumer information on processed seafood, such as canned tuna, fish fingers or surimi’.
The UK has received criticism for exporting millions of endangered eels to Russia, and fishermen who were victims of modern slavery on a Scottish trawler have been compensated £20,000. In addition, ICFA’s have encouraged a stronger collaboration between fisheries and conservation as work to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework begins.
British Overseas Territories
There has been a recent expansion of the Atlantic cownose ray into Bermudian waters.
There is new evidence to suggest that a prehistoric rainforest once existed on the Falkland Islands.
Chagossians feel ‘underrepresented’ in the UK deal to return Chagos Islands to Mauritius and a deal has been put in place for St Helena to take migrants who arrive in the Chagos Islands.
Marine Protection
Azores has created Europe’s largest Marine Protected Area, by committing to protect an area covering 300,000 square kilometres, helping the EU towards meeting the 30×30 target.
The US has approved its first-ever tribal marine sanctuary.
Politicians have approved a proposal for a Marine Spatial Plan to designate 23% of Jersey’s waters designated as marine protected areas, but have rejected a further proposal to extend this by 4% as they justify it would be a “disaster for many fishers”.
Scientists have raised the concern that biodiversity is declining even faster in ‘protected areas’ at COP16.
Why the high seas are important and must be protected.
Conservation
The UK has appointed its first nature envoy to tackle species decline.
Right whales’ population has increased by 4% as they now migrate to new areas. There are ongoing conservation efforts to preserve the white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, WSC has released an updated version of their whale chart which maps all governmental measures in place to reduce harm to whales from vessels.
An invasive flathead catfish is having an impact on Susquehanna’s food chain
Sustainable tourism is no longer enough for conservation in Costa Rica, and equity is argued key to combat biodiversity loss.
Climate Crisis
Climate change is expected to deplete food sources of endangered whale sharks even further, and a warming Arctic means more diseases for polar bears.
As the COP16 conference begins, scientists and academics say human activity has pushed the world into a new danger zone, as the ‘UN ocean target is set to be missed by eight decades’! International action, long-term vision and…meteorologists…are needed to tackle climate change.
Joe Biden has put billions aside for clean energy projects. The UK is deciding how quick to cut greenhouse gas emissions as it puts green growth at the centre of relationships with Indonesia and South Korea. Aberdeen prepares for the end of North Sea oil and the beginning of clean energy. In addition, the UK and Australia have committed to a new climate and energy deal, despite the UK having to potentially pay billions of pounds for ‘causing climate change as well as slavery’. Furthermore, UK rivers have been described as a ‘cocktail of chemicals and stimulants’ endangering aquatic life.
Does offshore wind expansion negatively impact seabirds?
Plastics
Microplastics + PFAS = Dangerous for the environment.
Traces of microplastics have been found along the entirety of the Brazilian coastline.
Consumers have been embracing Ireland’s new bottle deposit return scheme, meanwhile France wants to ban bottled water in a move to combat plastic pollution.
Aquaculture
For the first time in 10 years, more than one million farmed salmon deaths have been reported at a single fish farm site, Mowi Scotland, in one production cycle. They supply to Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s and blame rising sea temperatures for the deaths. Concerns have been raised that expanding farms will only make the situation worsen. There is a similar story in Tasmania, with communities calling for greater industry transparency following worrying levels of salmon mortalities.
Misc
Open Communications for the Ocean are hosting a webinar on assessing the sustainability of coastal tourism: Tools and lessons learned (2pm 12th December). Register here.
