Close
Science
Icebergs serve as scooters for seals!
Would you eat parasites to protect your offspring? Damselfish would—and they do! In a fascinating discovery, a new species of damselfish has been identified in the deep-sea coral reefs off the coast of the Maldives.
Scientists have uncovered the signals that fish use to control the timing of their hatching and have developed a new medical device, inspired by squid!
Anglerfish are extremely intelligent hunters.
Satellite data has enhanced our understanding of the seafloor.
Fisheries
Conservation concerns have emerged as Palau prepares to reduce its no-fishing zone by over a third.
Overfishing has been blamed for halving shark and ray populations since 1970, while also exacerbating the urgent need to restore Thailand’s blue swimming crab population.
A new report has revealed that ‘up to 20% of seafood comes from illegal unregulated and unreported (IUU) fisheries’, while ghost gear continues to cause devastating harm to marine life.
The UK and EU have reached a bilateral agreement on fishing opportunities for 2025.
British Overseas Territories
Conservation efforts are needed to protect Montserrat’s nesting sea turtles.
The Department of Environment in the Cayman Islands have raised concerns about the dangers associated with divers feeding sharks.
The EU’s largest political party has sparked controversy this week following a ‘major U-turn’ on its stance regarding the Falkland Islands map.
Marine Protection
Iceland’s decision to authorise whale hunting for the next five years “violates the interests of the climate, of nature and of the well-being of animals”. How well can minke whales hear?
Hundreds of sea turtles have washed ashore the beaches of Massachusetts as they are suffering from hypothermia from temperatures dropping.
Ghost crabs have contributed to the loss of nearly 30% of flatback turtle hatchlings along Australia’s northwest coast, while Europe’s native oyster ecosystems have suffered significant declines.
Conservation
Despite experiencing the most severe coral bleaching event on record, there is still hope for the Mesoamerican Reef, just as there is optimism for Mediterranean shortfin mako sharks, thanks to successful conservation efforts in tagging the first individual. Meanwhile, fish populations continue to thrive in Teesside’s saltmarsh habitat, and the Orford Ness seal colony’s success is largely attributed to the absence of human disturbance. Additionally, sea otter populations are playing a vital role in preventing the invasion of green crabs along California’s coast.
A humpback whale has undertaken one of the longest and most unprecedented migrations ever documented, while citizen scientists are contributing to the research on pygmy blue whales.
A 74-year-old albatross has laid an egg with a new mate!
Climate Crisis
Scientists confirm that 2024 will be the hottest year on record, surpassing a 1.5°C increase for the first time. The effects of this could lead to a third of all species becoming extinct by 2100.
The marine heatwave that tragically led to the deaths of 4 million seabirds.
The impacts of climate change go beyond environmental threats, influencing both human communities and wildlife. While water has finally returned to Amazon rivers, the lingering effects of drought continue to endanger the future of the Amazon river dolphin. Additionally, freshwater fish species are facing significant challenges due to climate change.
Recent studies have revealed that mangroves offer $855 billion in global flood protection and that investing in nature could reduce drought costs by billions of dollars.
The world’s largest climate case is entering its final phase as vulnerable nations demand legal action against rising seas, declaring, “we will not go quietly into the sea.”
Misc
Dive into a collection of stunning photography: This week’s wildlife, 2024 Nature Conservancy Oceania winners, Science images of 2024, Antarctica’s young artists, Cristina Mittermeier.
Experts have raised concerns that polluting shipwrecks from World War II pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems.
Open Communications for The Ocean is hosting a webinar on 30×30: Cumulative analysis of place-based marine regulations for a more holistic marine protection picture (6pm 14th May 2025) Register here.
Book suggestions: 50 things to do by the sea by Easkey Britton, and Beautiful shells by Mark Carnall.
