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Science
Scientists are developing methods to monitor Antarctic krill populations from space!
An upgraded human-occupied vehicle (HOV) has reached new ocean depths of 6,500 metres, which were previously inaccessible.
Scientists have discovered 58 new deep-sea species near Costa Rica.
Did you know that octopuses have some of the oldest known sex chromosomes?
Fisheries
Denmark has postponed implementing a carbon tax on fisheries until 2030 due to economic and sustainability concerns.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry into UK fisheries and the marine environment.
Scotland will require mandatory Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) on pelagic fishing vessels from 7th March 2026.
ICES and ICCAT have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on fisheries science and management in the North Atlantic.
Coastal erosion has caused Mexican fishers to relocate, causing concerns about job security.
UK Overseas Territories
Scientists on South Georgia Island are studying whales and bottom-dwelling fish to help protect its marine ecosystem.
The Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Fund has been created to raise $60 million for environmental projects in Bermuda’s waters.
The Cayman Islands government has withdrawn proposed changes to the National Conservation Act that would have reduced the National Conservation Council’s authority over planning decisions affecting protected species and areas. Additionally, suspects have been arrested it the Cayman Islands for poaching sea turtles.
The British Virgin Islands have been accused of trying to avoid financial regulations.
Marine Protection
Portugal’s parliament has approved a moratorium on deep-sea mining in its territorial waters until 2050!
An underwater volcano in the Barents Sea has been found to support diverse marine life, including anemones, tube-dwelling worms, and various fish species, highlighting its role as a unique habitat.
‘Protect Our Catch’: Ocean advocates have launched a campaign urging President Macron and the EU to ban harmful fishing practices like bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The Trump administration has changed the Endangered Species Act to only protect areas where species currently live, limiting conservation efforts.
Illegal trade is driving Bangladesh’s freshwater turtles to the brink of extinction, while preventing the extinction of Australia’s priority species would require an annual investment of $15.6 billion over the next 30 years.
Pink river dolphins are being killed for their oil, which is used in “love perfumes,” despite legal protections for the species.
Conservation
Would you sing to escape your enemies? Baleen whales do!
After 185 years, the world’s smallest otter has returned to Nepal, while scientists have finally solved a long-standing mystery about sea turtles!
In Malaysia, researchers found that tracking bird populations in mangrove forests is a good way to measure the success of restoration efforts.
Australian killer whales are making a snack out of white shark livers!
A new report has warned that rising river temperatures could wipe out brown trout in much of England by 2080.
Harmful algal blooms have been found to disorient whales, increasing their risk of ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. In addition, invasive red swamp crayfish have been revealed to be a threat to England’s ponds and rivers.
Volunteer rescuers have freed a humpback whale that was entangled in fishing ropes at a salmon farm on the Isle of Skye.
There are ‘challenges and solutions’ to ocean conservation.
Climate Crisis
Molluscs are gaining recognition as the unsung heroes of water pollution, and in this case, they are saving Poland one shell at a time!
Restoring peatlands and mangroves in Southeast Asia has been shown to be a cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions.
Climate change is lowering phosphorus levels in the ocean, especially in the southern hemisphere, and there are concerns as January 2025 was the warmest on record! A study has warned that a 2°C rise in global temperatures could make some areas too hot for humans during extreme heat events. In the Arctic, temperatures at the North Pole have increased by over 20°C above average, and the Greenland ice sheet is cracking faster than ever, with many describing the region as ‘turning from a carbon sink to a carbon source‘. Researchers are exploring large-scale engineering projects, such as blocking ocean currents and altering glacier dynamics, to slow sea level rise.
Net-zero emissions commitments are increasingly threatened by political and economic factors, highlighting the urgent need for robust climate policies.
Some scientists are concerned that the potential collapse of warm Atlantic currents has not been adequately considered, which could lead to the UK experiencing colder temperatures despite global warming. Meanwhile, fire chiefs in the UK have warned that the country is unprepared for the impacts of the climate crisis.
The UK Government has pledged to spend £2.6 billion in the next two years on flooding defences.
Plastic
The Global Plastics Treaty is gaining growing support, with advocates recognising it as a crucial step in addressing the escalating plastic pollution crisis.
Microplastics have been detected in Finnish Sámi waters for the first time, while plastic pollution from various sources continues to wash up on Guernsey’s beaches, highlighting the global scale of the issue.
A recent study has found a significant increase in microplastics in human brains over recent years
Aquaculture
Norway’s Environment Minister has decided against banning open-net fish farming, despite recognising the significant threat it poses to wild North Atlantic salmon, whose numbers have halved since the 1980s.
Concerns have been raised about the impact of escaped farmed fish on wild salmon populations.
Misc
Life as a manatee.
This week’s wildlife pictures.
