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A newly recognised fish species, the Sicklefin Redhorse, has been named to honour Cherokee knowledge and support conservation efforts.
The mystery of why blue whale calves are rarely seen is linked to their births in remote wintering grounds and their rapid weaning before migrating to summer feeding areas.
New research shows that coral-dwelling crabs may help stressed reefs by healing coral wounds, and that juvenile Chinook salmon migrate through mid-river at night to evade predators and conserve energy.
Fisheries
If overfishing wasn’t bad enough, the decline of cod due to unsustainable fishing practices is now exacerbated by rapid warming in UK waters, turning the North Atlantic into a marine ‘hot spot’. As traditional species like cod and haddock move northward, anchovy, bluefin tuna, sardines, squid, and red mullet are becoming more common, raising even greater concerns about the future of fish populations in the UK. A £4.25 million research project is looking further into this.
France’s 2024 fisheries report warns of declining fish stocks and sustainability challenges, highlighting the need for improved management.
Proposed changes to Thailand’s Fisheries Act are sparking concern, with fishers and conservationists fearing they could undo recent progress in tackling overfishing and improving labour conditions.
The Trump administration has dismissed hundreds of employees from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the leading U.S. climate research agency, raising concerns about the impact on climate science, fisheries management, and public safety.
UK Overseas Territories
Recent research has uncovered the previously uncharted seamounts in the Cayman Islands, highlighting their ecological significance. Meanwhile, scientists are concerned by the sudden absence of spawning groupers, which could have serious implications for local marine ecosystems and fisheries.
Development in Anguilla is threatening shorebird populations.
Experts are set to assess financial risks and adaptation measures of climate change across global economies at the upcoming Bermuda Risk Summit 2025.
Donald Trump has expressed that he is “inclined” to support the UK’s Chagos Islands agreement.
Marine Protection
A shimmering oarfish, a rare deep-sea species, was spotted near the surface in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Just two weeks earlier, a Black seadevil anglerfish was discovered at the surface. While some view these sightings as a “dream come true“, others worry that the rise of deep-sea species could be “a bad sign“.
The growing commercial trade of wild corals, including those from endangered reefs like the Great Barrier Reef, is raising concerns that it exacerbates the risks to these already vulnerable ecosystems.
The construction of the Balbina hydroelectric dam in the Brazilian Amazon has led to the extinction of seven endemic fish species in the Uatumã River, disrupting the local ecosystem and livelihoods.
Nations have reached a deal at UN talks in Rome to raise $200bn by 2030 to combat biodiversity loss, aiming to reverse the rapid decline of species. This follows last year’s failed negotiations in Colombia, amid warnings of a potential ‘sixth mass extinction’ driven by human actions and climate change.
The UK has unveiled a new strategy, coordinated by JNCC, to meet the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aiming to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
Conservation
In Norway, scientists are tracking polar bears to understand the effects of climate change on their survival as shifting sea ice and melting habitats disrupt their environment. New footage of polar bear cubs highlights the challenges of studying these animals, emphasising the importance of conservation efforts to protect them.
Conservationists in Bangladesh believe that increased tourism and fishing nets are contributing to the deaths of olive ridley sea turtles at Cox’s Bazar Beach. Meanwhile, concerns over the illegal trade of sea turtles continue in Bali.
A puffin patrol in Iceland is rescuing thousands of disoriented pufflings by collecting them and guiding them back to the sea.
Drones have captured rare footage of narwhals using their tusks for foraging, exploration, and play, offering new discoveries into their behaviour and how they adapt to a changing Arctic environment.
Remote underwater video has provided new insights into the spawning behaviour of black-saddled coral groupers in the South Pacific.
Declining shark populations around coral reefs may worsen the already severe threats to these ecosystems by triggering outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish, which further damage coral.
Researchers have called for improved management of dolphins, shellfish, and fish populations in South Australia, to address challenges like climate change.
Climate Crisis
Are we heading towards a future resembling Mars? Researchers suggest Mars once had an ocean and sandy beaches. South America is seeing record-high temperatures, with Rio de Janeiro reaching 44°C. Africa may hit the 1.5°C climate threshold by 2040, threatening agriculture. Meanwhile, UK peatland fires, worsened by climate change, increase carbon emissions, despite rewetting peatlands remaining a clear solution.
Weakening ocean circulation could lead to significant economic losses by 2100 by reducing the ocean’s carbon dioxide absorption, worsening global warming, and intensifying extreme weather.
Climate change and human activity are intensifying harmful algae blooms in U.S. lakes, which have been linked to the sickness of at least 14 sea lions off the coast of Malibu.
The UK’s Climate Change Committee has called for urgent action to achieve net-zero emissions, outlining key steps including changes to diets, farming practices, and land use. In addition, the European Union has unveiled their ‘clean industrial deal’ to help high-emission industries like steel and cement transition to net-zero emissions, aiming for a 90% emissions reduction by 2040.
Misc
See this week’s wildlife photos.
“Birds deepen our awareness of nature.”
“There is no plan or thought into how to continue to deliver science or service on weather, severe storms and events, conservation and management of our coasts and ocean life and much more. Let’s not pretend this is about efficiency, quality of work or cost savings because none of those false justifications are remotely true.”
