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Science
Some fish use sharks as shields to sneak up on their prey!
Stonefish toxins have shown potential to be a treatment for parasitic worm infections.
Scientists have discovered a thriving seafloor ecosystem teeming with marine life after a massive iceberg broke off Antarctica.
Fisheries
The UK government has temporarily closed queen scallop fishing to protect spawning and juvenile scallops, while also banning the export of endangered eels to Russia to address conservation concerns. Meanwhile, Norwegian fishermen have criticised the proposed reduction in halibut and monkfish quotas, which aim to align with precautionary scientific assessments to ensure sustainable biomass levels.
The EU Parliament has endorsed a controversial fisheries agreement with Guinea-Bissau.
Peruvian fishers are suing for more compensation after a December 2025 oil spill.
Measures were introduced at the North Pacific Fisheries Summit to improve transshipment practices.
UK Overseas Territories
Even an “island of penguins and seals” has been added to Donald Trump’s tariff list, despite his approval of the UK’s Chagos Islands agreement with Mauritius, which is now being finalised by the UK.
A U.S. judge has blocked imports of some Chilean sea bass from protected waters in Antarctica due to a dispute over fishing activities in the region.
New seabed geology maps of Ascension Island have been released, providing valuable insights into the island’s underwater volcanic landscape and marine environment.
Marine Protection
French Polynesia’s president has issued a strong warning against deep-sea mining due to environmental risks and harm to local communities.
Australia’s Environment Minister is being sued for not taking action to protect threatened species, despite legal obligations, with critics stating, “Australians want nature protected.”
Concerns have been raised over the UK government plans to streamline environmental regulations which could undermine protections for nature. Meanwhile, a group of fishermen have won a legal case against the government for failing to restore the Costa Beck river ecosystem.
Conservation
Polar bear cub footage has provided some new conservation insights.
A new study has found that declining biodiversity is leading to a loss of behavioural diversity in animals, which could have significant ecological consequences.
Scientists have identified a ‘potential breakthrough’ in protecting salmon from the harmful effects of urban environments.
Climate change is severely affecting marine species in various ways, threatening California’s wild salmon populations, driving tuna and swordfish to feed at greater depths, and facilitating the spread of invasive European catfish. Additionally, warming waters are making it harder for plankton to survive, leading sardines in the Mediterranean to ingest more microplastics.
Climate Crisis
New research reveals that a 4°C rise in global temperatures could make the average person 40% poorer due to the economic impacts of climate change. Additionally, more frequent El Niño events are disrupting global weather patterns, and the retreat of Arctic glaciers is exposing new coastlines that could trigger tsunamis and other environmental hazards.
A report suggests that delays in the UK’s environmental laws have contributed to massive deforestation. Meanwhile, a separate report has revealed that British Columbia allowed an oil and gas giant to bypass regulations for over 4,300 pipelines.
Donald Trump is considering making cuts to wildlife conservation funding through USAID, reducing support for global environmental protection efforts.
A new ban on peatland burning in England aims to protect wildlife and preserve vital carbon stores in the fight against climate change.
Plastics
Over the past decade plastic waste around Australian coastal cities has decreased by nearly 40%.
Bangladesh is increasing its promotion of biodegradable bags to combat the environmental impact of polythene, while studies reveal that microplastics, including glitter, are harming marine ecosystems, sea turtle reproductive health, and biodiversity.
The documentary Plastic People has highlighted the growing human health risks posed by plastic pollution.
Misc
This week’s wildlife photos.
“Life on Earth is changing — not just in numbers but in essence.”
“Forest restoration is booming but biodiversity isn’t.”
“The climate movement needs to be a human one.”
