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Positive Ocean News
Several endangered sea turtle populations are showing signs of recovery thanks to decades of conservation efforts.
Science
Vital fish migration corridors in the Mekong River have been mapped for the first time, though future research is at risk due to funding cuts.
The Trump administration is undermining climate policy by restricting access to some critical scientific data.
Fisheries
Urgent policy action is needed to halt the ongoing decline of UK fisheries and ensure the long-term sustainability of marine resources.
Keir Starmer is facing backlash over potential concessions on EU fishing access in return for UK participation in the EU’s defence fund, sparking concerns about British fishing rights and sovereignty.
President Trump signed an executive order to boost U.S. seafood competitiveness by easing fishing regulations.
UK Overseas Territories
The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands plans to expand its Marine Protected Area (MPA) came into force this week, protecting some of the most biodiverse and vulnerable marine habitats.
Marine Protection
President Trump has lifted restrictions on commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, permitting U.S. vessels to fish in a previously protected Marine Protected Area (MPA), a concerning decision that jeopardises years of vital marine conservation progress.
The avian influenza outbreak that devastated the southern elephant seal population in Argentina’s Península Valdés is expected to prevent recovery to 2022 levels for over 100 years.
Multiple whale deaths in the San Francisco Bay area are being investigated, with possible causes including vessel strikes and malnutrition.
Conservation
Two critically endangered North Atlantic right whales were sighted for the first time in the Bahamas.
Indigenous communities in Fiji are safeguarding the sea through funerary protected areas (FPAs), temporary marine sanctuaries established to honour deceased leaders.
Mexican fishers in Nayarit have successfully revived the Cortez oyster population through sustainable practices, though their efforts are being threatened by climate change, illegal fishing, and a proposed dam project.
Stilt-dwelling communities in Colombia’s Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta wetlands are facing environmental degradation, declining fish populations, and pollution, with residents voicing urgent calls for restoration efforts, as they face the harsh reality of “No fish, no money, no food.”
This week’s heartwarming BBC Countryfile segment featured the release of young spotted rays into Plymouth Sound.
In southern Iraq, a mangrove restoration initiative aims to combat coastal erosion, pollution, and saltwater intrusion, but faces challenges from industrial waste and limited government support.
Climate Crisis
Norway’s Arctic deep-sea mining plans remain stalled after a delayed 2024 licensing round, though the government expects to resume progress with a tentative launch in 2026.
Fifteen years after the largest oil spill in U.S. history, the Gulf of Mexico shows partial recovery but continues to face long-term ecological damage and ongoing environmental threats.
Chevron’s Gorgon gas facility, Australia’s largest industrial polluter, received over $10 million in carbon credits in 2024 despite increasing emissions, sparking criticism of Australia’s carbon offset system.
The SeaCURE project, a UK government-funded initiative, aims to capture carbon from the sea as part of efforts to combat climate change, alongside reducing emissions.
Misc
“The future will be hotter, drier and more chaotic. Whether nature can survive it may depend on how well we prepare for it now.”
“What if Mother Earth could sue for mistreatment?”
See this week’s wildlife photos.
