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Science
Phytoplankton influence upwelling.
There is an ongoing satellite mission to study the colour of the ocean from space which will be pivotal in understanding more about ocean health.
New research has explored how marine biodiversity conservation, human health and well-being are connected.
Fisheries
Fishing continues to threaten biodiversity in the Northeast Atlantic, highlighting the need for improved fisheries management. Scientists have advised a further reduction in the catch limit for Cod to combat their declining population. Russia and Norway have agreed their fishing quotas for 2025.
With the EU objecting to the UK’s ban on Sandeel fishing, further concerns have been raised. The UK Government has been urged not to link fishing with energy in any trade negotiations with the EU in a Westminster Hall debate on the Future of Fishing after 2026.
British Overseas Territories
The Cayman Islands Government is in a crisis after three Cabinet ministers and a parliamentary secretary quit.
There are concerns that Donald Trump’s victory will mean uncertainty for Labour’s Chagos Islands deal.
Marine Protection
For the High Seas Treaty to take effect, it must be signed and ratified by at least 60 countries, see this signature and ratification tracker here.
Grey seals and their pups have been enjoying the isolation of Inchkeith Island in the Firth of Forth, Scotland.
Conservation
Coral reef fish are running out of time, and so is funding. NOAA has revealed that ‘77% of the world’s reef areas have experienced bleaching-level heat stress since 2023’. But did you know that seabird poop influences coral growth?
Sea eagles are being restored to the Severn estuary, and so are 100,000 oysters to the Dornoch Firth.
Scientists are growing kelp ‘one forest at a time’.
Climate Crisis
Scientists are claiming that Chonkus, a cyanobacteria, could help fight climate change. Reflect on these ten moments in our climate change fight.
COP16 ended with unfinished conversations and mixed views as some have described it ‘ending in disarray’, and others pleased that they struck a ‘breakthrough deal’. What will we see at COP29? Not Papua New Guinea…or John Swinney!
Whilst the EU is tightening regulations to clean up their waterways, the UK is ‘falling behind’ on theirs, despite thousands protesting for clean water. UK clean power looks slightly more promising, and a new study has found that ‘30% of regions worldwide achieve economic growth whilst reducing carbon emissions’. There are also three new appointees who will help the UK adapt to climate change.
The Sea has swallowed an island in Panama, forcing people to move, and carbon storage is being threatened by mangrove degradation in China’s Pearl Bay.
Plastics
Plastic debris sounds like prey to deep-diving whales which use echolocation to hunt. Plastic pollution is changing the entire Earth’s system, has it reached its tipping point?
Misc
Mysterious beach blobs that have washed up on Newfoundland’s shores are ‘likely material used to clean pipes in oil industry’.
OCTO is hosting an IUCN webinar on plastic pollution solutions at 12pm on 13th November. Register here.
The Marine Institute will be hosting the Ocean Knowledge 2030 conference, held in Dublin on 20th – 21st November 2024. Register here.
