Marine
Nuisance noise becomes important whale study
Noise from earthquake sensors is being used to study the fin whale. The fin whale is one of the least studied and understood of the whales species and the ability to use earthquake sensors to track the whales could open up a small window to their mysterious world. The fin whale makes calls in the [...]
The ups and downs of protected coastal areas for turtles
Protected coastal areas are an important part of protecting sea turtles as they offer safe beaches. But providing safe nesting grounds is only a part of a wider strategy needed to save turtle species. A new study has shown that loggerhead and leatherback turtle responded differently to protected areas in South Africa. Fully assessing the [...]
UNESCO threatens to add Great Barrier Reef to In Danger list
It is one of the world’s great natural World Heritage Sites but a report released yesterday could see the Great Barrier Reef in Australia downgraded and lists as ‘in danger’. The report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) say the poor water quality and over development could lead to the reef [...]
Chinese fish delicacy behind threat to endangered Californian fish
A Chinese soup which is a delicacy at celebrations and special occasions and is also thought to help with fertility problems and circulation is behind a crisis that is threatening a species of fish found in California and has been listed as endangered since 1979. The fish are the totoaba macdonaldi and they look similar [...]
Scientists call for seismic testing ban to protect the world’s rarest dolphins
Some of the world’s leading marine mammal scientists are calling on the New Zealand government to stop and ban seismic testing in the habitat of the world’s rarest sub-species of dolphin. With just 55 thought to be remaining the Maui’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) lives off the west coast of North Island in New Zealand. The [...]
Tourism fears as dolphins blown up
A visit to Tanzania is a wildlife lover’s dream. It is a leading destination for safaris and many happy memories are made there. However there are fears that tourists in some parts are leaving with gruesome memories of dynamite-fisherman targeting dolphins for use as bait in the profitable shark-fin trade. The Secretary of the Tanga [...]
Hundreds of frozen pangolins found on rogue fishing vessel
Philippines Coastguards have announced that hundreds of frozen pangolins have been found in the hold of a rogue Chinese fishing vessel that went aground in one of it’s marine nature reserves. The fishing vessel that was operating illegally in the marine reserve went aground on the Tubbataha reef, in Palawan island, western Philippines, last week. [...]
Are science journals the best way to fight a conservation campaign?
A group of researchers have just published a paper in the Biological Conservation journal a paper that launches a scathing attack on the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainable fisheries certification. While a few of the researchers are from academic institutions the majority are from campaigning groups. There has to be a question over whether the best place to [...]
Is Bali about to ban shark fishing?
There are hints that a new shark and manta ray sanctuary is about to be formed at Bali. Last month the underwater paradise of Raja Ampat in West Papua, Indonesia banned the fishing of sharks and rays in it’s coral reefs and set up a shark sanctuary – the first in the so called Coral [...]
Stingrays give up nightlife to please the tourists
One of the most popular marine wildlife experiences in the world has to be a visit to Stingray City in the Cayman Islands. Here a million tourists a year visit to feed and interact with stingrays at a sandbar. Now a two year study has shown that the stingrays have changed their feeding habits to [...]
Will fisheries discard ban force birds to relearn old tricks?
There is no doubt that the recent ban on fisheries discards will be good for the environment and the seas in the long-term. But in an intriguing study by scientists at Plymouth University it appears that some species of seabirds at least will need to relearn their old tricks of foraging for food rather than [...]
Manatee death toll in Florida hits 181
The mild winter for Florida this year has had deadly consequences for the local manatee population. The warmer than normal waters have led to an early bloom of algae which is killing the marine mammals. So far this Spring 181 manatees have died and more are expected to fall victim to the toxins the algae [...]
Maldives aim to be world’s first biosphere nation
The Maldives has set itself a tough target to be the world’s first UNESCO Biosphere reserve nation and it aims to win the accolade by 2017. The Indian Ocean nation has put together an implementation plan to run between 2013 and 2017 that will see more than half of the nations island atolls implementing the [...]
Sharks set to get boost from CITES
Sharks across the world are under threat thanks to shark fin soup. Often the sharks are caught as a profitable by-catch but as only the fins are valuable the rest of the shark is dumped overboard. The trade is international in scope and there is little control. CoP16 though offers some hope for the future. [...]
Just 4 species of fish keep Fiji’s reef healthy
Fish species are an essential part of the coral reef ecosystem especially when it comes to keeping seaweed under control. Without the grazing the coral will soon become smothered and die out. A new study though had shown that in Fiji just 4 species of fish do the overwhelming amount of grazing. The study shows [...]
More than just a holiday snap
Those quick holiday photos could prove to be more important than just happy memories. scientists are asking people to submit their pictures of sharks to a web site so they can use them to study the animals. If you are heading to the Maldives on holiday this year don’t forget to take a photo of [...]
As EU votes on fisheries reforms, no take zones prove their worth – again
As the EU votes on fisheries reforms in order to try and put together a plan to make the fisheries industry sustainable into the long term, a new study of a no take zone shows both nature and humans benefiting in as little as 10 years. Around the world no take zones – marine parks [...]
Chef faces 67 years in prison for serving whale meat
In the run up to Christmas the Nightjar Bar in Hackney, London was busted for serving whale in a cocktail called Moby Dick. While the police raided the bar and took away the whale skin, no arrests were made. The staff from the Nightjar must be thankful that they were not in the United States where a chef [...]
Korea backs down over whaling
One of the most disappointing outcomes of the July meeting of International Whaling Commission (IWC) was the announcement that the Republic of Korea would resume whaling for scientific purposes. However it appears that Korea has had a change of mind as it has not submitted a formal application by the deadline date of 3rd December. [...]
Europe closes shark-finning loophole
The European Parliament has today voted to close a loophole in its fisheries legislation that could help its fight to protect rapidly declining shark populations. Until today there were exceptions in fisheries legislation that allowed vessels though special permits to do finning at sea as long as the shark bodies were landed. It was difficult to [...]