Science
Scientists found that the coral, Cycloseris cyclolites, moves by inflating and deflating its body, similar to how jellyfish swim!
Thawing permafrost in the Canadian Arctic has revealed a glacier remnant estimated to be 770,000 years old, providing valuable insights into the region’s ancient climate history.
Fisheries
The U.S. has agreed to stop importing seafood linked to the accidental capture of whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals in an effort to protect marine life.
The UK’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has initiated an inquiry into fisheries and the marine environment. At the same time, a legal dispute over sandeel fishing between the EU and the UK is set to go to court next week.
A recent survey in Shetland shows healthy young fish stocks, with fishermen advocating for the protection of nursery areas to sustain this promising trend.
A new EU-funded project is seeking to cut fishing vessel emissions by 40% using innovative technologies, such as hybrid propulsion and recyclable hull components.
Shellfish farmers in Spain and Italy are struggling with losses from warming seas, while critics say the funding allocated to help them favors large fishing businesses over small-scale fishers.
British Overseas Territories
In Antarctica, fishing boats and whales are both competing for krill, with whales having been observed following the boats to find areas rich in krill. This raises concerns about the impact on whale feeding and the sustainability of krill stocks.
The world’s largest iceberg is heading towards South Georgia, threatening marine life, including local penguin and seal populations.
The British Antarctic Territory, roughly eight times the size of Great Britain, is thought to contain vast oil reserves, but countries are already competing for access.
As the Chagos dispute persists, safeguarding the coral reefs of the Chagos Islands remains equally vital.
The National Conservation Council (NCC) in the Cayman Islands is opposing proposed amendments to the National Conservation Act, contending that the government has failed to justify the changes.
Marine Protection
BLOOM has filed a complaint against France, Spain, and Portugal for illegal fishing in protected areas, uncovering over 400 fraud cases. These vessels have been fishing in closed zones meant to protect fragile ecosystems, including corals and vulnerable species like deepwater sharks and octopuses.
In 2024, the southern Great Barrier Reef suffered severe coral bleaching, affecting up to 80% of coral colonies.
The UK government has introduced new measures to reduce underwater noise from offshore wind projects, aiming to protect marine life and speed up renewable energy development.
Conservation
Humpback whale sightings in Britain have increased, with 17 reported in the Isles of Scilly during their migration from Norway to Cape Verde. Meanwhile, both Wales and Scotland are grappling with environmental challenges, with Wales criticised for delays in biodiversity efforts and Scotland urged to integrate nature restoration into policymaking.
Loggerhead sea turtles are moving their foraging areas northward, likely due to rising sea temperatures and decreasing ecosystem productivity.
In South Africa, orcas have been hunting great white sharks, targeting their livers, which has led to a sharp decline in the shark population.
The impacts of coastal fishing on dolphins and whales in Indonesia have been found to disrupt their feeding behaviour, emphasising the need for enhanced conservation efforts.
Climate Crisis
President Trump has announced plans to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement and declared a “national energy emergency” to reverse climate regulations, prioritising oil and gas production. Meanwhile, construction of a major port in Panama threatens mangrove ecosystems, flooding has devastated a tortoise sanctuary in Madagascar, and deforestation around Indonesia’s Lake Poso endangers rare species and communities. Additionally, shallow coastal waters are found to be a significant source of methane emissions, while ocean acidification shifts oyster populations toward more females. The House of Lords recently debated the growing impacts of climate change.
A story of hope: The women-led reforestation initiative that is fighting flooding and erosion in Uganda.
Misc
“Our fossil fuel addiction is a Frankenstein’s monster, sparing nothing and no one. All around us, we see clear signs that the monster has become master.”
“You don’t have to win every legal case to make Whitehall and government agencies think harder about decisions they make, just like the pine marten doesn’t have to catch every grey squirrel to create a landscape of fear.”