Fisheries
Scientists have recommended a 77 per cent cut in Northeast Atlantic mackerel catches this year due to overfishing, sparking industry backlash ahead of their ministerial meeting next week. Blue whiting has also been recommended a 46 per cent reduction amid biodiversity concerns, unlike Norwegian spring-spawning herring which has been advised an increase in catch of 33 per cent, despite warnings that the stock remains vulnerable to overexploitation.
Europêche has called for an urgent and binding recovery plan for the Baltic Sea fish stock recovery.
Illegal fishing is threatening unique marine ecosystems in Peru.
UK Overseas Territories
Emily Thornberry MP warns that handing over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius could endanger the island’s “pristine ocean” and put its endangered turtles at risk.
The Cayman Islands Department of Environment has warned that the decline of coral reefs threatens not just marine life and dive tourism, but also the islands’ coastal protection, food supply, economy, and cultural heritage.
Marine Protection
A new report has revealed that the world’s oceans are facing a “triple planetary crisis” with experts warning that human-caused global biodiversity loss has accelerated significantly over the past 50 years.
Seahorses from South America are often caught as bycatch and diverted into illegal trafficking networks.
Volcanic ash from eruptions can boost phytoplankton growth far from the volcano by adding nutrients to the ocean.
Conservation
Over six years, Abu Dhabi transformed its fisheries from some of the most depleted to achieving a 97 per cent sustainable fishing score by 2024, thanks to initiatives such as marine reserves, fishing bans, and artificial reefs. Building on this success, Abu Dhabi now plans to deploy 40,000 artificial reefs by 2030, creating expansive coral gardens that cover 1,200 sq km, roughly the size of 200,000 football pitches, to further restore marine life.
Scientists in Washington are using sniffer dogs and drones to study and protect the 74 endangered southern resident orcas, whose decline is linked to pollution, boat noise, declining food resources and other human impacts.
Scientists have discovered that marine life, including crabs, worms, and fish, is thriving on World War II explosives in the Baltic Sea.
Climate Crisis
Swiss glaciers shrunk by 3 per cent in 2025, meanwhile, the Northeast Pacific is enduring its fourth-largest marine heatwave, triggering shifts in marine species and harmful algal blooms. Globally, nearly half of the most destructive wildfires have occurred in the past decade, largely fuelled by climate change.
Raja Ampat is threatened by nickel mining that could harm its coral reefs, forests, and local residents.
As UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces rising climate scepticism both at home and abroad, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has proposed repealing the UK’s Climate Change Act, prompting outrage among senior Conservatives and critics who warn that such a move would damage the environment, the economy, and the UK’s international credibility. Most UK MPs and members of the public overestimate how much time remains to tackle climate change. Many have urged Starmer to attend the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil, emphasising that visible commitment is essential for global climate leadership – a stance also supported by Pope Leo, who has criticised those downplaying global warming.
Misc
This week’s wildlife photos, plus a selection of breathtaking whale images.
“Biodiversity offers us the ultimate backup system – a distributed storage of survival information no technology can match. In an era of climate uncertainty, preserving this biological knowledge isn’t just ethical – it’s existential.”
“We have a window of time to change this planet’s course, but it’s rapidly closing. If governments do what they say they’ll do, we still have a chance.” “Dr Jane Goodall DBE was a visionary humanitarian, scientist, friend to the planet, and friend to us.”
“Nature needs a rest. Mother Earth loves us every day … Every day, we need to love Mother Earth too, and give back.”
