Science

Lemon sharks have been observed preying on the invasive freshwater Jaguar cichlid in Brazil, the first recorded case of these sharks feeding on that species.

Fifteen species of surgeonfish employ a variety of biting techniques to effectively remove algae from coral reefs, playing a vital role in maintaining reef health.

Octopuses actively use their arms to detect and respond to microbial communities on the seafloor.

Male Northern elephant seals can still recognise the calls of rivals from previous years!

Fisheries

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has released its latest advice on bycatch of endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species of marine mammals, seabirds, marine turtles and selected fish species. ICES has also issued a new overview of the Celtic Sea ecoregion.

Trilateral and bilateral Total Allowable Catch (TACs) negotiations are intensifying as nations work to establish next year’s catch limits.

UK Overseas Territories 

The UK Government has launched a new strategy designed to support wildlife hotspots across its Overseas Territories.

Seaweed in the Sargasso Sea and Gulf of Mexico has declined sharply since 2015, suggesting a major shift in distribution likely driven by ocean warming and changing nutrient conditions.

Marine Protection

60,000 African penguins starved to death following a drastic collapse in sardine populations, highlighting a rapidly worsening crisis for the species.

A new study has exposed the intense and unavoidable suffering inflicted during the Faroe Islands’ pilot whale hunts, conclusively showing that the practice cannot be carried out humanely. Whales and dolphins worldwide have been found to be contaminated by persistent forever chemicals.

Planned changes to U.S. rules could reduce protections for Florida manatees.

Countries have endorsed stronger international trade restrictions for sharks and rays at the latest CITES summit.

Conservation

A recent trial in Mexico reduced sea turtle bycatch by 63 per cent by using fishing nets equipped with solar-powered flashing lights, significantly lowering accidental turtle captures without affecting fish catches.

New restoration efforts in northern Norway have successfully removed millions of sea urchins, allowing kelp forests to regrow across 70 hectares of seafloor, turning former underwater “deserts” back into thriving marine ecosystems.

Fishing regulations, in place to protect reef fish, have helped reduce Crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef, helping to support healthier coral ecosystems.

Advanced tracking has revealed important flapper skate hotspots deep off Scotland’s coast.

Climate Crisis

Scientists have found that over one-third of organisms were lost during experimental deep-sea mining, raising alarms about irreversible ecological impacts. Norway’s government confirmed it will not grant any deep-sea mining licenses for the remainder of the current legislative term, which runs until 2029.

The UK’s new GB Energy plan will prioritise development in historical oil and gas regions as part of a broader energy transition.

Mangrove forests in the Philippines bounced back after Typhoon Haiyan due to local planting efforts but now face new risks from a planned coastal road that could damage them

Misc

This week’s wildlife photos.

“The dinosaurs didn’t know what was coming, but we do.”

“If we wait it will be too late.”