Science
A critically endangered albatross has puzzled scientists after unexpectedly travelling thousands of kilometres away from its normal habitat.
Researchers have captured footage of mysterious circular patterns in seagrass beds near Barra in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, but the cause of these unusual formations remains unknown.
Fisheries
Growing pressures from bottom trawling in nearby waters, declining fish stocks, and the impacts of climate change are placing Tunisia’s small-scale fishing sector under increasing economic strain.
Ireland is urging the EU to intervene in the management of Northeast Atlantic mackerel stocks, warning that current quota arrangements and international disagreements are putting both the fish population and European fishing communities at risk.
Tesco has halted its supply relationship with a Scottish salmon farm following the release of distressing footage showing sea lice infestations and fish kept in a pen that was supposed to be vacant, sparking animal welfare concerns and an investigation.
UK Overseas Territories
The UK has reopened talks with the United States about the Chagos Islands deal.
The Blue Belt Programme’s Beyond the Reef Caribbean Expedition has concluded its research activities around Anguilla, mapping over 2,000 km² of previously uncharted seafloor and collecting thousands of water and marine samples, all helping to fill critical knowledge gaps and support future marine conservation and management.
Marine Protection
A recent study indicates that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the South Atlantic often fail to encompass key habitats for dolphins and whales, highlighting the importance of strategically locating conservation zones to better protect these species.
The UK’s Marine Management Organisation has achieved its second court conviction under MPA byelaws after a fishing vessel operator admitted using prohibited gear in the Canyons Marine Conservation Zone.
China is competing with Chile and Belgium to host the secretariat of the new High Seas Treaty, seeking greater influence over the management of international ocean areas – an important step towards better protecting and overseeing roughly 60 per cent of the world’s oceans.
Rio de Janeiro state has prohibited serving shark meat in school meals.
Conservation
Humpback whales off the coast of Canada are spreading the complex technique of bubble-net feeding through social learning, enabling them to work together more effectively to catch fish.
A UK report has warned that global environmental decline is threatening the nation’s security and prosperity.
Recent studies indicate that Thailand’s coral reefs are losing structural complexity, signalling extensive degradation that could undermine their ability to sustain marine ecosystems and recover from environmental pressures.
A conservationist in Thailand is using drones and online outreach to monitor and raise awareness about the country’s critically endangered dugongs and their shrinking seagrass habitat.
Climate Crisis
Climate change and pollution are reshaping marine ecosystems on multiple fronts: Antarctic penguins are breeding earlier due to rising temperatures, vast seaweed blooms fuelled by warming and nutrient pollution are spreading globally and microplastics have been detected even in fish from the remote coastal waters of Pacific island nations. A recent study reveals that approximately half of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions in 2024 came from just 32 fossil fuel companies!
Canada has fallen short of its 2025 goal to protect 25 per cent of its land and waters.
The UK is set to join a large multinational offshore wind project in the North Sea alongside eight European countries.
Misc
This week’s wildlife photos.
