Australia’s reputation as a global leader in marine conservation is being put at risk by plans to strip back sanctuary areas within marine parks, say scientists from around the globe.
A new study shows that sustainable fish farming in deep ocean waters could produce as much seafood as all of the world’s wild fisheries, in a space the size of Lake Michigan or Africa’s Lake Victoria.
A glass bottomed boat safari in a Kenyan marine park.
Kris Calhoun/Flickr
Due to rising sea levels, low-lying island nations are in immediate danger. If drastic measures are taken, this disastrous trend can be transformed into an opportunity for sustainable development.
This wood tower on Bikeman islet, in the central Pacific island nation of Kiribati, used to be on the sand. Now it’s in the water. Further out, locals fish.
David Gray/Reuters
A new study finds that even in best-case scenarios, the fishing communities most hurt by climate change are on small island nations such as Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and the Maldives.
There are a number of ways the global community can protect the oceans.
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Cuban and US scientists are forming partnerships to protect coral reefs and fisheries in both countries. But President Trump may soon announce steps to slow or reverse the US opening to Cuba.
Lake Kivu borders three African countries. With a surface area of 2060 km² it is almost the size of Mauritius.
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From luxuries like champagne to the very livelihoods of fishing communities in the developing world – the climate-driven shifts in species will affect us all.
Tuna being lifted from a fishing boat.
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Recently revised guidelines on mercury in seafood suggest cutting bait on some fish but making sure you eat other types. Then there are omega-3s to consider. Here are some tips to help you choose.
Victoria’s mountain ash ecosystem is vulnerable to collapse.
David Blair
One of the environmental legacies of the Obama administration is ocean reserves. Two ocean scientists explain why these are a critical but not sufficient piece of conservation.
Giant clam shells seized by authorities in waters off Australia’s north.
NT government
Prized species such as sea cucumbers are increasingly being poached from Australian waters. But if foreign aid can give fishing crews alternative livelihoods, the problem could ease.
Fishers in Mozambique won’t benefit from southern Africa’s latest deal with the EU.
Grant Neuenburg/Reuters
They ‘engulf living prey, suck out their innards, poison them, harpoon them, make them explode, and steal and reuse body parts’. And we ignore them at our peril.
Next year the Ross Sea will be home to the world’s largest marine reserve.
Andrew Mandemaker/Wikimedia Commons
After years of stalled negotiations, China has ended its opposition to the world’s largest marine park off Antarctica - part of a wider trend towards increased Chinese involvement in global governance.
Paul McElhany, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Global climate change is altering the chemistry of the oceans. A recent study suggests that the Pacific coast’s lucrative Dungeness crab fishery could suffer as ocean water becomes more acidic.
Sometimes it pays to look on the bright side.
Tane Sinclair-Taylor
Not all of the world’s coral reefs are in dire straits. Reef fisheries tend to do better in areas with strong ownership rights, and where people are closely involved in managing their local reefs.
Hey, is there something on my back?
Nathan J. Robinson
Tiny animals along for the ride, called epibionts, could be used as living data-loggers. Researchers can glean info from them that could help inform turtle-friendly fisheries management decisions.
Unlike clownfish (Nemo), Pacific blue tang fish (Dory) cannot be bred in captivity.
nostri-imago/flickr
The release of the movie ‘Finding Dory’ comes with renewed calls to leave fish in reefs – a good idea in this case – but catching some ornamental fish can have a positive impact on reef communities.