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Warming Oceans May Threaten Krill, a Cornerstone of the Antarctic Ecosystem

SYDNEY, Australia — Every day for a week, So Kawaguchi peered intently into the jars of cold water holding harvested krill eggs. None were hatching. In his laboratory in Hobart, Tasmania, on the edge of the Southern Ocean, he could see that the carbon dioxide he had pumped into the icy seawater ...

Australia could lose mangroves to sea level rise, research warns

Parts of Australia could lose their coastal mangroves to sea level rise before the end of this century, according to new research.

Seals' whiskers help them find and catch fish

BOSTON, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- New research has revealed the significance of seals' whiskers. Their shape, scientists at MIT say, are what make seals such effective hunters.

Stopping 'fish laundering' - and other ways to protect oceans

Recent new marine preserves are good news in the fight against illegal fishing, a Pew expert tells DW. The global nature of illegal fishing makes it difficult to tackle - but there are some bright spots, he adds.

Statement by Mr. Braulio F. de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, at the opening of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative National Capacity Development Workshop for Namibia, Swakopmund, Namibia, 13 – 16 October 2015

Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) National Capacity Development Workshop for Namibia

13 - 16 October 2015, Swakopmund, Namibia

Statement by Mr. Braulio F. de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, at the opening of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative National Capacity Development Workshop for Namibia, Swakopmund, Namibia, 13 – 16 October 2015

Healthy Oceans Key to Fighting Hunger

VALPARAÍSO, Chile, Oct 8 2015 (IPS) - Seafood offers a large amount of animal protein in diets around the world, and the livelihoods of 12 percent of the global population depend directly or indirectly on fisheries and aquaculture.

Corals worldwide hit by bleaching

From Hawaii to Papua New Guinea to the Maldives, coral reefs are bleaching — in so many regions that the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officially declared a global bleaching event on 8 October. The event, the third in recorded history, is expected to grow worse ...

World's oceans facing biggest coral die-off in history, scientists warn

A third global bleaching of coral reefs is underway following a massive and persistent underwater heatwave

UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/19/INF/6

Strategic Scientific and Technical Issues Related to the Implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020: Biodiversity and Fisheries

Scottish scientists surprised by rare 'sofa shark'

The false catshark is just one of several dozen shark species found off Scotland's coast for the first time this year.

Known fish species living in the Salish Sea increases in new report

A new report documents all of the fishes that live in the Salish Sea. In total, 253 fish species have been recorded, and that’s about 14 percent more than in the last count.

Endangered Fur Seals Dying on California Coast

Eighty fur seals have been found stranded or dead on California's coast so far this year, eight times more than normal, scientists said.

Request for views and information on practical options to further enhance scientific methodologies and approaches for the description of areas meeting the EBSA criteria

Reference: SCBD/SAM/DC/JL/JA/JG8/5006 (2015-113)
To: CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points; other Governments; relevant organizations; indigenous peoples and local communities

Marine robots unite in hunt for wildlife hotspots

A submarine glider and an autonomous surface vehicle are being used by the National Oceanography Center (NOC) to work together to better understand why marine animals are attracted to a biodiversity hotspot in the Celtic Sea.

New Zealand creates vast ocean sanctuary

Fully-protected marine area will cover 620,000 km2 in the seas north-east of New Zealand in the Kermadec region, reports Stuff.co.nz

Statement by Mr. Braulio F. de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, at the opening of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) National Capacity-Development Workshop for Samoa, Apia, Samoa, 28 - 30 September 2015

Pacific bluefin tunas' favorite feeding spots discovered

Scientists devised a new methodology for measuring how and when ocean predators consume prey, and identified the Pacific bluefin's favorite hot spots, information that can inform conservation strategies.

The Wadden Sea is in danger, says first-ever migration report of whole East Atlantic Flyway

The Wadden Sea in Europe is a vast coastal wetland comprising tidal flats, islands, salt marshes and other habitats. It stretches over 450 km along the North Sea coast of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark and at almost 10,000 square kilometres, it is one of the largest wetlands in the world.

Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) National Capacity Development Workshop for Samoa

28 - 30 September 2015, Apia, Samoa

Statement by Mr. Braulio F. de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, at the opening of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) National Capacity-Development Workshop for Samoa, Apia, Samoa, 28 - 30 September 2015

North Sea cod could be back on menu as numbers improve

After years of reduced fishing, cod numbers have risen above dangerously low levels – but conservationists say don’t rush to the chippie just yet.

NASA: Oceans' phytoplankton numbers are trending downwards

GREENBELT, Md., Sept. 23 (UPI) -- According to NASA satellite data, phytoplankton populations are shrinking. Diatoms, the largest and most common form of the plant-like microorganisms, have declined 1 percent per year from 1998 to 2012.

Can vinegar save the Great Barrier Reef?

CAIRNS, Australia, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Researchers at Australia's James Cook University have found a cheap and readily available antidote for the plague of reef-eating starfish invading the Great Barrier Reef.

Seabird numbers down 70 percent since 1950

Since seabirds rely on healthy oceans to feed and thrive, scientists consider them excellent indicators of the marine ecosystem’s health

Attempts to protect Australia's Great Barrier Reef are failing: report

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is still being damaged by the effects of climate change and farming, a report says. It says efforts to improve water quality are falling far short of the targets that have been set.

Blueprint for Oceans in Parrotfish Paradise

The tragedy of the commons is thriving in our oceans. A fisherman aiming to maximize profit or provide for his family contributes to over-harvesting. A community looking to cut costs turns a blind eye to wastes entering coastal waters.

Great Barrier Reef report reveals inshore marine environment remains poor, cut in harmful run-off fails to meet targets

The overall condition of the Great Barrier Reef's inshore marine environment remains poor, the latest report card has shown.

WWF: Only half as many marine animals as there were in 1970

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The World Wildlife Federation is once again sounding the alarm on the health of the world's oceans.

Tuna and mackerel populations suffer catastrophic 74% decline, research shows

WWF says we risk losing species critical to human food security unless action is taken to halt overfishing and other threats to marine life

Statement by Mr. Braulio F. de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, at the Opening of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative Training of Trainers Workshop, Yeosu, Republic of Korea, 11 – 15 September 2015

Marine life needs protection from noise pollution

An international group of scientists is calling for stricter regulations to protect marine wildlife from noise pollution.

Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Training of Trainers Workshop

11 - 15 September 2015, Yeosu, Republic of Korea

Statement by Mr. Braulio F. de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, at the Opening of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative Training of Trainers Workshop, Yeosu, Republic of Korea, 11 – 15 September 2015

Southern Ocean is absorbing CO2 more efficiently

BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 10 (UPI) -- The vast majority of CO2 emissions released by humans end up in the atmosphere. But not all of the carbon dioxide stays there. Some is sucked into the oceans.

Seal fur and Arctic bacteria leach toxic mercury into waters

Heavy metal is moving in mysterious ways. Two studies this week show that pristine areas, far from industrial pollution, are building up surprisingly high levels of mercury from unexpected sources – moulting elephant seals and bacteria in Arctic estuaries.

Understanding the world’s oceans more essential than ever to secure the future of our planet

A greater understanding and appreciation of our oceans is essential for the wellbeing of the world’s population, according to a new report.

Green sea turtles set nesting record in Florida

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Each year, conservationists are counting more and more green sea turtle nests on the beaches of Florida. And 2015 was no different. This time, the vulnerable sea turtles set a nesting record -- with three weeks of nesting season still left to go.

Europe to discuss deep-sea trawling ban to protect biodiversity

HOW deep is too deep? Europe’s most threatened ecosystem – the deep seabed – may get some relief this week when European Union officials discuss proposals on banning trawling below 800 metres. But are the proposals ambitious enough?

Japanese town's annual dolphin hunt starts

A small Japanese town kicked off its controversial dolphin hunt on Thursday after bad weather delayed the start, according to a local fisheries official, while a separate whaling hunt was due to start at the weekend.

Australian scientists sending robot after destructive starfish

BRISBANE, Australia, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Scientists say the invasion of the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) is responsible for as much as 40 percent of the decline in coral cover among Australia's Greet Barrier Reefs. That's why researchers at the Queensland University of Technology have put a spec ...

Sea temperature changes linked to mystery North Pacific ecosystem shifts

Longer, less frequent climate fluctuations may be contributing to abrupt, unexplained ecosystem shifts in the North Pacific, according to a study

Evidence supports trawling depth limit

The first scientific evidence that trawling in waters deeper than 600 metres is ecologically damaging and provides poor economic return is reigniting debate about the controversial fishing practice.

New international standards needed to manage ocean noise

Growing use of high-decibel seismic surveys to explore the ocean for resources poses increased risks to vulnerable marine life, experts say

USAID launches US$12.5 million Caribbean marine biodiversity programme

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a US$12.5 million Caribbean Marine Biodiversity Programme (CMBP), in an effort to protect critical marine ecosystems and reduce threats to the region’s fisheries and tourism sectors.

Top scientists call for more no-fishing marine reserves

Two of New Zealand's most renowned marine scientists have argued for more "no-take" marine reserves, where fishing of any kind is banned.

North Pacific ‘blob’ stirs up fisheries management

Unprecedented conditions in the Pacific Ocean have sent fisheries managers into uncharted waters.

'The future is grim for coral reefs'

Coral reefs are among the world's richest ecosystems - and they will disappear from the face of the Earth before this century is over if we don't make serious changes, ecologist Peter Sale told DW.

Latin America Should Lead in Protecting the Planet’s Oceans

SANTIAGO, Aug 17 2015 (IPS) - Latin America should assume a position of global leadership by adopting effective measures to protect the oceans, which are threatened by illegal fishing, the impacts of climate change, and pollution caused by acidification and plastic waste.