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Ocean exploration mission reveals incredible biodiversity — and why it's in danger — and why it's in danger

Beneath the ocean’s surface, there is a landscape marked by its biodiversity. Only by venturing under the water can scientists study the vast number of species living there — from giant blue whales to tiny marine animals like plankton and other microbes.

Ocean floor listening posts reveal secrets of blue whales

Underwater recorders attached to the ocean floor are revealing new information about endangered blue whales off the coast of Atlantic Canada. It turns out the biggest animals on the planet — and the loudest — are present year round.

Ocean heatwave has triggered new toxic algal blooms on the US west coast

Fishermen, swimmers and seafood enthusiasts may already know the dangers of "red tides," but a recent study in Frontiers in Climate shows that climate change is increasing the frequency of one type of highly toxic algal bloom off the US west coast.

Ocean researchers find world’s longest animal – and that’s not the strangest part

What could be the longest animal ever recorded, a weird and wonderful sea creature 150 feet in length, has been caught on video for the first time by researchers of the coast of Australia. The siphonophore Apolemia was spotted by crew aboard the research vessel Falkor, as they plumbed the depths ...

Ocean uproar: saving marine life from a barrage of noise

Ship engines, underwater blasts, sonar and oil drilling are filling the seas with sound. Researchers are now trying to pin down the damage humanity’s growing acoustic footprint has on ocean life.

Ocean warming forcing leatherback turtles to travel further for food

New research tracking the migrations of leatherback turtles after leaving their nesting grounds in French Guiana shows that they must travel almost twice as far as groups previously observed to reach feeding grounds.

Ocean-Based Carbon Removal Deserves a Closer Look

Could the oceans—where life once evolved—help save the planet and humanity from climate catastrophe? A new report suggests they might.

Ocean: What are 'dead zones' and why are they getting worse?

When you hear the phrase "dead zone" you likely think of a desolate area that's barren of any cellular signals — but there are actually parts of the world called "dead zones" that are much more terrifying.

Oceanographer reveals link between subseafloor life and global climate

University of Rhode Island oceanographer Steven D"Hondt and his collaborators have studied the microbial life that lives deep beneath the seafloor—including the rate at which it breathes and how much food it consumes—for more than 20 years, and they have made some significant discoveries.

Oceans Aren’t Just Warming—Their Soundscapes Are Transforming

Wander into nature and give a good shout, and only nearby birds, frogs, and squirrels will hear you. Although sensing noise is a critical survival strategy for land animals, it’s a somewhat limited warning system, as sounds—save for something like a massive volcanic explosion—don’t travel far in ...

Oceans Day at Nagoya - 23 October 2010

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JM/JL/74201 (2010-195)
To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, other governments, and relevant organizations

I am pleased to invite you to attend Oceans Day at Nagoya being held during the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 10) on 23 October 2010 at Shirotori Hall of the Nagoya Congress Centre.

Oceans Great Dying 2.0: Earth’s climate moderator is warming, faster

Oceans are heating up as they cross their natural capacity to sink carbon and atmospheric heat induced by GHGs emissions. It will further disrupts life above the oceans

Oceans are essential for supporting life on Earth and for human well-being. The oceans cover more than 70 per cent of our planet, and over 40 per cent of the world’s population (almost 3 billion people) lives within 100 kilometres of the coast. And while oceans remain one of the least explored areas of our planet, their importance cannot be underestimated

Oceans could be harnessed to remove carbon from air, say US science leaders

The United States should undertake a major research program into how the oceans could be artificially harnessed to remove carbon dioxide from the air, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Oceans in crisis

The surface of our Blue Planet is 71 percent ocean – benign, mysterious and threatening in equal measure. But today the oceans themselves are in a state of crisis and change as a result of human actions. We harvest the seas for their abundant food, mineral, and energy resources.

Ocean’s gentle giants make welcome appearances this summer

From December 2021 to January 2022 Manta Watch NZ received 99 reported manta ray sightings, concentrated in the Bay of Islands, the Hauraki Gulf, Mercury Island, the Alderman Islands and the Bay of Plenty.

Octogenarian snapper found in WA becomes oldest tropical reef fish by two decades

An 81-year-old midnight snapper caught off the coast of Western Australia has taken the title of the oldest tropical reef fish recorded anywhere in the world.

Off Antarctica, Researchers Assess Health of Killer Whales

Top predator’s status could indicate direction of broader ecosystem

Olive Ridley turtles stay from Rushikulya in Odisha this year

The annual spectacle of the mass nesting of millions of Olive Ridley sea turtles near the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha is likely to be missed this year, as the time for it is almost over. The mass nesting this time was about a month late as compared to last year.

On Java’s Coast, A Natural Approach to Holding Back the Waters

The Indonesian island of Java has lost 70 percent of the mangroves that once protected its coast from erosion and flooding.

One of UK’s rarest corals set to expand its range as climate change warms seas

It is one of Britain’s rarest and most threatened species, primarily due to bottom-trawling fishing, but researchers have found that the pink sea fan coral could expand its range in the climate crisis.

One of the Largest Efforts to Protect the Planet's Ocean Underway

A new ocean conservation initiative is underway to catalyze the protection and conservation of 18 million square kilometers of the ocean (7 million square miles) over the next five years—an area twice the size of the continental United States and larger than the continent of South America.

One of the Most Vibrant Coral Reef Systems in the World Faces a Dangerous Threat

The Philippines' coral reefs are among the world's most vibrant-but they're in danger. Although much of the archipelago's underwater beauty is protected, climate change and harmful fishing methods threaten other regions.

One scientist's mission to save the 'super weird' snails under the sea

It takes an hour from the surface of the Indian Ocean, descending 3,000 metres in a submersible research pod, to reach the bizarre creatures that cluster around hydrothermal vents on the seabed. “You’re in a titanium sphere that is about two metres in diameter,” says evolutionary biologist Julia ...

Online Discussion Forum in preparation for Expert workshop on scientific and technical guidance on the use of biogeographic classification systems and identification of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction in need of protection (Ottawa, Canada, 29 September - 2 October 2009)

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JM/JL/va/67798 (2009-068)
To: CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points, Other Governments, and relevant organizations

At its ninth meeting, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention decided to convene an expert workshop to provide scientific and technical guidance on the use and further development of biogeographic classification systems, and guidance on the identification of areas beyond the nation ...

Online Discussion Forum on conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity in preparation for the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties

Reference: SCBD/SSSF/JL/JA/JG/90315 (2022-028)
To: CBD National Focal Points; Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points; SBSTTA Focal Points; indigenous peoples and local communities; and relevant organizations

Online Discussion Forum on ecologically or biologically significant marine areas in preparation for the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties

Reference: SCBD/SSSF/JL/SK/JA/JM/90316 (2022-047)
To: CBD National Focal Points; Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points; SBSTTA Focal Points; indigenous peoples and local communities; and relevant organizations

Online Discussion Forum on ecologically or biologically significant marine areas in preparation for the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties

14 - 21 September 2022, Online

Online discussion forum on conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity in preparation for the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties

8 - 15 June 2022, Online

Only ‘A-list’ of coral reefs found to sustain ecosystems, livelihoods

Most of the tropical reef sites around the world are no longer able to simultaneously sustain coral reef ecosystems and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them, as human pressure and impacts of climate change increase, a new study shows.

Recommendation XIII/3

Options for preventing and mitigating the impacts of some activities to selected seabed habitats, and scientific and ecological criteria for marine areas in need of protection and biogeographic classification systems

Organizational Session of the Intergovernmental Conference on an International Legally Binding Instrument under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (UNCLOS)

25 March - 5 April 2019, New York, United States of America

Our Vanishing World: Oceans

As the human onslaught against life on Earth accelerates, no part of the biosphere is left pristine. The simple act of consuming more than we actually need drives the world’s governments and corporations to endlessly destroy more and more of the Earth to extract the resources necessary to satisf ...

Our oceans are hotter than ever. Scientists say they worry about what that means for our future

Amid another record warm year for the planet, one of the most dramatic and alarming changes occurred in our oceans, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Our rivers, our dolphins, our future

This is a positive blog, despite the challenging times we live in. Sitting in my makeshift home office for the last nine months, I’ve spent many hours watching the Rhine river flow by, seemingly unfazed by the pandemic.

POSTPONEMENT—Thematic workshop on marine and coastal biodiversity for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, 13-15 November 2019 – Montreal, Canada

Reference: SCBD/SSSF/AS/SBG/JA/JMQ/88234 (2019-076)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points; SBSTTA Focal Points; indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant organizations

Pacific Central American Expert Workshop for Marine Conservation and Sustainability

27 - 28 May 2015, Guatemala City, Guatemala

Pacific Coral Reefs Can Be Saved By Getting Climate Under Control

Coral reefs can be saved and made more resilient by getting the climate under control, believes Rosemary Steinberg, a research at the University of New South Wales. She said the Islanders need to work closely with local corporations and businesses to help make the reefs more resilient.

Pacific Ocean 2020 Challenge - a healthy ocean for future generations

The respectfully requested CBD COP 10 side event aims at informing about the new Pacific Ocean 2020 Challenge Initiative which was kick-started in July 2010. Seven Governments (California, Fiji, Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vietnam) participated in the founding meeting. Governo ...

Parramatta River fish kill investigated after thousands found dead along riverbanks

The deaths of thousands of fish in the Parramatta River triggered by low oxygen levels in the water is being investigated by the New South Wales environmental regulator.

Parrotfish, critical to reef health, now protected under Mexican law

Mexico protected 10 species of parrotfish in October, a move that conservationists say will help the country’s coral reefs recover, in addition to safeguarding the species’ numbers.

Partners Roundtable on Achieving the Aichi Targets through Integrated Coastal Management

The Roundtable with Donors and Partners will feature the joint initiative of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and the Partnership for Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia in supporting efforts in South East and East Asia to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity targets through integrated ...

Peatlands are under threat. Here's why we must act now to save them

Wetlands are known by many names such as peatlands, marshes, bogs, fens or mires. What they all have in common is that their landscape is temporarily or permanently saturated with water.

Peer Review of Draft Report on options regarding procedures to modify the description of ecologically or biologically significant areas or to facilitate the process of description of new areas

Reference: SCBD/SPS/CG/JL/JG/85951 (2016-104)
To: CBD and SBSTTA Focal Points

Peer review of CBD Technical Series No. 87: Assessing Progress towards Aichi Biodiversity Target 6 on Sustainable Fisheries

Reference: SCBD/SSSF/AS/SBG/JA/JG/88129 (2019-047)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, IPLCs and other relevant organizations

Peer review of CBD Technical Series: Anthropogenic Underwater Noise: Impacts on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity and Habitats, and Mitigation and Management Measures

Reference: SCBD/SSSF/AS/ML/JA/JG/89022 (2020-070)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, and other relevant organizations

Peer review of the draft report of Scientific synthesis on the impacts of ocean fertilization on marine biodiversity

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JM/JL/VA/68013 (2009-082)
To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Point, and Other Governments and relevant organizations

I am pleased to invite you to participate in the peer review of the draft report of scientific synthesis on the impacts of ocean fertilization on marine biodiversity.

Peer review of the draft report of scientific synthesis on ocean acidification and its impacts on marine biodiversity and habitats

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JM/JL/MCOA/68315 (2009-092)
To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Point, Other Governments and relevant organizations

I am pleased to invite you to participate in the peer review of the draft report of scientific synthesis on ocean acidification and its impacts on marine biodiversity and habitats.

Peer review of the draft report on the implementation of the Programme of work on marine and coastal biodiversity

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JM/JL/MC/68433 (2009-099)
To: CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points Other governments and relevant organizations

I am pleased to invite you to participate in the peer review of the draft report on the progress made in the implementation of the programme of work on marine and coastal biodiversity.

Peer review – Report of the Expert Workshop to Develop Options for Modifying the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas, for Describing New Areas, and for Strengthening the Scientific Credibility and Transparency of this Process

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/JL/JG/87096 (2018-004)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, relevant United Nations/international organizations, IPLCs and other relevant organizations