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Sea views: mapping the ocean floor

If all the water in the seas suddenly disappeared, we would be shocked by the strange, new world of seamounts, gullies, sheer cliffs and plains that would be revealed – some in places where they would not be expected. That’s because less than 15 per cent of the seafloor is mapped in reliable det ...

Coral skeletons may resist the effects of acidifying oceans

Coral skeletons are the building blocks of diverse coral reef ecosystems, which has led to increasing concern over how these key species will cope with warming and acidifying oceans that threaten their stability.

Kenya: What Govt Can Do to Protect, and Benefit From, Ocean Resources

Kenya earns around USD$2.5 billion per year from its ocean - less than 4% of its GDP. This shows the potential for growth which could raise peoples' incomes in coming years. But it won't happen unless damaging practices and declining resource and ecosystem health issues are dealt with.

Researchers go down and very deep into the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Scientists with Oceana Canada and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans are offering the public a rare glimpse of life on the sea floor in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Algae fortifies coral reefs in past and present

The Great Barrier Reef, and most other large reefs around the world, owe their bulk in large part to a type of red algae that grows on corals and strengthens them. New research led by Anna Weiss, a Ph.D. candidate at The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences, has found that ...

'Sea dragon' fossil is 'largest on record'

The fossil of a marine reptile ''re-discovered'' in a museum is the largest of its kind on record, say scientists. The ''sea dragon'' belongs to a group that swam the world's oceans 200 million years ago, while dinosaurs walked the land. The specimen is the largest Ichthyosaurus to be described, ...

As oceans alkalized, life developed bones and shells

A critical feature of many multicellular lifeforms on Earth are hard, biological structures, such as animal bones and snail shells that are made from minerals. Tiny fossils recently discovered in Canada have pushed back the oldest known evidence of "bio-mineralization" to 810 million years ago.

Race to Decode Coral DNA to Save World’s Reefs From Extinction

New genetic technologies are enabling scientists to identify traits that may help corals survive warming ocean temperatures that threaten the survival of coral reefs critical to marine ecosystems.

Aquaculture in Seychelles?

As Seychelles looks for ways to grow its economy further, officials have steered towards the idea of Marine aquaculture (Mariculture). Mariculture refers to the culturing of marine species in sea pens, on the seafloor, or suspended in the water column or in on-land, man made systems such as pond ...

New Global Project Focuses on Marine Biological Invasions

Agencies of the United Nations (UN) join efforts in a new world project to contain marine biological invaders spread by boats throughout the planet. In the opinion of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to counter the embedding of sea organisms in the hulls of boats 'is a fundamental ...

A Grand Unified Theory of Unhealthy Microbiomes

In 2012, Rebecca Vega Thurber looked at the results of the large underwater experiment she had been running for three years—and was disappointed.Since 2009, her team had been traveling to the coral reefs of the Florida Keys. In some spots, they exposed the corals to nitrogen and phosphorus, to s ...

Studies reveal worrisome trend for health of wild dolphins

Twelve years of data on the health of two Atlantic bottlenose dolphin populations paints a grim reality concerning the wellbeing of the Atlantic Ocean. The research, published as two companion review papers July 24 in the scientific journal Diseases in Aquatic Organisms (here and here), compiles ...

Looking for signs of life in B.C's rare glass sponge reefs

The first scientific exploration of two rare glass sponge reefs off British Columbia's coast has revealed one healthy reef and one mostly dead, ancient reef.

How Microscopic Algae Kick-Started Life As We Know It

Some 650 million years ago, algae took over the seas, which may have been a needed spark in the formation of complex life. In our planet's infancy, life was pretty tiny. Simple, single-celled critters (mostly bacteria) dominated the seas. But from these microbes eventually evolved the many creat ...

Spectacular rebirth of Belize's coral reefs threatened by tourism and development

Report reveals improvement but also details danger posed by tourist-generated pollution, oil extraction and climate change.ust below the surface of the turquoise sea, coral flutters majestically amid schools of puffed up porcupinefish and fluorescent blue and yellow angelfish.

Sub-tropical corals vulnerable, new study shows

The vulnerability and conservation value of sub-tropical reefs south of the Great Barrier Reef - regarded as climate change refuges – has been highlighted in a new study.

TN deploying artificial reefs to save sinking islands

Sinking islands may become a reality with sea level rise and climate change in decades to come. Tamil Nadu has hit upon a novel idea to protect such islands on its coast – deployment of artificial reefs near vulnerable islands.

Bleaching incident led to late coral spawning

Warming seas caused Singapore's corals to suffer from the longest-ever bleaching incident on record last year, and observations show that the incident has far-reaching effects.

Canada curbs ship speeds to prevent right whale deaths

Canadian officials yesterday ordered boats including cargo and cruise ships to reduce their speed in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in a bid to protect endangered whales.

Artificial coastal defences could be used to enhance marine biodiversity, study shows

Future coastal defences, harbours and ports could enhance biodiversity within the marine environment through the use of cement substitutes. But the materials used need to be selected carefully in order that native and non-native species are not adversely affected, a study by the University of Pl ...

BEHIND THE RESTORATIVE EFFECTS OF CORAL GARDENING

New research finds that "coral gardening," which involves planting fragments of nursery-raised coral on reefs in the wild to replenish depleted coral colonies, is playing a key role in the restoration of staghorn coral reef systems in the Caribbean—and might just help inform strategies to ensure ...

Who Governs the High Seas?

The earth’s surface is more than 70% ocean, more water than land, a mass of blue connecting disconnected green. Nation states claim up to 200 miles from their coasts as areas of “national jurisdiction” over which they have the power to exploit, consume, and regulate. But the vast majority of the ...

Arctic waters get long-sought protection

An Inuit group and the federal government are creating a national marine conservation area in Lancaster Sound that will be – by far – Canada’s largest

Mangroves: A Star Player In The Coastal Protection Game

They do it all: sequester greenhouse gases, protect marine life, maintain fresh water and, of course, defend against rising sea levels and storm surges.

Nations hope to protect fish of the high seas

UN to start treaty talks on creating protected areas in waters beyond national jurisdiction

Nations Will Start Talks to Protect Fish of the High Seas

More than half of the world’s oceans belong to no one, which often makes their riches ripe for plunder. Now, countries around the world have taken the first step to protect the precious resources of the high seas. In late July, after two years of talks, diplomats at the United Nations recommend ...

What’s happening with our seaweed and why should we care?

Now that seaweed is big business, industry is wading in to the lives of traditional harvesters.

Marine team discovers 30 new species off Verde Island

More than 30 new species of sea slugs, sea urchins and soft corals have been discovered in the Verde Island Passage, between the provinces of Batangas and Mindoro, proving the area’s significance as “the center of the center” of marine biodiversity in the world.

New shark species glows in the dark, weighs two pounds and has a huge nose

Like finding a needle in a haystack, a team of scientists has discovered a new species of shark measuring less than a foot long and weighing under 2 pounds full-grown. This miniature, "glow-in-the-dark" shark is a member of the Lanternshark family (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae), which was serendip ...

Pumpkin the great white shark feasting in Nova Scotia's Minas Basin

A toothy, 300-kilogram tourist is taking in the underwater sights and culinary delights of Nova Scotia's Minas Basin. Pumpkin, a 2.7-metre-long great white shark, was detected on Saturday near where the Avon River empties into the Minas Basin off Avonport, Bramber and Cheverie.

Great Barrier Reef DEAD - but could it be brought back to life?

Potting methods similar to those used by green-fingered gardeners the world over can help bring back reefs stripped of their vibrant colours and myriad marine creatures. Ocean experts warned last week how 29 of the World Heritage List coral reefs – including the Great Barrier Reef and those arou ...

Shark Week 2017: Five amazing ways they help humans

It has always struck me as odd how terrified many people are of sharks. It's one thing if you're a surfer or fisherman, but why would people living thousands of miles from the coast list the marine predators among their greatest fears, when statistically you are more likely to be killed by a toa ...

Coral reefs are healthier if more sharks are present, research finds

SYDNEY -- Sharks play a key role in regulating the health of a coral reef by eliminating predators that prey on the small fish that keep the coral healthy, according to an Australian study released Monday.

13 Bizarre Things That Washed Up on Beaches

Take a stroll on a beach and you're likely to encounter plentiful evidence of life from the ocean amid the flotsam: stray clumps of seaweed, colorful seashells, even the occasional crustacean or jellyfish.

High diversity on coral reefs—a very big game of rock-paper-scissors

For a long time, scientists have wondered how a large number of species can live together while competing for a single, limiting resource. Why doesn't a single species that is better at competing for the resource crowd out all the others? According to new findings by Macquarie University, the an ...

Non-organic sunscreens are destroying our coral reefs

It stops us from ageing, from looking like lobsters, from dying of skin cancer. ost sunscreens use chemical blockers to filter out ultraviolet rays and they’re incredibly difficult to remove from water – even after being treated.As a result, they’re now bleaching our precious coral reefs. 4

What makes red algae so different and why should we care?

The red algae called Porphyra and its ancestors have thrived for millions of years in the harsh habitat of the intertidal zone—exposed to fluctuating temperatures, high UV radiation, severe salt stress, and desiccation.

Newly described algae species toughens up corals to endure warming oceans

Global climate change has increased water temperatures in the world's oceans, often causing mass coral bleaching and mortality, which harms not only corals, but also the vast ecosystems they support. Using innovative methods, researchers at Penn State University have identified a new species of ...

Living Planet: Beauty is only skin-deep

When it comes to marine animals, the charismatic kind like dolphins and whales get all the attention. But what about the weird-looking creatures that also live in the ocean’s depths? Sure they’re not beautiful, but they still play an role in marine ecosystems. Lucky for them, biologist and comed ...

Blue whale takes centre-stage at Natural History Museum

London's Natural History Museum (NHM) has undergone a major revamp with a blue whale skeleton now forming the main exhibit as visitors come through the front door. The marine mammal replaces the much-loved Diplodocus dinosaur, "Dippy", which will soon head out on a tour of the UK.

2 Whale Shark Sightings in Maryland: Are These Colossal Fish Dangerous?

The world's largest fish, a whale shark, recently got up close and personal with fishers in Ocean City, Maryland, nudging their boat for long enough that the crew captured a stunning video.

Hundreds of species of fungi in deep coral ecosystems discovered by botanists

Researchers from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Department of Botany have discovered hundreds of potentially new species of fungi in the deep coral ecosystem in the 'Au'au channel off Maui. Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCE) are generally found at depths between 130 to 500 feet and possess ab ...

Chorus for coral reefs

Countries with these world heritage sites should aim to keep global temperature down, says UN agency.

Make new rules' to save the oceans

New rules are urgently needed to protect life in the open seas, scientists have warned. A report to a UN ocean conference in New York points out that more than 60% of the ocean has no conservation rules as it’s outside national jurisdiction.

Seagrass meadows—critical habitats for juvenile fish and dugongs in the Johor islands

Scientists at University of Malaya, Malaysia, have found that the seagrass meadows in Johor harbor three times more juvenile fish than coral reefs. They also found that the dugong herds there prefer certain types of meadows over others.

Countries with coral reefs must do more on climate change – Unesco

Countries with responsibility over world heritage-listed coral reefs should adopt ambitious climate change targets, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions to levels that would keep global temperature increases to just 1.5C, the UN agency responsible for overseeing world heritage sites has said.

Corals Found Deep in The Ocean Produce Their Own Sunlight to Survive

When you're a coral hanging out in the shallows, too much sunlight is a bad thing. Ultraviolet radiation can mess up the algae that live within coral bodies and provide them with much of their sustenance.

When corals die off, we die off'

In 1998, the cruel heat of El Nino hit Seychelles hard. Sea surface temperatures rose around the Indian Ocean, bleaching 90% of coral reefs in the archipelago. Widespread flooding caused significant economic losses -- fishing and agriculture accounting for more than half of the total figure acco ...

Statement by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on behalf of the Executive Secretary at the 4th Session of the Preparatory Committee established by General Assembly resolution 69/292, New York, United States of America, 10 – 21 July 2017

Statement by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on behalf of the Executive Secretary at the 4th Session of the Preparatory Committee established by General Assembly resolution 69/292: Development of an International Legally Binding Instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, New York, United States of America, 10 – 21 July 2017