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This Small Island Nation Makes a Big Case For Protecting Our Oceans

It stands to reason that if you protect the ocean, ecosystems will thrive. Now, scientists have hard data to back up that logical assumption, thanks to a sweeping study of marine reserves in the island nation of Palau

Network formed to protect resource-rich Verde Island Passage

Efforts to protect the Verde Island Passage (VIP), one of the country’s most important marine protected areas, got a boost after the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), marine conservation groups and several government agencies formed a multisectoral network on Wednesday to ensure the pre ...

Phytoplankton greens the Arctic oceans

Arctic sea-ice has thinned so much over the past 30 years that even sun-dependent phytoplankton can now bloom beneath it, according to new research.

Military bases and submarines: What it's like to dive in the South China Sea

The Spratly Islands are a nebula of biological wonder -- an archipelago of atolls and reefs that support 600 coral species and 6,000 fish species -- including huge schools of batfish, bumphead parrotfish, scalloped hammerhead sharks, and dolphins.

Cyclone Debbie: Experts fear damage to Great Barrier Reef

The cyclone struck the Queensland coast as a category four storm, carrying winds of up to 263km/h (163 mph). Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said some damage on land was not as widespread as first anticipated. Marine experts said they expected to find damage to the reef's ecosystem, alt ...

Impacts of mass coral die-off on Indian Ocean reefs revealed

Warming sea waters - caused by climate change and extreme climatic events - threaten the stability of tropical coral reefs, with potentially devastating implications for many reef species and the human communities that reefs support warn scientists at Exeter University

Seabed conditions key to survival of juvenile cod, haddock and whiting

Links between seabed type and quality are closely related to the abundance and size of young commercially fished species such as cod, haddock and whiting.

'Devastating' coral loss in South China Sea - scientists

Scientists are warning of another "devastating" loss of coral due to a spike in sea temperatures.

Treasure or tragedy – our ocean commons

The sea was a bit too choppy for my liking. But there was a volcano erupting inland. The sea looked like a safer option! I took the plunge and jumped off the boat with my snorkel and fins.

Stop treating oceans as "waste swimming pool" - U.N's FAO chief

OSLO, March 24 (Reuters) - The world must stop treating the oceans as a "waste swimming pool" for pollution, a senior U.N. official said on Friday at the debut in Oslo of a $65 million research ship to help developing nations manage fish stocks.

Humanity at the core as UN readies for first-ever Ocean Conference

22 March 2017 – Over a year ago, on 20 February 2016, Tropical Cyclone Winston made a category 5 landfall along the north coast of Fiji's largest, most populous island, Viti Levu, killing at least 44 people, and grounding flights to and from the Pacific Island nation.

World Water Day 2017: "Water and Wastewater"

22 March 2017, New York, United States of America

Sea otters ahead of dolphins in using tools

Sea otters may have been using stone tools for thousands or even millions of years, according to scientists.

Dead zones may threaten coral reefs worldwide

Dead zones affect dozens of coral reefs around the world and threaten hundreds more according to a new study.

Sea turtles of São Tomé: Selling what can’t be sold

Sea turtles have the dubious honor of being one of the few animals that rank high globally on both the charisma scale and the dinner menu.

Haddock from UK waters removed from sustainable seafood list

It is among the most popular fish in the UK, but haddock may soon be off the menu in some fish and chip shops because of dwindling stocks.

50 years needed to restore Raja Ampat coral reef destroyed by cruise ship: Indonesian minister

JAKARTA - It will take 50 to 100 years for the Raja Ampat coral reef destroyed by a British cruise ship to be restored, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan told reporters on Friday (March 17).

Twenty-three countries unite in Abu Dhabi to conserve the dugong

ABU DHABI // Delegates from 23 of the 40 countries that the dugong calls home have gathered in the capital to find better ways to protect the illusive sea animal.

Rapid global loss of life-sustaining coral amid ocean warming alarming scientists

SOUTH ARI ATOLL, MALDIVES – There were startling colors here just a year ago, a dazzling array of life beneath the waves.

Great Barrier Reef bleached for unprecedented second year running

Reef authority says findings of aerial surveys show enough to confirm another mass coral bleaching event, after last year’s dramatic death rate

Caribbean Gearing Up for Marine Resources Treaty

BELMOPAN, Belize (IDN) – The countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have been fine-tuning their positions ahead of the next United Nations preparatory meeting to establish an international legally-binding agreement on sustainable use of marine resources.

The way forward for reducing marine pollution

The Ocean Conference taking place this June at UN headquarters is a unique opportunity to promote and accelerate action, partnerships, commitment and progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, Life below water.

East Africa: Indian Ocean Can Be the Key Driver of Economies

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says more innovative ways need to be developed to use oceans sustainably for food, transport, trade and other activities.

Air pollution could actually be helping our oceans to absorb greenhouse gases

A new study has found evidence to suggest that iron particles produced by industry and cities are being dissolved by man-made air pollution and washed into the sea.

Bacterium protects sponge host from arsenic poisoning: Study

Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Scientists have discovered a bacterium that plays the role of arsenic detoxifier in the sponge it calls home. The bacterium is Entotheonella and its common host is Theonella swinhoei.

Government of Myanmar unveils new plan to protect marine wildlife and resources

The Government of Myanmar and WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) announced today a comprehensive plan to protect the country's diverse fisheries and marine life—including dolphins, sea turtles, and other species—and other marine resources.

Deep Oceans Face Starvation by End of Century

The deep ocean floor, Earth’s largest habitat, will be starved of food by the end of this century, scientists have warned.

Sharks guardians of biodiversity: WA study

Over-hunting sharks is detrimental for fish at every level of the food chain, West Australian scientists have found.

Deep sea life faces dark future due to warming and food shortage

New study reveals negative impact of climate change, human activity, acidification and deoxygenation on ocean and its creatures

Manatee population rebounds: time to take it off the endangered species list?

A recent survey found a record 6,620 manatees in Florida, but opinion remains divided as to whether the species has truly made a comeback.

Fourth World Ocean Summit

22 - 24 February 2017, Bali, Indonesia

Making the Deep Blue Sea Green Again

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 20 2017 (IPS) - Kids growing up in the Seychelles think of the ocean as their backyard, says Ronald Jean Jumeau, Seychelles’ ambassador for climate change and SIDS.

Statement by Mr. David Cooper, CBD Deputy Executive Secretary/Officer-in-Charge, at the Opening of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative Capacity-Building Workshop for the Wider Caribbean and Central America, San José, Costa Rica, 20-24 February 2017

Statement by Mr. David Cooper, CBD Deputy Executive Secretary/Officer-in-Charge, at the Opening of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative Capacity-Building Workshop for the Wider Caribbean and Central America, San José, Costa Rica, 20-24 February 2017

Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Capacity-Building Workshop for the Wider Caribbean and Central America

20 - 24 February 2017, San Jose, Costa Rica

Making the Deep Blue Sea Green Again

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 20 2017 (IPS) - Kids growing up in the Seychelles think of the ocean as their backyard, says Ronald Jean Jumeau, the Seychelles ambassador to the UN.

Fish under threat from ocean oxygen depletion, finds study

Oxygen levels in oceans have fallen 2% in 50 years due to climate change, affecting marine habitat and large fish such as tuna and sharks

It’s everyone’s business to save the oceans

THE ocean is changing — and not for the better. Well-established scientific evidence shows that it is becoming emptier, warmer, and more acidic, putting marine life under serious pressure.

'Seagrasses' vital to coastal health

The importance of seagrasses to the health of coastal ecosystems is underlined in new research conducted around Indonesian atolls.

Saving Jamaica Bay’s diamondback terrapins

As the white motorboat juddered to a stop in the middle of a marsh in New York City’s Jamaica Bay, Russell Burke peered over the edge into the shallow, clear water. In the distance, a flock of Brent geese took to the crisp October air.

UN kicks off preparations for upcoming summit on oceans, launches voluntary commitment website

15 February 2017 – The world dumps the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute, the United Nations heard today at the start of a two-day meeting to prepare for this June's Ocean Conference that will aim to help safeguard

Scientists warn about danger to VN coral reefs

Binh Dinh province has 134km of coastline with coastal waters surrounded by small islands and a diverse ecosystem comprising coral reefs, seagrass beds and aquatic animals.

Statement by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on behalf of the Executive Secretary at the Preparatory Meeting for the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14, New York, United States of America, 15-16 February 2017

Statement by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on behalf of the Executive Secretary at the Preparatory Meeting for the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14, New York, United States of America, 15-16 February 2017

Scientist Calls on UN to Seize Opportunity to Save the Oceans

United Nations, Feb 14 (Prensa Latina) Marine scientist Lisa Speer urged today the international community to take advantage of the opportunity to save the oceans from irrational use and guarantee future generations the enjoyment of their valuable resources.

Scientists estimate global loss of oxygen in Earth's oceans

Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The scientific logic of ocean de-oxygenation is well established, but few studies have attempted to quantify the global loss of oxygen in Earth's oceans.

Underappreciated and in trouble: Can we stave salt marshes' decline?

Salt marshes are an underappreciated, yet extremely valuable, part of the global ecosystem. But with both sea levels and human development on the rise, it is going to require real effort to save them.

Blue Sea Thinking | Underwater Egyptian Garden creates new Coral Reefs

A group of divers in Egypt are creating something amazing beneath the waves with hopes to encourage and grow brand new coral reefs.

Harvesting sharks could be key to saving them

Sustainable fishing of some species for products including fins is feasible, and can avoid cruel practices, study finds.

Data on blue whales off California helps protect their distant relatives

A research team has found a way to translate their knowledge of blue whales off California and in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean to the other side of the world, revealing those areas of the Northern Indian Ocean where whales are likely to be encountered.