Canada becomes first G7 country to ban shark fin imports
The Guardian Shark fins for sale in Canada. Photo by Hakai MAGAZINE Measure which also bans sale of fins awaits royal assent. Story here.
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New research finds that “marine reserves” – tracts of ocean where fishing is banned – are protecting fish, the coral reefs where they live and vast undersea "gardens," a lot more than once thought.
Large-scale commercial fishing has, for years, been depleting fish-stocks in many places around the world - especially in coral reefs in the tropics. In response, several countries have designated certain areas of the sea as "marine reserves," where neither fishing nor other development is allowed. Now, a team of scientists from US and Australian universities has produced compelling new evidence . It shows these reserves have not only been helping stocks rebound, but are also protecting massive coral "food webs" - beds of sea-grasses and algae - important reservoirs for carbon storage. by Larry Powell In this satellite photo, "halos" appear as pale blue circular bands surrounding tiny dark spots. The spots are likely small patch reefs or other shelter for small fish and invertebrates that protect them from predators. Each halo is probably about 10 meters wide. The more there are, the healthier marine life there is likely
Fatal horizon, driven by acidification, closes in on marine organisms in Southern Ocean
PHYS ORG A tiny sea creature at the California Academy of Sciences. Photo by Brian Skipworth Marine microorganisms in the Southern Ocean may find themselves in a deadly vise grip by century's end as ocean acidification creates a shallower horizon for life, new University of Colorado Boulder research finds. More here.
Australia's marine heatwaves provide a glimpse of the new ecological order
The Guardian An ocean under human siege. A Pexels photo. Receding kelp forests, jellyfish blooms and disruption to fisheries are just some of climate change’s impacts on the ocean. Story here.
Oceans that are warming due to climate change yield fewer fish
Science News A Wikimedia photo. Some areas have seen up to a 35 percent decline in how many fish can be harvested sustainably. Story here.
Researchers say Canada’s race to conserve marine biodiversity may backfire
Laurier Canada’s race to meet biodiversity conservation targets could jeopardize the very goal it is trying to achieve. More here. Aerial view of the Bunsby marine park. West coast of Vancouver Island. Bc. Photo by Kiwican
Commercial fishing banned across much of the Arctic
The Guardian International agreement will protect vast areas of sea that have opened up as the ice melts . Story here. Fishboats in Norway. Photo by Kristian Magnus Kenstad.
We must keep single-use plastics out of our oceans.
Greenpeace - More here. Poster by Jessica - NOAA marine debris program.
Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’ is the largest ever measured
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration This NASA image shows the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. The dead zone is now approaching an area the size of Manitoba's Lake Winnipeg! More here.
Effective fisheries management can reduce extinction risk of marine fish stocks
Science News - University of British Columbia Fishing boats docked in Canada's Bay of Fundy. Dillon Kereluk from White Rock, Canada. Effective fisheries management plans, coupled with actions to limit greenhouse gas emissions, both separately, but especially in tandem, would have an immediate effect on the number of marine species that face extinction. More here.
A call for seagrass protection
Science Magazine By Heather Dine. - NOAA Photo Library Seagrass meadows - one of the most widespread coastal habitats on Earth - are in decline. Human coastal development and poor water quality are threatening the meadows - home to a wide array of marine plants and animals. More here.
Deepwater Horizon disaster altered building blocks of ocean life
The Guardian Oil spill disaster reduced biodiversity in sites closest to spill, report finds, as White House rolls back conservation measures. More here.
Greenpeace Film (on ocean pollution) to be shown at special Winnipeg Screening
Larry, Never has our blue planet been more under threat. And never before have we had a better sense of what's at stake. Come watch the latest film that will captivate and motivate you to join a global movement working to save our oceans. Greenpeace Canada is sponsoring a special Winnipeg screening of BLUE — the critically-acclaimed and award-winning documentary film which takes you deep into our planet’s threatened oceans and seas. This one-night-only screening is an on-demand event. It only takes place if 50 tickets are sold. Reserve your spot now — and portion of ticket sales will go towards supporting Greenpeace's vital work to protect our oceans and the planet. WHAT: Special screening of BLUE — an award-winning documentary film WHEN: Monday 25th June, 7pm WHERE: Cineplex Odeon McGillivray Cinemas ( 2190 McGillivray Blvd, Winnipeg, MB, R3Y 1S6 ) HOW: Tickets are $14.50 and you can order yours here
Ocean Conservation Is an Untapped Strategy for Fighting Climate Change
WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE Mangroves in Benin. Such vegetation provides an important buffer from the ravages of ocean storms and currents. Photo credit - Ji-Elle. The ocean contributes $1.5 trillion annually to the overall economy and assures the livelihood of 10-12 percent of the world’s population. But there’s another reason to protect marine ecosystems—they’re crucial for curbing climate change. More here.
Alien Waters: Neighbouring Seas Are Flowing into a Warming Arctic Ocean
Yale Environment 360 Drift ice in the archipelago of Svalbard. Photo by AWeith The “Atlantification” and “Pacification” of the Arctic has begun. As warmer waters stream into an increasingly ice-free Arctic Ocean, new species — from phytoplankton to whales — have the potential to upend this sensitive polar environment. More here.
'Nowhere Is Immune': Researchers Find Record Levels of Microplastics in Arctic Sea Ice
EcoWatch North Polar flight with Air Berlin: Pole overflight (Photographer: Basti, Editor: Hedwig) Scientists found record levels of microplastics in Arctic sea ice , a study published Tuesday in Nature Communications revealed. More here.
Salmon farms are in crisis – here in Canada & elsewhere. Here’s how scientists are trying to save them
The Conversation Fish farming in Greece. Photo by Jebulon Salmon farming is facing a huge challenge in the form of a tiny pest. The parasitic sea louse is infecting salmon stocks worldwide, causing devastating losses for salmon farmers and increased prices for shoppers. But scientists are working hard to tackle this global problem, with a combination of new ways to biologically and mechanically remove the lice and to make the salmon more resilient to infection. More here.