Articles tagged with Marine Conservation
The Pew Institute for Ocean Science has selected 89 international Pew Fellows from over 20 countries who have completed conservation projects across the globe. The fellowships aim to protect ocean environments through education, collaboration, and research.
A global assessment of sea turtle bycatch in longline fisheries revealed four primary hotspots in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic, and Mediterranean Sea. The study estimates that 1.4 billion hooks were set globally in 2000, catching at least 200,000 loggerheads and 50,000 leatherbacks.
The Pacific leatherback turtle's population has declined by 97% since 1982, with fewer than 3,000 females remaining. A two-pronged approach is needed to save the species, including stronger protections for nesting beaches and safer fishing practices.
Researchers have discovered a new family of Atlantic corals using DNA analysis, revealing that about one-third of Atlantic corals are closely related but distinct from Pacific corals. This finding requires reevaluation of conservation priorities for threatened coral species in the Atlantic Ocean.
Deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems are being destroyed by commercial fishing, especially bottom trawling. Scientists call for governments to protect these newly discovered ecosystems, which provide habitat for marine wildlife and contain chemicals that could become medicines.
Conservation efforts have led to a significant decrease in poaching, reducing turtle egg removal from nearly 100% to approximately 21% on the Pearl Cays. Beach surveys and active protection of females and their eggs are crucial for the survival of this endangered species.
A team from Stanford University is retracing the 1940s journey of John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts to document changes in the Sea of Cortez. The expedition aims to raise awareness about the impact of tourism on the region, with a focus on conservation and sustainability.
Indonesia aims to create 5 million hectares of new marine protected areas, with the help of $1 million investment from Conservation International's Global Conservation Fund. The move is part of efforts to reverse ocean decline and promote sustainable development.
The Defying Ocean's End conference aims to reverse the ocean's decline through a science-based international effort. The plan includes promoting a World Ocean Public Trust, expanding global marine parks, assessing conservation priorities, creating an ocean ethic, and implementing bold action steps.
Marine biologist Sara Lourie identifies a new species of pygmy seahorse, Hippocampus denise, found in tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean. The diminutive fish, averaging 16mm in length, may be safe from over-exploitation due to its camouflage abilities.
Researchers are studying the efficacy of bovine growth hormone in tilapia aquaculture and developing methods for its treatment. Additionally, computer models predict physical impacts of offshore dredging on coastal beaches, and a new publication from Delaware Sea Grant examines port security measures.
A recent study found that sea snakes exhibit strong homing instincts, returning to their native islands within a month after translocation. This suggests that populations may be more vulnerable to local threats and extinctions than previously thought.
A recent marine expedition off Madagascar has doubled the number of described corals in the area, highlighting the importance of protecting this region's biodiversity. The team also found nine new coral species and three new fish species, shedding light on the need for sustainable conservation efforts.
Researchers suspect that a six-armed brittlestar, common in shallow coral reefs, may have invaded the western Atlantic via ships over the past two centuries. Genetic markers indicate massive long-distance dispersal and recent mixing of populations from the Pacific and Indian Ocean, raising concerns about ecological consequences.
A California-funded Sea Grant survey banned the sale of Caulerpa taxifolia, a fast-growing tropical seaweed, due to its invasive nature. Meanwhile, researchers used DNA technology to identify E. coli sources, tracing human and animal fecal pollution in Lake Michigan.
Researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution successfully cultured sea fans on a large scale for the first time, marking a significant milestone in coral reef conservation. The project's results could reduce the recovery process by five to 10 years and pave the way for sustainable re-seeding of damaged reefs.
A recent study found that female great white sharks tend to stay in a particular region, while males disperse widely across ocean basins. This discovery has significant conservation implications for managing the species' populations and breeding grounds.
Jim Estes, a marine biologist with the USGS Western Ecological Research Center, will pursue research on restoring the Bering Sea and North Pacific ecosystem. He aims to provide information on how human effects manifest in the oceans, leading to drastic ecosystem changes.
Researchers will describe emerging Pfiesteria detection technologies, including a firefly enzyme-based assay and DNA-based molecular probes, to minimize public exposure to the organism. The University of Delaware's Ocean Lunch and Lecture Series will host expert JoAnn M. Burkholder on March 18.