Articles tagged with Marine Conservation
Researchers propose comprehensive strategy for climate-smart marine spatial planning (MSP) in the Southern Ocean, integrating diverse interests and addressing climate stressors. MSP can serve as a testbed for international waters, informing implementation of the UN Agreement on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
Researchers confirm Atlantic cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) has made a novel migration to Bermuda, using citizen science and morphological/data analysis. The species likely resides in Bermuda for extended periods due to the islands' mild sea temperatures.
A study by Macquarie University found 70% of shark meat sold in Australian markets was mislabelled, including threatened species. The research highlights the need for improved labelling standards and enforcement to support sustainable consumption.
A young sperm whale's long-range migration across the Mediterranean poses significant threats to its survival due to busy straits and pollution. The study demonstrates the need for targeted protection at key locations to safeguard marine life in the region.
A recent study by CNRS scientists analyzed the world's 100 largest MPAs and found that only a third of them offer real protection on a global scale. The study also reveals that unregulated and unmanaged areas account for a quarter of the surface area, with many MPAs allowing industrial activities incompatible with marine conservation.
A new analysis of 100 largest MPAs reveals slow implementation and inadequate regulations, raising concerns about conservation efforts. Effective design and management are crucial to achieving the goal of protecting at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.
The study analyzed the 100 biggest marine protected areas, finding that slow implementation of management strategies and lack of restriction on human activities hinder their effectiveness. The authors highlight the need for improved quality of marine protected areas to achieve the goal of protecting at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.
A global study reveals progress in marine ecosystem-based management (EBM) initiatives, but acknowledges remaining impediments such as governance, stakeholder engagement, and technology. Experts emphasize the need for political will, persistence, and strategic marketing to overcome these challenges and accelerate EBM adoption.
New research reveals human activities alter marine organism preservation, improving or impairing the fossil record. Human actions can prevent useful information about ongoing changes and enhance the quality of the fossil record.
Researchers used newly analyzed data to predict and help avoid whales' harmful exposure to commercial fishing and vessel strikes. The study mapped the density of one of the most endangered large whale species worldwide, the North Atlantic right whale.
The Global Ocean Artificial Light at Night Network aims to expand on previous research, providing a central resource for marine light pollution expertise. Light pollution poses significant ecological harm, including disruptions to daily rhythms and reproductive cycles of marine species.
Researchers from the University of Oldenburg aim to propagate stony corals via natural reproduction and grow out young corals in aquaria for a more sustainable coral trade. If successful, this method could boost wild coral protection and reduce reliance on expensive export restrictions.
Despite being in place to rebuild fish populations, marine protected areas have flatlined or declined adult fish populations. Strong enforcement and climate-friendly design are crucial for their success.
A global study of 34 countries reveals that marine protected areas deliver significant economic benefits to the fishing and tourism industries. The study found that MPAs boost either fishing or tourism, with some profits in the billions, and that strictly protected areas are more profitable and cheaper to manage.
Researchers simultaneously tagged many humpback whales from the same pod to analyze their vocalization and compare individual calls. This study provides new information about whale behavior and communication, crucial for informing future conservation efforts.
Researchers from Project Seahorse analyzed 7,794 validated iSeahorse observations from 96 countries, revealing new information on sex ratio and pregnancy seasonality. The study found that many seahorse species have larger geographic ranges, more diverse habitats, and shallower depth ranges than previously known.
Salps are found to control microbial community structure and function by capturing a variety of microbe types, including Prochlorococcus. The study reveals that simple mechanical principles do not explain cell capture by salps, indicating a complex mechanism at play.
The sequencing of the blue whale and Etruscan shrew genomes has provided significant insights into developmental biology, with the largest mammal showing a surprisingly slow developmental clock. The study also sheds light on metabolism, with the tiny shrew serving as a model for understanding high-energy demands.
A new study tracked 52 leatherback sea turtles off the coasts of Cape Cod and Beaufort, North Carolina, revealing significant foraging activities in the Mid-Atlantic Bight and Southern New England. The research highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to mitigate risks such as incidental capture by fisheries and vessel strikes.
A new study at Georgia Aquarium reveals belugas have big caloric needs to maintain their cold-water lifestyle, limiting their ability to escape human disturbances. The data will inform management decisions for Cook Inlet belugas and help create predictive energy models to evaluate the impact of human activities.
A new study reveals that marine heat waves disrupt the ocean food web in the northeast Pacific Ocean, shifting energy and impacting predators and prey. Gelatinous zooplankton thrive during heat waves, drawing energy out of the ecosystem and potentially affecting fish and marine mammals.
Researchers used VHR satellite imagery to monitor emperor penguin global population trends, finding nearly 10% fewer birds in 2018 compared to 2009. This new monitoring methodology could help with adaptive conservation management efforts and provide insights into the causal factors behind the population trend.
A new study identifies ten key components to promote sustainable, equitable, and climate-smart ocean planning initiatives worldwide. The proposed components include foundational principles and operational pathways that aim to support marine managers and planners in developing climate-smart ocean plans.
A study found over 40% of loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean contained macroplastics, including a Halloween toy. Researchers say these turtles could be used as 'bioindicator' species to understand the impact of plastic pollution.
Researchers found that restored coral reefs can triple their coral cover and carbonate production rates within four years, making them comparable to healthy reefs. However, the community composition on restoration sites differs from healthy reefs due to mixed branching coral types.
Researchers at Uppsala University have discovered eight new deep-sea species of marine sponges in the Balearic Islands, increasing the ecological importance of the region. The study reveals a strong case for the inclusion of underwater mountains and caves within the Natura 2000 Network, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.
A new eight-year study found that about 60 species of deepwater sharks and rays are threatened with an elevated risk of extinction due to overfishing. The analysis highlights the need for regulating international trade in shark liver oil and protecting 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.
A group of marine biologists challenge the notion of a stable white shark population shifting eastwards along South Africa's coastline. They argue that data cannot support population stability or redistribution claims, citing issues with dataset presentation and the onset of declines predating orca appearances.
Researchers observed an individual orca, nicknamed Starboard, killing a 2.5-meter juvenile great white shark within two minutes. The study challenges conventional cooperative hunting behaviors among killer whales, providing new insights into their predatory dynamics and potential impact on marine ecosystems.
A new analysis of 14,000 fish surveys in 216 MPAs across 43 countries reveals that no-take MPAs are effective in restoring fish populations but come at a cost to coastal communities. The study suggests multiple-use MPAs, where fishing is regulated, can be a more equitable alternative.
Researchers analyzed tissue and fecal samples from 90 stranded marine mammals to study the distribution of toxic elements. The study found that Risso's dolphins and short-finned pilot whales had high concentrations of mercury, cadmium, and lead, while dwarf sperm whales had low levels.
Researchers used movement behavior models to track leatherback sea turtles to previously unknown foraging locations along the US east coast. The study found that leatherbacks use specific areas in the South Atlantic Bight, Mid-Atlantic Bight, and southern New England as both migratory corridors and foraging grounds.
Researchers have discovered an estimated 348,000 square kilometers of shallow coral reefs worldwide, revising previous estimates. The high-resolution satellite maps also identify areas with hard and soft bottoms, providing valuable data for scientists and policymakers to better understand and manage reef systems.
A recent Monterey Bay Aquarium study found that denser and more sheltered kelp forests can withstand severe stressors from warming ocean temperatures. The research also showed that persistent kelp forests are better equipped to handle multiple stressors, including sea urchin outbreaks and marine heatwaves.
A new study reveals tiny plankton (0.02mm) make up majority of ocean plankton, playing critical role in ecosystem health and oxygen production. The research emphasizes the need to take these tiny organisms seriously and incorporate them into global ocean policy.
A Brazilian researcher led a team that described a rare medusa, Santjordia pagesi, discovered at a depth of 812 meters in the Sumisu Caldera. The species has a unique bright red stomach and may possess an arsenal of venoms unlike those discovered to date.
A study published in Marine Policy found that spatial restrictions after Brexit led to a doubling of greenhouse gas emissions from Norway's mackerel fishing fleet. The change resulted in a significant increase in fuel usage and carbon footprint, equivalent to half a million CO2 emissions per year.
Researchers observed that clown anemonefish colonies display the most aggressive behavior towards fish with three bars like themselves. The fish also recognize different anemonefish species based on the number of vertical white bars, leading to strict social hierarchies and upholding dominance.
The reintroduction of sea otters to their former habitat in Central California's Elkhorn Slough has slowed erosion of creekbanks and marsh edges by up to 90%. The study, published in Nature, highlights the benefits of conservation efforts and suggests a promising tool for stabilizing ecosystems worldwide.
Wildlife filmmaker Carlos Gauna and UC Riverside student Phillip Sternes observed a 5-foot-long pure-white shark pup shedding its embryonic layer. The location off central California's coast is proposed as a potential great white breeding ground, which could help protect endangered species.
Research findings show seagrasses have evolved unique adaptations to thrive in marine environments, including genome duplication and fine-tuning of supportive pathways. The study's results provide clues for conserving and sustainably using these important ecosystems.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that marine heat waves trigger earlier reproduction and high mortality in early life stages of Pacific cod. The study found these changes persisted in subsequent years, potentially impacting the future of Gulf of Alaska's Pacific cod population.
A new study by Monterey Bay Aquarium researchers found that sea otter population growth during the last century enhanced kelp forest resilience in California, increasing coverage by 56% along the central coast. However, kelp forests declined dramatically in northern and southern regions due to climate change.
A new study suggests that a cross-sectoral approach to marine protection can meet conservation targets at lower costs for all stakeholders involved. The approach minimizes the opportunity cost to each stakeholder simultaneously, resulting in more affordable protection of high seas biodiversity.
A global study reveals that shark fishing mortality is increasing globally, with over 100 million sharks killed annually, despite widespread regulations aimed at reducing finning. The study found that coastal fisheries account for 95% of total shark fishing mortality, with no decrease in catches between 2012 and 2019.
Researchers tracked 87 Adélie penguins using electronic tags, revealing how they interact with sea ice during their long-distance migrations. The study highlights the interconnectedness of species in the Southern Ocean and how climate change may impact Adélie penguin populations.
A study by FAU Harbor Branch researchers found unique patterns of cytotoxicity associated with toxins in the lagoon, suggesting potential human health risks. The study used a panel of immortalized human cell lines to detect and analyze metabolites present in water samples, revealing high toxicity levels at certain sites.
Researchers studied two coral species in Hawaii to understand their adaptability to climate change, finding that certain species can endure and recover from heat stress, while others are more vulnerable. The study highlights the importance of acclimatization and recovery patterns in coral resilience.
Researchers at Okayama University uncovered key reproductive characteristics of the red-swamp crayfish, highlighting the importance of hook length and chelae for identifying sexual status. The study also found high reproductive ability and fast growth rates compared to native Japanese crayfish.
A new study demonstrates that identifying and protecting marine ecosystems, known as coral nurseries, is crucial to future coral conservation and restoration efforts. These areas, where coral larvae can survive and thrive, are connected to established coral reefs via nearshore currents and reef structure.
A new snail species, Xenassiminea nana, native to Japan's temperate zones, has been officially named following a comprehensive examination of its anatomical characters. The study highlights the species' unique traits, including its small size and distinct shell shape.
A team of scientists suggests that coral atoll islands can adapt to sea level rise through local ecological restoration. Restoring the natural process of island growth could significantly improve the health of surrounding coral reef habitats. Funding for restoration work could empower communities to take back ownership of their futures.
The marine aquarium trade is estimated to be worth $2.15 billion annually, with over 55 million organisms traded globally. The industry's significant economic value highlights the need for sustainable practices and conservation efforts to protect coral reefs.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a system to assess water quality challenges in Suzhou, China. The study found that the city's water capacity has increased since 2001 due to effective water management measures.
A new study from Simon Fraser University examines the Canadian military's efforts to reduce underwater noise pollution impacts on species during training exercises. However, researchers highlight limitations in the current plan, including a narrow focus on marine mammals and lack of consideration for fish and invertebrates.
The study found that England's only resident population of bottlenose dolphins has declined to just 48 individuals due to various human impacts. The researchers call for urgent measures to protect the population and its habitats.
Researchers found that a rise in South Atlantic temperature caused a release of trapped CO2 into the atmosphere, affecting climate regulation. This process has implications for current climate change and potential collapse of the AMOC.
A new study reveals that shipwrecks are providing a sanctuary for fish, corals, and other marine species in areas open to destructive bottom towed fishing. Marine life density is significantly higher within wreck sites than in control areas.
Researchers urge concerted action to mitigate global warming's impact on polar ecosystems, which are both the most-threatened and least-understood areas. The study aims to map all biodiversity in these regions to sustainably manage unique habitats and their ecosystem services.
A recent study by RMIT University and the Marine Mammal Foundation has revealed alarming concentrations of PFAS chemicals in Burrunan dolphins off the coast of Melbourne and Gippsland, south-east Australia. The findings are the highest reported globally, with one juvenile dolphin found to have a PFAS liver concentration of 19,500 nanog...