Category: Conservation

More than just a pretty reef: why corals are so important and how they might be saved

5th Jan 2021

Written by Alicia Shephard In 2020 it was announced that the Great Barrier Reef had lost more than half of its corals since 1995, due mainly to warmer seas driven by climate change. But it was also the year that plans for a huge coral biobank were announced in Australia. The purpose? To provide a … More More than just a pretty reef: why corals are so important and how they might be saved

Over 1.5 billion Covid-19 face masks estimated to enter oceans in 2020

11th Dec 2020

A new report released this week has revealed that the global Covid-19 pandemic has seriously increased the amount of plastic pollution entering the marine environment due to a surge in disposable face masks and other PPE. It highlights yet again how our short sightedness is negatively effecting the world around us. As if 2020 hasn’t … More Over 1.5 billion Covid-19 face masks estimated to enter oceans in 2020

Fish carcasses deliver toxic mercury pollution to the deepest parts of the ocean

26th Nov 2020

A new study into deep-sea fish and crustaceans has revealed the presence of anthropogenic mercury pollution at the deepest points in the ocean, including the Marianna Trench. Researchers suggest that the most likely source of the toxic chemical is the sinking bodies of dead fish from the surface. Mercury pollution in the ocean is an … More Fish carcasses deliver toxic mercury pollution to the deepest parts of the ocean

Oceans becoming more stratified due to global warming

23rd Nov 2020

A worrying new study, by a group of international researchers from China and the US, has found that our oceans are becoming more layered and resistant to vertical mixing, due to increased warming at the surface from climate change. In the ocean, stratification occurs between water with different physical properties, such as temperature, salinity and … More Oceans becoming more stratified due to global warming

Massive iceberg on alarming collision course with marine life haven

13th Nov 2020

The world’s largest iceberg, A68a, is currently on course to ground itself off the coast of sub-Antarctic island South Georgia, which could have some serious negative implications for local marine life including penguins and seals. In 2017, A68a became the largest iceberg in the world’s oceans when it broke off from the Antarctic Peninsula. Ever … More Massive iceberg on alarming collision course with marine life haven

The beluga whales leading the way for marine mammal rehabilitation

23rd Oct 2020

Written by Alicia Shephard After a decade of being held captive for entertainment, two beluga whales are being re-released into the ocean – paving the way for marine mammal rehabilitation around the world. After being ripped from their home at just three years old and forced to spend over 10 years in captivity, ‘Little Grey’ … More The beluga whales leading the way for marine mammal rehabilitation

Fake turtle eggs used to track poachers via GPS

20th Oct 2020

A new study using artificial sea turtle eggs containing GPS loggers (known as InvestEGGators) has successfully revealed local poaching activity in Costa Rica, whilst also highlighting the effectiveness of this novel technology for future use. In today’s oceans sea turtles are faced with a long list of issues that pose a threat to their survival, … More Fake turtle eggs used to track poachers via GPS

New ‘pregnancy-style tests’ can detect destructive crown-of-thorns starfish on GBR

17th Sep 2020

A new testing kit created by researchers from Australia can detect the coral killing crown-of-thorns starfish in a similar way to a home pregnancy kit. Using a special dipstick researchers can detect microscopic amounts of their DNA at the surface, which could help control their destructive population outbreaks below. For well over 50 years the … More New ‘pregnancy-style tests’ can detect destructive crown-of-thorns starfish on GBR

Harmful light pollution reaches up to 75% of the seafloor surrounding coastal cities

25th Aug 2020

A ground-breaking new study has revealed for the first time the extent to which light pollution from coastal cities reaches nearby seafloor environments. It revealed that up to 75% of the 3D space surrounding the habitats can be exposed to light pollution, which can have highly damaging effects. Around 3/4 of world’s megacities are now … More Harmful light pollution reaches up to 75% of the seafloor surrounding coastal cities

Scientists discover new penguin colonies from space

19th Aug 2020

A new study using satellite mapping technology has revealed there are nearly 20% more emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica than was previously thought, which will help scientists accurately monitor the iconic seabirds in the future. Using Earth-orbiting satellites to locate and track marine animals is becoming an increasingly important study tool for researchers who are … More Scientists discover new penguin colonies from space