Browsing: Environmental News

Researchers working in Queensland, Australia have discovered humpback whales breach to communicate with other pods of whales over 4 km (2.5 miles) apart. Wanting to know why these whales breach when migrating, researchers observed 94 different groups of whales during their migration to Antarctica. Their findings were published in Marine Mammal Science in November 2016.

Seals are cute and lovable but their slaughter in Canada’s annual spring hunt is neither. The mass killing is seem as inhumane by many people. It has also taken a huge toll on the species.

Seals are cute and lovable but their slaughter in Canada’s annual spring hunt is neither.…

With Earth Day just a few days away, PADI® is building on its longstanding history…

Science isn’t everything. But it is crucial to governing, decision-making, protecting human health and the environment and resolving questions and challenges around our existence.

Science isn’t everything. But it is crucial to governing, decision-making, protecting human health and the…

Real or near real time management of Pacific purse seine tuna fisheries is now possible for the first time in history, changing the game for fisheries management.

Majuro, Marshall Islands: Real or near real time management of Pacific purse seine tuna fisheries is…

Richelieu Rock, a dive site that is part of the Mu Koh Surin marine park in Thailand, has been destroyed. The site was recently captured on film, which showed the area covered in dead fish and with cracked areas of coral. The reef was known as one of the best diving sites in the world.

The Samoa and Tonga Sevens teams have been raising awareness for shark conservation with the Hong Kong Shark Foundation (HKSF), Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) and Tuen Mun Sharks Mini rugby club. They joined forces to share the plight of sharks during the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in April 2017.

The Samoa and Tonga Sevens teams have been raising awareness for shark conservation with the…

As climate change advances and triggers more frequent and severe tropical storms, floods, droughts and rising sea levels, we may wonder what could be worse. The answer is all of the above if they strike those living in poverty.

As climate change advances and triggers more frequent and severe tropical storms, floods, droughts and…

There was a time when we didn’t carry our groceries home in plastic bags. There was also a time when society was unaware of the damage plastics were creating in our oceans. Thankfully, we are more aware now.

“No Water, No Life. No Blue, No Green.” – Dr. Sylvia Earle There was a…

ARC Marine aims to protect the UK’s indigenous white-clawed freshwater crayfish population from extinction with their first custom-built reef structure at Vobster Quay, an inland water site and former quarry, near Radstock, Somerset.

ARC Marine aims to protect the UK’s indigenous white-clawed freshwater crayfish population from extinction with…

Since I started working as a geneticist in the early 1960s, the field has changed considerably. James Watson, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins won the 1962 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for their discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. Researchers then “cracked” the genetic code, which held promise for fields like health and medicine. It was an exciting time to be working in the lab.

Since I started working as a geneticist in the early 1960s, the field has changed…

Open University have launched a new Marine Litter MOOC, or Massive Open Online Course. Starting in May 2017, this course seeks to encourage people to take action to address the global problem of marine litter.

Open University have launched a new Marine Litter MOOC, or Massive Open Online Course. Starting…

Before leaving a port for a voyage across the ocean, large ships take on ballast water. When they get to their destination they no longer need it so it is discharged. This works well for those who handle the ship’s wheel, but it can have negative effects on the environment.

Before leaving a port for a voyage across the ocean, large ships take on ballast…

An opinion poll published today shows the Minister for Primary Industries, Hon. Nathan Guy MP, is out of step with public opinion on protecting the critically endangered Māui dolphin, said WWF-New Zealand.

An opinion poll published today shows the Minister for Primary Industries, Hon. Nathan Guy MP,…

We interviewed our director of research, Dr Enrico Gennari, to discuss white sharks, shark conservation and shark research.

The federal government recently created two marine protected areas in the Pacific region and has committed to increase ocean protection from one per cent to 10 by 2020. But will this be enough?

The federal government recently created two marine protected areas in the Pacific region and has…

Ten volunteer divers decided to turn up to try to help with the underwater litter pick, even though the conditions all week had been quite awful. Mark Milburn had been keeping a close eye on the weather and beach conditions. The decision was made to dive only from Gyllyngvase Beach, the conditions at the other beaches were either not suitable or not safe. Fathom’s Free set up their gazebo as a meeting point, for both divers and non divers. Once the meet time had passed, the ten keen divers kitted up, ready to enter what now looked like an inviting piece of water. Each pair were armed with at least one bag each, knowing what they had to do.

Ten volunteer divers decided to turn up to try to help with the underwater litter…

New Zealander Freeman White has created a stunning shark mural as a tribute to the late Rob Stewart. The mural was created as part of the Seawalls: Artists for Oceans festival in Napier during 20th – 25th March 2017 and is one of twenty large-scale murals around the city.

New Zealander Freeman White has created a stunning shark mural as a tribute to the…

If you own a smartphone, you have more computing power at your fingertips than NASA scientists had when they put people on the moon in 1969! And it’s in a small device, unlike the massive hardware the space agency used.

If you own a smartphone, you have more computing power at your fingertips than NASA…

The Nova Scotia Supreme Court has confirmed that polluters must clean up a contaminated site in Harrietsfield, N.S., that has left many residents without access to clean, safe drinking water of an acceptable quality for nearly a decade.

Nova Scotia Supreme Court says polluters must clean up a site that left water contaminated.…

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhat Binsar Pandjaitan, has announced up to one billion dollars will be pledged to reduce Indonesia’s plastic waste by seventy per cent over the next eight years. The announcement was made at the 2017 World Oceans Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali. Luhat confirmed that Indonesia will be focussing on plastic alternatives and education initiatives to achieve their goal. Their plan is part of the global UN Clean Seas campaign to reduce major marine waste sources by 2022.

For several years, Mark Milburn and his team of volunteer divers have been collecting rubbish from underwater, around Falmouth. This year they are teaming up with Fathoms Free, Falmouth Bay Residents Association and Falmouth Town Council, to complete underwater, beach and street litter picks, around Falmouth and it’s beaches.

For several years, Mark Milburn and his team of volunteer divers have been collecting rubbish…

We recently highlighted the faulty logic of a pseudoscientific argument against addressing climate change: the proposition that because CO2 is necessary for plants, increasing emissions is good for the planet and the life it supports. Those who read, write or talk regularly about climate change and ecology are familiar with other anti-environmental arguments not coated with a scientific sheen.

We recently highlighted the faulty logic of a pseudoscientific argument against addressing climate change: the…

So far, 2017 has been a remarkable year for the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman. First, the online travel site TripAdvisor.com named the resort to its top 25 in the Caribbean in two categories based on customer reviews: Best Hotel for Service and Best for Romance. Adding to the awards, administrations manager Neil van Niekerk was named an “Emerging Hero in Tourism” by the Cayman Islands government, and resort owner Peter Hillenbrand was recognized for his “Long Service to Cayman Tourism.”

The warmer temperatures experienced in the Arctic as climate change progresses lead to a greater release of methane when the permafrost melts. But methane is also being released when ice in thousands of lakes in the north melts in the spring and frozen methane bubbles are released.

The warmer temperatures experienced in the Arctic as climate change progresses lead to a greater…

World Water Day is a constant that always is celebrated on March 22. The changeable factor is the theme. This year’s theme asks “Why waste water?” It’s about reducing our use of water and reusing wastewater. The thrust is to cut in half the amount of untreated wastewater and increase water recycling where it can be used safely.