A new suite of reports has been released which examine Blue Carbon sequestration in restored saltmarsh sites across England. There is growing interest in restoration and creation of coastal wetland habitats from both a biodiversity and blue carbon perspective. Areas of interest for understanding the carbon offsetting potential and natural capital benefits include: Evaluating carbon […]
The UK government has partnered with conservation charity ZSL to launch an app update that enables wildlife enthusiasts to track and log marine creatures in waters around British Overseas Territories (OTs). The announcement was made by the Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Lord Benyon, at the Blue Belt Symposium in […]
The Marine Directorate of Scotland is conducting an evaluation of the Regional Inshore Fisheries Groups (RIFGs) and is seeking input from individuals and organisations involved in the inshore fishing industry. The Marine Directorate is inviting the public, researchers and organisations involved in the inshore fishing industry in Scotland to share views on the 6 Scottish […]
The Danish fishing industry has raised concerns over the UK’s decision to close sandeel fishing in its waters, particularly in the Dogger Bank region. England and Scotland announced a prohibition on commercial sandeel fishing in UK waters of the North Sea (Area 4) from 2024, a move conservationists say will be a “game changer” for […]
Connecting Shores is a recently launched audio documentary series that will explore the relationship young people of colour have with the sea and coastal environments. Commissioned and funded by Natural England, the series has been created by Exeter-born sound artist Somatic and will be broadcast on BBC Radio Devon and Cornwall next month. This will […]
New satellite data from the European Copernicus Climate Change Service shows the global average sea surface temperature in February was 21.06C, higher than the previous record of 20.98C set in August 2023. Maps released by the organisation show huge areas of the world’s ocean were much warmer than the long-term average. The Atlantic was particularly warm, including the […]
By Claire Szostek, Marine Ecologist at Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Towering up to 260m above the ocean’s surface, modern wind turbines are impressive feats of engineering, producing much-needed renewable energy. But what happens beneath the waves? Government policymakers need reliable evidence to make planning decisions about new offshore wind developments and ensure positive outcomes. Currently, this evidence comes […]
By Samantha Garrard, Senior Marine Ecosystem Services Researcher at Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Plastic has been found in every single part of the ocean, from the surface to the seafloor and from the tropics to the poles. Land-based sources of plastic account for the majority of this pollution, with plastic bags, bottles, wrappers, food containers and cutlery among […]