06 Dec 2022

For two years the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group (LGA Coastal SIG), in partnership with the Coastal Group Network (CGN) have been working together under a “call to arms” to better understand the challenge of coastal landfill and its impact on the coast. This summer they circulated a survey to their membership to […]

06 Dec 2022

Scientists have identified a population of endangered oceanic manta rays off the coast of Ecuador that is 10 times larger than any other known population. The discovery offers hope for the future of the species, experts say. “This is a rare story of ocean optimism,” Joshua Stewart, an ecologist at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal […]

06 Dec 2022

The National Trust has warned that the proposed £2bn tidal barrage across The Wash in East Anglia would greatly harm the nature and habitat in the area. On November 22nd we reported that the Eastern Daily Press had revealed plans for a tidal barrage stretching from Norfolk to Lincolnshire, which could generate tidal power, protect […]

06 Dec 2022

OSPAR is considering extending a Marine Protected Area the size of France to cover the seabed and other species and habitats. The OSPAR Commission for the protection of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) is seeking stakeholder views on proposed expansion to the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea basin Marine Protected Area […]

06 Dec 2022

Fishing businesses and marine organisations in Scotland’s coastal communities will benefit from Marine Fund Scotland’s latest round of funding, the Scottish Government has announced. A total of 60 projects which contribute to innovative and sustainable practices, minimise carbon emissions and support coastal communities, will receive grants ranging from £7,000 to £1.2 million.     Projects […]

29 Nov 2022

The Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, has announced the commencement of the Welsh Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) designation pre-consultation engagement process. Following the publication of the expert led ‘Biodiversity Deep Dive’ – commissioned by Welsh Government to assess how nature recovery across land and sea can best be accelerated – the Minister has said […]

29 Nov 2022

Population numbers of a critically endangered fish could be improved thanks to a new partnership between an electricity company and a marine conservation group, the Independent reported. The flapper skate, which is normally found in north-east Atlantic waters, is the largest known skate the world. They are considered a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation […]

29 Nov 2022

Does biodiversity-focused protection of the seabed deliver carbon benefits? A U.K. case study Researchers have found that by using recent data on UK seabed sediment carbon and mobile bottom fishing, the current UK Marine Protected Area network is likely to offer limited carbon benefit, even if fully protected. Dr Graham Epstein of the University of […]