26 Aug 2025

Photo by Bob Brewer   Scotland’s fishing industry is calling for an immediate halt to new offshore wind consents, describing the rapid expansion of projects as a “reckless stampede” that threatens both livelihoods and marine ecosystems. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF), which represents a large part of the fleet, has urged ministers to impose a […]

26 Aug 2025

Photo by Ryan Loughlin   Marine scientists have reported a sharp rise in whale and dolphin strandings across Scotland, describing the increase as “exponential” and raising concern for the health of marine ecosystems. According to the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, this summer has seen record numbers of strandings, including several high-profile incidents in Orkney and along […]

26 Aug 2025

Photo by Jonathan Borba   Scientists at Plymouth Marine Laboratory have reported that seafloor temperatures around the UK are rising significantly, posing new risks to marine ecosystems. The study, which analysed decades of oceanographic data, found that warming is not confined to surface waters but is increasingly affecting habitats on the seabed. Researchers warned that these […]

26 Aug 2025

Photo by Guillaume Perigois   The European Commission has announced €116m for 13 new projects across Europe aimed at restoring oceans, seas and rivers. The initiatives form part of the EU’s Mission Ocean and Waters, which seeks to protect and restore the health of aquatic ecosystems by 2030. The selected projects will tackle a range of issues […]

26 Aug 2025

Photo by Rob Webbon   The White House has ordered construction of the Revolution Wind offshore project to stop, citing unspecified national security risks. The $4bn scheme, being developed by Ørsted and Eversource off Rhode Island and Connecticut, was weeks away from completion and expected to power 350,000 homes. The Trump administration said the decision was necessary […]

26 Aug 2025

Photo by Dear Sunflower   Marine biologists have launched public surveys to investigate an extraordinary increase in octopus sightings along the South West coast of England. The initiative, coordinated by the Marine Biological Association (MBA), follows widespread reports from fishers and coastal communities of unusually high numbers of common octopus in recent months. The MBA has described […]

19 Aug 2025

Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen   Global negotiations to forge the world’s first legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution have collapsed for the second time in eight months, as countries remain fundamentally divided over whether to limit plastic production or focus solely on waste management solutions. The sixth round of talks under the Intergovernmental […]

19 Aug 2025

Photo by Yomex Owo   The Scottish Government’s new seabird conservation action plan has received a mixed reception from conservationists, with leading wildlife groups welcoming the strategy whilst warning that recent offshore wind farm approvals could undermine its effectiveness. The Scottish Seabird Conservation Action Plan, launched on 13 August at the Scottish Seabird Centre in […]