13 Aug 2024

With more than 500 species of sharks in the world’s oceans, ranging from the 7-inch dwarf lantern shark to 35 feet long whale shark, sharks are found from polar waters to the equator and at the water’s surface to miles deep. Although there is considerable variation in feeding modes and body sizes, sharks are often […]

13 Aug 2024

The first detailed maps from the underside of the Doston Ice Shelf in Antarctica has revealed patterns that couldn’t be explained by existing models. On one side of the ice shelf, areas where the ice had melted were teardrop shaped whilst the other side, however, resembled landscapes on ice.   Underside of the ice shelf. […]

06 Aug 2024

Every year brings exciting and interesting observations of marine life and environmental conditions that help us to understand how the marine environment ‘works’, how it is changing and whether management of human activities and impacts is making a difference to the health of our seas. Topics covered range from the marine heat wave, blooms of jellyfish, […]

06 Aug 2024

The Solent Seascape Project, the UK’s first large-scale marine restoration initiative, has been internationally recognized as a UN Ocean Decade Action, highlighting its global significance. The project aims to restore vital marine habitats—salt marshes, seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and seabird sites—across the Solent, a rich estuarine system between the Isle of Wight and mainland England. […]

06 Aug 2024

The UK government has announced a record-breaking budget of over £1.5 billion for its latest renewable energy auction, marking a significant increase of £500 million from previous allocations. This move, unveiled by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, aims to accelerate the country’s transition to clean energy by 2030, boosting energy security, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, […]

06 Aug 2024

The Government has announced a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), to be completed by the end of the year, to deliver on legally binding targets to save nature. 2030 ambitions remain The Government will develop a new, statutory plan to protect and restore our natural environment with delivery plans to meet each of […]

06 Aug 2024

A Private Members Bill to regulate and limit bottom trawling in MPAs, introduced by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick, has had its first reading in the House of Lords. As currently drafted it states that the regulations must prohibit bottom trawling in MPAs. These are defined as including Marine Conservation Zones, Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas, […]