24 Jun 2025
A new study highlights the unevenness of our knowledge of ocean biodiversity. Despite decades of ocean exploration, basic answers to one of the most fundamental ecological questions is still lacking: where is marine life found, and why? Biodiversity data underpin everything from habitat protection to climate impact modelling. The current data gaps mean that scientific […]
24 Jun 2025
The UK government’s Department for Environment, Fisheries & Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched two new consultations, one covering changes to marine licence fees, exemptions and self-service provision; the other consultation seeks input on the third update of the UK Marine Strategy Part One, which outlines the UK Government and Devolved Administrations’ approach to achieving Good […]
24 Jun 2025
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has published the findings of research that examined the potential feasibility of a targeted octopus fishery in southwest England based on stakeholder observations of generally increasing abundance of octopus and subsequent increase in bycatches. The project investigated trends in octopus abundance spatially and temporally, as well as exploring opportunities and […]
24 Jun 2025
A new initiative to streamline marine licensing to support sustainable growth, clean energy and the UK’s future infrastructure whilst safeguarding the seas around England’s shores, has been launched. The collaboration led by the UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) directly supports the UK government’s wider ambition to boost economic growth […]
24 Jun 2025
Image description: A person holding out their hands palms up, covered with a thick coating of black oil after an oil spill in the Niger delta. Image by Jerry Chidi / Climate Visuals. The UK High Court recently delivered a milestone judgement for environmental justice: Shell (and its former Nigerian subsidiary) can be held […]
17 Jun 2025
Photo of beach in Nice, France, by Amira El Fohail At the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, held from 9th – 13th June 2025 and co‑hosted by France and Costa Rica, governments, heads of state and more than 10,000 delegates, including 60 world leaders, gathered to confront an ocean in crisis. Against […]
17 Jun 2025
Photo of the Houses of Parliament by R Spegel A cross-party committee of UK MPs has called for a comprehensive reform of the nation’s marine governance system to better involve coastal communities in decisions affecting their local marine environments. The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) released a report on 5th June, 2025, recommending the establishment […]
17 Jun 2025
Photo of Kaikoura, New Zealand, by Helen Stegney New Zealand, home to one of the world’s largest exclusive economic zones (EEZs), is under increasing pressure to enhance its marine conservation efforts. Despite its vast ocean territory, less than 1% is designated as highly protected, falling short of the nation’s commitment to protect 30% of […]
Prev