A recovery in the number of corals growing on the Great Barrier Reef over recent years has paused, with government scientists blaming bleaching, disease and attacks by starfish. Results from the latest annual surveys of more than 100 individual reefs show a small drop in coral cover over the northern and central parts of the […]
Kelp forests are found along 25% of the world’s coastlines, generally in cold and nutrient rich water, in temperate and polar regions. These marine forests play a critical role in balancing the health of the ocean and the planet. They provide food and shelter for many marine species, create complex habitats, and are considered hotspots […]
The average daily global sea surface temperature beat a 2016 record this week, according to the EU’s climate change service Copernicus. It reached 20.96°C (69.73°F) – far above the average for this time of year. Warmer waters have less ability to absorb carbon dioxide, meaning more of that planet-warming gas will stay in […]
The Dogger Bank Wind Farm, when complete will occupy an area almost as large as Greater London, on seabed that once formed a land bridge between the UK and Europe. When fully complete it will have an installed capacity of 3.6GW of renewable electricity – more than two and a half times the size of […]
On 5 July 2023, Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMA) designations came into effect in Allonby Bay, North East of Farnes Deep and Dolphin Head, granting them the highest level of protection in our seas. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is now proposing specific management measures that will support the recovery of the HPMAs to a […]
The Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) establishes the basis for action over the next 5 years, building on and developing the approach from previous rounds since 2012. Actions identified for coastal and marine habitats and species include creation, restoration and enhancement of estuarine, coastal and marine habitats and developing an approach for marine net gain […]
Buying statutory biodiversity credits is a last resort option for developers if they are unable to use on-site or off-site units to deliver biodiversity net gain (BNG). In these circumstances they are able to buy statutory biodiversity credits using a credit sales service, which will be available once BNG becomes mandatory. A set of indicative […]
The State of the South West Seas in 2022 report has been prepared by a group of specialists working within the umbrella of the South-West Marine Ecosystems (SWME) programme. It reflects the work of both hundreds of volunteer citizen scientists and professionals working in the south-west. The SWME programme brings the marine and coastal community […]