15 Nov 2022

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, a multilateral agreement, currently lists nearly 70 elasmobranch fish species in its three appendices. These include manta rays (Mobula spp.), mako sharks (Isurusspp.) and sawfishes (family Pristidae). CITES is a United Nations agreement that is binding in 184 countries and limits […]

15 Nov 2022

The UKRI-supported ‘Sea the Value’ project is aimed at determining the economic, ecological and socio-cultural value of marine ecosystems. Following the UK Government Dasgupta Review, which found that biodiversity must be embedded in decision making to support nature recovery and halt biodiversity loss, a £6.4m funding package by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has been announced […]

15 Nov 2022

The Championing Coastal Coordination (3Cs) initiative is a programme of work that is being led by the Environment Agency with support from Natural England, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs).     It is a collaboration seeking to enhance and progress coordination for coastal sustainability and resilience […]

15 Nov 2022

About the Infrastructure Scheme At least £65 million in grant funding is available through the Infrastructure Scheme. The scheme will fund projects that improve the UK seafood sector supply chain through investment in: improved capability at ports, harbours, processing, and aquaculture facilities the social and economic welfare of coastal communities fleet modernisation recreational sea fishing […]

15 Nov 2022

Russia and China have again blocked plans supported by the European Union, the United States and 23 other nations to protect three vast stretches of ocean around Antarctica from most fishing. The 41st annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) closed without making significant progress toward the establishment of new marine protected […]

15 Nov 2022

The Commonwealth Secretariat has announced the first call for proposals under the newly established Commonwealth Blue Charter Project Incubator.     New technical support and funding is being made available to governments to support projects that promote ocean protection and marine development, while tackling climate change. This includes small grants worth between £5000 and £50,000 […]

10 Nov 2022

From densely developed cities and geometric agricultural plots to the ubiquitous roadways, pipelines and power grids, an aerial view of the earth reveals our impact on our landscapes. In less populated areas, unprecedented glacial melt and deep craters caused by the thawing of frozen soil and rock called permafrost megaslumps give stark reminders of the […]

09 Nov 2022

As COP27 continues (it goes on until 18 Nov), there have been some small signs of progress, including on climate disaster funding. However, major sticking points remain, including progress on emissions, which are continuing to increase, and of course cash. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the summit with a warning that our planet is “sending […]