02 Dec 2025

Photo by Samuel Costa Melo   COP30 in Belém, Brazil, elevated the ocean, bringing it closer to the heart of the global climate agenda, but the deep sea representing roughly 90% of the ocean stayed buried in the margins, with the world’s biggest natural carbon sink not receiving mention in the final decision texts. Brazil announced today at COP30 […]

02 Dec 2025

Photo by Benjamin L. Jones   The Marine Management Organisation has published comprehensive guidance on seagrass protection and recovery, highlighting the importance of this marine habitat which has declined by over 40% in the UK since the 1930s. The guidance provides information on UK seagrass, the value of this underwater flowering plant, and the MMO’s role in […]

11 Nov 2025

Photo by Chris Marquardt   Leading polar scientists have issued a stark warning that five widely publicised geoengineering proposals for the Arctic and Antarctica are unlikely to work, could harm fragile ecosystems, and risk diverting attention from urgent emissions reductions. The comprehensive assessment, published in Frontiers in Science, examined technological interventions proposed to delay or mitigate climate impacts […]

04 Nov 2025

Photo by David Clode   The European Union has introduced new rules to protect the Dogger Bank, an emblematic Natura 2000 site in the waters of Germany and the Netherlands, with a ban on mobile bottom-contacting fishing gear in specific areas coming into effect on 18 November 2025. Protection measures and objectives Starting 18th November 2025, fishing […]

04 Nov 2025

Photo by Knut Troim   The Antarctic krill fishery has become the focal point of escalating international tensions, with Norway’s proposal to nearly double catch limits, the arrest of a Ukrainian marine biologist on treason charges, and a major UK retailer’s decision to withdraw from the krill market highlighting the complex challenges facing Southern Ocean […]

28 Oct 2025

Plymouth Marine Laboratory and University of Plymouth awarded £2m to revolutionise understanding of Atlantic Ocean ecosystems Photo by NOAA Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the University of Plymouth have been awarded £2 million to deploy artificial intelligence in creating the largest-ever study of vulnerable deep-sea habitats, with the project set to revolutionise understanding and protection of […]

07 Oct 2025

Photo by Brad Lewis   Scotland has introduced new fisheries management measures across 20 offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025 was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 12 September and is scheduled to come into force on 16 October 2025. The legislation introduces site-specific restrictions on fishing methods […]

07 Oct 2025

Photo by Jannet Serhan   The Scottish Government is investigating after two boats were filmed allegedly scallop dredging in a marine protected area in the north-west Highlands. Footage shows the Dawn Maid and another vessel hauling up gear after being challenged in Loch Alsh, between the Scottish mainland and Skye. The activity was spotted on […]