03 Mar 2026

Photo by Doncoombez   The UK Government has laid a draft statutory instrument to amend the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, bringing forward new powers to enable offshore wind deployment under the Energy Act 2023 — a long-awaited reform that conservation groups have cautiously welcomed, while warning that a critical flaw in the draft […]

24 Feb 2026

Photo by Maxwell Andrews   The Orkney Islands Regional Marine Plan has been formally adopted by Scottish Ministers, establishing a statutory framework for managing marine activities out to 12 nautical miles from the coast. The plan, the second of its kind for the Orkney Islands Scottish Marine Region, sets binding policy for a wide range of sectors […]

26 Jan 2026

Photo by Ray Aucott   Thailand’s Andaman Coast dugong population may have fallen by more than half in recent years, as more dead or stranded animals wash ashore pointing to a larger biodiversity crisis in the world’s seas. The Andaman Coast is home to one of the largest dugong populations in the world, with 273 […]

20 Jan 2026

Photo by Jean Vella   The Irish Government has been criticised for delays to marine protection legislation as environmental groups warn the country is falling behind on its commitment to protect marine habitats. A coalition of environmental organisations told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs on 13 January that Ireland is falling behind on […]

20 Jan 2026

Photo by Dariia Lemesheva   New technology is safeguarding whales at sea by predicting and reducing vessel strikes, with innovative automatic identification systems showing remarkable success in protecting critically endangered species. A partnership between IFAW, MotionInfo, Conserve.IO and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is deployingAutomatic Identification Systems technology along the US East Coast to protect North […]

09 Dec 2025

Photo by Lawrence Hookham   Annual catch negotiations for the UK’s largest cod stock have failed to follow the scientific advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, which urgently recommended zero catch to allow for population recovery. The EU, UK and Norway instead agreed a total allowable catch of 14,034 tonnes for 2026. […]

09 Dec 2025

Photo by NOAA   A large-scale deep-sea mining trial has caused a 37% decline in the abundance of animals living on the Pacific Ocean floor, according to the most comprehensive study of its kind published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. The research provides critical evidence as international regulators debate whether to permit commercial seabed mining. Scientists from […]