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 […]

13 Jan 2026

Photo by Jack B   The UK Government remains largely off track to meet its environmental ambitions and legal obligations, with progress slowing compared to the previous year, according to the Office for Environmental Protection’s latest annual progress report published on 16 January. The OEP concludes that whilst there have been some areas of improvement, very substantial […]

09 Dec 2025

Photo by Anatol Rurac   The German government has launched a €20 million support scheme to permanently reduce its North Sea fishing fleet, acknowledging sustained pressure from declining quotas, offshore wind expansion and marine protected areas. The Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Homeland announced the programme will provide public funding to support vessel decommissioning, offering what it describes […]

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 […]