All articles tagged with #ocean conservation
The feature explores the global rise of mermaiding—from professional instructors and tail-makers to conventions and retreats—focusing on the training, safety considerations, and conservation messages that drive this growing community.
Kristina Gjerde, a pioneering ocean advocate and legal expert, played a crucial role in establishing the 2023 High Seas Treaty, transforming international efforts to protect biodiversity beyond national borders through persistent coalition-building, scientific integration, and diplomatic negotiation, leaving a lasting legacy in marine governance.
Croatian freediver Vitomir Maričić set a new world record by holding his breath for 29 minutes and 3 seconds in an oxygen-assisted attempt, nearly five minutes longer than the previous record, highlighting extraordinary human breath-holding capabilities and raising awareness for ocean conservation.
A 2025 deep-sea expedition in the Southern Ocean discovered 30 new species, including a carnivorous sponge, armored worms, and a juvenile colossal squid, highlighting the vast, largely undocumented biodiversity of the ocean's depths and emphasizing the urgency of conservation efforts amid ongoing threats to marine life.
Taylor Swift's appearance wearing a vintage Sea Otter shirt in her music video led to a surge in donations and the re-release of the shirt, raising over $2 million for the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Program through a limited-edition campaign.
A massive great white shark named Contender, over 14 feet long and weighing 1,650 pounds, has been tracked near North Carolina's coast, highlighting the importance of understanding shark migration for conservation and safety. The shark's journey underscores the need for respect and awareness of marine ecosystems, especially during peak migration seasons, as scientists gather data to protect these vital predators and their habitats.
The WTO's agreement to reduce fishing subsidies, aimed at combating overfishing and promoting ocean sustainability, has officially taken effect with 112 countries onboard, though key players like India and Indonesia have yet to sign. The deal primarily targets illegal fishing and overfished stocks, with plans for a second phase to address subsidies that promote overcapacity in fishing fleets. Experts emphasize that while this is a significant step, more efforts are needed to prevent the depletion of global fish stocks.
The article discusses the rapid recovery of reef systems in Hawai'i during COVID-19 closures, advances in testing AI's understanding of physical laws, the discovery of Australia's largest fossilized pearl, a high-efficiency heat engine challenging thermodynamics, and a woman with extraordinary autobiographical memory, highlighting human impacts and scientific progress.
Surfer Jason Breen rescued a blue groper trapped in a tidal pool in Sydney, releasing it back into the ocean, and later saw the fish again, feeling a deep connection to marine life.
David Attenborough's film 'Ocean' highlights the beauty and vulnerability of marine life, exposing destructive practices like bottom trawling and emphasizing the urgent need for ocean protection, with hopeful signs of recovery through marine reserves and conservation efforts.
Prince William made a solo appearance at Monaco's Blue Economy and Finance Forum, emphasizing the importance of marine conservation and his growing role as a global environmental advocate, especially amid his father's cancer treatment. He highlighted the urgent need to protect oceans, showcased environmental solutions from the Earthshot Prize, and engaged with world leaders to push for increased marine protected areas ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
Sir David Attenborough shared a near-drowning experience while testing a scuba helmet in the 1950s and discussed the current state of ocean health with Prince William, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness and action to protect marine life, as highlighted in his new documentary Ocean.
David Attenborough expressed his horror at human damage to the deep ocean floor during a conversation with Prince William, highlighting the need for increased awareness and action to protect ocean ecosystems, as showcased in his new documentary 'Ocean with David Attenborough' released on World Oceans Day.
Ocean Conservation Namibia, a nonprofit group, has rescued around 3,000 seals entangled in marine garbage since 2020, with videos of its rescues becoming a sensation during the pandemic. The group, founded by Katja and Naude Dreyer, has garnered attention for its efforts in disentangling seals from fishing gear and other maritime garbage, highlighting the growing crisis of marine trash while providing a feel-good ending for the affected animals. Their work has been praised for its significant impact in addressing the issue of marine debris.
Researchers studying plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean found equally large quantities of microplastics in a remote marine reserve northwest of Hawaii, challenging previous assumptions about plastic distribution. The study highlights the widespread impact of plastic pollution on the entire ocean ecosystem and emphasizes the urgent need for global efforts to address the issue efficiently.