Category Archives: Marine

All Or Nothing For Marine Protected Areas?

A team of scientists, led by Enric Sala, a marine ecologist with the Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes in Spain, investigated rocky reefs around Mediterranean shores and the impact of protection level on the health of these marine ecosystems. … Continue reading

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MSC report shows progress towards more sustainable seafood consumption

Figures due to be released by the Marine Stewardship Council show that the number of fish and seafood products in the UK certified as ‘sustainable’ has increased by 41% since 2010. What fisheries minister Richard Benyon has described as a … Continue reading

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Ocean acidification: a policy gap to address at Rio+20?

A study due to be published in Nature Climate Change journal (released to press) suggests that the current rate of ocean acidification, caused by increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, could be up to two orders of magnitude greater than … Continue reading

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Plans unveiled for 127 Marine Conservation Zones in England’s waters

Plans have been unveiled today for 127 Marine Conservation Zones in England’s waters, enacting a requirement of the 2009 Marine and Coastal Access Act. Four regional projects have engaged stakeholders from local communities, industry and the Government over the past … Continue reading

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Scotland launches marine survey

Scottish government has announched that eight surveys covering 2,200 square miles will be conducted in Scottish waters in order to collect information on its marine biodiversity. The surveys are in collaboration with Marine Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency … Continue reading

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Highlighting Research from the World’s Largest Marine Protected Area

A meeting at the Linnean Society on 24th November 2011 will unveil the highlights from a decade of research into the Chagos Archipelago; the world’s largest marine protected area (MPA). Organised in partnership with the Chagos Conservation Trust and supported … Continue reading

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Discards are discarded in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

The European Commission is expected to announce a ban on discards during Wednesday this week as part of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The shake-up brings victory for TV chef, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall who fronted the Big Fish … Continue reading

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The state of our oceans

A panel of scientists has today concluded that the planets oceans are in an even worse state that previously considered, with some referring to the results as “shocking”. The report, written by experts on coral reefs, fisheries, climate and pollution … Continue reading

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Can Aquaculture have a sustainable future?

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector but there is still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding it’s environmental impact and how this is likely to change into the future as the sector expands to meet global food demands. … Continue reading

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EU takes bold new action on illegal fishing

Spanish officials today seized over £4 million worth of illegally caught fish landed in the Canary Islands. It is thought the move is the start of a new EU scheme to prevent to deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated … Continue reading

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