Category Archives: Marine
Socio-economic considerations of establishing a Marine Protected Area in the Chagos Archipelago
The British Ecological Society recently submitted a response to a Foreign and Commonwealth Office consultation document supporting the creation of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Chagos Archipelago. In producing the response to the consultation, the BES recognised that … Continue reading
Destruction of coral reefs and pristine marine habitats by deep sea trawling
A survey of the world’s reefs and sea mounts has revealed that deep-sea trawling is causing widespread destruction of marine habitats. Deep-sea trawlers drag giant nets over the seafloor, destroying habitat over huge areas. Cold water coral reefs in temperate … Continue reading
Ocean Acidification Needs Greater Consideration by Policy-Makers
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Hilary Benn MP, is due to address policy-makers assembled at the UN climate change summit in Copenhagen today, as part of ‘Oceans Day’. The Secretary of State is due … Continue reading
UK Marine Bill becomes law
The UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill was granted Royal Assent yesterday (12th November), meaning that it has now become law. It has taken many years of work by the ecological and environmental community, but a network of Marine Conservation … Continue reading
Rebuilding Fish Stocks to Restore Fisheries
New research published in the journal Science shows that efforts made to rebuild depleted fish stocks are worthwhile and can be successful. An international team of researchers evaluated the condition of marine fisheries and the effects of fishing in ten … Continue reading
“Killer” spices and toxic plastic
New research presented at the American Chemical Society meeting in Washington this week (and reported in National Geographic) suggests that herbs and spices may offer an alternative to chemical pesticides. Oils from thyme, rosemary, mint and other herbs should repel … Continue reading
CBD Launch Scientific Synthesis on Impact of Ocean Fertilisation on Biodiversity
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), has prepared a report on the potential impacts of direct human-induced ocean fertilization on marine biodiversity. The report is now … Continue reading
Chair Designate of MMO Announced
The Chair Designate of the Marine Management Organisation has been announced as Christopher Parry. Mr Parry will become Chair once the Marine Bill has passed through Parliament and received Royal Assent. In making the announcement yesterday Defra outlined Mr Parry’s … Continue reading
Mussel Farming May Reduce Eutrophication at Sea
Under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Member States must agree on common environmental targets and should establish a programme outlining how these targets will be met. Researchers have demonstrated that mussel farming may be a cost-effective way to remove … Continue reading
The Coral Reef Crisis: Addressing the Threats of Global Warming and Ocean Acidification
Coral reefs are directly impacted by the synergistic effects of global warming and ocean acidification and are likely to be placed into a situation of irreversible decline if immediate steps are not taken to reduce CO2 emissions. In December 2009, … Continue reading