Oil pollution exposé, a new shark species, and a Plankton Manifesto
Big Blue Bulletin #29
Welcome to the latest edition of the Big Blue Bulletin – a weekly roundup of marine conservation news and updates. Expect good news, bad news, and a cute creature in your inbox every Friday.
Let’s dive in 🐬
Ocean news
🗞️ Big news of the week -
🛢️ Oil pollution in UK waters far worse than reported, says conservation group
“‘Opaque’ recording system means recorded volume of everyday oil pollution over the past decade should be increased by 43%, according to Oceana report.”
Earlier this week I wrote about the dangers of blindly chasing targets and goals as a means to conserve the ocean. Weak marine protection can create a false sense of security when what our ocean needs is protected areas with robust management, proper enforcement, and total restrictions on harmful activities.
However, Oceana's latest report on oil pollution in UK waters now amplifies this concern. The 'opaque' reporting system that they have exposed exemplifies how our ocean's supposed protections can be so easily swerved. With 248 permit breaches occurring in marine 'sanctuaries', we must ask: what protective measures do these areas actually enforce?
Our MPAs should be more than just lines on a map. They need to be tailored to the needs of the local area and robust enough to prevent and penalise breaches such as this, with transparent reporting and strict enforcement. Only then can we say we're truly on our way to protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.
🦈 New shark species named for late Microsoft co-founder
“A hammerhead shark species discovered by FIU scientists finally has a name and its namesake is the late Paul G. Allen, philanthropist and cofounder of Microsoft.”
🌱 Landmark reports reveal amount of carbon stored in seabed habitats
“A new series of reports published by a coalition of nature charities means the UK is the first nation to map and estimate the amount of carbon stored in its seabed habitats, including in MPAs.”
🐋 More female sperm whales being found off Irish coast
“A new study on sperm whales off the coast of Ireland has found females and their calves are swimming in higher latitudes than before.”
🧬 DNA test helps identify sailor from doomed Arctic expedition
“A second member of a doomed 1845 expedition through the Canadian Arctic has been identified by researchers using a DNA sample from a living descendant.”
🎣 ‘Sustainable fishing’ must be redefined to halt ocean destruction
“Top ocean experts have published a report that redefines the concept of sustainable fishing and proposes 11 “golden rules” that challenge the current flawed approach in fisheries management.”
🏠 10 homes in this US village have collapsed into the sea since 2020
“Their destruction has been decades in the making as beach erosion and climate change slowly edged the Atlantic closer.”
🦐 University scientist plays key role in global Plankton Manifesto
“A scientist from the University of Plymouth has played an integral role in an international coalition driving the development of a global Plankton Manifesto.”
🌍 Nature is adapting to climate change – why aren’t we?
“Humanity may be no better prepared for the impacts of climate change today than in the 1970s.”
🦈 Minke whale sightings surge but basking sharks decline, finds Hebrides study
“When sighting rates for basking sharks are high they are low for minke whales, says monitoring programme.”
🌊 ‘Chronically submerged’: Europe’s overseas territories are battling sea level rise
“Residents of former Dutch colony Bonaire have sued the Netherlands for lack of action against climate change.”
Have a great weekend! 📸
Cover image by Carina Johansen/Bloomberg.
I fear disclosures such as this about oil pollution are only the proverbial tip of the iceberg.