From sea slugs to sunflowers, California Academy of Sciences described 72 new species in 2025

The discoveries include the first new plant genus found in a U.S. national park in nearly 50 years — a fuzzy wildflower called the woolly devil spotted by a volunteer in Texas — and the Galápagos lava heron, a commonly seen bird that DNA analysis revealed is actually a distinct species. Read more here.

Scientists Discover A Hidden Deep-Sea World Beneath The Arctic Ocean

Scientists have found a hidden world deep beneath the Arctic Ocean that is changing how we understand life in the deep sea and how carbon moves through the Earth. This newly discovered ecosystem lies far below the ocean surface, in complete darkness and freezing cold, yet it is full of life, reported Newsweek. Read more here.

Mexico Bans Captive Marine Mammals in Entertainment in a Historic Ocean Conservation Victory

Mexico has made a landmark decision for ocean wildlife and animal welfare by officially banning the use of captive marine mammals in entertainment. Dolphin, orcas, sea lions, and other marine mammals can no longer be kept for performance shows or commercial attractions. Read more here.

Asia steps up regional push for large-scale ocean protection

Workshop builds momentum for regional collaboration toward the 30×30 goal. Read more here.

Marine protected areas expanded in 2025, but still far from 30% goal

In December 2022, nearly 200 nations committed to protecting 30% of Earth’s lands and waters by 2030. As of 2025, about 9.6% of the world’s oceans are now covered by marine protected areas, according to the latest global tracking data by the World Database on Protected Areas. This marks a 1.2% increase in 2025, up from 8.4% coverage in 2024. Read more here.