Cook Islands discusses deep-sea mining research with China

Cook Islands has licensed three companies to explore the seabed for nodules rich in metals such as nickel and cobalt, which are used in electric car batteries. Read more here.

Footage shows coral bleaching at Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef

Divers have documented evidence of what conservationists say is widespread coral bleaching at the Ningaloo Reef off Western Australia’s north-west coast. Waters off WA have been affected by a prolonged marine heatwave since September, with ocean temperatures 1.5C higher than average over a five-month period. Read more here.

Poachers caught using cloned permit in Vaquita refuge

On February 14, 2025, the Sea Shepherd vessel Seahorse, stationed 24/7 in the Zero Tolerance Area (ZTA) of the Vaquita Porpoise Refuge, detected an illegal fishing vessel in the central zone on it’s long-range radar. Read more here.

Taiping Island leads Taiwan in sea turtle nesting

The Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA, 海洋保育署) announced on Monday (Feb. 17) that Taiping Island (太平島) has become the nation’s leader in sea turtle nesting, with over 100 mother turtles arriving to lay eggs. This milestone highlights the island’s rich marine biodiversity and marks Taiwan’s first systematic study of Taiping Island’s turtle ecology. Read more here.

Rare oarfish swims on Mexican Beach

A group of beachgoers spotted a rarely-seen fish in the shallow waters of Mexico. Read more here.