Bottom trawling stops ocean absorbing carbon dioxide, study says

The resuspension of seafloor sediments – a process triggered by human activities such as bottom trawling as well as natural processes like storms and tides – can significantly increase the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, a new study looking into the CO2 processes in the Baltic Sea has concluded. Read more here.

Trump order to loosen fishing regulations poses major risks, experts warn

As one of the most pristine tropical marine environments in the world, the monument is now at risk following Trump’s decision last week to unleash American commercial fishing in the area with far-reaching environmental consequences. Read more here.

South Georgia sees significant scale up of marine protected areas

Enhanced measures to significantly scale up areas of protected marine space across some 500,000-square kilometres of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands have come into force this week, marking a major milestone in the territory’s commitment to sustainability. Read more here.

Revive our ocean initiative: New initiatives launched to revive oceans through community led protection

The initiative hopes to remove key barriers that prevent coastal communities from protecting and managing their ocean spaces and aims to inspire, enable and equip communities to lead marine conservation efforts. Read more here.

New EU plastic pellet rules greeted with auction

A coalition of leading European environmental groups has cautiously welcomed a “landmark” agreement by lawmakers in Brussels on new rules aimed at curbing a major source of microplastic pollution in the world’s oceans. Read more here.