Population crash means African penguins are now critically endangered

In the mid-1950s, there were an estimated 141,000 breeding pairs of African penguins, or 282,000 mature individuals, mostly on small islands off the coasts of Namibia and South Africa. By 2023, this number plummeted to around 9,900 pairs, or 19,800 individuals — a 93% population decline over some 70 years. Read more here.

8 corporate executives dive into challenge for marine conservation

On a Wednesday night in October, a group of 8 corporate executives shed their suits and took a plunge into the waters of Repulse Bay on Hong Kong Island, seeking respite from their demanding schedules. However, even experienced swimmers with two headlights found themselves disoriented in the murky depths. Read more here.

English seagrass success promises worldwide boost

The project, which also included protection of the hard pink coralline algae called maerl, involved tackling pressures on natural habitats such as recreational anchoring and mooring and educational outreach, along with trials of several seagrass-restoration methods. Read more here.

Young scouts explore and protect the marine ecosystem of Galapagos

The initiative provides these young aquanauts with diving and underwater exploration skills, ultimately building a local team capable of conducting ocean conservation underwater projects. Read more here.

How the oceans fared at the COP16 biodiversity conference in Colombia

The announcement came early on the morning of Oct. 31. Delegates to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity summit (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, had finally agreed on a protocol for identifying for protection unique parts of the high seas, the two-thirds of the world’s oceans that are international waters. Read more here.