Ocean news from around the world

Deep sea mining /

North America

US deep-sea mining permits 'a danger to politics and protection'

Ocean NGOs and advocacy organisations have strongly condemned the latest move from the Canadian mining firm, The Metals Company to fast-track its deep-sea mining operation with an application through the US permitting process to commence work in international waters. Read More

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Canada /

Marine Life

‘Immigrant whales’ bring ancient feeding culture to recovering Canadian humpbacks

A new study finds that this ‘cultural knowledge’ is crucial for the long-term survival of whale populations as they adapt to climate change. Researchers say this underscores the growing need to integrate animal culture into marine management, particularly as human impacts on ocean ecosystems intensify.  Read More

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Marine Life /

North America

Positive microbe interactions reshape climate predictions

New research overturns long-held assumptions about how marine microbes interact, revealing that positive relationships dominate and suggesting current models of how ocean ecosystems respond to warming may be missing critical dynamics Read More

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Deep sea mining /

UK

Scientists detail deep sea expedition to understand ‘dark oxygen’

Scientists, led by Professor Andrew Sweetman, will investigate “dark oxygen” on the deep seafloor in April, using ocean roamers to study its role in sustaining life, amid concerns over biodiversity impacts and ongoing commercial interest in valuable polymetallic nodules. Read More

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Arctic /

Marine Life

Mating secrets of Bristol Bay belugas revealed in 13-year study

A new study reveals Bristol Bay beluga whales use a polygynandrous mating system, with both males and females mating with multiple partners to maintain genetic diversity, reduce inbreeding, and highlight female choice and long-term reproductive planning. Read More

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Antarctica /

Conservation

'Drastic change' to Antarctic penguins’ breeding season, as climate warms

Some penguin species are breeding up to three weeks earlier, the fastest changes in this kind of behaviour on record. Researchers warn the slower-to-adapt species risk being the ‘losers’ of climate change – and that this loss could cause ecosystem collapse. Read More

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Blue economy /

Spain

Opaque EU vessel ownership undermines its illegal fishing fight

Oceana warns that EU-owned fishing vessels operating under flags of convenience exploit enforcement gaps, weakening efforts to combat illegal fishing and allowing high-risk seafood to enter EU markets despite the bloc’s stated zero-tolerance policy. Read More

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Hawaii /

Marine Life

Study solves long-standing mystery around how tiger sharks mate

For years, the question of how tiger sharks mate has evaded researchers, but a six-year racking study has finally provided concrete evidence that the sharks mate annually – and has even identified a potential mating site. Read More

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High Seas /

UK

"High Seas Treaty offers hope, but only if protection is real"

Professor Callum Roberts warns achieving the 30x30 ocean target requires enforced protections. With the High Seas Treaty now in force, effective management and funding are essential to safeguard marine biodiversity and rebuild depleted fish stocks. Read More

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