The Next Food Revolution: Fish Farming?
Farmed seafood exceeded global beef production for the first time in 2011 and now provides about half of all fish consumed by humans. Yet aquaculture comes with a host of problems, from pollution of coastal areas and ecosystems, to sanitary issues and diseases, to the major challenge facing aquaculture: the issue of fish feed.
New Study Provides First Field Observations of Rare Omura’s Whales
An international team of biologists has made the first-ever field observations of one of the least known species of whales in the world—Omura’s whales—in the shallow waters of coastal Madagascar.
The Pacific Is About to Get a Massive New Ocean Reserve
The nation of Palau in the western Pacific just protected 80 percent of their ocean.
China Visit Seals Deal On ‘China Eden’ Project
Sir Tim Smit has signed a contract to build an Eden Project on the east coast of China. He said it would be an “iconic building” to demonstrate the region’s commitment to sustainability. The new Eden will be located on a barren piece of reclaimed land that sits on a convergence of two rivers near Qingdao.
OAS, Principality of Monaco & National Geographic Join Forces for the Oceans
To mark this year’s fifth anniversary of the admission of the Principality of Monaco as an observer to the Organization of American States (OAS), the Embassy of Monaco is spearheading a forum, free and open to the public, within the framework of the OAS Policy Roundtables in an area of special interest to HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and central to the agenda of his Foundation: the preservation of the oceans and marine conservation.
Ocean Protection Is Gaining Momentum
Extraordinary progress in the past decade has brought 1.6 percent of the world’s ocean to a category of ‘strongly protected,’ researchers say in a new analysis. International policy agreements call for protection of 10 percent of coastal and marine areas by 2020, while some conservation organizations and most scientists say 20-50 percent of ocean protection is needed.
The Predator Survives – But The Ecosystem Crashes
What do killer whales, polar bears and humans have in common? They are adaptable predators with the ability to select new prey when their favourite food is in low supply. But this change can disrupt entire ecosystems.
Chile Creates Largest Marine Reserve in the Americas
The newly protected waters around the Desventuradas Islands contain many marine species found nowhere else on Earth.
Record Number of Seals Are Dying On California Shores
Along California’s coast, an increasing number of endangered Guadalupe fur seals have died after stranding themselves on shore. Since January, almost 80 dead fur seals have been found in the area, leading the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to declare an “Unusual Mortality Event” (UME).