In-depth coverage of the issues affecting the world’s oceans, featuring reporting, analysis, expert interviews and commentary. https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/rss en Biodiversity Coral Reefs Fri, 31 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Lindsay Abrams https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/31/in-photos-exploring-the-deep-sea-secrets-of-the-american-deep-south https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/31/in-photos-exploring-the-deep-sea-secrets-of-the-american-deep-south In June, an expedition set off to explore a poorly understood region of the deep sea near the coasts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. NOAA expedition coordinator Kasey Cantwell describes the discoveries that surprised scientists. Blue Economy Fisheries Wed, 29 Aug 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Lindsay Abrams https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/08/29/how-a-celebrity-chef-learned-to-love-farmed-and-frozen-fish https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/08/29/how-a-celebrity-chef-learned-to-love-farmed-and-frozen-fish To feed a growing population, sustainable seafood advocate Ned Bell is encouraging fellow chefs and seafood consumers to look beyond ‘fresh’ and ‘wild.’ Biodiversity Blue Economy Solutions Mon, 27 Aug 2018 07:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/27/gene-pollution-threatens-wild-salmon-a-solution-sterile-farmed-fish https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/27/gene-pollution-threatens-wild-salmon-a-solution-sterile-farmed-fish Farmed Atlantic salmon don’t fare well in the wild. That’s a problem when they escape their pens and breed with vulnerable Atlantic salmon populations, spreading their genes. Scientists are now urging aquaculture companies to consider raising fish that won’t reproduce. Climate Change Coral Reefs Solutions Technology Thu, 23 Aug 2018 05:00:00 +0000 Lindsay Abrams https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/08/23/the-platform-aiming-to-open-up-ocean-data-to-all https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/08/23/the-platform-aiming-to-open-up-ocean-data-to-all Carolyn Savoldelli, a research analyst for the World Resources Institute, explains her group’s effort to curate, decipher and connect a growing amount of open ocean data to aid scientists and policymakers. Climate Change Coral Reefs Mon, 20 Aug 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/20/hot-with-chance-of-bleaching-sizing-up-an-unprecedented-coral-disaster https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/20/hot-with-chance-of-bleaching-sizing-up-an-unprecedented-coral-disaster NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch is in the midst of a global project to collect data and assess damage from marine heatwaves that devastated coral reefs worldwide. Scientists hope the data will improve future forecasts, helping ecologists take action before temperature spikes. Blue Economy Plastic Pollution Solutions Fri, 17 Aug 2018 06:00:00 +0000 Mark J. Spalding https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/08/17/reducing-plastic-pollution-isnt-enough-to-save-the-ocean https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/08/17/reducing-plastic-pollution-isnt-enough-to-save-the-ocean Plastic production is expected to quadruple by 2050. Mark J. Spalding, president of The Ocean Foundation, explains how fully understanding the scope of the pollution problem convinced him that current efforts are not sufficient. Fisheries Governance Marine Protected Areas Wed, 15 Aug 2018 08:40:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/15/could-the-high-seas-be-closed-to-fishing https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/15/could-the-high-seas-be-closed-to-fishing As the United Nations prepares to begin negotiations next month on a high seas biodiversity treaty, some scientists and advocates say a spate of recent research supports banning commercial fishing in international waters to protect remote ecosystems. Climate Change Coral Reefs Mon, 13 Aug 2018 08:20:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/13/another-threat-to-coral-reefs-shifting-baselines-of-whats-normal https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/13/another-threat-to-coral-reefs-shifting-baselines-of-whats-normal A 19-year-long study on the impact of bleaching and cyclones on a section of the Great Barrier Reef underscores the challenges of determining what a healthy coral ecosystem looks like in an era of rapidly accelerating climate change. Biodiversity Climate Change Fisheries Technology Fri, 10 Aug 2018 07:50:00 +0000 Ann Bucklin https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/08/10/how-dna-sequencing-is-revealing-new-insights-about-ocean-health https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/08/10/how-dna-sequencing-is-revealing-new-insights-about-ocean-health Despite the critical role marine zooplankton play in ocean ecosystems, scientists know little about the tiny species. Ann Bucklin, a professor of marine sciences at the University of Connecticut, describes how her laboratory is changing that. Biodiversity Climate Change Coral Reefs Wed, 08 Aug 2018 12:10:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/08/cant-stand-the-heat-wave-coral-protecting-fish-in-decline https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/08/cant-stand-the-heat-wave-coral-protecting-fish-in-decline An extensive survey of the Great Barrier Reef finds that a spike in ocean temperatures in 2016 led to a fall in populations of parrotfish, which keep corals healthy and help them recover from bleaching events by eating harmful algae. Plastic Pollution Mon, 06 Aug 2018 04:00:00 +0000 Erica Cirino https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/06/why-a-small-irish-town-is-fighting-to-stop-a-plastics-factory https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/06/why-a-small-irish-town-is-fighting-to-stop-a-plastics-factory Residents of Skibbereen fear the industrial facility would foul their air and water while adding to ocean plastic pollution. The plant is part of a global plastic factory-building boom driven by cheap natural gas. Fisheries Governance Technology Fri, 03 Aug 2018 07:50:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/03/rich-and-poor-divide-which-nations-benefit-from-global-fishing https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/03/rich-and-poor-divide-which-nations-benefit-from-global-fishing A new study finds that industrial fishing vessels flying the flags of wealthy nations are catching the majority of the world’s fish, adding to a growing discussion over how food security and sustainable fishing are connected. Blue Economy Plastic Pollution Tue, 31 Jul 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Lindsay Abrams https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/31/deeply-talks-big-business-joins-fight-against-ocean-plastic-pollution https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/31/deeply-talks-big-business-joins-fight-against-ocean-plastic-pollution A growing wave of multinational corporations is pledging to stop handing out single-use plastic straws. Listen to Lonely Whale’s Dune Ives discuss the global momentum against disposable plastic and efforts to create a new ocean-friendly plastic supply chain. Climate Change Coral Reefs Marine Protected Areas Mon, 30 Jul 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/30/a-tiny-snails-overlooked-role-in-a-downward-death-spiral-for-corals https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/30/a-tiny-snails-overlooked-role-in-a-downward-death-spiral-for-corals New research shows that snails that prey on coral play a bigger role than realized in coral health. But the good news is that reducing fishing can help keep snail populations in check. Blue Economy Plastic Pollution Fri, 27 Jul 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Timothy Haab https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/27/whats-a-clean-beach-worth-to-you https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/27/whats-a-clean-beach-worth-to-you Timothy Haab, a professor at Ohio State University, explains how and why putting a price tag on a beach’s value encourages policymakers to value natural capital. Climate Change Coral Reefs Thu, 26 Jul 2018 10:00:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/26/inside-the-mission-to-find-50-reefs-that-could-survive-climate-change https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/26/inside-the-mission-to-find-50-reefs-that-could-survive-climate-change Last year, a bold initiative set out to locate coral reefs most likely to survive global warming. That turned out to be far easier said than done – but now scientists hope the results will rally attention to regions where there’s hope to save crucial marine ecosystems. Deep Sea Mining Wed, 25 Jul 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/25/hurry-up-and-wait-big-decisions-on-seabed-mining-remain-unresolved https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/25/hurry-up-and-wait-big-decisions-on-seabed-mining-remain-unresolved Faced with a 2020 deadline, the International Seabed Authority has a daunting challenge in completing regulations that will fulfill its mandate to allow the mining of deep-sea ecosystems for minerals while protecting unique marine habitats. Biodiversity Fisheries Tue, 24 Jul 2018 06:00:00 +0000 Erik Hoffner https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/24/exploring-a-great-white-shark-nursery-in-the-shadow-of-new-york-city https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/24/exploring-a-great-white-shark-nursery-in-the-shadow-of-new-york-city With one of the ocean’s iconic predators globally threatened, a shark tagging program off the shores of Long Island is an effort to understand behaviors of young in a marine region where their numbers may be increasing. Biodiversity Fisheries Mon, 23 Jul 2018 07:00:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/23/what-its-like-to-personify-a-shark-on-twitter https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/23/what-its-like-to-personify-a-shark-on-twitter The combination of tagging and social media has helped both scientists and the public engage with the ocean’s most feared predator in new ways. Jim Ware, who has tweeted as Mary Lee – the world’s most famous shark since Jaws – tells Oceans Deeply about his experience. Fisheries Governance Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Nick Aspinwall https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/19/taiwan-pushed-to-confront-work-abuse-in-high-seas-fishing-fleet https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/19/taiwan-pushed-to-confront-work-abuse-in-high-seas-fishing-fleet The Taiwanese government is starting to listen to its critics as it works to improve monitoring of conditions for foreign workers on its large long-distance tuna fishing fleet. But local and international labor advocates say reforms aren’t happening quickly enough. Plastic Pollution Wed, 18 Jul 2018 08:30:00 +0000 Max Liboiron https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/18/the-dangers-of-using-a-broad-brush-to-discuss-marine-plastic-pollution https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/18/the-dangers-of-using-a-broad-brush-to-discuss-marine-plastic-pollution When glossing over who marine plastic pollution really will affect by averaging risk, we may ignore harms to vulnerable populations, says Max Liboiron, a researcher who runs the Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research in Canada. Climate Change Solutions Tue, 17 Jul 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Alistair Hobday https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/17/why-we-need-to-start-categorizing-marine-heat-waves-like-hurricanes https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/17/why-we-need-to-start-categorizing-marine-heat-waves-like-hurricanes Australian marine research scientist Alistair Hobday writes about why it’s important to start naming and classifying marine heatwaves as the phenomenon increasingly wreaks havoc on ocean ecosystems. Deep Sea Mining Mon, 16 Jul 2018 09:09:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/16/a-high-stakes-week-for-deep-sea-mining https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/16/a-high-stakes-week-for-deep-sea-mining As the International Seabed Authority meets to debate environmental regulations for the extraction of minerals from fragile ocean habitats, the debate grows between nations and corporations favoring mining and scientists concerned about irreversible impacts. Biodiversity Fisheries Fri, 13 Jul 2018 03:00:54 +0000 Solvin Zankl, Elizabeth Preston https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/13/inside-the-frenzy-for-japans-mysteriously-glowing-firefly-squid https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/13/inside-the-frenzy-for-japans-mysteriously-glowing-firefly-squid Near the coast of Japan, the annual spawning ritual of the normally elusive deep-sea creatures attracts the attention of fishers and scientists. Despite years of study, no one fully understands how or why they bioluminesce. Blue Economy Fisheries Thu, 12 Jul 2018 03:00:09 +0000 Nosmot Gbadamosi https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/12/gambians-fight-chinese-fishmeal-factory-as-fish-prices-soar-stocks-fall https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/12/gambians-fight-chinese-fishmeal-factory-as-fish-prices-soar-stocks-fall As foreign-owned fishmeal factories proliferate in West Africa to supply feed for overseas aquaculture operations, prices for a key staple of the local diet are skyrocketing and Gambian fishers find it increasingly hard to compete against industrialized trawlers. Coral Reefs Fisheries Marine Protected Areas Wed, 11 Jul 2018 08:51:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/11/study-do-coral-reef-reserves-protect-ocean-life-yes-but https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/11/study-do-coral-reef-reserves-protect-ocean-life-yes-but With data from 1,800 tropical coral reefs, new research weighs in on an ongoing conservation debate: whether it’s better to preserve marine areas that are still pristine or those that need the most protection. Climate Change Governance Solutions Tue, 10 Jul 2018 09:09:57 +0000 https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/10/californias-climate-summit-is-a-moment-to-lead-on-oceans-coasts https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/10/californias-climate-summit-is-a-moment-to-lead-on-oceans-coasts Sara Aminzadeh, executive director of California Coastkeeper Alliance and a member of the California Coastal Commission, says there’s momentum for ambitious ocean commitments to be made at the upcoming Global Climate Action Summit. Biodiversity Climate Change Coral Reefs Mon, 09 Jul 2018 10:34:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/09/island-of-coral-resilience-shows-hope-and-limits-for-reefs-future https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/09/island-of-coral-resilience-shows-hope-and-limits-for-reefs-future Bermuda is home to one of the highest-latitude coral reefs in the world, and scientists there are working to decode the keys to its health as climate change devastates reefs elsewhere. Governance Plastic Pollution Solutions Fri, 06 Jul 2018 08:30:00 +0000 Paul Harvey https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/06/sometimes-we-really-need-single-use-plastics https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/06/sometimes-we-really-need-single-use-plastics As governments around the world rightly consider bans of various kinds of disposable plastics, nuance is needed to protect crucial applications, such as in research, food aid and medicine, argues environmental science researcher Paul Harvey of Macquarie University. Climate Change Coral Reefs Thu, 05 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/05/no-cover-corals-on-great-barrier-reef-hit-record-low https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/05/no-cover-corals-on-great-barrier-reef-hit-record-low In the wake of catastrophic bleaching events, scientists find that coral cover on the world’s biggest reef system is near record lows, while other research shows recovery will be “slow and painful” as only a tiny number of coral larvae are repopulating devastated reefs.