TRAFFIC, a partner on the Shark & Ray Protection Project of WILDOCEANS, has released a new study based on the concerns of artisanal fishers in the Republic of Congo about massive over capacity of fishing fleets that have put local food security, livelihoods and shark populations at risk. TRAFFIC’s report found that Congolese artisanal fishers are increasingly turning to … [Read more...]
Collecting polymetallic nodules from the Pacific Ocean floor
DeepGreen Metals Inc., today announced it has formalized partnerships with leading scientific research institutions and internationally-renowned universities in a significant investment into its ongoing deep-sea discovery program to characterize the potential impacts of lifting polymetallic nodules up from the bottom of the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific … [Read more...]
North Sea methane leak caused by oil industry blow-out
Activists on board the Greenpeace ship Esperanza documented a large methane leak located in the British exclusive economic zone in the North Sea. Using an ROV (Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle), they were able to film two of the gas-emitting craters at about 100m water depth on the seafloor (at positions 57°55.30’N, 001°37.87’E and 57°54.81’N, 001°38.72’E), which are … [Read more...]
Innovation still out of reach for local lockdown-afflicted fishermen
This World Ocean Day, fishing communities from around the country are calling on government to commit to legitimising the sector, as a matter of urgency, to protect the livelihoods of coastal communities who have been dependent on the ocean for generations. While the recent lift in lockdown restrictions on fishers from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fishing … [Read more...]
Innovation for a sustainable ocean
Today (June 8) is celebrated as World Oceans Day across the world to remind the people about the importance of the role played by oceans in the lives of human beings. The day is celebrated by United Nations to highlight the role of the oceans in everyday life and inspires action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources. When we think of public health … [Read more...]
Incentives needed to fix oceans by 2050
Research published in the journal Nature suggests that the substantial recovery of marine life is achievable by 2050. Whether you’re a fishery, a seafood processor, a certifier or a consumer, it is a timely reminder that we can safeguard our oceans for future generations. The paper acknowledges the importance of Marine Stewardship Council certified fisheries and sustainable … [Read more...]
Award winner for clean-up champion of the year announced
Alison Bryant of the Keep Plett Clean Campaign is the winner of the Caroline Reid Award for the Cleanup Champion of 2019. This new, annual award was established by Plastics|SA to recognise and reward excellence in South Africa by an individual in the field of marine and coastal clean-ups. Making the announcement during a gala dinner to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of … [Read more...]
Between the drillers and the deep blue sea
Environmental attorneys Adrian Pole and Kirsten Youens have lodged a detailed appeal on behalf of WILDOCEANS with the Environment, Forestry and Fishery (DEFF) Minister Barbara Creecy, challenging an authorisation granted by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) to authorize foreign mining giants Eni and Sasol to drill six exploration oil wells at two deep sea locations in … [Read more...]
A call for global species conservation action
More than 300 species conservation experts at the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Species Survival Commission Leaders’ Meeting in Abu Dhabi, 6 – 9 October 2019, released a statement for urgent and effective action to address the unprecedented, unsustainable and growing impacts on wild species from human activities. In the statement the members of the … [Read more...]
Enlightened self-interest needed to protect the ocean and climate
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on the Ocean and Crysophere in a Changing Climate reveals the extent of the crisis facing humanity as the ocean and its services begin to show signs of collapse. Although the ocean is inextricably linked with the climate, the two working together to make planet Earth habitable, this is the first time that … [Read more...]
Calling on Azores government to protect threatened sharks
Last year WILDOCEANS, a programme of the WILDTRUST, joined a global movement led by ‘Sharkproject International’ in a bid to put an end to shark finning. A letter was drafted and endorsed by 57 signatory parties from academia, retail, fisheries, the NPO sector and environmental government departments from all over the world. The letter was written to spread awareness about the … [Read more...]
World record setters raise awareness of ocean pollution
On this week's African Voices Changemakers, CNN meets endurance swimmer Sarah Ferguson and freediver Shamier Magmoet, both of whom are using their talents to raise awareness of pollution in the oceans. World-record setting swimmer Sarah Ferguson is using charity endurance swims to raise awareness of the importance of ocean conservation. She tells the programme why the issue … [Read more...]
Marine conservation NPO wins climate action award
Cape Town based environmental organisation, I AM WATER, has won the prestigious Beyond Sport “Sport for Climate Action Collective Impact Award”, supported by the Swedish Postcode Foundation, for sharing ocean conservation and snorkeling experiences with thousands of students in South Africa. Beyond Sport announced the inaugural winners of their Collective Impact Awards, a brand … [Read more...]
