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0coalition%20to%20help%20finance%20the%20restoration%20of%20coastal%20ecosystems%20such%20as%20salt%20marshes%2C%20seagrass%20beds%20and%20mangroves%20that%20are%20capable%20of%20absorbing%20and%20storing%20large%20quantities%20of%20carbon.%0A%0AFrench%20officials%20said%20the%20summit%2C%20attended%20in%20person%20or%20virtually%20by%20heads%20of%20state%20and%20government%20from%2041%20countries%2C%20marked%20the%20starting%20point%20of%20a%20series%20of%20key%20international%20meetings%20focused%20on%20the%20oceans%2C%20including%20the%20UN%20Ocean%20Conference%20in%20Lisbon%20in%20June%20and%20Cop27%20in%20Egypt%20in%20the%20autumn.

More than 100 nations take action to save oceans

The%20Australian%20government%20has%20pledged%20to%20spend%20another%201%20billion%20Australian%20dollars%20(%E2%82%AC626m)%20to%20protect%20the%20climate-ravaged%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20on%20Friday%2C%20hoping%20to%20prevent%20the%20vast%20network%20of%20corals%20from%20being%20removed%20from%20UNESCO's%20World%20Heritage%20list.%0A%0APrime%20Minister%20Scott%20Morrison%20announced%20the%20(AUS)%241%20billion%20(%E2%82%AC626m)%20nine-year%20plan%2C%20months%20after%20narrowly%20avoiding%20the%20reef%20being%20placed%20on%20UNESCO's%20%22in%20danger%22%20list.%0A%0A%22We%20are%20backing%20the%20health%20of%20the%20reef%20and%20the%20economic%20future%20of%20tourism%20operators%2C%20hospitality%20providers%20and%20Queensland%20communities%20that%20are%20at%20the%20heart%20of%20the%20reef%20economy%2C%22%20Morrison%20said.%0A%0AThe%20move%20comes%20ahead%20of%20a%20general%20election%20expected%20in%20May%20when%20Morrison%20will%20have%20to%20win%20key%20Queensland%20seats%20near%20the%20reef%20to%20remain%20in%20power.%0A%0AWhen%20the%20UN%20previously%20threatened%20to%20downgrade%20the%20reef's%20World%20Heritage%20listing%20in%202015%2C%20Australia%20created%20a%20%22Reef%202050%22%20plan%20and%20poured%20billions%20of%20dollars%20into%20protection.The%20measures%20are%20believed%20to%20have%20arrested%20the%20pace%20of%20decline%2C%20but%20much%20of%20the%20world's%20largest%20reef%20system%20has%20already%20been%20damaged.%0A%0AIn%20July%20last%20year%2C%20Australia%20garnered%20enough%20international%20support%20to%20defer%20an%20attempt%20by%20UNESCO%20to%20downgrade%20the%20reef's%20World%20Heritage%20status%20to%20%22in%20danger%22%20because%20of%20damage%20caused%20by%20climate%20change.%0A%0AThe%20reef%20has%20suffered%20significantly%20from%20coral%20bleaching%20caused%20by%20unusually%20warm%20ocean%20temperatures%20in%202016%2C%202017%20and%202020.%0A%0AA%20recent%20study%20found%20bleaching%20had%20affected%2098%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20reef%20since%201998%2C%20leaving%20just%20a%20fraction%20of%20it%20untouched.%0A%0ABut%20the%20question%20will%20be%20back%20on%20the%20World%20Heritage%20Committee%E2%80%99s%20agenda%20at%20its%20next%20annual%20meeting%20in%20June.%0A%0AUNESCO%20has%20asked%20Australia%20to%20provide%20more%20information%20by%20next%20Tuesday%20about%20what's%20being%20done%20to%20protect%20the%20coral.%0A%0AThe%20government%20said%20on%20Friday%20it%20will%20meet%20that%20deadline.%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20world's%20biggest%20exporters%20of%20coal%20and%20gas%0AThe%20Morrison%20government's%20support%20for%20coal%20and%20reluctance%20to%20tackle%20climate%20change%20has%20seen%20the%20party%20bleed%20support%20in%20major%20cities%20and%20prompted%20the%20emergence%20of%20a%20string%20of%20electoral%20challenges%20from%20climate-focused%20independents.%0A%0AAustralians%20are%20overwhelmingly%20in%20favour%20of%20action%20to%20limit%20climate%20change%2C%20having%20experienced%20a%20string%20of%20global%20warming-worsened%20disasters%20such%20as%20bushfires%2C%20droughts%20and%20floods.%0A%0AA%202021%20poll%20by%20Sydney's%20Lowy%20Institute%20found%2060%20per%20cent%20of%20Australians%20believed%20%22global%20warming%20is%20a%20serious%20and%20pressing%20problem%22.%0A%0AEight%20in%2010%20Australians%20supported%20a%20net-zero%20emissions%20target%20by%202050%2C%20which%20the%20government%20reluctantly%20adopted%20ahead%20of%20a%20landmark%20United%20Nations%20climate%20summit%20in%20Scotland%20last%20year.%0A%0AMorrison%20was%20widely%20criticised%20at%20the%20COP26%20summit%20in%20Scotland%20last%20November%20over%20his%20government's%20target%20of%20reducing%20Australia's%20emissions%20by%20only%2026-28%20per%20cent%20below%202005%20levels%20by%202030.One%20of%20the%20world's%20biggest%20exporters%20of%20coal%20and%20gas%2C%20Australia's%20economy%20is%20heavily%20reliant%20on%20fossil%20fuels.%20Its%20political%20parties%20also%20receive%20significant%20funds%20from%20coal%20and%20gas-linked%20donors.%0A%0A'Band-Aid%20on%20a%20broken%20leg'%0ACritics%20argue%20the%20investment%20is%20a%20bid%20to%20improve%20the%20ruling%20conservative%20coalition's%20green%20credentials%20ahead%20of%20looming%20elections%20while%20doing%20nothing%20to%20change%20the%20greatest%20threat%20to%20the%20coral%3A%20rising%20ocean%20temperatures.%0A%0AThe%20Climate%20Council%20pressure%20group%20said%20this%20latest%20package%20of%20funding%20was%20like%20putting%20%22a%20Band-Aid%20on%20a%20broken%20leg%22.%0A%0A%22Unless%20you%20are%20cutting%20emissions%20deeply%20this%20decade%20the%20situation%20on%20the%20reef%20will%20only%20get%20worse%2C%22%20said%20the%20Council's%20board%20director%20and%20councillor%20Lesley%20Hughes%2C%20a%20professor%20of%20biology%20at%20Macquarie%20University.%0A%0A%22Handing%20out%20cash%20for%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20with%20one%20hand%2C%20while%20funding%20the%20very%20industry%20%E2%80%94%20fossil%20fuels%20%E2%80%94%20that's%20driving%20devastating%20climate%20impacts%20like%20marine%20heatwaves%20and%20coral%20bleaching%2C%20means%20they%20are%20adding%20to%20the%20very%20problem%20they%20are%20claiming%20they%20want%20to%20fix.%22%0A%0ABleaching%20occurs%20when%20healthy%20corals%20become%20stressed%20by%20spikes%20in%20ocean%20temperatures%2C%20causing%20them%20to%20expel%20algae%20living%20in%20their%20tissues%2C%20which%20drains%20them%20of%20their%20vibrant%20colours.%0A%0AMuch%20of%20the%20government's%20latest%20package%20will%20be%20spent%20on%20preventing%20damaging%20agricultural%20runoff%20from%20polluting%20the%20reef.%0A%0AAbout%20a%20quarter%20of%20the%20funds%20will%20be%20channelled%20to%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20Marine%20Park%20Authority%20%22to%20reduce%20threats%20from%20Crown%20of%20Thorns%20Starfish%22%2C%20which%20eat%20coral.

Australia pumps cash into Great Barrier Reef

The%20vast%20majority%20of%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fhot-spots%2Fcoral%2520reefs%2Fall%22%20%3Ecoral%20reefs%3C%2Fa%3E%20could%20be%20dead%20within%20three%20decades%20unless%20prompt%20action%20is%20taken%20to%20reduce%20emissions%2C%20according%20to%20a%20new%20report.%0A%0AResearchers%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Leicester%20issued%20a%20dire%20warning%20that%20it%20may%20already%20be%20too%20late%20to%20save%20these%20important%20ecosystems%20which%20are%20home%20to%20thousands%20of%20species.%20This%20could%20also%20cause%20a%20huge%20economic%20crisis%20for%20half%20a%20billion%20people%20who%20depend%20on%20the%20reefs%20for%20jobs%20and%20income.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCoral%20reefs%20are%20the%20%E2%80%98canaries%20in%20the%20coal%20mine%E2%80%99%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20sensing%20ecosystems%20under%20stress%20from%20ocean%20warming%20due%20to%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Jens%20Zinke%2C%20professor%20of%20palaeobiology%20at%20Leicester%20University.%20%E2%80%9CCorals%20can%20sense%20when%20ocean%20temperatures%20exceed%20a%20dangerous%20threshold%20and%20warn%20us%20when%20we%20need%20to%20take%20measures%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Jens%20Zinke%2C%20professor%20of%20palaeobiology%20at%20Leicester%20University.%0A%0AAn%20international%20team%20of%20environmental%20scientists%20have%20published%20recommendations%20to%20conserve%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20coral%20reefs%2C%20as%2090%20per%20cent%20could%20vanish%20in%20the%20next%2030%20years.%0A%0AThe%20Vibrant%20Oceans%20Initiative%20revealed%20their%20findings%20on%20the%20future%20of%20endangered%20habitats%20on%2013-14%20April%20at%20Our%20Oceans%20Conference%20in%20Palau%2C%20in%20the%20Micronesia%20region%20in%20the%20western%20Pacific%20Ocean.%0A%0AThe%20research%20shows%20that%20some%20coral%20reefs%20have%20the%20ability%20to%20recover%20or%20resist%20thermal%20stress%20faster%20than%20others.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20major%20new%20research%20direction%20-%20to%20find%20those%20locations%20and%20protect%20them%20before%20they%20are%20gone%2C%E2%80%9D%20Zinke%20explains.%0A%0AWhere%20are%20the%20most%20resilient%20coral%20reefs%20located%3F%0A%0AThe%20Vibrant%20Oceans%20group%20identified%2050%20reefs%20that%20were%20most%20likely%20to%20survive%20climate%20change.%20These%20are%20found%20in%20the%20Indian%20and%20Pacific%20Oceans%2C%20the%20Caribbean%20as%20well%20as%20east%20Africa.%0A%0AImportant%20work%20needs%20to%20be%20carried%20out%20on%20these%20areas%20which%20are%20home%20to%20resistant%20and%20fast-recovering%20reefs.%20Scientists%20are%20urging%20that%20there%20needs%20to%20be%20more%20research%20into%20reefs%20that%20have%20shown%20the%20ability%20to%20recover%20some%20life%20after%20suffering%20coral%20bleaching%2C%20or%20have%20demonstrated%20resistance%20to%20the%20effects%20of%20climate%20change.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20a%20recent%20IPCC%20(Intergovernmental%20Panel%20on%20Climate%20Change)%20report%2C%20corals%20with%20the%20highest%20potential%20to%20escape%20destruction%20from%20ocean%20spikes%20in%20temperature%20are%20along%20the%20northern%20shoreline%20of%20Cuba.%20Other%20sites%20are%20around%20the%20Bahamas%2C%20Dominican%20Republic%2C%20Guadeloupe%2C%20Haiti%2C%20eastern%20Jamaica%2C%20and%20the%20US%20state%20of%20Florida.%0A%0AEven%20if%20global%20warming%20is%20kept%20within%201.5%20degrees%20above%20pre-industrial%20levels%2C%20around%2090%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20coral%20reefs%20could%20disappear%20within%20three%20decades.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20are%20coral%20reefs%20such%20a%20vital%20ecosystem%3F%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ACoral%20reefs%20are%20huge%20animal%20colonies%20that%20secrete%20calcium%20carbonate%20(limestone).%20There%20are%20more%20than%20800%20different%20species%20of%20coral%20reefs%2C%20which%20form%20colonies.%20A%20single%20coral%20or%20polyp%2C%20has%20a%20simple%2C%20tubular%20body%20with%20a%20ring%20of%20stinging%20tentacles.%0A%0AThey%20have%20a%20central%20mouth%20that%20filters%20food%2C%20and%2090%20per%20cent%20of%20their%20nutrition%20comes%20from%20microscopic%20algae%20called%20%22zooxanthellae.%22%20This%20algae%20is%20what%20gives%20coral%20reefs%20with%20their%20extraordinarily%20vivid%20colours%20which%20range%20from%20shades%20of%20green%2C%20brown%2C%20pink%2C%20yellow%2C%20red%2C%20purple%20or%20blue.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhat%20will%20happens%20if%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20coral%20reefs%20die%3F%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThese%20amazing%20structures%20act%20as%20important%20barriers%20to%20coastlines%2C%20and%20protect%20strong%20waves%20that%20can%20erode%20beaches.%20Fiercer%20seasThese%20cause%20structural%20damage%20to%20ocean-front%20buildings%2C%20as%20well%20as%20being%20a%20safety%20hazard%2C%20as%20the%20frequency%20and%20intensity%20of%20storms%20increases.%0A%0AReefs%20are%20known%20as%20the%20%E2%80%98rainforests%20of%20the%20sea.%E2%80%99%20Although%20they%20cover%20less%20than%20one%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20ocean%2C%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90% of coral reefs could be dead in 30 years

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Tiny Pacific island will protect 100% of its ocean

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Leaders meet to pass a UN treaty to protect oceans

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France votes to ban deep-sea mining in its waters

Delegations%20from%20hundreds%20of%20countries%20will%20meet%20in%20New%20York%20this%20week%20in%20an%20attempt%20to%20hammer%20out%20a%20new%20legally%20binding%20ocean%20protection%20treaty%20that%20green%20groups%20believe%20will%20decide%20whether%20efforts%20to%20safeguard%20global%20biodiversity%20can%20succeed.%0A%0ALast%20August%2C%20an%20earlier%20round%20of%20talks%20on%20the%20new%20United%20Nations%20ocean%20conservation%20treaty%20were%20suspended%2C%20with%20countries%20unable%20to%20reach%20an%20agreement%20on%20financing.%20Sharing%20the%20proceeds%20of%20%22marine%20genetic%20resources%22%20and%20the%20establishment%20of%20ocean%20environmental%20impact%20assessment%20rules%20for%20development%20were%20also%20major%20sticking%20points.%0A%0AExperts%20familiar%20with%20the%20negotiations%20said%20major%20parties%20have%20now%20moved%20closer%20together%20on%20key%20issues%20as%20new%20talks%20begin%2C%20though%20compromises%20were%20still%20being%20sought.%0A%0A%22There%20seems%20to%20be%20an%20appetite%20to%20actually%20finalise%20the%20treaty%20now%2C%22%20said%20Jessica%20Battle%2C%20ocean%20expert%20at%20the%20Worldwide%20Fund%20for%20Nature.%0A%0A%22There%20are%20several%20countries%20who%20are%20looking%20for%20some%20concessions%20to%20be%20made%2C%20but%20at%20the%20end%20of%20the%20day%20what%20is%20really%20important%20is%20that%20the%20treaty%20doesn't%20get%20too%20watered%20down%2C%22%20she%20said%2C%20noting%20that%20one%20attempt%20to%20exclude%20fishing%20from%20the%20treaty%20had%20already%20been%20defeated.%0A%0AThe%20success%20of%20the%20talks%2C%20scheduled%20to%20run%20until%20March%203%2C%20still%20%22hinge%20on%20the%20finance%20question%22%2C%20said%20Li%20Shuo%2C%20global%20policy%20advisor%20at%20Greenpeace%2C%20and%20China%20is%20set%20to%20be%20a%20major%20player%20in%20the%20negotiations%2C%20especially%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20bringing%20other%20developing%20nations%20on%20board.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Greenpeace%2C%2011%20million%20square%20kilometres%20(4.25%20million%20square%20miles)%20of%20ocean%20must%20be%20protected%20every%20year%20between%20now%20and%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade%20if%20a%20target%20of%20protecting%2030%25%20of%20the%20world's%20land%20and%20sea%20by%202030%20-%20known%20as%20%2230%20by%2030%22%20-%20is%20to%20be%20met.%0A%0AChina's%20foreign%20ministry%20said%20in%20a%20statement%20that%20it%20was%20working%20hard%20to%20achieve%20%22a%20high-quality%20agreement%20that%20takes%20conservation%20and%20sustainable%20use%20into%20account%20and%20can%20be%20generally%20accepted%20by%20the%20international%20community.%22%0A%0AHow%20to%20share%20the%20proceeds%20from%20ocean%20industrial%20development%2C%20including%20the%20use%20of%20marine%20genetic%20resources%20in%20pharmaceuticals%20and%20other%20industries%2C%20will%20also%20be%20a%20crucial%20factor%20for%20China%2C%20which%20is%20already%20home%20to%20six%20of%20the%2010%20biggest%20global%20companies%20that%20run%20high%20seas%20fishing%20fleets.%0A%0A%22Genetic%20resources%20and%20the%20issue%20of%20finance%20will%20be%20the%20end%20game%2C%22%20said%20Greenpeace's%20Li.

UN ocean treaty talks resume to save biodiversity

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20impacts%20on%20our%20ocean%20in%20a%20way%20that%20reflects%20the%20interconnected%20blue%20economy%20and%20the%20ecosystems%20that%20support%20it.%E2%80%9D

UN states agree historic deal to protect high seas

The%20Biden%20administration%20unveiled%20a%20new%20plan%20to%20work%20with%20the%20ocean%20to%20mitigate%20and%20adapt%20to%20the%20climate%20crisis.%20President%20Joe%20Biden%20announced%20the%20publication%20of%20the%20first%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20in%20U.S.%20history%20at%20the%20White%20House%20Conservation%20in%20Action%20Summit%2C%20during%20which%20he%20also%20officially%20named%20two%20new%20national%20monuments%20and%20asked%20the%20Secretary%20of%20Commerce%20to%20consider%20a%20National%20Marine%20Sanctuary%20in%20the%20U.S.%20waters%20surrounding%20the%20Pacific%20Remote%20Islands.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20can%20reduce%20emissions%20by%20building%20offshore%20wind%20farms%2C%20better%20protect%20our%20coastal%20and%20fishing%20communities%20from%20worsening%20storms%2C%20changing%20fisheries%20and%20other%20impacts%20on%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20Biden%20said%2C%20as%20USA%20TODAY%20reported.%20%0A%0AThe%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20has%20three%20main%20goals%3A%20%0A%0AAchieve%20carbon%20neutrality.%0AWork%20with%20the%20oceans%20to%20develop%20nature-based%20solutions%20to%20store%20carbon%20dioxide%2C%20reduce%20the%20risk%20from%20the%20climate%20crisis%20and%20protect%20communities%20and%20ecosystems%20from%20inevitable%20changes.%0AWork%20with%20the%20ocean%20to%20boost%20the%20resilience%20of%20communities%20to%20those%20same%20changes.%0A%0ATo%20accomplish%20these%20goals%2C%20the%20report%20underscored%20eight%20priority%20actions%2C%20among%20them%20boosting%20offshore%20wind%20and%20other%20ocean-based%20renewable%20energy%20projects%2C%20decarbonizing%20maritime%20shipping%2C%20conserving%20and%20restoring%20marine%20and%20coastal%20carbon%20sinks%20and%20creating%20more%20marine%20protected%20areas.%20The%20Biden%20administration%20has%20already%20promised%20to%20protect%2030%20percent%20of%20U.S.%20land%20and%20water%20by%202030.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CGuiding%20these%20actions%20is%20a%20commitment%20to%20be%20responsible%20stewards%20of%20a%20healthy%20and%20sustainable%20ocean%3B%20advance%20environmental%20justice%3B%20engage%20with%20communities%2C%20Tribal%20Nations%2C%20and%20Indigenous%20Peoples%3B%20act%20based%20on%20evidence%2C%20science%2C%20and%20Indigenous%20Knowledge%3B%20and%20integrate%20and%20coordinate%20actions%20across%20the%20Federal%20Government%2C%E2%80%9D%20Ocean%20Policy%20Committee%20co-chairs%20Arati%20Prabhakar%20and%20Brenda%20Mallory%20wrote%20in%20a%20letter%20introducing%20the%20plan.%20%0A%0AThe%20Biden%20administration%20first%20announced%20its%20intention%20to%20draft%20an%20ocean%20climate%20plan%20to%20celebrate%20World%20Ocean%20Day%20of%202022.%20The%20final%20publication%20was%20widely%20welcomed%20by%20ocean%20advocacy%20groups.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20is%20the%20first%20comprehensive%20approach%20that%20the%20U.S.%20has%20taken%20to%20leveraging%20the%20power%20of%20the%20ocean%20in%20the%20fight%20against%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20Ocean%20Defense%20Initiative%20Director%20Jean%20Flemma%20said%20in%20a%20statement%20emailed%20to%20EcoWatch.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20plan%20should%20inspire%20a%20ripple%20effect%20of%20powerful%20climate%20actions%20from%20coast-to-coast%20that%20will%20slash%20emissions%20and%20help%20frontline%20communities.%20Still%2C%20a%20plan%20is%20only%20as%20strong%20as%20its%20implementation.%20We%20look%20forward%20to%20working%20with%20the%20Biden%20Administration%20to%20ensure%20strong%20ocean%20climate%20action%20policies%20are%20adopted%20across%20federal%20agencies%20and%20help%20the%20communities%20that%20need%20it%20most.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASome%20concerns%20about%20implementation%20include%20the%20broader%20impact%20of%20certain%20ocean-based%20climate%20solutions%20highlighted%20for%20study%2C%20Inside%20Climate%20News%20noted.%20One%20such%20project%20would%20seed%20parts%20of%20the%20ocean%20with%20minerals%20that%20would%20encourage%20the%20growth%20of%20photosynthetic%20plankton.%20This%20would%20draw%20down%20carbon%20dioxide%20but%20might%20disrupt%20other%20natural%20marine%20cycles.%20Overall%2C%20however%2C%20ocean%20advocates%20are%20happy%20to%20see%20recognition%20of%20the%20role%20the%20ocean%20already%20plays%20in%20lessening%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%20as%20it%20absorbs%20around%2090%20percent%20of%20extra%20warming.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COcean%20policy%20is%20often%20overlooked%20in%20discussions%20of%20climate%20action%20and%20climate%20solutions%2C%E2%80%9D%20Oceana%20Senior%20Director%20of%20Federal%20Policy%20Lara%20Levison%20told%20USA%20TODAY.%20%E2%80%9CThere%E2%80%99s%20so%20much%20emphasis%20on%20what%E2%80%99s%20happening%20on%20land%20and%20not%20nearly%20enough%20focus%20on%20the%20ocean.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20group%20overall%20praised%20the%20plan%2C%20but%20urged%20the%20administration%20to%20do%20more%20to%20limit%20offshore%20oil%20and%20gas%20drilling.%20Recently%2C%20Biden%20has%20come%20under%20fire%20for%20approving%20the%20controversial%20Willow%20oil%20drilling%20project%20in%20Alaska.%20In%20its%20most%20recent%20report%2C%20the%20Intergovernmental%20Panel%20on%20Climate%20Change%20has%20said%20that%20existing%20fossil%20fuel%20projects%20would%20take%20up%20the%20carbon%20budget%20for%20limiting%20warming%20to%201.5%20degrees%20Celsius%20above%20pre-industrial%20levels.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20reassuring%20that%20President%20Biden%20is%20taking%20the%20climate%20crisis%20seriously%20and%20ensuring%20that%20our%20oceans%20are%20factored%20into%20the%20plan%20to%20address%20it%2C%E2%80%9D%20Oceana%E2%80%99s%20Vice%20President%20for%20the%20United%20States%20Beth%20Lowell%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CTo%20date%2C%20our%20oceans%20have%20helped%20protect%20us%20from%20the%20worst%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%2C%20and%20we%20know%20they%20can%20play%20an%20outsized%20role%20in%20keeping%20the%20planet%20from%20warming%20to%20catastrophic%20levels.%20But%20in%20order%20for%20that%20to%20happen%2C%20countries%20like%20the%20United%20States%20must%20stop%20the%20expansion%20of%20dirty%20and%20dangerous%20offshore%20drilling.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20group%20has%20calculated%20that%2C%20if%20the%20U.S.%20government%20banned%20offshore%20drilling%20in%20unleased%20federal%20waters%2C%20it%20could%20prevent%20more%20than%2019%20billion%20tons%20of%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20from%20entering%20the%20atmosphere%20and%20stave%20off%20more%20than%20%24720%20billion%20in%20damages.

Nation’s First Ocean Climate Action Plan

A%20new%20conservation%20tool%20in%20the%20field%20of%20coral%20reef%20ecology%20has%20been%20developed%20by%20University%20of%20Hawai'i%20(UH)%20at%20M%C4%81noa%20researchers%20using%20cutting-edge%20artificial%20intelligence%20(AI)%20technology.%20By%20developing%20novel%20deep%20learning%20algorithms%2C%20coral%20ecologists%20in%20the%20UH%20M%C4%81noa%20School%20of%20Ocean%20and%20Earth%20Science%20and%20Technology%20(SOEST)%20are%20now%20able%20to%20identify%20and%20measure%20reef%20halos%20from%20space.%0A%0AThese%20features%2C%20also%20known%20as%20grazing%20halos%20or%20sand%20halos%2C%20consist%20of%20ring-like%20patterns%20of%20bare%20sand%20that%20occur%20around%20coral%20patch%20reefs%2C%20and%20their%20presence%20is%20readily%20visible%20from%20satellite%20images.%0A%0A%22Reef%20halos%20may%20be%20important%20indicators%20of%20the%20health%20and%20vitality%20of%20coral%20reefs%2C%20but%20until%20now%2C%20their%20measurement%20and%20tracking%20has%20been%20a%20challenging%20and%20time-consuming%20process%2C%22%20said%20Simone%20Franceschini%2C%20lead%20author%20of%20the%20study%20and%20postdoctoral%20research%20fellow%20in%20the%20Madin%20Lab%20at%20the%20Hawai'i%20Institute%20of%20Marine%20Biology%20(HIMB)%20in%20SOEST.%20%22However%2C%20with%20this%20new%20method%2C%20we%20can%20accurately%20identify%20and%20measure%20reef%20halos%20on%20a%20global%20scale%20in%20a%20tiny%20fraction%20of%20the%20time%20it%20would%20take%20a%20human%20being%20to%20accomplish%20the%20same%20task.%22%0A%0A%22We're%20aiming%20to%20develop%20a%20freely%20available%20remote%20sensing%20tool%20to%20monitor%20ecological%20processes%20over%20large%20scales%20to%20improve%20the%20understanding%20and%20management%20of%20coral%20reef%20ecosystems%2C%22%20said%20Elizabeth%20Madin%2C%20the%20study's%20senior%20author%20and%20associate%20research%20professor%20at%20HIMB.%20%22Our%20current%20research%20shows%20that%20reef%20halos%20may%20represent%20an%20emerging%20opportunity%20to%20monitor%20reef%20ecosystems'%20function%20at%20large%20scales%2C%20including%20in%20remote%20and%20otherwise%20inaccessible%20areas.%22%0A%0AIn%20recent%20years%2C%20computer%20vision%20techniques%20have%20been%20increasingly%20used%20to%20recognize%20patterns%20in%20medical%20and%20biological%20studies.%20In%20ecology%2C%20applications%20of%20image%20analysis%20coupled%20with%20advancements%20in%20satellite%20imaging%20technology%20have%20improved%20large-scale%20ecosystem%20analysis%20and%20wildlife%20conservation.%0A%0A%22This%20work%20stems%20from%20our%20team's%20understanding%20of%20the%20current%20state%20of%20AI%20technology%20and%20its%20potential%20applications%20for%20conservation%20research%20in%20coral%20reef%20ecosystems%2C%22%20Madin%20added.%0A%0AAlthough%20AI%20technology%20has%20shown%20excellent%20performance%20in%20the%20field%20of%20image%20analysis%2C%20the%20identification%20of%20halos%E2%80%94a%20complex%2C%20ecological%20pattern%20with%20much%20variation%E2%80%94was%20a%20challenge%20that%20required%20combining%20different%20deep%20learning%20algorithms.%0A%0A%22Reef%20halos%20are%20sometimes%20very%20clear%20in%20satellite%20imagery%2C%20with%20distinct%20edges%20and%20high%20contrast%20with%20background%20vegetation%2C%20but%20sometimes%20they%20are%20quite%20faint%20and%20hard%20to%20distinguish%E2%80%94even%20by%20a%20highly%20trained%20observer%2C%22%20said%20Franceschini.%0A%0A%22In%20the%20end%2C%20our%20team%20was%20able%20to%20develop%20a%20set%20of%20algorithms%20capable%20of%20taking%20into%20account%20the%20diversity%20of%20these%20patterns%20globally%20and%20identify%20and%20measure%20halos%20with%20surprising%20accuracy.%20It%20is%20hugely%20satisfying%20for%20us%20to%20now%20have%20built%20something%20that%20can%20accurately%20identify%20more%20than%2090%25%20of%20halos%20in%20some%20parts%20of%20the%20world.%22%0A%0ACoral%20reefs%2C%20one%20of%20the%20most%20diverse%20ecosystems%20on%20the%20planet%2C%20upon%20which%20many%20millions%20of%20people%20globally%20depend%2C%20are%20under%20threat%20from%20overfishing%2C%20climate%20change%2C%20and%20many%20other%20factors.%20These%20ecosystems%2C%20and%20particularly%20the%20impact%20of%20fisheries%20and%20marine%20reserves%20on%20them%2C%20are%20notoriously%20difficult%20to%20monitor%20at%20large%20scales%20and%20over%20time.%0A%0A%22This%20breakthrough%20is%20a%20key%20step%20in%20scaling%20up%E2%80%94in%20both%20space%20and%20time%E2%80%94our%20ability%20to%20monitor%20and%20quantify%20aspects%20of%20coral%20reef%20ecosystem%20health%2C%22%20said%20Madin.%20%22By%20providing%20a%20more%20efficient%20and%20effective%20way%20to%20measure%20coral%20patch%20reefs%20and%20their%20surrounding%20halos%2C%20this%20new%20method%20paves%20the%20way%20for%20the%20development%20of%20a%20global-scale%20reef%20conservation%20and%20monitoring%20tool%20based%20on%20the%20phenomenon%20of%20reef%20halos.%22%0A%0AThe%20team%20is%20aiming%20to%20develop%2C%20in%20the%20near%20future%2C%20a%20freely-available%20web%20app%20that%20can%20allow%20conservation%20practitioners%2C%20scientists%2C%20and%20resource%20managers%20to%20remotely%2C%20quickly%2C%20and%20inexpensively%20monitor%20aspects%20of%20reef%20health%20using%20satellite%20or%20drone%20imagery.

New tool remote monitoring of global reef health

The%20federal%20and%20Queensland%20governments%20will%20phase%20out%20commercial%20gillnet%20fishing%20in%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20world%20heritage%20area%20by%20mid-2027%20and%20create%20new%20net-free%20zones%20to%20better%20protect%20endangered%20marine%20species.%0A%0AThe%20environment%20minister%2C%20Tanya%20Plibersek%2C%20announced%20the%20%24160m%20plan%20Monday%20afternoon%20and%20said%20it%20would%20significantly%20reduce%20net%20fishing%20and%20high-risk%20fishing%20on%20the%20reef%20that%20injure%20and%20kill%20threatened%20dugongs%2C%20turtles%2C%20dolphins%20and%20protected%20shark%20species.%0A%0APlibersek%20will%20also%20ask%20the%20Queensland%20government%20to%20declare%20the%20hammerhead%20shark%20a%20%E2%80%9Cno-take%E2%80%9D%20species%20for%20commercial%20fishers%20in%20Queensland%20waters%2C%20something%20long%20called%20for%20by%20oceans%20campaigners.%0A%0APart%20of%20the%20funding%20will%20be%20used%20to%20buy%20out%20gillnet%20licences%2C%20with%20the%20majority%20of%20gillnets%20to%20be%20removed%20by%20the%20end%20of%20this%20year%20and%20a%20total%20ban%20by%20mid-2027.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20know%20one%20of%20the%20most%20immediate%20threats%20to%20health%20of%20reef%20is%20unsustainable%20fishing%20practices.%20It%20causes%20damage%20throughout%20the%20reef%2C%20as%20threatened%20marine%20life%20like%20dugongs%2C%20turtles%20and%20dolphins%20are%20caught%20in%20nets%20and%20drown%2C%E2%80%9D%20Plibersek%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20removal%20of%20gillnets%20in%20net-free%20zones%20on%20the%20reef%20has%20already%20helped%20boost%20local%20fish%20populations.%20We%20want%20to%20see%20this%20happen%20right%20across%20the%20reef.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20money%20will%20also%20fund%20the%20creation%20of%20new%20net-free%20zones%20in%20the%20northern%20third%20of%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20and%20parts%20of%20the%20Gulf%20of%20Carpentaria%2C%20accelerate%20the%20implementation%20of%20a%20sustainable%20fisheries%20strategy%20and%20mandate%20the%20use%20of%20independent%20data%20validation%20on%20commercial%20fishing%20vessels.%0A%0AA%20phase-out%20of%20gillnets%20and%20an%20accelerated%20rollout%20of%20a%20sustainable%20fisheries%20strategy%20were%20among%20recommendations%20of%20a%20report%20from%20a%20UN-backed%20mission%20to%20the%20reef%20that%20concluded%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20biggest%20coral%20reef%20system%20should%20be%20placed%20on%20a%20list%20of%20world%20heritage%20sites%20in%20danger.%0A%0AThe%20announcement%20comes%20after%20a%20long%20campaign%20by%20conservation%20groups%20for%20an%20end%20to%20gillnet%20fishing%20on%20the%20reef.%20The%20nets%2C%20which%20can%20measure%20more%20than%20a%20kilometre%20in%20length%2C%20are%20used%20to%20catch%20fish%20such%20as%20barramundi%20and%20mackerel%20but%20can%20also%20entangle%2C%20injure%20and%20kill%20other%2C%20endangered%20species.%0A%0AWWF-Australia%2C%20which%20campaigned%20for%20seven%20years%20for%20an%20end%20to%20commercial%20gillnet%20fishing%2C%20said%20it%20was%20a%20%E2%80%9Cglobally%20significant%20moment%20for%20ocean%20conservation%2C%20fisheries%20management%20and%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%E2%80%9D.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIf%20all%20goes%20to%20plan%2C%20by%20June%202027%20we%E2%80%99ll%20have%20a%20net-free%20reef%20where%20dugongs%2C%20turtles%2C%20dolphins%20and%20other%20threatened%20species%20can%20swim%20without%20the%20threat%20of%20becoming%20entangled%20and%20drowning%20in%20a%20gill%20net%2C%20and%20that%E2%80%99s%20a%20cause%20for%20global%20celebration%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20chief%20executive%2C%20Dermot%20O%E2%80%99Gorman%2C%20said.%0A%0AThe%20Australian%20Marine%20Conservation%20Society%20said%20%E2%80%9Cpermanently%20removing%20these%20devastating%20nets%20will%20help%20populations%20of%20threatened%20species%20to%20recover%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AThe%20AMCS%20has%20for%20years%20called%20for%20better%20protection%20for%20threatened%20hammerhead%20sharks%2C%20including%20the%20endangered%20scalloped%20hammerhead%20shark%2C%20and%20welcomed%20the%20decision%20to%20have%20hammerheads%20declared%20a%20no-take%20species.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20ongoing%20capture%20of%20endangered%20hammerheads%20for%20meat%20and%20fins%20has%20long%20been%20out%20of%20step%20with%20protecting%20and%20recovering%20threatened%20species%20in%20the%20reef%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20chief%20executive%2C%20Darren%20Kindleysides%20said.

Gill net fishing be banned on Great Barrier Reef

Switzerland%2C%20a%20global%20commodities%20trading%20hub%2C%20decided%20Wednesday%20to%20push%20for%20a%20moratorium%20on%20commercial%20exploitation%20of%20the%20international%20seabed%20area%2C%20which%20has%20enormous%20mineral%20resources.%0A%0ABern%20said%20deep-sea%20mining%20in%20the%20area%20%22must%20be%20postponed%22%20until%20protection%20from%20the%20%22harmful%20effects%22%20could%20be%20ensured.%0A%0ASwitzerland%20will%20%22support%20a%20moratorium%20on%20commercial%20exploitation%20of%20the%20area%20until%20there%20is%20more%20scientific%20knowledge%20of%20its%20impact%20and%20protection%20of%20the%20marine%20environment%20can%20be%20guaranteed%22%2C%20the%20government%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AWildlife%20conservation%20group%20WWF%20said%2C%20%22Switzerland%20is%20sending%20an%20important%20signal%20for%20the%20protection%20of%20the%20oceans%20and%20their%20biodiversity%22.%0A%0AMeanwhile%20the%20Swiss-based%20International%20Union%20for%20Conservation%20of%20Nature%20said%20it%20was%20%22fantastic%20news%20on%20deep%20sea%20mining%22.%0A%0AGreenpeace%20called%20it%20a%20%22success%20for%20the%20oceans%22.%0A%0ASwitzerland%20will%20take%20its%20position%20to%20the%2028th%20session%20of%20the%20International%20Seabed%20Authority%20in%20Jamaica's%20capital%20Kingston%20next%20month.%0A%0AThe%20ISA%20organizes%20and%20controls%20all%20mineral%20resources-related%20activities%20in%20the%20international%20seabed%2C%20outside%20national%20territorial%20jurisdiction%2C%20%22for%20the%20benefit%20of%20all%20humankind%22%2C%20it%20says.%0A%0AIt%20is%20mandated%20to%20ensure%20the%20effective%20protection%20of%20the%20marine%20environment%20from%20the%20potentially%20harmful%20consequences%20of%20seabed%20extraction%20operations.%0A%0AThe%20deep%20seabed%20covers%20around%2054%20percent%20of%20the%20total%20area%20of%20the%20world's%20ocean%20floor.%0A%0A%22There%20is%20growing%20interest%20from%20certain%20states%20and%20companies%20who%20wish%20to%20commercially%20exploit%20the%20area's%20mineral%20resources%2C%20which%20are%20potentially%20useful%20for%20the%20transition%20to%20renewable%20energy%2C%22%20the%20Swiss%20government%20said.%0A%0A%22Minerals%20such%20as%20cobalt%20and%20manganese%20are%20needed%20to%20manufacture%20electric%20vehicle%20batteries%2C%22%20it%20added.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20most%20ISA%20member%20states%20think%20no%20commercial%20seabed%20mining%20should%20be%20allowed%20before%20regulations%20are%20in%20place%2C%20it%20said.%0A%0ASome%2015%20countries%20have%20gone%20further%20and%20are%20opposed%20to%20any%20commercial%20use%20of%20the%20area%2C%20with%20or%20without%20regulations%2C%20Bern%20added.%0A%0ASwitzerland%20is%20a%20stronghold%20for%20commodity%20trading.%20It%20is%20home%20to%20large%20companies%20like%20Glencore%E2%80%94active%20in%20coal%2C%20metals%20and%20oil%E2%80%94or%20firms%20like%20Vitol%20or%20Trafigura%2C%20based%20in%20Singapore%20but%20with%20a%20large%20operations%20center%20in%20Geneva.%0A%0AWith%20a%20net%20profit%20of%20%2417.3%20billion%20in%202022%2C%20Glencore%20is%20a%20juggernaut%20in%20the%20brokerage%20of%20metals%2C%20such%20as%20copper%2C%20zinc%2C%20nickel%20or%20cobalt.

Switzerland for deep-sea mining moratorium

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Fukushima wastewater released into the ocean

Cleanup%20crews%20have%20pulled%2025%2C000%20pounds%20of%20rubbish%20from%20the%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fhot-spot%2Fthe-great-pacific-garbage-patch%2Fahr1s4ml6cae5s0%22%3EGreat%20Pacific%20Garbage%20Patch%3C%2Fa%3E%2C%20the%20largest%20ever%20removal%20of%20its%20kind.%0A%0AThe%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fcompany%2FNGO%2Fthe-ocean-cleanup%2Fahr1s4ml6cd0lcq%22%3EOcean%20Cleanup%3C%2Fa%3E%20removed%20the%20staggering%20volume%20of%20ocean%20trash%20over%20a%20four-week%20period%20and%20the%20non-profit%20environmental%20organisation%E2%80%99s%20vessels%20are%20now%20heading%20back%20to%20Victoria%2C%20British%20Columbia.%0A%0A%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fcompany%2Fgovernment%2Fnational-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration-(noaa)%2F7qz2nsml7buq74n%22%3EThe%20National%20Oceanic%20and%20Atmospheric%20Administration%3C%2Fa%3E%20says%20that%20it%20is%20difficult%20to%20get%20an%20accurate%20measurement%20as%20the%20patch%20is%20constantly%20moving.%0A%0ABut%20Ocean%20Cleanup%20says%20that%20the%20floating%20pile%20of%20trash%20situated%20between%20Hawaii%20and%20California%20is%20estimated%20to%20now%20be%20twice%20the%20size%20of%20Texas.%0A%0AAnd%20it%20has%20now%20grown%20so%20much%20that%20a%20new%20coastal%20ecosystem%20is%20thriving%20upon%20it%2C%20according%20to%20a%20study%20published%20in%20April%20by%20Nature%20Ecology%20%26%20Evolution.%0A%0AThe%20NOAA%20says%20that%20these%20kinds%20of%20patches%20are%20dangerous%20for%20marine%20life%2C%20which%20can%20become%20entangled%20in%20discarded%20fishing%20nets%20and%20eat%20plastics%20and%20other%20debris.%0A%0AThe%20group%20uses%20two%20vessels%20and%20a%20device%20that%20skims%20the%20water%20to%20remove%20the%20offending%20debris.%0A%0AThe%20system%20has%20a%201.4%20mile%20long%20floating%20barrier%20which%20is%20towed%20between%20the%20two%20vessels.%20The%20barrier%20has%20a%20screen%20that%20drops%2013ft%20beneath%20the%20ocean%20surface%20where%20most%20of%20the%20floating%20plastic%20can%20be%20found.%0A%0AAlex%20Tobin%2C%20head%20of%20public%20relations%20and%20media%20for%20the%20organisation%2C%20says%20its%20goal%20is%20to%20remove%2090%20per%20cent%20of%20floating%20plastics%20from%20oceans%20by%2020240.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COur%20goal%20is%20to%20kind%20of%20put%20ourselves%20out%20of%20business%2C%E2%80%9D%20Mr%20Tobin%20told%20ABC%20News.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20don%E2%80%99t%20want%20to%20be%20doing%20this%20forever%20and%20ever.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20group%20says%20that%20ocean%20plastic%20comes%20from%20a%20string%20of%20sources%2C%20including%20lost%20and%20abandoned%20fishing%20gear%2C%20as%20well%20as%20consumer%20waste%20from%20rivers.

Vessel pulls 25,000 pounds of plastic from ocean

A%20coalition%20of%2045%20countries%20pledged%20Tuesday%20to%20raise%20%2412%20billion%20for%20conservation%20and%20restoration%20of%20coral%20reefs%2C%20which%20are%20threatened%20worldwide%20by%20the%20effects%20of%20climate%20change.%0A%0AThe%20%22Coral%20Reef%20Breakthrough%22%20was%20announced%20by%20a%20network%20of%20nations%20that%20account%20for%20three-quarters%20of%20the%20world's%20coral%20reefs.%0A%0AIt%20includes%20a%20pledge%20to%20double%20the%20area%20of%20coral%20reefs%20under%20protection%20from%20the%20current%20estimate%20of%20around%2060%2C000%20square%20kilometers%20(23%2C000%20square%20miles)%20and%20restore%20some%2010%2C500%20sq%20km.%0A%0AThe%20plan%2C%20announced%20by%20the%20International%20Coral%20Reef%20Initiative%2C%20includes%20a%20headline%20pledge%20to%20secure%20%2412%20billion%20in%20investments%20from%20public%20and%20private%20sources%20by%202030.%0A%0A%22This%20investment%20will%20enable%20more%20effective%20coral%20reef%20management%20including%20water%20quality%20management%2C%20coastal%20management%2C%20and%20local%20and%20regional%20regulations%2C%22%20the%20group%20announced.%0A%0AStill%2C%20that%20figure%20compares%20with%20the%20estimated%20%24174.5%20billion%20a%20year%20that%20a%202020%20study%20estimated%20was%20needed%20to%20plug%20the%20gap%20in%20funding%20for%20ocean%20conservation%20more%20broadly.%0A%0A%22The%20initiative%20is%20important%20and%20timely%2C%22%20said%20David%20Booth%2C%20a%20professor%20of%20marine%20ecology%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Technology%20Sydney.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20%22%2412%20billion%20is%20a%20very%20small%20sum%20to%20make%20a%20global%20impression%2C%20it%20will%20need%20to%20be%20used%20judiciously%22%2C%20he%20told%20AFP.%0A%0ARestoration%20of%20reefs%20%22will%20be%20prohibitively%20expensive%20over%20the%20sorts%20of%20scales%20needed%20to%20save%20coral%20reefs%22%2C%20he%20added%2C%20pointing%20out%20that%20climate%20change%20is%20the%20clear%20driver%20of%20most%20reef%20loss.%0A%0A%22Initiatives%20to%20curb%20fossil%20fuel%20use%20are%20the%20most%20critical%20for%20coral%20reefs.%22%0A%0AThe%20pledge%20comes%20with%20coral%20around%20the%20world%20under%20particularly%20acute%20stress%20because%20of%20record%20warm%20seas%20this%20year.%0A%0AMarine%20heat%20waves%E2%80%94episodes%20of%20abnormally%20high%20water%20temperatures%E2%80%94have%20become%20more%20frequent%20and%20intense.%0A%0AOceans%20have%20absorbed%2090%20percent%20of%20the%20excess%20heat%20produced%20by%20human%20activity%20since%20the%20dawn%20of%20the%20industrial%20age%2C%20according%20to%20scientists.%0A%0AThis%20excess%20heat%20continues%20to%20accumulate%20as%20greenhouse%20gases%20build%20up%20in%20the%20Earth's%20atmosphere%2C%20mainly%20from%20burning%20oil%2C%20gas%20and%20coal.%0A%0AWarmer%20water%20can%20cause%20stressed%20corals%20to%20expel%20the%20algae%20that%20live%20in%20symbiosis%20with%20them%2C%20providing%20them%20with%20nutrients%20and%20giving%20them%20color.%0A%0AThis%20bleaching%20process%20can%20result%20in%20coral%20death%20if%20temperatures%20remain%20too%20high%20for%20the%20algae%20to%20return%2C%20devastating%20the%20ecosystems%20that%20rely%20on%20reefs.%0A%0AMass%20bleaching%20has%20already%20been%20reported%20this%20year%20in%20Florida%2C%20with%20concern%20that%20the%20worst%20may%20be%20ahead%20because%20the%20El%20Ni%C3%B1o%20seasonal%20weather%20pattern%20is%20often%20associated%20with%20bleaching%20events.

Countries pledge to raise $12 bln to help coral

The%20International%20Union%20for%20Conservation%20of%20Nature%20(IUCN)%20has%20just%20launched%20an%20ambitious%20new%20initiative%20to%20protect%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20oceans.%0A%0AEarlier%20this%20month%2C%20global%20leaders%20and%20changemakers%20met%20in%20Switzerland%20for%20a%20conference%20organised%20by%20the%20IUCN.%0A%0AThe%20second%20edition%20of%20the%20IUCN%20Leaders%20Forum%20brought%20together%20over%20400%20participants%20to%20identify%20solutions%20to%20protect%20and%20restore%20nature.%0A%0AThis%20year%E2%80%99s%20theme%20was%20%E2%80%98Global%20goals%20for%20nature%3A%20Tracking%20progress%2C%20financing%20success.%E2%80%99%0A%0ADuring%20the%20event%2C%20IUCN%20President%20Razan%20Al%20Mubarak%20announced%20the%20project%20which%20focuses%20on%20marine%20conservation%2C%20ocean%20renewable%20energy%2C%20shipping%2C%20aquatic%20food%2C%20and%20coastal%20tourism.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhat%20is%20the%20IUCN%20Leaders%20Forum%3F%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AThe%202023%20IUCN%20Leaders%20Forum%20saw%20participation%20from%20climate%20experts%2C%20government%20representatives%2C%20business%20leaders%2C%20young%20people%2C%20Indigenous%20peoples%E2%80%99%20organisations%2C%20and%20local%20communities.%0A%0AThe%20event%20took%20place%20in%20Geneva%2C%20as%20well%20as%20virtually%20online%2C%20and%20aimed%20to%20drive%20action%20to%20halt%20nature%20loss.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20second%20IUCN%20Leaders%20Forum%20provides%20a%20valuable%20opportunity%20to%20stoke%20ambition%2C%20mobilise%20action%20and%20secure%20commitments%20from%20multisector%20stakeholders%20and%20integrate%20the%20biodiversity%20and%20climate%20agendas%20in%20the%20lead%20up%20to%20COP28%2C%E2%80%9D%20Dr%20Grethel%20Aguilar%2C%20IUCN%20Acting%20Director%20General%2C%20said%20prior%20to%20the%20conference.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIUCN%20stands%20ready%20to%20support%20governments%20and%20the%20private%20sector%20in%20their%20efforts%20towards%20a%20nature-positive%20future.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASpeakers%20at%20the%20event%20discussed%20topics%20including%20the%20societal%20transformation%20needed%20to%20achieve%20biodiversity%20and%20climate%20goals%2C%20financing%20implementation%2C%20and%20measuring%20progress%20towards%20a%20nature-positive%20world.%0A%0AOther%20sessions%20considered%20the%20risks%20and%20opportunities%20of%20reversing%20nature%20loss%20for%20different%20sectors%20of%20the%20economy%20and%20how%20nature-based%20solutions%20can%20contribute%20to%20green%20jobs.%0A%0AYoung%20leaders%20and%20entrepreneurs%20pitched%20innovative%20solutions%20to%20some%20of%20the%20most%20complex%20biodiversity%20challenges%20the%20world%20is%20currently%20facing.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20five%20part%20breakthrough%20plan%20for%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20oceans%3C%2Fh2%3E%0ADuring%20the%20conference%2C%20IUCN%20President%20Razan%20Al%20Mubarak%20announced%20the%20launch%20of%20%E2%80%98Ocean%20Breakthroughs%E2%80%99.%0A%0AHe%20described%20these%20as%20%E2%80%9Ctransformative%20pathways%20covering%20five%20key%20ocean%20sectors%2C%20where%20accelerated%20action%20and%20investments%20could%20%5B...%5D%20contribute%20to%20a%20resilient%2C%20nature-positive%20and%20net%20zero%20future%20by%202050.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20project%20is%20the%20joint%20effort%20of%20the%20Ocean%20%26%20Coastal%20Zones%20community%20under%20the%20Marrakech%20Partnership%20for%20Global%20Climate%20Action%2C%20which%20enables%20collaboration%20between%20governments%20and%20key%20stakeholders%20to%20lower%20emissions%20and%20increase%20resilience%20against%20climate%20impacts.%0A%0AThe%20five%20%E2%80%98turning%20points%E2%80%99%20of%20the%20plan%20focus%20on%20marine%20conservation%2C%20ocean%20renewable%20energy%2C%20shipping%2C%20aquatic%20food%2C%20and%20coastal%20tourism.%0A%0ABy%202030%2C%20the%20project%20will%20secure%20investments%20of%20at%20least%20%E2%82%AC68%20billion%20to%20secure%20the%20integrity%20of%20ocean%20ecosystems%20and%20provide%20at%20least%20%E2%82%AC3.8%20billion%20to%20support%20resilient%20aquatic%20food%20systems.%0A%0AIt%20also%20aims%20to%20install%20at%20least%20380%20GW%20of%20ocean%20renewable%20energy%20and%20ensure%20zero%20emission%20fuels%20make%20up%205%20per%20cent%20of%20international%20shipping%E2%80%99s%20energy%20demand.%0A%0A%3Ch1%3EHow%20can%20technology%20help%20safeguard%20nature%3F%3C%2Fh1%3E%0ADuring%20the%20conference%2C%20multinational%20technology%20corporation%20Huawei%20and%20the%20IUCN%20also%20launched%20their%20Tech4Nature%20Publication.%0A%0AThe%20text%20showcases%20the%20role%20of%20technology%20in%20achieving%20effective%20nature%20conservation%20outcomes%20in%2022%20projects%20across%2019%20countries.%0A%0AIn%20Mexico%2C%20for%20example%2C%20jaguar%20populations%20are%20being%20monitored%20through%20a%20networked%20system%20of%20camera%20traps.%20These%20will%20be%20combined%20with%20acoustic%20monitoring%20and%20AI%20algorithms%20trained%20to%20detect%20and%20identify%20individual%20jaguars.%0A%0AThe%20data%20provided%20will%20also%20deliver%20insights%20into%20how%20climate%20change%20is%20impacting%20ecosystems%20on%20the%20north%20coast%20of%20the%20Yucatan%20Peninsula.%0A%0AIn%20China%2C%20a%20smart%20fire%20prevention%20system%20designed%20to%20protect%20giant%20panda%20habitats%20has%20been%20deployed%20in%20various%20locations%2C%20including%20Tangjiahe%20National%20Nature%20Reserve%2C%20a%20site%20that%20is%20on%20the%20IUCN%20Green%20List.%0A%0AIn%20Sichuan%E2%80%99s%20panda%20habitats%2C%20satellite%20images%20are%20analysed%20in%20real%20time%20to%20detect%20possible%20fires.%20Risks%20can%20be%20rapidly%20verified%20and%20alerts%20instantly%20sent%20to%20rangers%20on%20the%20ground.%0A%0AIn%202021%2C%20the%20system%20resulted%20in%20a%2071%20per%20cent%20reduction%20in%20serious%20fires.

Ambitious plan to save the world’s oceans

The%20circulation%20of%20the%20Atlantic%20Ocean%20is%20heading%20towards%20a%20tipping%20point%20that%20is%20%E2%80%9Cbad%20news%20for%20the%20climate%20system%20and%20humanity%E2%80%9D%2C%20a%20study%20has%20found.%0A%0AThe%20scientists%20behind%20the%20research%20said%20they%20were%20shocked%20at%20the%20forecast%20speed%20of%20collapse%20once%20the%20point%20is%20reached%2C%20although%20they%20said%20it%20was%20not%20yet%20possible%20to%20predict%20how%20soon%20that%20would%20happen.%0A%0AUsing%20computer%20models%20and%20past%20data%2C%20the%20researchers%20developed%20an%20early%20warning%20indicator%20for%20the%20breakdown%20of%20the%20Atlantic%20meridional%20overturning%20circulation%20(Amoc)%2C%20a%20vast%20system%20of%20ocean%20currents%20that%20is%20a%20key%20component%20in%20global%20climate%20regulation.%0A%0AThey%20found%20Amoc%20is%20already%20on%20track%20towards%20an%20abrupt%20shift%2C%20which%20has%20not%20happened%20for%20more%20than%2010%2C000%20years%20and%20would%20have%20dire%20implications%20for%20large%20parts%20of%20the%20world.%0A%0AAmoc%2C%20which%20encompasses%20part%20of%20the%20Gulf%20Stream%20and%20other%20powerful%20currents%2C%20is%20a%20marine%20conveyer%20belt%20that%20carries%20heat%2C%20carbon%20and%20nutrients%20from%20the%20tropics%20towards%20the%20Arctic%20Circle%2C%20where%20it%20cools%20and%20sinks%20into%20the%20deep%20ocean.%20This%20churning%20helps%20to%20distribute%20energy%20around%20the%20Earth%20and%20modulates%20the%20impact%20of%20human-caused%20global%20heating.%0A%0ABut%20the%20system%20is%20being%20eroded%20by%20the%20faster-than-expected%20melt-off%20of%20Greenland%E2%80%99s%20glaciers%20and%20Arctic%20ice%20sheets%2C%20which%20pours%20freshwater%20into%20the%20sea%20and%20obstructs%20the%20sinking%20of%20saltier%2C%20warmer%20water%20from%20the%20south.%0A%0AAmoc%20has%20declined%2015%25%20since%201950%20and%20is%20in%20its%20weakest%20state%20in%20more%20than%20a%20millennium%2C%20according%20to%20previous%20research%20that%20prompted%20speculation%20about%20an%20approaching%20collapse.%0A%0AUntil%20now%20there%20has%20been%20no%20consensus%20about%20how%20severe%20this%20will%20be.%20One%20study%20last%20year%2C%20based%20on%20changes%20in%20sea%20surface%20temperatures%2C%20suggested%20the%20tipping%20point%20could%20happen%20between%202025%20and%202095.%20However%2C%20the%20UK%20Met%20Office%20said%20large%2C%20rapid%20changes%20in%20Amoc%20were%20%E2%80%9Cvery%20unlikely%E2%80%9D%20in%20the%2021st%20century.%0A%0AThe%20new%20paper%2C%20published%20in%20Science%20Advances%2C%20has%20broken%20new%20ground%20by%20looking%20for%20warning%20signs%20in%20the%20salinity%20levels%20at%20the%20southern%20extent%20of%20the%20Atlantic%20Ocean%20between%20Cape%20Town%20and%20Buenos%20Aires.%20Simulating%20changes%20over%20a%20period%20of%202%2C000%20years%20on%20computer%20models%20of%20the%20global%20climate%2C%20it%20found%20a%20slow%20decline%20can%20lead%20to%20a%20sudden%20collapse%20over%20less%20than%20100%20years%2C%20with%20calamitous%20consequences.%0A%0AThe%20paper%20said%20the%20results%20provided%20a%20%E2%80%9Cclear%20answer%E2%80%9D%20about%20whether%20such%20an%20abrupt%20shift%20was%20possible%3A%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20bad%20news%20for%20the%20climate%20system%20and%20humanity%20as%20up%20till%20now%20one%20could%20think%20that%20Amoc%20tipping%20was%20only%20a%20theoretical%20concept%20and%20tipping%20would%20disappear%20as%20soon%20as%20the%20full%20climate%20system%2C%20with%20all%20its%20additional%20feedbacks%2C%20was%20considered.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIt%20also%20mapped%20some%20of%20the%20consequences%20of%20Amoc%20collapse.%20Sea%20levels%20in%20the%20Atlantic%20would%20rise%20by%20a%20metre%20in%20some%20regions%2C%20inundating%20many%20coastal%20cities.%20The%20wet%20and%20dry%20seasons%20in%20the%20Amazon%20would%20flip%2C%20potentially%20pushing%20the%20already%20weakened%20rainforest%20past%20its%20own%20tipping%20point.%20Temperatures%20around%20the%20world%20would%20fluctuate%20far%20more%20erratically.%20The%20southern%20hemisphere%20would%20become%20warmer.%20Europe%20would%20cool%20dramatically%20and%20have%20less%20rainfall.%20While%20this%20might%20sound%20appealing%20compared%20with%20the%20current%20heating%20trend%2C%20the%20changes%20would%20hit%2010%20times%20faster%20than%20now%2C%20making%20adaptation%20almost%20impossible.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhat%20surprised%20us%20was%20the%20rate%20at%20which%20tipping%20occurs%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20the%20paper%E2%80%99s%20lead%20author%2C%20Ren%C3%A9%20van%20Westen%2C%20of%20Utrecht%20University.%20%E2%80%9CIt%20will%20be%20devastating.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AHe%20said%20there%20was%20not%20yet%20enough%20data%20to%20say%20whether%20this%20would%20occur%20in%20the%20next%20year%20or%20in%20the%20coming%20century%2C%20but%20when%20it%20happens%2C%20the%20changes%20are%20irreversible%20on%20human%20timescales.%0A%0AIn%20the%20meantime%2C%20the%20direction%20of%20travel%20is%20undoubtedly%20in%20an%20alarming%20direction.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20moving%20towards%20it.%20That%20is%20kind%20of%20scary%2C%E2%80%9D%20van%20Westen%20said.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20need%20to%20take%20climate%20change%20much%20more%20seriously.%E2%80%9D

Atlantic Ocean is headed for a tipping point

Parts%20of%20an%20oil%20spill%20first%20detected%20near%20the%20island%20nation%20of%20Trinidad%20and%20Tobago%20on%20February%207%20are%20drifting%20into%20the%20Caribbean%20Sea%2C%20putting%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20coral%20reefs%2C%20as%20well%20as%20other%20nations%2C%20at%20risk.%0A%0AThe%20spill%20was%20determined%20to%20have%20been%20caused%20by%20an%20overturned%20barge%20being%20pulled%20by%20a%20tugboat%20called%20Solo%20Creed%2C%20according%20to%20a%20post%20by%20Trinidad%20and%20Tobago%E2%80%99s%20Ministry%20of%20National%20Security.%0A%0AMonitoring%20service%20TankerTrackers.com%20said%20the%20barge%20and%20tugboat%20were%20on%20their%20way%20to%20the%20Grenadines%20and%20St.%20Vincent%2C%20reported%20Reuters.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20satellite%20showed%20that%20some%20of%20it%20was%20moving%20into%20the%20Caribbean%20Sea%2C%20as%20well%20as%20some%20of%20the%20modeling%2C%E2%80%9D%20Allan%20Stewart%2C%20director%20of%20Trinidad%20and%20Tobago%E2%80%99s%20emergency%20management%20agency%20(TEMA)%2C%20told%20Reuters.%20%0A%0AThe%20boat%20overturned%20approximately%20480%20feet%20off%20the%20coast%20of%20Venezuela%2C%20The%20Washington%20Post%20reported.%0A%0AA%20national%20emergency%20was%20declared%20by%20Trinidad%20and%20Tobago%20on%20Sunday%2C%20reported%20The%20Guardian.%20At%20least%20two%20schools%20have%20been%20closed%20amid%20health%20concerns%2C%20and%20a%20cleanup%20effort%20has%20begun.%0A%0APrime%20Minister%20Keith%20Rowley%20told%20reporters%20on%20Sunday%20that%20workers%20were%20cleaning%20beaches%2C%20working%20on%20containing%20the%20spill%20with%20booms%20and%20protecting%20wildlife%2C%20according%20to%20The%20Washington%20Post.%0A%0AParts%20of%20the%207.46-mile%20spill%20have%20been%20spotted%20moving%20into%20the%20Caribbean%20in%20opposite%20directions%2C%20TEMA%20said%2C%20as%20Reuters%20reported.%0A%0ATEMA%20photographs%20posted%20on%20Tuesday%20revealed%20progress%20in%20cleaning%20up%20beaches%20in%20Tobago%2C%20with%20roughly%20a%20third%20of%20the%209.3%20miles%20of%20shoreline%20having%20been%20cleaned%2C%20Stewart%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20national%20emergency%20and%20therefore%20it%20will%20have%20to%20be%20funded%20as%20an%20extraordinary%20expense%2C%E2%80%9D%20Rowley%20told%20reporters%2C%20as%20reported%20by%20The%20Independent.%20%E2%80%9C%5BW%5De%20don%E2%80%99t%20know%20the%20full%20scope%20and%20scale%20of%20what%20is%20going%20to%20be%20required.%20Right%20now%2C%20the%20situation%20is%20not%20under%20control.%20But%20it%20appears%20to%20be%20under%20sufficient%20control%20that%20we%20think%20we%20can%20manage.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ARowley%20said%20the%20vessel%20appeared%20to%20be%20leaking%20%E2%80%9Csome%20kind%20of%20hydrocarbon.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AAccording%20to%20officials%2C%20divers%20have%20been%20having%20a%20hard%20time%20containing%20the%20spill%20as%20concerns%20over%20its%20damage%20to%20the%20area%E2%80%99s%20ecosystem%2C%20as%20well%20as%20tourism%2C%20increased.%0A%0AOil%E2%80%99s%20toxic%20substances%20can%20have%20a%20lasting%20impact%20on%20coral%20reefs%2C%20fish%20and%20other%20marine%20life.%0A%0ARowley%20said%20offers%20of%20help%20have%20been%20extended%20by%20several%20countries.%0A%0AThe%20oil%20spill%20happened%20during%20one%20of%20Trinidad%20and%20Tobago%E2%80%99s%20largest%20tourist%20attractions%2C%20Carnival%20season%2C%20CNN%20reported.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20best%20part%20of%20Tobago%E2%80%99s%20economy%20is%20its%20tourism%2C%20so%20it%20is%20important%20that%20we%20be%20cognizant%20that%20we%20don%E2%80%99t%20expose%20the%20tourism%20product%20to%20this%20kind%20of%20thing%2C%E2%80%9D%20Rowley%20said%2C%20according%20to%20CNN.%0A%0AResidents%20of%20Lambeau%20expressed%20concerns%20about%20their%20health%20as%20a%20stench%20from%20the%20spill%20filled%20the%20air%2C%20local%20media%20said.%0A%0AFarley%20Augustine%2C%20the%20Tobago%20House%20of%20Assembly%E2%80%99s%20chief%20secretary%2C%20advised%20residents%20with%20respiratory%20issues%20to%20%E2%80%9Cself-relocate%E2%80%9D%20and%20use%20masks.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCleaning%20and%20restoration%20can%20only%20seriously%20begin%20after%20we%20have%20brought%20the%20situation%20under%20control%2C%E2%80%9D%20Rowley%20said%2C%20as%20reported%20by%20The%20Independent.

Trinidad & Tobago Oil Spill Reaches Caribbean

Aerial%20surveys%20have%20revealed%20prevalent%20shallow-water%20coral%20bleaching%20on%20most%20surveyed%20reefs.%0A%0AAustralia%E2%80%99s%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20is%20in%20the%20grip%20of%20a%20mass%20bleaching%20event%2C%20officials%20have%20confirmed.%0A%0AThe%20Australian%20Institute%20of%20Marine%20Science%20(AIMS)%20and%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20Marine%20Park%20Authority%20said%20on%20Friday%20that%20they%20have%20detected%20widespread%20damage%20at%20the%20UNESCO%20World%20Heritage%20site.%0A%0AAerial%20surveys%20conducted%20by%20the%20two%20authorities%20across%20two-thirds%20of%20the%20marine%20park%20confirmed%20that%20a%20widespread%20coral%20bleaching%20event%20is%20unfolding%20across%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef.%20It%20is%20the%20fifth%20time%20in%20eight%20years%20scientists%20have%20seen%20extensive%20damage%20on%20the%20reef.%0A%0AThe%20results%20are%20consistent%20with%20what%20we%20have%20seen%20with%20above%20average%20sea%20surface%20temperatures%20across%20the%20Marine%20Park%20for%20an%20extended%20period%20of%20time%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Reef%20Authority%20chief%20scientist%20Dr%20Roger%20Beeden.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAerial%20surveys%20of%20the%20Reef%20have%20revealed%20prevalent%20shallow%20water%20coral%20bleaching%20on%20most%20surveyed%20reefs.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Cb%3E%20global%20pattern%20of%20extreme%20heat%20caused%20by%20climate%20change%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AMass%20bleaching%20events%20are%20a%20modern%20phenomenon%2C%20AIMS%20says%2C%20caused%20by%20ocean%20warming%20from%20climate%20change.%20Bleaching%20occurs%20when%20stresses%20like%20extreme%20heat%20cause%20corals%20to%20expel%20the%20algae%20inside%20of%20them%20that%20sustain%20them%20with%20nutrients%20and%20give%20them%20their%20colour.%0A%0APrevious%20events%20occurred%20in%201998%2C%202002%2C%202016%2C%202017%2C%202020%20and%202022.%20Before%20this%2C%20there%20is%20no%20evidence%20of%20such%20widespread%20bleaching%20in%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%E2%80%99s%20500-year%20coral%20record.%0A%0AThe%20unfolding%20mass%20bleaching%20event%20follows%20similar%20reports%20from%20reefs%20around%20the%20world%20in%20the%20last%2012%20months.%20Climate%20change%20has%20amplified%20the%20effect%20of%20El%20Ni%C3%B1o%20conditions%20in%20the%20Pacific%20Ocean%2C%20driving%20record-high%20sea%20surface%20temperatures.%0A%0AThe%20US%20government%E2%80%99s%20Coral%20Reef%20Watch%20programme%20has%20warned%20that%20the%20planet%20is%20heading%20towards%20its%20fourth%20global%20mass%20bleaching%20effect%20where%20reefs%20in%20the%20Atlantic%2C%20Pacific%20and%20potentially%20the%20Indian%20Ocean%20could%20all%20bleach.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20the%20last%20northern%20hemisphere%20summer%20there%20was%20record-breaking%20heat%20stress%20in%20the%20Caribbean%20and%20the%20Eastern%20Pacific%2C%20causing%20severe%20and%20widespread%20coral%20bleaching%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20AIMS%20research%20programme%20director%20Dr%20David%20Wachenfeld.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20mass%20coral%20bleaching%20event%20on%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20is%20part%20of%20a%20global%20pattern%20of%20extreme%20heat%2C%20caused%20by%20climate%20change.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Cb%3EWhat%20does%20this%20mass%20bleaching%20event%20mean%20for%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%3F%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20is%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20biggest%20coral%20system%20stretching%20more%20than%202%2C300km%20across%20320%20reefs%20off%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20north-east%20coast.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAs%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20ecosystem%20is%20so%20large%2C%20the%20size%20of%20Italy%2C%20the%20heat%20stress%20across%20it%20isn%E2%80%99t%20uniform%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Dr%20Neal%20Cantin%2C%20senior%20research%20scientist%20for%20AIMS.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAs%20a%20result%2C%20we%20are%20seeing%20differences%20between%20reefs%20with%20respect%20to%20the%20number%20of%20corals%20that%20are%20completely%20white.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABleaching%20is%20a%20stress%20response%20from%20which%20the%20corals%20can%20recover%20-%20depending%20on%20the%20duration%20and%20intensity%20of%20the%20heat%20stress.%20But%20it%20leaves%20them%20more%20vulnerable%20to%20disease%20and%20prolonged%20or%20intense%20heat%20can%20result%20in%20the%20death%20of%20corals.%0A%0ADr%20Cantin%20says%20aerial%20and%20in-water%20surveys%20will%20continue%20to%20document%20the%20extent%2C%20depth%20and%20severity%20of%20coral%20bleaching%20across%20the%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CUntil%20both%20the%20aerial%20and%20in-water%20surveys%20have%20been%20completed%20and%20the%20data%20analysed%2C%20we%20cannot%20predict%20the%20potential%20impacts%20that%20will%20follow%20this%20year%E2%80%99s%20mass%20bleaching%20event.%E2%80%9D

Great Barrier Reef in the grip of mass bleaching

On%20a%20starry%20night%2C%20four%20Thai%20marine%20biologists%20scuba%20dived%20through%20shallow%20waters%20off%20an%20island%20in%20the%20country's%20south%20as%20billions%20of%20pink%20specks%20floated%20up%20from%20the%20ocean%20floor%20in%20a%20spectacle%20that%20takes%20place%20only%20once%20a%20year.%0A%0AThe%20pink%20specks%20were%20sperm%20and%20eggs%20released%20by%20coral.%20The%20scientists%20collected%20as%20many%20samples%20as%20possible%20for%20breeding%2C%20as%20they%20fight%20to%20save%20Thailand's%20expansive%20reefs%20from%20degradation%20driven%20by%20warming%20oceans%20and%20human%20activity%20like%20tourism.%0A%0ATheir%20research%20is%20painstaking%20because%20the%20coral%20only%20spawn%20once%20a%20year%2C%20and%20it%20can%20take%20up%20to%20five%20years%20to%20raise%20the%20juveniles%20in%20a%20lab%20before%20they%20are%20ready%20to%20be%20transferred%20back%20onto%20the%20seabed.%0A%0A%22We%20have%20hope%20that%20the%20degraded%20coral%20reefs%20can%20recover%20and%20return%20to%20their%20former%20beauty%2C%22%20said%20one%20scientist%2C%20Nantika%20Kitsom.%0A%0AShe%20added%20the%20loss%20of%20Thailand's%20reefs%20doesn't%20just%20pose%20a%20significant%20threat%20to%20the%20ocean%20ecosystem%2C%20but%20also%20to%20the%20country's%20economy%2C%20as%20it%20impacts%20tourism%20and%20fisheries%20that%20depend%20on%20healthy%20coral%20habitats%20for%20fish%20populations.%0A%0AThe%20coral%20breeding%20and%20restoration%20project%20was%20started%20by%20Thailand's%20Department%20of%20Marine%20and%20Coastal%20Resources%20in%202016%20in%20the%20southern%20island%20of%20Man%20Nai%2C%20chosen%20because%20it%20houses%20over%2098%20species%20of%20coral.%0A%0AThe%20project%20came%20after%20as%20much%20as%2090%25%20of%20Thailand's%20coral%20reefs%20were%20affected%20by%20a%20mass%20bleaching%20event%20that%20started%20in%202010%2C%20most%20likely%20triggered%20by%20rising%20water%20temperatures.%20Since%20the%20project%20was%20initiated%2C%20more%20than%204%2C000%20coral%20colonies%20around%20Mun%20Nai%20Island%20have%20been%20restored%2C%20the%20department%20said.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20U.S.%20National%20Oceanic%20and%20Atmospheric%20Administration%2C%20the%20world%20is%20on%20the%20verge%20of%20a%20fourth%20mass%20coral%20bleaching%20event%20that%20could%20see%20wide%20swathes%20of%20tropical%20reefs%20die.

Thai scientists rush to restore degraded reefs

The%20Government%20of%20Canada%20has%20announced%20the%20publication%20of%20the%20Blue%20Economy%20Regulatory%20Roadmap%2C%20a%20strategic%20plan%20to%20enhance%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20oceans.%0A%0AAnnounced%20by%20Diane%20Lebouthillier%2C%20Minister%20of%20Fisheries%2C%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fhot-spots%2Focean%2Fall%22%20%3EOceans%3C%2Fa%3E%20and%20the%20Canadian%20Coast%20Guard%2C%20at%20the%20H2O%20conference%20in%20Halifax%2C%20the%20Blue%20Economy%20Regulatory%20Roadmap%20will%20support%20innovation%20and%20economic%20growth%20in%20Canada%E2%80%99s%20oceans.%0A%0AFollowing%20months%20of%20public%20consultation%2C%20the%20roadmap%E2%80%99s%20development%20was%20led%20by%20Fisheries%20and%20Oceans%20Canada%20(DFO)%20in%20partnership%20with%20Natural%20Resources%20Canada%2C%20Transport%20Canada%2C%20Innovation%2C%20Science%20and%20Economic%20Development%20Canada%2C%20and%20the%20National%20Research%20Council%20of%20Canada.%0A%0AThe%20plan%20outlines%20strategic%20areas%20to%20accelerate%20the%20development%20of%20Canada%E2%80%99s%20ocean%20economy%2C%20a%20move%20that%20will%20generate%20vast%20environmental%20and%20economic%20benefits.%0A%0ALebouthillier%20explained%3A%20%E2%80%9COur%20oceans%20hold%20immense%20potential%20to%20combat%20climate%20change%20and%20drive%20sustainable%20economic%20growth.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20Roadmap%20marks%20a%20significant%20stride%20towards%20eliminating%20barriers%20for%20businesses%20that%20rely%20on%20the%20ocean%20to%20grow%20in%20a%20sustainable%20way%2C%20which%20will%20deliver%20widespread%20benefits%20for%20all%20Canadians.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EImportance%20of%20Canada%E2%80%99s%20oceans%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOceans%20are%20crucial%20for%20the%20livelihoods%20of%20communities%20throughout%20Canada%2C%20offering%20potential%20climate%20solutions%2C%20increased%20opportunities%20for%20coastal%20and%20inland%20areas%2C%20and%20a%20more%20sustainable%20and%20prosperous%20blue%20economy.%0A%0AIn%202023%2C%20Canada%20exported%20over%20%247.6bn%20worth%20of%20fish%20and%20seafood%20to%20115%20countries%2C%20making%20these%20commodities%20among%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20largest%20food%20exports.%0A%0ATo%20transition%20to%20a%20sustainable%20blue%20economy%2C%20Canada%20needs%20healthy%20ocean%20spaces.%20The%20roadmap%20aims%20to%20achieve%20lasting%20results%20by%20promoting%20a%20Government-wide%20approach%20that%20emphasises%20the%20importance%20of%20ocean%20protection%20for%20prosperous%20communities%20and%20livelihoods.%0A%0AJonathan%20Wilkinson%2C%20Minister%20of%20Energy%20and%20Natural%20Resources%2C%20added%3A%20%E2%80%9COceans%20are%20among%20Canada%E2%80%99s%20most%20important%20natural%20resources.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20Roadmap%20will%20allow%20us%20to%20better%20protect%20our%20ocean%20waters%20and%20industries.%20In%20turn%2C%20these%20new%20protections%20will%20support%20sustainable%20economic%20growth%20and%20innovation%20while%20prioritising%20the%20health%2C%20safety%2C%20and%20security%20of%20Canadians%20and%20the%20environment%20they%20value%20and%20depend%20on.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETransforming%20Canada%E2%80%99s%20blue%20economy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20roadmap%20outlines%20the%20actions%20Canada%20will%20take%20to%20foster%20innovation%20and%20economic%20growth%20in%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20oceans%2C%20focusing%20on%20five%20key%20areas%3A%0A%0AMarine%20renewable%20energy%20and%20environmental%20protection%0AMarine%20spatial%20planning%0AMaritime%20autonomous%20surface%20ships%0AOcean%20technology%0ASustainable%20fishing%20gear%20and%20practices%0AThis%20development%20marks%20a%20pivotal%20moment%20in%20Canada%E2%80%99s%20commitment%20to%20sustainable%20ocean%20management.%0A%0ABy%20implementing%20this%20roadmap%2C%20Canada%20is%20poised%20to%20unlock%20the%20vast%20potential%20of%20its%20oceans%2C%20fostering%20a%20prosperous%20and%20sustainable%20blue%20economy.

Canada publishes blue economy regulatory roadmap

The%20United%20Nations'%20International%20Seabed%20Authority%20(ISA)%20will%20meet%20on%20Monday%20to%20consider%20new%20rules%20allowing%20firms%20to%20extract%20minerals%20from%20the%20ocean%20floor%2C%20despite%20mounting%20concerns%20about%20the%20economic%20and%20environmental%20risks.%0A%20%0ASupporters%20say%20deep%20sea%20mining%20will%20help%20boost%20supplies%20of%20raw%20materials%20like%20cobalt%20and%20nickel%2C%20which%20are%20needed%20for%20the%20global%20energy%20transition%2C%20but%20critics%20say%20it%20could%20destroy%20ecosystems%20and%20disrupt%20migratory%20routes.%0A%0AAs%20many%20as%2027%20countries%20are%20calling%20for%20at%20least%20a%20temporary%20halt%20of%20activities%2C%20and%20Hawaii%20last%20week%20became%20the%20fourth%20Pacific%20U.S.%20state%20to%20issue%20a%20comprehensive%20ban.%0A%20%0AMeeting%20in%20Kingston%2C%20Jamaica%2C%20until%20July%2026%2C%20the%2036-member%20ISA%20council%20will%20negotiate%20the%20latest%20draft%20of%20a%20long-awaited%20%22mining%20code%22%2C%20designed%20to%20regulate%20the%20exploration%20and%20extraction%20of%20%22polymetallic%20nodules%22%20and%20other%20deposits%20on%20the%20ocean%20floor.%0A%0A%22I%20think%20it%20will%20become%20very%20clear%20at%20this%20session%20that%20there%20is%20still%20a%20long%20way%20to%20go%2C%22%20said%20Pradeep%20Singh%2C%20an%20ocean%20governance%20specialist%20at%20Germany's%20Potsdam%20Institute%2C%20saying%20that%20countries%20were%20still%20divided%20over%20the%20final%20text.%0A%20%0AMany%20are%20concerned%20the%20code%20is%20being%20rushed%20through%20without%20proper%20scrutiny%20and%20want%20to%20slow%20the%20process%20down%2C%20Singh%20said.%0A%20%0AWhile%20many%20are%20concerned%20about%20environmental%20risks%2C%20others%20are%20also%20looking%20for%20clarity%20about%20how%20proceeds%20from%20deep%20sea%20mining%20will%20eventually%20be%20shared.%0A%0AThe%20rush%20to%20complete%20the%20mining%20code%20was%20triggered%20by%20the%20Pacific%20island%20state%20of%20Nauru%2C%20which%20is%20expected%20to%20submit%20a%20mining%20license%20application%20on%20behalf%20of%20Canada's%20The%20Metals%20Company%20(TMC)%20(TMC.O)%2C%20opens%20new%20tab%20later%20this%20year%2C%20regardless%20of%20whether%20or%20not%20regulations%20are%20complete.%0A%20%0A%22A%20growing%20number%20of%20states%20are%20saying%20no%2C%20we%20will%20not%20allow%20that%20to%20happen%2C%22%20said%20Singh.%20%22Those%20states%20calling%20for%20a%20pause%20remain%20committed%20to%20negotiating%20the%20regulations%2C%20so%20it%20is%20not%20as%20if%20they%20are%20saying%20they%20don't%20want%20deep%20sea%20mining%20to%20happen.%22

Nations gather to negotiate deep sea mining code

The%20European%20Commission%20announced%20the%20launch%20of%2026%20new%20projects%2C%20backed%20by%20a%20%E2%82%AC126.9m%20investment%2C%20under%20the%20ambitious%20EU%20Mission%20%E2%80%98Restore%20our%20Ocean%20and%20Waters%E2%80%99.%0A%20%0AThis%20initiative%20is%20a%20critical%20part%20of%20the%20Horizon%20Europe%20programme%2C%20aiming%20to%20protect%20and%20rejuvenate%20the%20continent%E2%80%99s%20vital%20aquatic%20ecosystems%20by%202030.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20newly%20funded%20projects%20encompass%20346%20beneficiaries%20from%2037%20countries%2C%20including%20SMEs%2C%20research%20institutions%2C%20local%20authorities%2C%20and%20educational%20establishments.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20diverse%20array%20of%20participants%20underscores%20the%20collaborative%20spirit%20of%20the%20mission%2C%20uniting%20efforts%20from%2026%20EU%20Member%20States%20and%20nine%20Associated%20Countries.%20%0A%20%0AThese%20projects%20span%20a%20wide%20geographical%20range%2C%20from%20the%20Baltic%20and%20North%20Seas%20to%20the%20Danube%20River%2C%20Black%20Sea%2C%20Mediterranean%2C%20and%20the%20Atlantic.%20%0A%20%0A%3Cb%3EOverview%20of%20the%20EU%20Mission%3A%20Restore%20Our%20Ocean%20and%20Waters%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0AEstablished%20under%20the%20Horizon%20Europe%20programme%20for%202021-2027%2C%20EU%20Missions%20are%20designed%20to%20address%20some%20of%20society%E2%80%99s%20most%20pressing%20issues%20through%20innovative%20solutions%20and%20tangible%20results%20by%202030.%20%0A%20%0ALaunched%20in%20September%202021%2C%20the%20Restore%20our%20Ocean%20and%20Waters%20mission%20seeks%20to%20rejuvenate%20aquatic%20health%20through%20research%2C%20innovation%2C%20citizen%20engagement%2C%20and%20sustainable%20blue%20economy%20investments.%20%0A%20%0ARecognising%20the%20interconnectedness%20of%20oceans%20and%20waters%2C%20the%20Restore%20our%20Ocean%20and%20Waters%20mission%20is%20pivotal%20for%20achieving%20climate%20neutrality%20and%20restoring%20natural%20ecosystems.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20mission%20promotes%20regional%20engagement%20via%20area-based%20%E2%80%98Lighthouses%E2%80%99%20in%20major%20sea%20and%20river%20basins%2C%20including%20the%20Atlantic-Arctic%2C%20Mediterranean%20Sea%2C%20Baltic-North%20Sea%2C%20and%20Danube-Black%20Sea.%20%0A%20%0AThese%20Lighthouses%20serve%20as%20pilot%20sites%20to%20demonstrate%20and%20deploy%20mission%20activities%2C%20facilitating%20cooperation%20and%20regional%20impact.%20%0A%20%0A%3Cb%3EWide-ranging%20environmental%20benefits%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0AThe%20selected%20projects%20promise%20a%20host%20of%20environmental%20benefits%2C%20targeting%20various%20regions%20and%20challenges%3A%20%0A%20%0A%3Cli%3EDanube%20River%3A%20Sustainable%20sediment%20management.%3C%2Fli%3E%20%0A%3Cli%3EAtlantic%20and%20Arctic%3A%20Biodiversity%20protection%20and%20restoration.%3C%2Fli%3E%20%0A%3Cli%3EMediterranean%20Sea%3A%20Combatting%20water%20and%20soil%20pollution.%3C%2Fli%3E%20%0A%3Cli%3EEuropean%20Lakes%3A%20Restoration%20of%20natural%20ecosystems.%3C%2Fli%3E%20%0A%3Cli%3ERegional%20Landscapes%3A%20Increasing%20water%20retention%20capacity.%3C%2Fli%3E%20%0A%3Cli%3EMarine%20Protected%20Areas%3A%20Improved%20co-management%20and%20connectivity%20of%20Blue%20Corridors.%3C%2Fli%3E%20%0A%3Cli%3EFishing%20Fleets%3A%20Enhanced%20energy%20efficiency%2C%20reducing%20fuel%20consumption%20and%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions.%3C%2Fli%3E%20%0A%3Cli%3ERenewable%20Energy%3A%20Balancing%20offshore%20energy%20production%20with%20biodiversity%20protection.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%0AAdditionally%2C%20the%20projects%20will%20integrate%20socio-ecological%20models%20and%20inland%20waters%20data%20into%20the%20Digital%20Twin%20Ocean%E2%80%94an%20innovative%20digital%20replica%20used%20to%20simulate%20and%20predict%20environmental%20impacts.%20%0A%20%0ACommunication%20campaigns%20and%20applications%20promoting%20sustainable%20seafood%20consumption%20in%20the%20EU%20will%20also%20be%20developed%20alongside%20initiatives%20to%20engage%20citizens%20with%20the%20ocean%20through%20art%20and%20creative%20performances.%20%0A%20%0AThese%20initiatives%20are%20part%20of%20the%20broader%20Horizon%20Europe%20calls%2C%20aimed%20at%20supporting%20European%20communities%20that%20rely%20on%20healthy%20oceans%20and%20waters.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20goal%20is%20to%20foster%20resilience%2C%20achieve%20climate%20neutrality%2C%20and%20future-proof%20these%20communities%20against%20environmental%20challenges.%20%0A%20%0AAs%20these%20projects%20get%20underway%2C%20they%20represent%20a%20significant%20step%20towards%20achieving%20the%20mission%E2%80%99s%20goals%20by%202030.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20EU%20Commission%E2%80%99s%20substantial%20investment%20underscores%20its%20commitment%20to%20environmental%20stewardship%2C%20aiming%20to%20Restore%20our%20Ocean%20and%20Waters%20for%20a%20sustainable%20and%20resilient%20future.

€126.9m initiative to restore our ocean and waters

The%20High%20Seas%20Treaty%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20bring%20about%20a%20significant%20shift%20in%20global%20ocean%20conservation%20efforts.%0AThe%20European%20Union%20and%20six%20of%20its%20member%20states%20formally%20ratified%20the%20United%20Nations%20treaty%20to%20protect%20the%20high%20seas%20on%20Wednesday%20in%20New%20York.%0A%0AThis%20international%20agreement%20is%20seen%20as%20a%20critical%20opportunity%20to%20safeguard%20parts%20of%20the%20ocean%20that%20lie%20beyond%20national%20maritime%20borders.%20The%20latest%20wave%20of%20ratifications%20comes%20ahead%20of%20the%20landmark%20UN%20Ocean%20Conference%2C%20scheduled%20to%20take%20place%20in%20Nice%2C%20France%2C%20in%20early%20June.%0A%0AEU%20Commissioner%20for%20Fisheries%20and%20Oceans%2C%20Costas%20Kadis%2C%20described%20the%20move%20as%20a%20%E2%80%9Chistoric%20step%20towards%20protecting%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20oceans%20and%20preserving%20the%20delicate%20balance%20of%20our%20planet%E2%80%99s%20ecosystem.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ARatification%20means%20that%20the%20EU%20and%20the%20six%20individual%20member%20states%20have%20formally%20agreed%20to%20the%20treaty%20becoming%20binding%20international%20law.%20This%20often%20involves%20aligning%20national%20legislation%20with%20what%20the%20treaty%20outlines.%0A%0AIn%20April%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20presented%20a%20proposal%20for%20a%20directive%20that%20would%20transpose%20the%20High%20Seas%20Treaty%20into%20European%20law.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EWhat%20is%20the%20High%20Seas%20Treaty%3F%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20High%20Seas%20Treaty%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20bring%20about%20a%20significant%20shift%20in%20global%20ocean%20conservation%20efforts.%0A%0AAreas%20beyond%20national%20jurisdiction%20-including%20the%20high%20seas%20and%20seabed%20-cover%20nearly%20two-thirds%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20oceans.%20These%20regions%20face%20increasing%20threats%20from%20pollution%2C%20overexploitation%2C%20climate%20change%2C%20and%20biodiversity%20loss.%0A%0ACurrently%2C%20only%20about%201%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20high%20seas%20is%20protected.%0A%0AFollowing%20years%20of%20negotiations%2C%20a%20global%20consensus%20on%20the%20need%20to%20protect%20the%20high%20seas%20was%20reached%20in%20March%202023.%20The%20text%20of%20the%20treaty%20was%20formally%20adopted%20in%20June%202023%20at%20the%20UN%20headquarters%20in%20New%20York.%0A%0AThe%20agreement%20paves%20the%20way%20for%20protecting%20marine%20life%20in%20areas%20outside%20of%20national%20maritime%20boundaries.%20It%20allows%20for%20the%20creation%20of%20marine%20protected%20areas%20and%20supports%20the%20global%20goal%20of%20safeguarding%20at%20least%2030%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20oceans%20by%202030.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EWhat%20is%20needed%20for%20the%20High%20Seas%20Treaty%20to%20become%20international%20law%3F%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AClassified%20as%20a%20%E2%80%9Cmixed%20agreement%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20treaty%20needs%20to%20be%20ratified%20by%20both%20the%20EU%20and%20its%20individual%20member%20states%20separately.%0A%0AOn%20Wednesday%2C%20Cyprus%2C%20Finland%2C%20Hungary%2C%20Latvia%2C%20Portugal%2C%20and%20Slovenia%20joined%20the%20EU%20in%20submitting%20their%20ratification.%20France%20and%20Spain%20had%20already%20ratified%20the%20treaty%20earlier%20this%20year.%0A%0ATo%20come%20into%20force%2C%20the%20treaty%20requires%20ratification%20by%2060%20parties.%20With%20these%20latest%20additions%2C%20the%20number%20of%20ratifications%20has%20reached%2028.%20A%20total%20of%20115%20countries%20have%20signed%20the%20treaty%2C%20indicating%20their%20potential%20commitment%20to%20ratification.%0A%0AThe%20EU%20is%20urging%20all%20remaining%20parties%20to%20ratify%20the%20agreement%20without%20delay%2C%20in%20the%20hope%20of%20securing%20the%2060%20ratifications%20required%20for%20it%20to%20enter%20into%20force%20by%20the%20time%20of%20the%20UN%20Ocean%20Conference%20in%20Nice.%0A%0ATo%20come%20into%20force%2C%20the%20treaty%20requires%20ratification%20by%2060%20parties.%20With%20these%20latest%20additions%2C%20the%20number%20of%20ratifications%20has%20reached%2028.%20A%20total%20of%20115%20countries%20have%20signed%20the%20treaty%2C%20indicating%20their%20potential%20commitment%20to%20ratification.%0A%0AThe%20EU%20is%20urging%20all%20remaining%20parties%20to%20ratify%20the%20agreement%20without%20delay%2C%20in%20the%20hope%20of%20securing%20the%2060%20ratifications%20required%20for%20it%20to%20enter%20into%20force%20by%20the%20time%20of%20the%20UN%20Ocean%20Conference%20in%20Nice.

EU, 6 member states ratify UN treaty on high seas

The%20European%20Commission%20presented%20a%20plan%20aimed%20at%20better%20protecting%20oceans%20on%20Thursday%2C%20ahead%20of%20the%20UN%20Oceans%20Conference%20(UNOC)%20in%20Nice%2C%20France%2C%20next%20week.%0A%0AIt%20says%20the%20European%20Ocean%20Pact%20is%20a%20%E2%80%9Ccomprehensive%E2%80%9D%20roadmap%20to%20protect%20the%20ocean%2C%20promote%20a%20blue%20economy%20and%20support%20the%20well-being%20of%20people%20living%20in%20coastal%20areas.%0A%0AThe%20pact%20brings%20together%20EU%20ocean%20policies%20under%20one%20single%20framework%20to%20address%20threats%20facing%20the%20bloc%E2%80%99s%20oceans.%0A%0AIt%20lays%20out%20several%20key%20priorities%2C%20including%20protecting%20and%20restoring%20ocean%20health%2C%20boosting%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20blue%20economy%2C%20supporting%20coastal%20and%20island%20communities%2C%20advancing%20ocean%20research%2C%20enhancing%20maritime%20security%20and%20defence%2C%20and%20strengthening%20ocean%20diplomacy.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20will%20not%20only%20benefit%20the%20planet%2C%20but%20also%20the%20people%20who%20call%20the%20coast%20their%20home%2C%20and%20the%20generations%20who%20will%20steward%20our%20oceans%20tomorrow%2C%E2%80%9D%20European%20Commission%20President%20Ursula%20von%20der%20Leyen%20said.%0A%0ACommissioner%20for%20Fisheries%20and%20Oceans%2C%20Costas%20Kadis%2C%20added%20that%20it%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20just%20a%20%E2%80%9Cmessage%20in%20a%20bottle%E2%80%9D%20but%20a%20concrete%20plan%20for%20action.%0A%0A%22It%20also%20offers%20immense%20potential%20for%20more%20investments%20in%20a%20sustainable%20blue%20economy%2C%20and%20it%20is%20key%20for%20our%20security%2C%22%20he%20added.%0A%0AHeadline%20pledges%20include%20proposing%20a%20new%20European%20law%20on%20the%20oceans%20by%202027%20and%20revising%20two%20maritime%20directives%20to%20better%20protect%20biodiversity.%0A%0ABut%20environmental%20NGOs%20aren%E2%80%99t%20so%20sure.%20While%20the%20pact%20shows%20%E2%80%9Ctentative%20steps%E2%80%9D%20in%20the%20right%20direction%2C%20they%20say%20there%20are%20%E2%80%9Ccritical%20gaps%E2%80%9D%20which%20must%20be%20addressed.%20They%20consider%20it%20a%20missed%20opportunity%20for%20the%20EU%20to%20show%20leadership%20at%20the%20UNOC%2C%20where%20it%20will%20present%20the%20Pact%20next%20week.%0A%0A%3Cb%3ENGOs%20say%20%E2%80%98lacklustre%E2%80%99%20Pact%20puts%20future%20of%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20seas%20at%20risk%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AIn%20a%20joint%20statement%2C%20a%20group%20of%20six%20leading%20environmental%20NGOs%20said%20the%20Pact%20falls%20short%20of%20delivering%20the%20urgent%20action%20and%20binding%20targets%20that%20are%20needed%20to%20protect%20oceans.%0A%0ABirdLife%20Europe%2C%20ClientEarth%2C%20Oceana%2C%20Seas%20At%20Risk%2C%20Surfrider%20Foundation%20Europe%2C%20and%20the%20WWF%20European%20Policy%20Office%20welcomed%20the%20announcement%20but%20warned%20that%20to%20be%20successful%2C%20it%20must%20lead%20to%20the%20immediate%20implementation%20of%20existing%20obligations%20and%20include%20legally%20binding%20targets.%0A%0AVera%20Coelho%2C%20deputy%20vice-president%20of%20Oceana%20in%20Europe%2C%20said%20it%20was%20a%20%E2%80%9Cmissed%20opportunity%E2%80%9D%20for%20the%20EU%20to%20show%20leadership%20at%20the%20upcoming%20UNOC.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20proposes%20to%20continue%20the%20same%20failed%2C%20case-by-case%20approach%20that%20has%20enabled%20destructive%20practices%20like%20bottom%20trawling%20to%20continue%20for%20decades%20inside%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20so-called%20%E2%80%98protected'%20areas%2C%E2%80%9D%20Coelho%20explains.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20opens%20the%20door%20to%20revising%20key%20pieces%20of%20EU%20law%2C%20such%20as%20the%20Common%20Fisheries%20Policy%2C%20rather%20than%20proposing%20an%20implementation%20and%20enforcement%20strategy%20to%20address%20the%20real%20root%20of%20the%20ocean%E2%80%99s%20multiple%20crises%3A%20lack%20of%20political%20will%20by%20member%20states%20to%20meet%20agreed%20targets%20and%20implement%20EU%20law.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBy%20deferring%20real%20action%2C%20this%20lacklustre%20Pact%20puts%20at%20risk%20the%20future%20of%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20seas%20and%20of%20the%20people%20who%20rely%20on%20them.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20NGOs%20are%20urging%20EU%20institutions%20and%20member%20states%20to%20strengthen%20the%20pact%20with%20concrete%20measures%20and%20ensure%20that%20ocean%20protection%20becomes%20central%20to%20ocean-related%20EU%20laws.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhile%20the%20Commission%20promises%20in%20the%20Ocean%20Pact%20to%20work%20on%20enforcement%2C%20it%20falls%20short%2C%20offering%20no%20concrete%20plan%20for%20how%20ocean%20laws%2C%20which%20exist%20on%20paper%2C%20will%20actually%20be%20implemented%20at%20sea%2C%E2%80%9D%20adds%20Juliet%20Stote%2C%20law%20and%20policy%20advisor%20on%20marine%20ecosystems%20at%20ClientEarth.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCurrently%2C%20EU%20laws%20are%20continuously%20breached%20-%20with%20destructive%20activities%20such%20as%20bottom%20trawling%20routinely%20taking%20place%20in%20Marine%20Protected%20Areas%2C%20and%20overfishing%20continuing%20in%20EU%20waters%20-%20this%20must%20stop.%E2%80%9D

EU unveils ocean pact before UN conference

A%20groundbreaking%20international%20treaty%20aimed%20at%20safeguarding%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20oceans%20and%20reversing%20decades%20of%20damage%20to%20marine%20ecosystems%20is%20officially%20set%20to%20become%20law.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHigh%20seas%20treaty%20ratification%20reaches%20global%20milestone%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOn%2019%20September%202025%2C%20Morocco%20became%20the%2060th%20nation%20to%20ratify%20the%20High%20Seas%20Treaty%2C%20triggering%20its%20official%20enforcement%20from%20January%202026.%20This%20landmark%20agreement%2C%20over%2020%20years%20in%20the%20making%2C%20establishes%20a%20legal%20framework%20to%20protect%20biodiversity%20in%20international%20waters%20and%20expand%20marine%20protected%20areas%20(MPAs).%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20turning%20point%20for%20global%20ocean%20conservation%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AEnvironmental%20advocates%20are%20calling%20the%20treaty%20a%20%E2%80%9Cmonumental%20achievement%E2%80%9D%2C%20highlighting%20it%20as%20proof%20that%20nations%20can%20unite%20for%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20survival.%0AUnited%20Nations%20Secretary-General%20Ant%C3%B3nio%20Guterres%20emphasized%20its%20importance%2C%20stating%3A%0A%0A%20%E2%80%9CCovering%20more%20than%20two-thirds%20of%20the%20ocean%2C%20the%20agreement%20sets%20binding%20rules%20to%20conserve%20and%20sustainably%20use%20marine%20biodiversity.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20ocean%20crisis%20is%20urgent%3A%20overfishing%2C%20plastic%20and%20shipping%20pollution%2C%20and%20climate-driven%20ocean%20warming%20have%20devastated%20ecosystems.%20According%20to%20the%20International%20Union%20for%20Conservation%20of%20Nature%20(IUCN)%2C%20nearly%2010%25%20of%20marine%20species%20face%20extinction.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EProtecting%2030%25%20of%20the%20ocean%20by%202030%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AIn%202020%2C%20world%20leaders%20pledged%20to%20protect%2030%25%20of%20all%20national%20and%20international%20waters%20by%202030.%20Yet%20progress%20has%20been%20slow%E2%80%94currently%2C%20only%201%25%20of%20the%20high%20seas%20are%20protected%2C%20leaving%20marine%20life%20vulnerable%20to%20exploitation.%0A%0AThe%20High%20Seas%20Treaty%20addresses%20this%20gap%20by%20requiring%20participating%20nations%20to%20designate%20large%20swaths%20of%20the%20ocean%20as%20Marine%20Protected%20Areas%2C%20ensuring%20stronger%20safeguards%20for%20endangered%20ecosystems.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20ratification%20matters%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AFor%20the%20treaty%20to%20take%20effect%2C%20at%20least%2060%20countries%20needed%20to%20ratify%20it%2C%20a%20process%20that%20typically%20takes%20more%20than%20five%20years%20due%20to%20parliamentary%20approvals.%20Remarkably%2C%20this%20milestone%20was%20reached%20in%20record%20time%2C%20according%20to%20Elizabeth%20Wilson%2C%20senior%20director%20for%20environmental%20policy%20at%20The%20Pew%20Charitable%20Trusts.%0A%0ANations%20such%20as%20the%20UK%20have%20already%20begun%20parliamentary%20ratification%20procedures%2C%20underscoring%20global%20commitment.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EGlobal%20reactions%20to%20the%20treaty%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Kirsten%20Schuijt%2C%20Director-General%20of%20the%20World%20Wide%20Fund%20for%20Nature%20(WWF)%2C%20called%20the%20treaty%20%E2%80%9Ca%20turning%20point%20for%20two-thirds%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20ocean%20that%20lie%20beyond%20national%20jurisdiction.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Mads%20Christensen%2C%20Executive%20Director%20of%20Greenpeace%20International%2C%20described%20it%20as%20%E2%80%9Ca%20landmark%20moment%E2%80%9D%20and%20urged%20nations%20to%20end%20the%20era%20of%20ocean%20exploitation.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhat%20happens%20next%3F%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOnce%20in%20force%2C%20treaty%20members%20will%20propose%20marine%20areas%20for%20protection.%20These%20proposals%20will%20be%20reviewed%20and%20voted%20on%20by%20signatory%20nations.%20While%20countries%20will%20conduct%20their%20own%20environmental%20impact%20assessments%2C%20oversight%20bodies%20will%20allow%20others%20to%20raise%20concerns%2C%20ensuring%20accountability.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20the%20ocean%20matter%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20ocean%20is%20more%20than%20a%20vast%20body%20of%20water%E2%80%94it%20is%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20largest%20ecosystem%2C%20providing%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Up%20to%2080%25%20of%20the%20oxygen%20humans%20breathe.%0A%E2%80%A2%20An%20estimated%20%242.5%20trillion%20annually%20to%20the%20global%20economy.%0A%E2%80%A2%20A%20critical%20buffer%20against%20climate%20change%2C%20absorbing%20heat%20and%20carbon%20dioxide.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EConclusion%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20High%20Seas%20Treaty%20marks%20a%20historic%20leap%20toward%20reversing%20ocean%20decline%20and%20protecting%20marine%20life%20for%20future%20generations.%20With%20two-thirds%20of%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20ocean%20now%20under%20a%20global%20conservation%20framework%2C%20the%20world%20takes%20a%20united%20stand%20for%20the%20health%20of%20our%20blue%20planet.

Treaty to save oceans becomes law

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Great%20Reef%20Census%2C%20a%20major%20conservation%20initiative%20involving%20over%20100%20vessels%20collecting%20reef%20imagery%20across%20Australia.%20This%20collaborative%20effort%20enables%20scientists%20to%20identify%20critical%20reef%20areas%2C%20monitor%20ecosystem%20health%2C%20and%20prioritize%20conservation%20actions.%0A%0ACitizen%20science%20programs%20like%20this%20empower%20everyday%20people%20to%20contribute%20valuable%20data%2C%20expanding%20research%20capabilities%20beyond%20traditional%20scientific%20teams.%0A%0APete%20Mumby%2C%20from%20the%20University%20of%20Queensland%E2%80%99s%20Marine%20Spatial%20Ecology%20Lab%2C%20emphasized%20the%20importance%20of%20such%20initiatives%2C%20noting%20that%20they%20help%20identify%20key%20reef%20areas%20that%20support%20regeneration%20and%20biodiversity.%0A%0ACitizens%20of%20the%20Reef%20CEO%20Andy%20Ridley%20added%20that%20public%20participation%20is%20essential%20for%20large-scale%20conservation%2C%20as%20volunteers%20and%20ocean%20enthusiasts%20play%20a%20crucial%20role%20in%20gathering%20real-world%20data.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EDiscovery%20offers%20hope%20for%20Coral%20Reef%20survival%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AMarine%20experts%20have%20described%20the%20coral%20colony%20as%20extraordinary%2C%20particularly%20given%20the%20widespread%20decline%20of%20coral%20ecosystems%20worldwide.%20The%20colony%E2%80%99s%20survival%20and%20continued%20growth%20demonstrate%20that%20some%20coral%20systems%20can%20remain%20resilient%20despite%20climate%20change%2C%20pollution%2C%20and%20habitat%20destruction.%0A%0AThe%20fact%20that%20citizen%20scientists%20discovered%20the%20colony%20also%20highlights%20the%20power%20of%20community%20involvement%20in%20scientific%20research%20and%20environmental%20protection.%0A%0AThis%20groundbreaking%20discovery%20not%20only%20advances%20coral%20reef%20science%20but%20also%20provides%20optimism%20for%20the%20future%20of%20coral%20ecosystems%20and%20reinforces%20the%20importance%20of%20protecting%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20oceans.

World’s largest coral found on Great Barrier Reef

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Resilient coral reefs could survive warming

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20restoration%20of%20marine%20ecosystems%20will%20be%20critical%20to%20limiting%20those%20risks%20in%20the%20decades%20ahead.