Microplastic pollution is a threat to marine life and is found in the bodies of animals all along the food chain. Detecting microplastic pollution levels in the oceans is becoming increasingly important, in part so that sources can be found and vulnerable species protected if possible.
The high seas begin 200 nautical miles from coastal shores, beyond the jurisdiction of any country. Their vast expanse and distance from shore pose challenges for exploration and knowledge gathering. However, scientific expeditions in recent years have revealed that these areas, which make up nearly two-thirds of the world’s ocean, harbor an incredible array of species that provide essential services for life on Earth.
Emissions of mercury have declined, but levels in fish could still increase thanks to overfishing and a changing climate...Released by coal-burning power plants and other industries, mercury—a toxic metal—circulates in the atmosphere, enters the ocean, worms up the food web and, via the seafood w
After six weeks of testing, the nonprofit Ocean Cleanup group has decided to use a parachute anchor system to slow down its plastic pipe-and-skirt contraption designed to collect marine litter from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.The new plan will allow System 001/B to achieve a consistent speed
The President of the UN's global climate change conference, COP 24, has highlighted the issue of shipwrecks that lie in the waters of some Pacific nations. Poland's Michal Kurtyka issued a statement to wish Pacific leaders the best as they headed into the Forum leaders summit in Tuvalu.
Rubbish has been washing up on its isolated beaches in the Pitcairn chain at a rate of several thousand bits of plastic a day. Link to full article below.
A single use plastic ban and importation levy comes into force in Tuvalu from the beginning of August to help deal with waste in the small remote islands. Link to full article below.
A gradual restriction on the use of plastics starts in New Caledonia today. Per capita New Caledonians have reportedly used more than 200 plastic bags each year. Link to the full article below.
Small island developing states are the custodians of much of the world’s oceans.
The Ocean Sciences Meeting will be held in San Diego, California from 16-21 february 2020, and is currently calling for abstracts for its session on Ocean and Marine Sustainability:Preparedness for Climate and Ocean Extreme through Societal Participation. This