Pacific ocean

Going Big in the Pacific Large-Scale Marine Protected Areas in the Pacific Ocean

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The definition of large-scale marine protected areas in the Pacific Ocean is fundamental to the achievement of global marine conservation targets. The threatened nature of the global ocean is emphasised, the evolution of global spatial targets for marine conservation outlined and the implementation of large-scale marine protected areas in Australia and the Pacific Ocean more broadly is reviewed. The article concludes with some reflections on the efficacy of such mechanisms in the Pacific.

The submersible "Deep Sea Warrior", used by Ruoyu Sun's team. Credit: Ruoyu Sun and IDSSE-CAS

Human-derived mercury shown to pollute the world's deepest ocean trenches

June 25, 2020

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Scientists have found that man-made mercury pollution has reached the bottom of the deepest part of the ocean—the Marianas Trench. This has significant implications for how mercury affects the marine environment, and how it may be concentrated in the food chain.

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Ceramics, rubber, plastic, glass and metal have all been seen thousands of metres deep, in parts of the ocean which a many miles from the nearest humans.

Bullets, bombs, cans and plastic litter the bottom of the Pacific Ocean

June 12, 2020

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The largest ever study of waste found at the bottom of the central Pacific is showing how even the most remote and protected areas are being impacted by our rubbish...Marine biologist Dr Diva Amon, a researcher at the Museum, was exploring the Marianas area with remotely-operated vehicles (R

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Short-tailed Albatross. Photo: Kat Paleckova/Audubon Photography Awards

These Mighty Birds Connect People Across the Pacific Ocean Every Year

May 29, 2020

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For me, one of the most interesting things about birds has always been how they can serve as a vehicle for human stories. Birds are biological marvels, with beauty and abilities that are fascinating in their own right.

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Predicting the Impacts of Mining Deep Sea Polymetallic in the Pacific Ocean

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This review represents an analysis of literature addressing the predicted and potential impacts of mining deep sea nodules in the Southwest, Central, and Northeast Pacific. More than 250 scientific and other articles were examined to explore what is known — and what remains unknown — about the risks of nodule mining to Pacific Ocean habitats, species, ecosystems and the people who rely on them. The report details scientifically established risks, including those related to the lack of knowledge surrounding this emerging industry.

Corals grow in the shallows around a small island in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. Image by Tane Sinclair-Taylor.

Only ‘A-list’ of coral reefs found to sustain ecosystems, livelihoods

May 1, 2020

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Most of tropical reefs are no longer able to both sustain coral reef ecosystems and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them, as human pressure and the impacts of climate change increase.

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Lake Te Roto on Atiu where evidence was found of the arrival of early humans. Credit: University of Southampton

Climate change encouraged colonisation of South Pacific Islands earlier than first thought

April 10, 2020

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Research led by scientists at the University of Southampton has found settlers arrived in East Polynesia around 200 years earlier than previously thought. Colonisation of the vast eastern Pacific with its few and far-flung island archipelagos was a remarkable achievement in human history.

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Extraordinary Surveillance Operation in the Pacific

March 27, 2020

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On Friday the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) closes the two-week fisheries surveillance activity, Operation Rai Balang 2020. The operation is unprecedented in achieving maritime surveillance across 14.1million square kilometres, including 108 sighting and 24 boardings, during t

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Sunlight streaming through a forest of giant kelp off Catalina Island in California. Credit: David Fleetham Getty Images

Could Our Energy Come from Giant Seaweed Farms in the Ocean?

March 19, 2020

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A U.S. agency is funding projects to help create a bioenergy industry based on macroalgae. One day in the future, the Pacific Ocean could be home to kilometers of seaweed farms tended by submarine drones and waiting to be turned into fuel.

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Mobula rays in a Sri Lankan fish market, in 2018. Image © Simon Hilbourne | Manta-Trust.

Small steps aim to make a large ocean safer for rays

February 27, 2020

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New rules that apply to a vast swath of the Pacific Ocean aim to improve manta and devil rays’ chances of surviving encounters with tuna fishing boats.The measure prohibits fishers from targeting the rays or keeping the ones they catch accidentally.

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Going Big in the Pacific Large-Scale Marine Protected Areas in the Pacific Ocean

Predicting the Impacts of Mining Deep Sea Polymetallic in the Pacific Ocean