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News from the last 30 days, for archived news items, please click here.
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A team of marine scientists and surveyors from Scottish Natural Heritage and SeaStar Survey are currently undertaking a survey of marine habitats and species within North Rona Special Area of Conservation. The survey will focus on qualifying coastal and marine interests, including reefs, sea caves and coastline with vegetated sea cliffs that reach 75 metres in height. North Rona is also home to a population of 5,600 grey seals making it the third largest breeding colony in the British Isles. The second phase of the survey will kick-off with around 10 days of underwater video and photography to characterise the seafloor map generated during the recently-completed acoustic data collection. The underwater footage will also bring to life the wildlife that inhabits this remote and exposed part of the UK.
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The Marine and Coastal Access Bill is under criticism from concerned organisations such as the RSPB and the Friends of the Earth Marine Network, who say it is "subordinate to economic and social interests" and is inadequate to conserve representative habitats and species. The bill has just finished its second reading in the House of Commons.
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The IUCN Shark Specialist Group has released the first study on the global conservation status of open ocean sharks and finds that 32% are facing extinction primarily because of overfishing. Slow maturation, long migration routes and production of few offspring combined with bycatch mortality and shark-finning pressures have contributed to their vulnerable state. To make matters worse, most pelagic shark catches are either unregulated or unsustainable. The IUCN is pleading for governments to take immediate action and establish coordinated international conservation plans.
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Twelve Wildlife Trusts across the East coast of England are promoting the protection of the English North Sea's "weird and wonderful marine life" through a new website. The area reaches from the coast to 200 miles offshore between Northumberland and Suffolk and includes the Farne Islands (an important Puffin nesting area), The Wash (the UK's largest estuarine system), as well as several proposed and active Special Areas of Conservation. With provisions for such areas laid out in the forthcoming Marine and Coastal Access Bill, the Wildlife Trust's efforts are expected to culminate with the creation of the North Sea Marine Conservation Zone; one of four English MCZs proposed by Natural England and JNCC.
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Electronic tags relaying GPS information are being attached to puffins on the Farne Islands, in the hope that the information obtained will explain why their numbers have declined sharply over the past 5 years. A research team from Newcastle University will use the tags to track the birds and learn about their winter range on the sea, as well as the length and depth of their underwater dives.
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As a follow-up to a news article we presented in June of last year, approval for construction of the Trump International Golf Links resort has been given by the Scottish government, despite concerns raised by RSPB, SNH, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Sustainable Aberdeenshire over the impacts on the Menie Links sand dunes ecosystem. In particular, the 'back nine' of the course is planned to occupy about one-tenth of the dunes, despite protests from Trump's own environmental advisors who claim it will be unnecessarily destructive. Click here for another news article.
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A research team led by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust has concluded a week-long expedition of 46 intertidal and 67 subtidal locations in the Isles of Scilly SAC. The sites, some previously unexplored, included habitats rich in sponges, corals, anemones, sea squirts and seaweeds. Dr. Keith Hiscock, a team member and marine biologist who has been diving the Isles of Scilly for forty years has observed a rare 'slime' sponge that has not been recorded there since 1969, plus species of sea squirt and cowrie that may be new to science.
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In an article in the latest issue of The Longliner, SeaFish compares the opinions of Natural England and the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations on the issue of MPA-mitigated fishery management. NE says that MPAs protect fish and shellfish populations by safeguarding spawning and nursery grounds and that ultimately benefits fisheries. NFFO disagree that area closures will always save fish stocks and recovery of some commercial fish stocks in UK waters does not warrant further measures that may result in a loss of livelihood and alienation of the fishing industry. See page 9 for the full article.
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A report by JNCC documents how shorebird numbers in the UK have decreased by approximately 600000, or 9% over the past decade. The largest declines were seen in birds such as black-legged kittiwakes and European shags that feed on shoals of small fish, particularly lesser sandeels. The introduction of non-native mammal predators into nesting areas is also thought to be a contributing factor to the decline.
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A new report by DEFRA's UK Climate Programme predicts weather and climate patterns across the UK to 2080 under scenarios of low, medium and high emissions output. Under medium emissions, it predicts a 4°C increase in peak summer temperature and less frequent, but more intense rainfall. In response to the report, Natural England has stressed the importance of enabling the natural environment to adapt to such significant changes, rather than relying on advances in technology and infrastructure to protect society. Helen Phillips, NE's Chief Executive, believes that "...if we do not work with nature and the environment we are doomed to failure in the battle against climate change."
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YourSeasYourVoice is a new campaign to foster public support for the creation of more marine reserves in the UK and the increased protection of existing MPAs. The website encourages visitors to suggest their own protected areas and allows them to provide descriptions and rationale as to conservation is need for the site. Currently, only three fully-protected marine areas exist in the UK, representing less than 1% of territorial waters. MCS plans to lobby for laws that will increase this number to 30%.
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JNCC has posted reports on seabed habitat surveys for thirteen offshore UK sites. Over five years of research is presented, including reports for the Irish Sea Pilot and Rockall and Dogger Banks. Photographs of benthic habitats and marine life are provided for each region, as well as a map of survey activities and recorded habitat types.
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The North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, comprised of Greenland, the Faroe Islands, the EU, Iceland, Norway and Russia, have closed over 330 000 km² of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to bottom fishing in an attempt to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems and deep-sea diversity. NEAFC had earlier agreed to reduce deep-water bottom fishing by 35%.
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The June, 2009 issue of MPA News discusses Australian and South African designations of large offshore conservation zones, and presents summaries of topics discussed at the joint meeting of the International Marine Conservation Congress and Second International Marine Protected Areas Congress. It also releases the results of an MPA News poll, showing that appreciation for ecosystem-based management has increased amongst its readers since 2006.
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The Scottish Fishermen's Federation believes the new film paints "an excessively gloomy and over-simplistic picture of global fish stocks". They state that Scottish fishermen are taking the lead in ensuring stocks are sustainably harvested and most have achieved Marine Stewardship Council accreditation. The SFF warns against extrapolation of overall, global trends to local areas, especially when considering a number of conservation efforts that the Scottish fleet have undertaken.
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Finding Sanctuary is encouraging fishermen and divers to join County MCZ Groups in Devon, Dorset and Somerset and provide advice on planning MCZs to regional Finding Sanctuary steering groups. The groups will also contain representatives of local governments and county maritime forums.
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Dr. Alex Rogers of the Institute of Zoology of London has warned that, if significant efforts are not made within the next decade, by 2050 coral reefs may only be able to survive in aquaria. In addition to drastic reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, Prof. Callum Roberts of the University of York has recommended that the creation of networks of Marine Protected Areas is essential in protecting such marine ecosystems that are on the verge of collapse due to the effects of ocean warming and acidification and removal of top predators and filter-feeders. Through proper ecosystem-based management, he believes productivity of the oceans could again reach levels beyond that which is seen today. However, he cautions that change must come more quickly.
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UNEP and the IUCN have announced a new web tool for obtaining information about MPAs. The World Database on Protected Areas-Marine website provides info on each country's conservation areas, with links to stats, images and wikipedia entries. The site is currently undergoing beta-testing, with future developments including the ability for managers and researchers to upload data on regional MPAs.
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According to Erich Hoyt of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, more MPAs are needed to protect marine mammals from the threats of whaling, fishing net and line entanglement, reductions in food availability due to overfishing, pollution and climate change. Through continuing research of their habits and by protecting the habitat in which they live, populations of whales, dolphins and other marine mammals may be better-sheltered from these detriments. Furthermore, as apex predators in a complex food web, protecting marine mammals may also lead to greater ecosystem stability, on the whole.
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A new film examines global trends towards overfishing and the decline of fish stocks. End of the Line, which is currently showing in cinemas, documents threatened species and the roles of the fishing industry, retailer, government and consumer in contributing to both the problem and the solution. It warns of the imminent extinction of several prominent species, including bluefin tuna, and of the potential collapse of most seafood fisheries by 2048 if current trends continue.
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In an effort to stimulate reforms to the Common Fisheries Policy, the European Commission has produced a green paper outlining the need for its revision and is requesting public input. Views can be submitted by any EU citizen directly to the commission until the end of the year. The move follows the EC's admission that 88% of European fish stocks are overfished and many may not survive until 2012, the deadline for adoption of policy reforms.
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RSPB is urging the Northern Ireland assembly to follow suit with the rest of the UK and introduce a Marine Bill. One of the benefits of the bill could be better control of marine litter, which is currently a threat to marine life in the area, including basking sharks.
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In the 10 years since the creation of a 374-hectare MPA off Portofino, Italy, fish stocks have increased, according to local officials, divers and fishermen. The area has been regulated using no take zones and permits, which limits fishing, anchoring and sport diving in other zones- a system initially opposed by many, but now viewed as a success.
Friday 03rd of July 2009First half of North Rona survey completed
Thursday 02nd of July 2009Will the Marine Bill do enough for marine conservation?
Thursday 02nd of July 2009One-third of world's oceanic sharks threatened by fishing
Thursday 02nd of July 2009Wildlife Trusts launch website dedicated to North Sea conservation
Wednesday 01st of July 2009Puffin tagging project seeks to explain decline
Wednesday 01st of July 2009Legal protection overridden as Scottish SSSI set to become Trump Golf Course
Wednesday 24th of June 2009Surveys of Isles of Scilly SAC uncover rich new biodiversity
Wednesday 24th of June 2009Debate over effectiveness of MPAs in managing UK fishery stocks
Tuesday 23rd of June 2009Food shortages lead to decrease in UK shorebirds over past decade
Tuesday 23rd of June 2009New Government climate change forecast seen as wake-up call
Thursday 18th of June 2009Marine Conservation Society launches public campaign calling for more UK marine reserves
Wednesday 17th of June 2009Results of offshore seabed mapping surveys available from JNCC
Tuesday 16th of June 2009Areas of Mid-Atlantic Ridge closed to bottom fishing
Tuesday 16th of June 2009Latest issue of MPA news out now
Tuesday 16th of June 2009Does End of the Line over-simplify the state of fish stocks?
Tuesday 16th of June 2009South West fishermen and divers invited to help plan Marine Conservation Zones
Friday 12th of June 2009Without MPAs, aquaria may be only refuge for reefs of the future
Wednesday 10th of June 2009UNEP launches global database of MPAs
Tuesday 09th of June 2009Marine mammals in need of more, larger protected areas
Tuesday 09th of June 2009New film calls for more responsible use of the world's oceans
Tuesday 09th of June 2009European Commission requests public input on Common Fisheries Policy reforms
Monday 08th of June 2009Northern Ireland Marine Bill might solve litter problem
Friday 05th of June 2009Creation of Italian MPA leads to rebounding fish populations