Canada bans manufacture and import of single-use plastics
The ban includes checkout bags, cutlery, straws and food-service ware made from or containing plastics that are hard to recycle, and will come into effect by the end of 2022.
Marine conservation
This archive tracks verified progress in marine conservation — from protected area expansions and coral reef restoration to fishing reforms and plastic reduction efforts. Across 146 articles, you’ll find evidence-based reporting on the people, policies, and science making headway for ocean ecosystems worldwide. The ocean covers more than 70% of Earth’s surface, and the work being done to protect it deserves more than alarm — it deserves attention.
Australia reduces plastic litter on its beaches by 30 percent in less than a decade
The study by Australia’s CSIRO involved 563 on-the-ground inspections and multiple interviews with waste managers in 32 municipalities.
Indonesia issues long-delayed rules to protect migrant fishing workers
Marine activists have welcomed the decree, which they say should help improve the global fisheries sector, given that vessels where worker abuse is rife also tend to be engaged in illegal fishing activities.
Ecuador becomes first Latin American country committed to Fisheries Transparency Initiative standards
Ecuador now must grant public access to information related to the management of the country’s marine resources to journalists, civil society groups and others.
Abu Dhabi start-up invents method to produce fresh water from the ocean without electricity
The novel evaporation method produces no waste and can be performed without electricity, and does not generate any carbon emissions or produce toxic by-products like brine.
Washington State creates first-of-its-kind sea grass and kelp sanctuary to protect marine life
2,300 acres of tidelands in Everett are now off-limits to development for the next 50 years with more likely to come soon.
Climate-resilient corals offer viable options for reef restoration, new study shows
In the longest coral resilience experiment ever, researchers found that two coral species cope well with changing ocean conditions and could be used for reef restoration.
Humpback whales no longer endangered, Australian officials say
Australia passed an anti-whaling policy in 1979, and the Guardian reports there are now as many as 40,000 individuals alive in the wild, after reaching a low of 1,500 decades ago.
Afro-Caribbean community safeguards pristine oceans with new protected area off coast of Colombia
The newly designated Isla Ají marine protected area covers over a total of 24,600 hectares (60,800 acres) of coastal, terrestrial and marine ecosystems on Colombia’s Pacific coast.
Iceland to end whale hunting from 2024
Iceland’s current quotas for 2019-2023 allow for the hunting of 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales every year.