Marine conservation

A humpback whale breaching off the Australian coast for an article about humpback whale recovery

Eastern Australian humpback whales now exceed pre-whaling population numbers

By / / Good News For Humankind

Humpback whale recovery along Australia’s eastern coast represents a near miracle of conservation success. Once hunted to just 150 survivors by the early 1960s, the population has now surpassed 50,000 individuals—exceeding pre-whaling numbers from over a century ago. This remarkable turnaround resulted from the International Whaling Commission’s 1963 ban on Southern Hemisphere humpback whaling, combined with decades of protection and collaborative citizen science tracking. The recovery demonstrates that species collapse isn’t irreversible when governments commit to protection. Beyond conservation, the restored whale population performs vital ecological work, cycling nutrients through ocean ecosystems and supporting marine food webs that absorb atmospheric carbon.

Sunlight filtering through open ocean water for an article about the High Seas Treaty entering into force

The high seas treaty enters into force, giving two-thirds of the ocean its first legal protection

By / / Good News For Humankind

The High Seas Treaty entered into force on January 17, 2026 C.E., becoming the first legally binding agreement to protect the roughly two-thirds of the ocean that lies beyond national jurisdiction. After nearly 20 years of negotiations and 60 ratifications reached in September 2025 C.E., international waters now have marine protected area authority, environmental impact requirements, and a framework for equitable sharing of ocean resources.

Vibrant coral reef teeming with tropical fish for an article about coral reef protection in the Philippines

The Philippines protects 151,000 acres of coral reef in the Pacific Coral Triangle

By / / Good News For Humankind

Coral reef protection took a major step forward in 2025 C.E. as the Philippines legally established the 151,000-acre Panaon Island Protected Seascape within the Pacific Coral Triangle — one of the world’s most biodiverse marine regions. A community-led management board gives local fisherfolk real authority over how the waters are governed, balancing conservation with the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Ghanaian fishermen pulling nets from a wooden canoe for an article about Ghana's artisanal fishing zone

Ghana doubles its protected fishing zone to shield small-scale fishers

By / / Good News For Humankind

Ghana’s artisanal fishing zone doubled to 12 nautical miles under a landmark 2025 C.E. law, barring industrial trawlers from inshore waters and giving 120,000 small-scale fishers legal protection. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Act also mandates electronic monitoring on all industrial vessels — a major step toward ending illegal fishing that pushed sardinella, anchovies, and mackerel to near collapse.

Plastic waste floating in a Lagos canal for an article about the Lagos plastics ban — 12 words.

Lagos bans single-use plastics in one of Africa’s most polluted cities

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Lagos plastics ban, effective July 1, 2025 C.E., prohibits single-use styrofoam containers, plastic cutlery, plates, and straws — with business closure as a penalty for violators. In a city producing 13,000 tons of waste daily, the law is one of Africa’s most consequential municipal environmental actions in years. Enforcement and affordable alternatives remain the critical next test.

Aerial view of Atlantic Ocean waves and rocky coastline for an article about Portugal marine protected area

Portugal protects 27% of its ocean waters with a new Atlantic sanctuary

By / / Good News For Humankind

Portugal has designated a sweeping new marine protected area around the Gorringe Ridge, an Atlantic seamount rich with whales, sharks, and cold-water corals. The move pushes Portugal’s protected ocean territory from 19% to 27%, placing the country among Europe’s leaders in the global race to safeguard 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 C.E. — and offering a replicable model for nations still deciding whether to act.

Aerial view of a turquoise French Polynesian atoll for an article about French Polynesia marine protected area

French Polynesia creates the world’s largest marine protected area

By / / Good News For Humankind

French Polynesia’s Tainui Atea is now the world’s largest marine protected area, covering over 4.5 million square kilometers of the central Pacific. Announced at the 2025 C.E. UN Ocean Conference, the designation bans deep-sea mining and bottom trawling while preserving traditional fishing rights — and is backed by 92 percent community support. It raises global ocean protection coverage by 1.25 percent and sets a new benchmark for Pacific-led conservation.

Aerial view of a coral reef and turquoise lagoon for an article about Samoa marine protected areas

Samoa legally protects 30% of its ocean with nine new marine areas

By / / Good News For Humankind

Samoa has formally adopted a national marine spatial plan designating nine new marine protected areas across 30% of its ocean — meeting the global 30×30 biodiversity target years ahead of the 2030 deadline. Built with input from fishing communities, traditional leaders, and scientists, the plan protects coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows that anchor Samoan food security, coastal safety, and climate resilience.

|varshesh joshi unsplash

Marine litter on the E.U. coastline down by almost one-third since 2015

By / / Good news links

The new E.U. Coastline Macro Litter Trend report has found that the amount of marine macro litter in the E.U. coastline has dropped by 29% between 2015-2016 and 2020-2021. While the largest reduction in terms of percentages is seen at the Baltic Sea (45%), major efforts at the Mediterranean and the Black Sea have led to impressive reductions in the absolute amount of litter on European beaches. This achievement is the result of multilateral, national, regional, and citizen efforts triggered by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.