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.
Marine conservation
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.
Indonesia and Malaysia to hold joint patrols against illegal fishing
The patrols are expected to beef up maritime security against illegal fishers in the Malacca Strait and the North Natuna Sea, as well as protect the rich marine biodiversity there.
Cuba bolsters conservation efforts with new 271 square mile Marine Protected Area
The MPA will protect mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs, and boost the nation’s overall marine protected coverage to 28.5% of its marine continental shelf.
Hawaii becomes first U.S. state to ban shark fishing
Hundreds of shark species worldwide are threatened by extinction due to over-fishing. A new bill makes it illegal to knowingly capture, entangle, or kill a shark in Hawaii’s marine waters.
Lighted fishing nets dramatically reduce bycatch while making fishing more efficient
LED-illuminated nets reduce #bycatch of sharks and skates by an incredible 95 percent while maintaining catch rates of target species, according to a new study.
First IVF corals successfully spawn on Great Barrier Reef
According to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, coral IVF uses modern technology to breed and distribute corals so they have the highest chance of survival.
IKEA to phase out plastic packaging by 2028
The shift will happen progressively over the coming years, and mainly be focusing on paper as it is both recyclable, renewable, and widely recycled across the world.
Indonesia declares largest manta ray sanctuary in the world
Indonesia, a nation that has been the world’s largest fishery for sharks and rays for decades, has announced legislation that will fully protect all manta rays within its nearly 6 million square km exclusive economic zone.