Ocean Sentry
Conservation and animal-protection groups today sued the National Marine Fisheries Service for failing to prevent critically endangered North Atlantic right whales from becoming ensnared by lobster trap lines and other commercial fishing gear.
January, 2018
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19 January
Vancouver Aquarium is ending its captive whale and dolphin program
The Vancouver Aquarium will no longer keep whales and dolphins in captivity. CEO John Nightingale told Canada’s CBC News that the continuing public debate on whether whales and dolphins belong in concrete tanks is hindering its wider mission.
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18 January
Taiwanese white dolphin at risk of extinction
With a current population estimate of fewer than 75 individuals, it is overwhelmingly clear that they are at risk of extinction.
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18 January
The rise of turfs – flattening of global kelp forests
Research published today into the state of kelp forests around the world shows they are being degraded into flat seascapes carpeted by short, unwanted turf-algae – and the Western Australian coastline is one of the worst-affected areas.
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18 January
Two different pods of dolphins brutally slaughtered in Taiji, Japan
It was an extremely traumatic day for dolphins in Taiji today. Two species – two families – were harassed and massacred. Firstly, a pod of Striped dolphins, including a calf. A few hours later, small pod of Risso’s dolphin.
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18 January
Polar bear disappears from Windsor’s Polar Ice vodka to highlight conservation
Windsor-made Polar Ice vodka has released a run of limited edition “bear-less” bottles to increase awareness about the declining population of polar bears in arctic Canada.
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18 January
North Atlantic right whales return to Cape Cod Bay
North Atlantic right whales, endangered to the point that researchers fear they could be functionally extinct within a quarter century, have returned to Cape Cod Bay.
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18 January
Coping with climate stress in Antarctica: Some polar fish can cope with warming or ocean acidification, but not both together
Some Antarctic fish living in the planet’s coldest waters are able to cope with the stress of rising carbon dioxide levels the ocean. They can even tolerate slightly warmer waters. But they can’t deal with both climate change stressors at the same time, according to a new study.
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17 January
Scientists use hydroacoustics to find abundance of marine life in reserve is 4 times greater than in surrounding waters
They found that the abundance of fishes was four times greater in Mexico’s protected Cabo Pulmo National Park than in areas outside the park. Study authors said that hydroacoustics points the way toward a new, more cost-effective method of assessing fish populations.
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17 January
No-fishing zones could help African penguins, study suggests
African penguins‚ which are expected to be extinct by 2026 unless their decline is halted‚ can be helped by small no-fishing zones around their colonies‚ say scientists.
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17 January
New Zealand fisheries want grisly images of dead penguins caught in nets censored
“What they [the seafood industry] are saying is catching endangered penguins, dumping entire hauls of fish overboard and killing Hector’s dolphins looks really bad on TV. Well, the solution is to stop doing it, not to hide the evidence.”…
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17 January
Mining exploration set for region home to endangered river dolphins
Australian mining firm Medusa Mining has announced plans to begin exploration for gold, copper and oil in Kratie province’s Prek Kampi commune, about 35 kilometres west of a stretch of the Mekong River that is home to endangered river dolphins.