Our Favorite Global Marine Conservation Stories from 2020
December 30, 2020
Medium
Making Our Marine Environment Safe for Future Shark Weeks
By Luke Warwick
Scientists from multiple countries and institutions published in the journal, Nature, the first-ever deep dive into the status of the world’s coral reef sharks.
Sight fidelity: Go whale watching in New York Harbor
In recent years, whales have returned to New York waters. It's encouraging, says WCS's Howard Rosenbaum, but "we also have to recognize the big picture, that these animals are coming into contact with ships and other industries." The WCS Marine Program works with the WCS New York Aquarium on a range of conservation projects in the New York Bight.
Large geographic variability in the resistance of corals to thermal stress
The findings identify the importance of environmental history and geographic context in future predictions of bleaching, and identify some potential drivers of coral resistance to thermal stress.
Strong sharing networks can help communities rebound from crises
Of the top five countries in the world most at risk to disasters, three are Pacific Island nations. Yet time and again, Pacific Islanders exhibit marked abilities to quickly recover. Part of the reason may be due to strong social networks that help to distribute resources to those most in need.
The impact and lessons learned from the world's largest targeted manta ray fishery. Scientists describe an integrated intervention to reduce manta hunting and mortality in Lamakera, Indonesia.
Logging Tropical Forests Jeopardizes Fisheries Important for Food and Livelihoods
The findings illustrate that logging activity in the Solomon Islands is associated with lower coral cover and structural complexity on adjacent reefs, as well as lower abundance of many types of fish commonly caught for food and sold at markets.
Want to Save the World’s Coral Reefs? A MERMAID Can Help
By Emily Darling
New upgrades to the collaborative ‘Marine Ecological Research Management AID’ can turn coral reef data into conservation action—just when it’s needed most.
WCS Congratulates Government of Belize On Newly Expanded Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve
Given its close proximity to neighboring countries and the threat of transboundary fishing, this declaration allows for the protection of an extensive coral reef complex known as the Corona Reef, located at the southwestern terminus of the Cayman Trench.
Offshore Wind May Help The Planet—But Will It Hurt Whales?
"Everyone is interested in the benefits of renewable energy and what that does for our climate and for society," WCS's Howard Rosenbaum says. "We also want to protect the wildlife and these habitats."
Listening to marine mammals is helping scientists understand Arctic impacts of climate change
These findings provide a baseline to guide future efforts to monitor the Arctic’s cetacean and pinniped species. They can also help inform conservation strategies for acoustically sensitive marine mammals.
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