ScienceDaily: Ocean Policy News

More emphasis needed on recycling and reuse of Li-ion batteries

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:20:20 EDT

The discovery of potential environmental and human health effects from disposal of millions of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries each year has led scientists to recommend stronger government policies to encourage recovery, recycling and reuse of lithium-ion battery materials.

Changing Arctic: What should be done?

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:57:57 EDT

In two critical reports released at the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Kiruna, Sweden on May 15th, scientists helped inform an international body of senior government officials about changing conditions in the Arctic, and potential responses to those changes.

Why we need to put the fish back into fisheries

Sun, 19 May 2013 19:48:48 EDT

Overfishing has reduced fish populations and biodiversity across much of the world’s oceans. In response, fisheries are increasingly reliant on a handful of highly valuable shellfish. However, new research shows this approach to be extremely risky.

New era of fisheries policy needed to secure nutrition for millions

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:26:26 EDT

A new study argues that for fisheries policies to be effective they must take in to account not just fish stock conservation and environmental issues, but also research data on the patterns and dynamics of fish trade, markets and user consumption.

First ever underwater university lectures

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:57:57 EDT

Students at the University of Essex have taken their lectures to a whole new level -- 18 metres under the sea in remote Indonesia to be precise.

As Canada takes Arctic Council helm, experts stress north's vulnerability to spills, emergencies

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:33:33 EDT

It is crucial that northern nations strengthen response capabilities to shipping-related accidents foreseen in newly-opened northern waters, as well as to more-common local emergencies such as floods, forest fires and rescue situations, experts say.

Coral reefs suffering, but collapse not inevitable

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:34:34 EDT

Coral reefs are in decline, but their collapse can still be avoided with local and global action. That's according to findings based on an analysis that combines the latest science on reef dynamics with the latest climate models.

New Red List developed for threatened ecosystems

Wed, 08 May 2013 17:21:21 EDT

Scientists have developed a new Red List system for identifying ecosystems at high risk of degradation, similar to the influential Red List for the world's threatened species.

Agencies should use common approach to evaluate risks pesticides pose to endangered species

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:16:16 EDT

When determining the potential effects pesticides could pose to endangered or threatened species, the US Environmental Protection Agency, National Marine Fisheries Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service should use a common scientific approach, says a new report.

Sea turtles benefiting from protected areas

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:42:42 EDT

Nesting green sea turtles are benefiting from marine protected areas by using habitats found within their boundaries, according to a new study that is the first to track the federally protected turtles in Dry Tortugas National Park.

Scientists advocate a simple, affordable and accurate technology to identify threats from sea-level rise

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:14:14 EDT

Researchers are calling for the global adoption of a method to identify areas that are vulnerable to sea-level rise. The method, which utilizes a simple, low-cost tool, is financially and technically accessible to every country with coastal wetlands. The team seeks to establish a network to coordinate the standardization and management of the data, as well as to provide a platform for collaboration.

The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident: Two years on, the fallout continues

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:48:48 EDT

More than two years after the earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan, scientists are still trying to quantify the extent of the damage.

Sea mammals find U.S. safe harbor

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:46:46 EDT

New research shows that many US marine mammal populations -- especially some seals and sea lions -- have rebounded since 1972, because of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

'Sustainable fishing' certification too lenient and discretionary

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:49:49 EDT

The certification of seafood as “sustainable” by the nonprofit Marine Stewardship Council is too lenient and discretionary, a study by a consortium of researchers has found.

'A better path' toward projecting, planning for rising seas on a warmer Earth

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:14:14 EDT

More useful projections of sea level are possible despite substantial uncertainty about the future behavior of massive ice sheets. In two recent articles, researchers present an approach that provides a consistent means to integrate the potential contribution of continental ice sheets such as Greenland and Antarctica into sea-level rise projections.

Chinese foreign fisheries catch 12 times more than reported, study shows

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:42:42 EDT

Chinese fishing boats catch about US$11.5 billion worth of fish from beyond their country's own waters each year -- and most of it goes unreported, according to a new study.

Americans back preparation for extreme weather and sea-level rise

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:06:06 EDT

The majority of Americans express support for stronger coastal development codes, according to a new survey.

Meeting broad, varied, competing priorities in conservation

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:06:06 EDT

Solutions that meet the broad, varied, and often competing priorities of conservation are difficult to come by. New research takes a hard look at why, in an effort to find ways to resolve the issue.

Seabirds need effective marine conservation in wake of discard ban, warns study

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:54:54 EDT

Conservationists have renewed urgent calls for effective marine protection in European waters, after a new study revealed that the recent EU ban on fish discards could have a significant short-term impact on some seabirds.

Conservationists call for radical change to ‘war on poaching’

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:50:50 EDT

Widespread extinction of highly endangered and valued species will occur without a radical change to the way the wildlife trade is being handled across the world, according to conservation scientists.

Discards ban could impact seabird populations

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:16:16 EDT

Species of seabirds could successfully return to their natural foraging habits following changes to European fisheries policies, scientists have suggested.

Researchers map out an alternative energy future for New York

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:26:26 EDT

A new study outlines a path to statewide renewable energy conversion, and away from natural gas and imported fuel.

Fishers near marine protected areas go farther for catch but fare well

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:07:07 EST

Fishers near marine protected areas end up traveling farther to catch fish but maintain their social and economic well-being, according to a study by fisheries scientists. The study is one of the first to look closely at how protected areas in small nearshore fisheries can affect where fishers operate on the ocean and, as a consequence, their livelihood.

Shark fisheries globally unsustainable: 100 million sharks die every year

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:32:32 EST

The world’s shark populations are experiencing significant declines with perhaps 100 million – or more - sharks being lost every year, according to a new study.

How much protection is enough?

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:56:56 EST

Protection of marine areas from fishing increases density and biomass of fish and invertebrates (such as lobster and scallops), finds a systematic review. The success of a protected area was also dependent on its size and on how it was managed, however even partial protection provides significant ecological benefits.

Migratory behavior of oceanic whitetip sharks revealed

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:47:47 EST

As the nations of the world prepare to vote on measures to restrict international trade in endangered sharks in early March, a team of researchers has found that one of these species -- the oceanic whitetip shark -- regularly crosses international boundaries. Efforts by individual nations to protect this declining apex predator within their own maritime borders may therefore need to be nested within broader international conservation measures.

Extreme weather and Resilience of coastal communities in United States

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:42:42 EST

Hurricane Sandy was a fearsome reminder that coastal communities are highly vulnerable to extreme weather events and environmental variability, and that vulnerability is only expected to increase with climate change.

Climate change is not an all-or-nothing proposition

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 08:45:45 EST

A statistician says that the natural human difficulty with grasping probabilities is preventing Americans from dealing with climate change.

Security risks of extreme weather and climate change

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:50:50 EST

A new study, conducted specifically to explore the forces driving extreme weather events and their implications for national security planning over the next decade, finds that the early ramifications of climate extremes resulting from climate change are already upon us and will continue to be felt over the next decade, directly impacting US national security interests.

Polar bear researchers urge governments to act now and save the species

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:47:47 EST

Polar bear researchers are urging governments to start planning for rapid Arctic ecosystem change to deal with a climate change catastrophe for the animals.

Tortugas Marine Reserve yields more, larger fish

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:46:46 EST

Both fish populations and commercial and recreational anglers have benefited from "no-take" protections in the Tortugas Ecological Reserve in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, a new report shows.

New park protects 15,000 gorillas

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:06:06 EST

The Republic of Congo has declared a new national park that protects a core population of the 125,000 western lowland gorillas discovered by WCS in 2008.

New study highlights impact of environmental change on older people

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:44:44 EST

Recent natural disasters illustrate vulnerability of older people: majority of deaths from the Great East Japan Earthquake (2011) and Hurricane Katrina (2005) occurred among older people. Researchers are calling for better awareness among policy makers and the public of the impact climate change and deteriorating environmental quality will have on an aging population.

Climate change impacts to U.S. coasts threaten public health, safety and economy, report finds

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:30:30 EST

According to a new technical report, the effects of climate change will continue to threaten the health and vitality of US coastal communities' social, economic and natural systems.

Global warming less extreme than feared? New estimates from a Norwegian project on climate calculations

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:39:39 EST

Policymakers are attempting to contain global warming at less than 2°C. New estimates from a Norwegian project on climate calculations indicate this target may be more attainable than many experts have feared.

Global approach to monitoring biodiversity loss?

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:25:25 EST

In contrast to climate change, there is no coordinated global system in place for measuring and reporting on biodiversity change or loss. An international team of biologists is now addressing this gap.

Fish journeying upstream are hampered by hydropower dams: Facilities in northeastern U.S. fail to allow passage of migrating fish

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:35:35 EST

Major hydropower dams in the northeastern United States, constructed with state-of-the-art features designed to allow migratory fish to pass through them on their way to spawn upstream, have failed in that regard, according to a new study.

Iconic beach resorts may not survive sea level rises

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:06:06 EST

A leading coastal scientist has warned that some of the world’s best known beach resorts may not survive projected sea level rises and that problems caused by changing sea levels are compounded by a lack of political will and short-term coastal management initiatives.

NOAA lists ringed and bearded ice seal populations under the Endangered Species Act

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 18:08:08 EST

NOAA Fisheries has announced its final listing decision for four subspecies of ringed seals and two distinct population segments (DPSs) of bearded seals under the Endangered Species Act. Specifically, in line with the proposal, NOAA will list as threatened the Beringia and Okhotsk DPSs of bearded seals and the Arctic, Okhotsk, and Baltic subspecies of ringed seals. The Ladoga subspecies of ringed seals will be listed as endangered. The species that exist in U.S. waters (Arctic ringed seals and the Beringia DPS of bearded seals) are already protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Ozone levels have sizeable impact on worker productivity

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:32:32 EST

Researchers assessed the impact of pollution on agricultural worker productivity using daily variations in ozone levels. Their results show that ozone, even at levels below current air-quality standards in most parts of the world, has significant negative impacts on worker productivity. Their findings suggest that environmental protection is important for promoting economic growth and investing in human capital in contrast to its common portrayal as a tax on producers.

Environmental threat map highlights Great Lakes restoration challenges

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:25:25 EST

A comprehensive map three years in the making is telling the story of humans’ impact on the Great Lakes, identifying how “environmental stressors” stretching from Minnesota to Ontario are shaping the future of an ecosystem that contains 20 percent of the world’s fresh water.

Top officials meet at U.S. Office of Naval Research as Arctic changes quicken

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:23:23 EST

The U.S. Navy's chief of naval research, Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder, met this week with leaders from U.S. and Canadian government agencies to address research efforts in the Arctic, in response to dramatic and accelerating changes in summer sea ice coverage.

Insurance industry paying increasing attention to climate change

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:23:23 EST

The insurance industry, the world's largest business with $4.6 trillion in revenues, is making larger efforts to manage climate change-related risks, according to a new study.

International trade in live corals could help preserve wild corals and coral reefs ecosystems, study suggests

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:49:49 EST

Researchers have published findings about a unique trade and its long-term implications.

Mitigating our carbon footprint

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:22:22 EST

Scientists keep producing increasingly complex modelling tools to evaluate urgently needed mitigating strategies of our carbon footprint. However, it is policy makers who have to decide on measures to curb our CO2 emissions. Therefore the science of carbon emissions needs to be translated into useful information to serve their needs.

Weather and ice data help secure winter shipping in the Arctic

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 08:38:38 EST

Climate change brings changes to the Arctic region. The opening of new shipping routes creates needs for weather and marine safety services. Jouni Vainio, Senior Ice Expert at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, explored the practical needs while sailing on the multi-purpose icebreaker Nordica to Europe through the Northeast Passage in the Arctic Ocean.

Gulf oil spill: Oil-dispersing chemicals had little effect on oil surfacing, according to new study

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:58:58 EST

A new study examined the effects of the use of unprecedented quantities of synthetic dispersants on the distribution of an oil mass in the water column. Scientists developed and tested models to show that the application of oil-dispersing chemicals had little effect on the oil surfacing in the Gulf of Mexico.

Removing sea defenses may reduce impact of coastal flooding

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:20:20 EST

Ensuring continued flood protection for low lying coastal areas may mean sacrificing cliff top communities to the sea. New research shows that the benefits of protecting the English coastline from erosion must be balanced against the impacts of coastal flooding.

Integrating science and policy to address the impacts of air pollution

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:32:32 EST

New research examines how science and policy address air pollution effects on human health and ecosystems, and climate change in Europe.

Attitudes towards security threats uncovered

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:36:36 EST

New research has revealed a significant gap between what the government claims are the biggest security threats facing the UK and the fears of the population.

Thawing of permafrost expected to cause significant additional global warming, not yet accounted for in climate predictions

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:42:42 EST

Permafrost covering almost a quarter of the northern hemisphere contains 1,700 gigatonnes of carbon, twice that currently in the atmosphere, and could significantly amplify global warming should thawing accelerate as expected, according to a new report. Warming permafrost can also radically change ecosystems and cause costly infrastructural damage due to increasingly unstable ground, the report says.

Paralysis by analysis should not delay decisions on climate change, experts urge

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:41:41 EST

Uncertainty about how much the climate is changing is not a reason to delay preparing for the harmful impacts of climate change says an expert.

Climate change: Believing and seeing implies adapting

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 09:54:54 EST

To communicate climate change and adaptation to stakeholders such as European forest owners is a challenge. A capacity to adapt to climate change has, until now, mainly been understood as how trees and forest ecosystems can adapt to climate change and which socio-economic factors determine the implementation of adaptive measures. The new study shows, for the first time, the importance of two personal factors; when forest owners believe in and see the effects of climate change, they are more likely to have taken adaptive measures.

Europe must not lose momentum in marine biodiversity research, experts urge

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:49:49 EST

Scientists have developed a roadmap for marine biodiversity science in Europe and warn against complacency.

Four-degrees briefing for the World Bank: The risks of a future without climate policy

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:48:48 EST

Humankind’s emissions of greenhouse gases are breaking new records every year. Hence we’re on a path towards 4-degree global warming probably as soon as by the end of this century. This would mean a world of risks beyond the experience of our civilization – including heat waves, especially in the tropics, a sea-level rise affecting hundreds of millions of people, and regional yield failures impacting global food security. These are some of the results of a report for the World Bank. The poorest in the world are those that will be hit hardest, making development without climate policy almost impossible, the researchers conclude.

Naïve fish: Easy targets for spear fishers

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:25:25 EST

Big fish that have grown up in marine reserves don't seem to know enough to avoid fishers armed with spear guns waiting outside the reserve. The latest research by an Australian team working in the Philippines into the effects of marine reserves has found there is an unexpected windfall awaiting fishers who obey the rules and respect reserve boundaries -- in the form of big, innocent fish wandering out of the reserve.

Cultural dimensions of climate change are underestimated, overlooked and misunderstood

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:39:39 EST

The impact of climate change on many aspects of cultural life for people all over the world is not being sufficiently accounted for by scientists and policy-makers. Cultural factors are key to making climate change real to people and to motivating their responses, new research suggests.

Sharks: Bad creatures or bad image?

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:59:59 EST

Historically, the media have been particularly harsh to sharks, and it's affecting their survival. A new study reviewed worldwide media coverage of sharks -- and the majority isn't good.

Making climate taxes more palatable

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 08:46:46 EDT

A majority of Norwegians would accept increased climate taxes -- if the taxes are understood as targeting specific environmental purposes. Earmarking of the revenues could help to gain public acceptance for such taxes, researchers say.

Long-term sea level rise in Washington, D.C. could have significant impact

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:49:49 EDT

The U.S. capital is likely to face flooding and infrastructure damage in both the short- and long-term brought about by sea level rise (SLR), current trends and predicted increases suggest. The rise is linked to thermal expansion of the oceans and melting of global ice sheets as a result of global warming, researchers say in a new study focused on real-estate property and government infrastructure impacts in Washington, D.C.