Latest news with #Oceana
France 24
an hour ago
- Science
- France 24
World coming up short on promised marine sanctuaries
"With less than 10 percent of the ocean designated as MPAs (marine protected areas) and only 2.7 percent fully or highly protected, it is going to be difficult to reach the 30 percent target," said Lance Morgan, head of the Marine Conservation Institute in Seattle, Washington. The institute maps the MPAs for an online atlas, updating moves to meet the 30 percent goal that 196 countries signed onto in 2022, under the Kunling-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The ambition is notably at risk because "we see countries like the US reversing course and abandoning decades of bipartisan efforts" to protect areas of the Pacific Ocean, Morgan said. That referred to an April executive order by President Donald Trump authorising industrial-scale fishing in big swathes of an MPA in that ocean. Currently, there are 16,516 declared MPAs in the world, covering just 8.4 percent of the oceans. But not all are created equal: some forbid all forms of fishing, while others place no roles, or almost none, on what activities are proscribed or permitted. "Only a third of them have levels of protection that would yield proper benefits" for fish, said Joachim Claudet, a socio-ecology marine researcher at France's CNRS. Daniel Pauly, a professor of fisheries science at Canada's University of British Columbia, said "the marine protected areas have not really been proposed for the protection of biodiversity" but "to increase fish catches". A proper MPA "exports fish to non-protected zones, and that should be the main reason that we create marine protected areas -- they are needed to have fish", he said. When fish populations are left to reproduce and grow in protected areas, there is often a spillover effect that sees fish stocks outside the zones also rise, as several scientific journals have noted, especially around a no-fishing MPA in Hawaiian waters that is the biggest in the world. One 2022 study in the Science journal showed a 54 percent in crease in yellowfin tuna around that Hawaiian MPA, an area now threatened by Trump's executive order, Pauly said. Fishing bans For such sanctuaries to work, there need to be fishing bans over all or at least some of their zones, Claudet said. But MPAs with such restrictions account for just 2.7 percent of the ocean's area, and are almost always in parts that are far from areas heavily impacted by human activities. In Europe, for instance, "90 percent of the marine protected areas are still exposed to bottom trawling," a spokesperson for the NGO Oceana, Alexandra Cousteau, said. "It's ecological nonsense." Pauly said that "bottom trawling in MPAs is like picking flowers with a bulldozer... they scrape the seabed". Oceana said French MPAs suffered intensive bottom trawling, 17,000 hours' worth in 2024, as did those in British waters, with 20,600 hours. The NGO is calling for a ban on the technique, which involves towing a heavy net along the sea floor, churning it up. A recent WWF report said that just two percent of European Union waters were covered by MPAs with management plans, even some with no protection measures included. The head of WWF's European office for the oceans, Jacob Armstrong, said that was insufficient to protect oceanic health.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
World coming up short on promised marine sanctuaries
A global target of having 30 percent of the oceans become protected areas by 2030 is looking more fragile than ever, with little progress and the United States backing away, conservationists say. "With less than 10 percent of the ocean designated as MPAs and only 2.7 percent fully or highly protected, it is going to be difficult to reach the 30 percent target," said Lance Morgan, head of the Marine Conservation Institute in Seattle, Washington. The institute maps the MPAs for an online atlas, updating moves to meet the 30 percent goal that 196 countries signed onto in 2022, under the Kunling-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The ambition is notably at risk because "we see countries like the US reversing course and abandoning decades of bipartisan efforts" to protect areas of the Pacific Ocean, Morgan said. That referred to an April executive order by President Donald Trump authorising industrial-scale fishing in big swathes of an MPA in that ocean. Currently, there are 16,516 declared MPAs in the world, covering just 8.4 percent of the oceans. But not all are created equal: some forbid all forms of fishing, while others place no roles, or almost none, on what activities are proscribed or permitted. "Only a third of them have levels of protection that would yield proper benefits" for fish, said Joachim Claudet, a socio-ecology marine researcher at France's CNRS. Daniel Pauly, a professor of fisheries science at Canada's University of British Columbia, said "the marine protected areas have not really been proposed for the protection of biodiversity" but "to increase fish catches". A proper MPA "exports fish to non-protected zones, and that should be the main reason that we create marine protected areas they are needed to have fish", he said. When fish populations are left to reproduce and grow in protected areas, there is often a spillover effect that sees fish stocks outside the zones also rise, as several scientific journals have noted, especially around a no-fishing MPA in Hawaiian waters that is the biggest in the world. One 2022 study in the Science journal showed a 54 percent in crease in yellowfin tuna around that Hawaiian MPA, an area now threatened by Trump's executive order, Pauly said. For such sanctuaries to work, there need to be fishing bans over all or at least some of their zones, Claudet said. But MPAs with such restrictions account for just 2.7 percent of the ocean's area, and are almost always in parts that are far from areas heavily impacted by human activities. In Europe, for instance, "90 percent of the marine protected areas are still exposed to bottom trawling," a spokesperson for the NGO Oceana, Alexandra Cousteau, said. "It's ecological nonsense." Pauly said that "bottom trawling in MPAs is like picking flowers with a bulldozer... they scrape the seabed". Oceana said French MPAs suffered intensive bottom trawling, 17,000 hours' worth in 2024, as did those in British waters, with 20,600 hours. The NGO is calling for a ban on the technique, which involves towing a heavy net along the sea floor, churning it up. A recent WWF report said that just two percent of European Union waters were covered by MPAs with management plans, even some with no protection measures included. The head of WWF's European office for the oceans, Jacob Armstrong, said that was insufficient to protect oceanic health. Governments need to back words with action, he said, or else these areas would be no more than symbolic markings on a map. aag/ico/cbn/rmb/dhw
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Debenhams slashes £480 watch that 'looks even better in person' down to £74
"I love the weight and quality of this watch. I get many comments on this watch and you can dress this up or down for any occasion!" With so many different watches on the market, it can be hard at times to choose which one should be the next addition to a collection - especially if you don't have a specific style already in mind. As we know, it can be very easy to drown in sales at times, so we have done the searching for you and found one popular watch that we believe would make a great gift for a birthday, anniversary, or for Father's Day. And as it is part of the Debenhams sale, shoppers will be able to save a whopping £400 on their purchase. The retail giant has slashed the price of the STÜHRLING Original Oceana Versatile Diver Watch. Normally retailing for £480, savvy shoppers will now only need to spend £74.25 thanks to the 85 per cent discount. However, shoppers will need to be quick as out of the five colourways originally being sold, only one design is left in stock. The Oceana Diver Watch is said to seamlessly combine style and functionality as it easily complements any outfit, no matter if it's for a casual or formal event. Featuring a sturdy link bracelet and a stainless steel push button deployant with safety clasp, this watch will provide wearers with a comfortable and sturdy wear with no fear of the band suddenly coming loose. This two-toned band complements the gold bezel and deep blue dial. STÜHRLING Original Oceana Versatile Diver Watch £480 £74.25 Debenhams Buy Now Product Description The dial features luminous hand and hour markers that are guaranteed to provide accurate timekeeping day and night, and the watch also boasts a 330ft water resistance so it can withstand many outdoor adventures. Debenhams says that this sturdy timepiece will be as "versatile as it is reliable" for its future buyer. Another watch in the Debenhams sale is the STÜHRLING Original Concorso Quartz 40mm Chronograph Watch. Normally retailing for £690, shoppers can now snatch this stunning timepiece for £96.75. However, much like the Oceana watch, only one colourway is available as the rest have sold out due to popularity. Alternatively, Argos currently has some deals on potential Father's Day gifts. One of which is the Armani Exchange Cayde Stainless Steel Watch And Bracelet Set. Normally retailing at £179.99, shoppers will save £100 on this jewellery set as it is now priced at £79.99. Currently, there are no reviews on Debenhams website for the Oceana Diver Watch, but many delighted watch enthusiasts have left comments on the Stuhrling website - where the timepiece has a 4.5 star rating. The first shopper happily wrote: "This is now my third purchase, I love the weight and quality of this watch. I purchased the two tone gold to add to my collection. I get many comments on this watch and you can dress this up or down for any occasion!" With another customer added: "Oceana is even better to look at than the photos. This is my second Stuhrling watch, the first watch is still working even after seven years, maybe longer, I love it. "I had about five Seikos and they stop working after five years, and you can't wear a Rolex every day - when it scratches it looks bad. But with the Stuhrling you don't care and it works perfectly. I recommended to anyone." However, some shoppers did leave mixed reviews, with one person writing: "Beautiful watch! Love the colors. However I do not like the magnifying piece over the day number." Another shopper also noted: "Great watch, only complaint is that it pulls on the hairs on my husband's wrist." On the flip side, a five-star reviewer wrote: "Very handsome and comfortable watch for the price! Also very prompt While another delighted shopper praised: "The watch is very smart and the quality is evident. This is my second watch from Stuhrling. My first one is still working fine and looks great." Click HERE to buy the STÜHRLING Original Oceana Versatile Diver Watch. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Analysis Exposes Destruction in France's Most Iconic Marine Protected Areas as Nation Prepares to Host 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference
Oceana uncovers over 17,000 hours of destructive fishing inside France's Marine Nature Parks, calls on President Macron to ban bottom trawling in protected areas NICE, France, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just before France is set to welcome world leaders to Nice for the third United Nations Ocean Conference, Oceana released a new analysis revealing destructive fishing in the country's most iconic marine protected areas. Oceana analysed fishing activity in France's six Marine Nature Parks (MNPs) in European waters in 2024 and found that more than 100 bottom trawling vessels appeared to spend over 17,000 hours fishing in these special and unique places, which have received 'protected' status. That is equivalent to one vessel fishing non-stop, 24/7, for nearly two years straight. 'Bottom trawling is one of the most destructive and wasteful practices taking place in our ocean today,' said Dr. Daniel Pauly, Oceana Board Member and Founder of the Sea Around Us Project. 'These massive, weighted nets bulldoze the ocean floor, destroying everything in their path and remobilizing carbon stored in the seabed. You cannot destroy areas and call them protected. We don't need more bulldozed tracks on the seafloor. We need protected areas that benefit people and nature.' The analysis highlights three case studies of apparent bottom trawling inside French MNPs, special and iconic marine protected areas that were established because of their unique biodiversity. Using the Global Fishing Watch* mapping platform, a public tool that uses data from Automatic Identification Systems on vessels to track apparent fishing** effort, Oceana found that 70% of the trawlers identified in the analysis were French, while the other 30% came from countries including Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, and Italy. Some of these vessels use particularly heavy trawls called 'beam trawls' that are especially damaging to the seafloor and marine life. As world leaders rush to deliver on their commitment to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030, Oceana is calling on governments to ensure that destructive activities like bottom trawling are not allowed in marine protected areas. France, which has the second largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world, claims to have already protected more than 30% of its waters. But these findings show that most of these protections are on paper only. In France's European waters, bottom trawling is widespread, and most protected areas are classified as 'not regulated' or 'unprotected.' In fact, 98% of France's marine protected areas allow destructive activities and only 0.03% are strictly protected, meaning they're free from all extractive uses. 'We found bottom trawling in nearly half of France's marine protected areas in European waters, including in its iconic Marine Nature Parks,' said Nicolas Fournier, Oceana Campaign Director for marine protection in Europe. 'This is a problem President Macron can no longer ignore. France needs to go from words to action – and substantiate its claim of achieving 30x30 by actually protecting its marine treasures from destructive fishing. Doing so would secure a thriving ocean, mitigate climate change impacts, and support the jobs and livelihoods of fishers who rely on a healthy ocean.' Well-protected areas can have long-term economic benefits, especially for coastal communities and small-scale fishers. Low-impact sustainable fishing practices typically thrive in well-managed marine protected areas, but bottom trawling and other destructive activities jeopardize these important areas, marine life, and those who rely on a healthy ocean. For example, in the Gulf of Lion MNP, large trawlers could threaten the livelihoods of small-scale fishers by destroying important fish habitats, while also targeting the same fish but in much larger quantities. 'The UN Ocean Conference is an opportunity for governments to turn commitments into action,' said Alexandra Cousteau, Oceana Senior Advisor and Co-Founder of Oceans 2050. 'Allowing bottom trawling in marine protected areas makes a mockery of the very concept of protection. If countries are serious about achieving 30x30, they must start with banning bottom trawling in protected areas once and for all. President Macron and France have an opportunity to lead. The time to act is now.' Oceana is calling on President Emmanuel Macron and France to lead by example and ban bottom trawling in all French marine protected areas. This is a critical step to ensure genuine protection for ocean ecosystems and align with international standards. This release is available in French here. Oceana is the largest international advocacy organisation dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world's wild fish catch. With more than 325 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana's campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit to learn more. *Global Fishing Watch, a provider of open data for use in this release, is an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, which are not connected with or sponsored, endorsed, or granted official status by Global Fishing Watch. By creating and publicly sharing map visualisations, data and analysis tools, Global Fishing Watch aims to enable scientific research and transform the way our ocean is managed. Global Fishing Watch's public data was used in the production of this publication. **Any and all references to 'fishing' should be understood in the context of Global Fishing Watch's fishing detection algorithm, which is a best effort to determine 'apparent fishing effort' based on vessel speed and direction data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) collected via satellites and terrestrial receivers. As AIS data varies in completeness, accuracy and quality, and the fishing detection algorithm is a statistical estimate of apparent fishing activity, therefore it is possible that some fishing effort is not identified and conversely, that some fishing effort identified is not fishing. For these reasons, GFW qualifies all designations of vessel fishing effort, including synonyms of the term 'fishing effort,' such as 'fishing' or 'fishing activity,' as 'apparent,' rather than certain. Any/all GFW information about 'apparent fishing effort' should be considered an estimate and must be relied upon solely at your own risk. GFW is taking steps to make sure fishing effort designations are as accurate as possible. Contacts: Anna Baxter, abaxter@ (EN); Lucie Lelong, (FR)Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Analysis Exposes Destruction in France's Most Iconic Marine Protected Areas as Nation Prepares to Host 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference
Oceana uncovers over 17,000 hours of destructive fishing inside France's Marine Nature Parks, calls on President Macron to ban bottom trawling in protected areas NICE, France, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just before France is set to welcome world leaders to Nice for the third United Nations Ocean Conference, Oceana released a new analysis revealing destructive fishing in the country's most iconic marine protected areas. Oceana analysed fishing activity in France's six Marine Nature Parks (MNPs) in European waters in 2024 and found that more than 100 bottom trawling vessels appeared to spend over 17,000 hours fishing in these special and unique places, which have received 'protected' status. That is equivalent to one vessel fishing non-stop, 24/7, for nearly two years straight. 'Bottom trawling is one of the most destructive and wasteful practices taking place in our ocean today,' said Dr. Daniel Pauly, Oceana Board Member and Founder of the Sea Around Us Project. 'These massive, weighted nets bulldoze the ocean floor, destroying everything in their path and remobilizing carbon stored in the seabed. You cannot destroy areas and call them protected. We don't need more bulldozed tracks on the seafloor. We need protected areas that benefit people and nature.' The analysis highlights three case studies of apparent bottom trawling inside French MNPs, special and iconic marine protected areas that were established because of their unique biodiversity. Using the Global Fishing Watch* mapping platform, a public tool that uses data from Automatic Identification Systems on vessels to track apparent fishing** effort, Oceana found that 70% of the trawlers identified in the analysis were French, while the other 30% came from countries including Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, and Italy. Some of these vessels use particularly heavy trawls called 'beam trawls' that are especially damaging to the seafloor and marine life. As world leaders rush to deliver on their commitment to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030, Oceana is calling on governments to ensure that destructive activities like bottom trawling are not allowed in marine protected areas. France, which has the second largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world, claims to have already protected more than 30% of its waters. But these findings show that most of these protections are on paper only. In France's European waters, bottom trawling is widespread, and most protected areas are classified as 'not regulated' or 'unprotected.' In fact, 98% of France's marine protected areas allow destructive activities and only 0.03% are strictly protected, meaning they're free from all extractive uses. 'We found bottom trawling in nearly half of France's marine protected areas in European waters, including in its iconic Marine Nature Parks,' said Nicolas Fournier, Oceana Campaign Director for marine protection in Europe. 'This is a problem President Macron can no longer ignore. France needs to go from words to action – and substantiate its claim of achieving 30x30 by actually protecting its marine treasures from destructive fishing. Doing so would secure a thriving ocean, mitigate climate change impacts, and support the jobs and livelihoods of fishers who rely on a healthy ocean.' Well-protected areas can have long-term economic benefits, especially for coastal communities and small-scale fishers. Low-impact sustainable fishing practices typically thrive in well-managed marine protected areas, but bottom trawling and other destructive activities jeopardize these important areas, marine life, and those who rely on a healthy ocean. For example, in the Gulf of Lion MNP, large trawlers could threaten the livelihoods of small-scale fishers by destroying important fish habitats, while also targeting the same fish but in much larger quantities. 'The UN Ocean Conference is an opportunity for governments to turn commitments into action,' said Alexandra Cousteau, Oceana Senior Advisor and Co-Founder of Oceans 2050. 'Allowing bottom trawling in marine protected areas makes a mockery of the very concept of protection. If countries are serious about achieving 30x30, they must start with banning bottom trawling in protected areas once and for all. President Macron and France have an opportunity to lead. The time to act is now.' Oceana is calling on President Emmanuel Macron and France to lead by example and ban bottom trawling in all French marine protected areas. This is a critical step to ensure genuine protection for ocean ecosystems and align with international standards. This release is available in French here. Oceana is the largest international advocacy organisation dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world's wild fish catch. With more than 325 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana's campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit to learn more. *Global Fishing Watch, a provider of open data for use in this release, is an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, which are not connected with or sponsored, endorsed, or granted official status by Global Fishing Watch. By creating and publicly sharing map visualisations, data and analysis tools, Global Fishing Watch aims to enable scientific research and transform the way our ocean is managed. Global Fishing Watch's public data was used in the production of this publication. **Any and all references to 'fishing' should be understood in the context of Global Fishing Watch's fishing detection algorithm, which is a best effort to determine 'apparent fishing effort' based on vessel speed and direction data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) collected via satellites and terrestrial receivers. As AIS data varies in completeness, accuracy and quality, and the fishing detection algorithm is a statistical estimate of apparent fishing activity, therefore it is possible that some fishing effort is not identified and conversely, that some fishing effort identified is not fishing. For these reasons, GFW qualifies all designations of vessel fishing effort, including synonyms of the term 'fishing effort,' such as 'fishing' or 'fishing activity,' as 'apparent,' rather than certain. Any/all GFW information about 'apparent fishing effort' should be considered an estimate and must be relied upon solely at your own risk. GFW is taking steps to make sure fishing effort designations are as accurate as possible. Contacts: Anna Baxter, abaxter@ (EN); Lucie Lelong, (FR)
