Latest news with #marineenvironment
Zawya
6 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
UAE hosts the first intergovernmental session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Central Indian Ocean
Ras Al Khaimah: The UAE National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, in collaboration with UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), hosted the First Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO-1) recently, in Ras Al Khaimah. This milestone event reflects the UAE's long-standing commitment to strengthening international cooperation in scientific research and the protection of the marine environment. The meeting established a foundational framework for IOCINDIO's work, strengthening regional cooperation in ocean sciences and supporting progress toward key sustainable development goals. It brought together experts from international organizations specializing in ocean research and marine science. The meeting addressed several key themes, including the development of joint strategies to conserve marine ecosystems, the enhancement of research and technical capabilities among member states, and the expansion of knowledge in ocean monitoring and marine resource management. It also laid the groundwork for a collaborative framework to tackle shared environmental challenges, such as climate change and ocean pollution. IOCINDIO, a regional body under UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), aims to strengthen cooperation among Indian Ocean rim countries in the fields of scientific research and sustainable development. Underscoring the UAE's growing leadership on the global stage, the UAE was elected Chair of the Commission, represented by His Excellency Dr. Saif Mohammed Al Ghais, former Director General of the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah. This prestigious appointment enables the UAE to play a central role in guiding the Commission's strategic direction, providing technical and logistical support, and advancing the coordination of regional scientific initiatives and events. His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, stated: 'The founding meeting of the Oceanographic Commission represents a significant milestone in the UAE's ongoing commitment to supporting UNESCO's programmes, particularly in the vital field of ocean sciences, which has become a global priority. At the National Commission, we remain dedicated to strengthening the UAE's presence on international scientific and cultural platforms through active collaboration with both local and global partners.' Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment said: 'We are proud to contribute to this important scientific event, which reflects the UAE's forward-looking vision to protect the marine environment and advance regional research in ocean sciences. Our collaboration with UNESCO and participating nations underscores our shared commitment to building a sustainable future for marine ecosystems.' His Excellency Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, stated: 'The meeting aligns with Ras Al Khaimah's broader strategy to support environmental and scientific initiatives while reinforcing the Emirate's position as a global hub for sustainable events. We are proud to provide a welcoming and enabling environment that fosters meaningful scientific dialogue, with the potential to positively impact coastal communities in the UAE and across the region.'
ABC News
26-05-2025
- ABC News
Communities impacted by SA's algae bloom take stock of destruction
South Australia's unprecedented algal bloom has brought death and destruction to the state's marine environment and impacted its tourism and fishing industries. The crisis has forged new connections among coastal communities that are waiting to see if the long-awaited arrival of stormy weather and cold temperatures will break up the algal bloom that was first reported in March. A group of surfers, divers, residents and Indigenous elders walked along some of the south coast's wild surf beaches at Victor Harbor on Saturday. They talked about what they had seen over the past few months. Ramindjeri and Naruunga elders Cedric Varcoe and Angelena Harradine Buckskin created and helped to organise the event with local environmental group The Wild South. They welcomed the groups of walkers as they made their way from Victor Harbor to Goolwa. Mr Varcoe said it was important for people to yarn about the effects of the lingering algae and rising water temperatures. "The main concern is the amount of our sea creatures washing up; we call them our Ngaitye because they're part of our Dreaming, part of our culture as Ramindjeri people," he said. Mr Varcoe and Aunty Angelena said the message behind the event was about healing the waters. They were pleased it had brought together people from all walks of life. Ron and Stefi Phillips, who took part in the walk, were relatively new to the community of Victor Harbor. But Mr Phillips has dived off the coast of South Australia for many years. He said he dived a local reef just days before the first impacts of the bloom were seen in March, watching and observing some of the fish and other marine life present. "A week later I could see some of them lying on the beach, which is a bit sad," he said. "We were coughing and one particular day … we were walking along and there were quite a few dead creatures and the next day I still had a burning throat," Mrs Phillips said. The couple attended a community forum in Middleton in April to find out more about the karenia mikimotoi algal bloom. Since then they have become part of the movement of citizen scientists who upload pictures of what they find on the local beaches to the iNaturalist citizen scientist database. Some walkers carried a message stick as they journeyed. It will be decorated and then taken to Naruunga Country for another Walk for Water event, to be held at Marion Bay on June 7. Surfer Scott Murdoch was entrusted with the message stick for the first part of the walk. He said he spent a lot of time on the south coast and loved the landscape. Mr Murdoch said he felt sick after being exposed to the bloom and watched with dismay its impact on wildlife. "I just wanted to show that it's important to protect these places," he said. Adelaide violin teacher Freya Davies-Ardill, who grew up in Goolwa, was one of volunteers who helped make the event happen. She was busy organising food and entertainment at the halfway mark and joined the walk for the final leg from Ratalang at Port Elliot to Goolwa. Ms Davies-Ardill said she hoped the events would send a message to the South Australian government about the importance of directing funds into research and on-the-ground efforts to document the extent of the damage to the coastal and marine environment.
ABC News
15-05-2025
- Science
- ABC News
Study finds whale sounds stir tourists' desire to do more for the environment
Each winter, thousands of people flock to Queensland's Sunshine Coast to witness the annual migration of humpback whales. But new research from the University of the Sunshine Coast suggests the experience is not just visually striking — it also shapes how people think, feel and behave. Researchers joined whale-watching and swim-with-whales tours off Mooloolaba for the past three seasons, inviting participants to focus on what they could hear and see. Participants were interviewed and completed surveys capturing their emotional responses and attitudes toward the marine environment. The sounds they were exposed to included natural whale vocalisations, tail and fin slaps, blows and breaches, as well as pre-recorded underwater audio played through onboard speakers. Lead researcher Vikki Schaffer said the team wanted to understand how the sounds affected emotional engagement and conservation intent. "Emotionally, participants said the sounds made them feel happy, excited, very humble, in awe and calm," Dr Schaffer said. The study found that experiences of awe — often triggered by hearing whales rather than just seeing them — had a strong link to "pro-environmental intent". That included intentions to recycle more, reduce waste or support ocean conservation efforts. "Tourism is often framed as a visual experience," Dr Schaffer said. "But our other senses — particularly sound — play a key role in shaping how we connect to places, spaces and species." The peer-reviewed study combined visitor surveys with acoustic data collected using hydrophones on Sunreef vessels, a tourism operator based at Mooloolaba. Participants were divided into groups exposed to either natural whale sounds or pre-recorded whale vocalisations. Both groups reported strong feelings of awe. Dr Schaffer said the findings showed how significant natural soundscapes could be in shaping meaningful, even transformational, visitor experiences. She said it also reinforced a need to protect underwater acoustic environments from noise pollution caused by boats and human activity. "Sound is a natural resource that's often overlooked," Dr Schaffer said. "It's critical to both marine life and to human connection with the ocean." Sunreef manager John Fell said the research had become a valuable asset for the business and the broader marine tourism industry. "Immersive tourism is all about capturing the imagination and igniting the senses," Mr Fell said. "That's what creates powerful, lasting experiences for our guests." He said the findings reinforced how environmental education and emotional engagement could go hand-in-hand. "That connection often leads to action." Dr Schaffer said the findings aligned with global efforts to use sustainable tourism as a driver for conservation and education. The study contributed to a growing field of research exploring how emotions such as awe could influence people's behaviour long after their travel experience ended. With whale numbers rising and demand for ecotourism growing, Dr Schaffer hoped the insights would help shape how future tours were designed — not just for entertainment, but for long-term impact. "We want people to walk away not just with a photo but with a mindset that supports protecting our oceans," she said.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Work begins on £1m Sussex Bay improvement scheme
Work has begun to restore 100 miles (160km) of coastline after the Sussex Bay project received funding worth more than £ scheme will see the marine environment and rivers from Chichester to Camber Sands undergo a programme to accelerate their recovery from pollution and is currently being carried out to create an artificial 'reef wall' and 'wildlife corridors'.Dr Lewis White, research lead for Sussex Bay, said: "We are collaborating with authorities and researchers across our coastline to work out what needs to change and where to cherish and recover our ecosystem." A 'reef wall' is currently being constructed at Shoreham Port, where officials are working with fishing communities to become more Willis, chief executive of the port, said: "I believe Sussex Bay can restore fish stocks in the area and we've just opened our brand new in-shore marina to ensure that in-shore fishing, the most sustainable kind of fishing, is protected for many many years to come."Sources of the £1m funding include the Marine Management Organisation, Natural England, Innovate UK and Championing Coastal Communities. The project is working with local councils, ports and universities, who are conducting research on the marine a reduction in pollution and an increase in fish was noted, it is hoped the area will also see more larger marine animals returning to the area. Thea Taylor, managing director of the Sussex Dolphin Project, said: "If you look back at records from the 1800s there are documents of large pods of cetaceans off the Sussex coast but that really dipped when industrial and commercial efforts picked up."We're hopeful that with a well managed fishery, balanced with conservation efforts, we can once again have a really healthy cetacean population off the Sussex coastline."
