insert_link Environment Maritime rangers discover whale carcass north of Swakopmund Captain Sean Naude, Head of the Namibian Maritime Rangers, lifeguard, and marine life rescue services has confirmed the discovery of a whale carcass floating 30 kilometers north of Swakopmund by Wlotkasbaken on Monday. The whale carcass, believed to have been hit by a ship, was found during the team's search efforts for a missing pastor who disappeared nine days ago. The discovery, according to Naude was immediately reported to the […] todayJune 17, 2024 105
insert_link Environment Why you shouldn’t take pebbles from the beach – here’s the science Mr.Teerapong Kunkaeo / shutterstock By Joseph Earl, Lancaster University and Suzana Ilic, Lancaster University Cumberland Council in the north of England has announced that people taking pebbles from beaches will now face fines of up to £1,000. Many people found the announcement frustrating, but preventing erosion is critical, as research shows. For many people, visiting the beach brings back joyful childhood memories. It is easy to forget that […] todayMay 22, 2024 37
insert_link Environment Great white sharks off South Africa’s coast are protected by law, but not in practice. Why this needs to change By Enrico Gennari, Rhodes University; Neil Hammerschlag, University of Oregon, and Sara Andreotti, Stellenbosch University In less than eight years, white sharks in South Africa have all but disappeared from their historical hotspots in False Bay and Gansbaai, on the Western Cape coast. These areas were once known as the “white shark capital of the world” and were home to a flourishing ecotourism industry. One possible […] todayMay 6, 2024 46
insert_link Environment Orca whales trapped in drift ice in northern Japan About 10 Orca whales are trapped in drift ice in far northern Japan. According to local officials, the pod was seen through a small gap in the ice about one kilometer off the coast of Hokkaido. todayFebruary 7, 2024 40
insert_link Environment Ocean heating breaks record, again, with disastrous outcomes for the planet By Elizabeth Claire Alberts via Mongabay New research shows that ocean temperatures are hotter than ever in the modern era due to human-driven global warming. High ocean temperatures are placing a strain on marine life and biological processes while also increasing extreme weather events on land. The world is also seeing an escalation in the frequency and intensity of marine heat waves, events in which sea temperatures exceed a certain […] todayJanuary 31, 2024 12
insert_link World Norway to approve controversial deep sea mining activity Norway is expected to become the first country in the world to approve the controversial practice of deep-sea mining. Supporters say it's needed to find precious metals and minerals, but environmental scientists have warned it could be devastating for marine life. According to the BBC, Norway's proposal will open up 280,000 sq km of its national waters for companies to apply to mine these sources - an area bigger than […] todayJanuary 9, 2024 15