Alastair Bland is a freelance journalist in San Francisco, CA. He can be reached at allybland79@gmail.com or via Twitter. https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/contributor/alastair-bland/rss en Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Solutions Wed, 17 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/17/is-resistance-futile-cigarette-butts-still-dominate-coastal-litter https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/17/is-resistance-futile-cigarette-butts-still-dominate-coastal-litter Smokers burn through 6 trillion cigarettes every year, and most are tossed into the environment. Butts contain microplastics and harmful chemicals, and new research suggests they may be directly toxic to wildlife. Efforts to curb butt litter have been largely futile. Biodiversity Blue Economy Solutions Mon, 27 Aug 2018 07:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/27/gene-pollution-threatens-wild-salmon-a-solution-sterile-farmed-fish https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/27/gene-pollution-threatens-wild-salmon-a-solution-sterile-farmed-fish Farmed Atlantic salmon don’t fare well in the wild. That’s a problem when they escape their pens and breed with vulnerable Atlantic salmon populations, spreading their genes. Scientists are now urging aquaculture companies to consider raising fish that won’t reproduce. Fisheries Governance Marine Protected Areas Wed, 15 Aug 2018 08:40:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/15/could-the-high-seas-be-closed-to-fishing https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/15/could-the-high-seas-be-closed-to-fishing As the United Nations prepares to begin negotiations next month on a high seas biodiversity treaty, some scientists and advocates say a spate of recent research supports banning commercial fishing in international waters to protect remote ecosystems. Biodiversity Climate Change Coral Reefs Wed, 08 Aug 2018 12:10:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/08/cant-stand-the-heat-wave-coral-protecting-fish-in-decline https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/08/cant-stand-the-heat-wave-coral-protecting-fish-in-decline An extensive survey of the Great Barrier Reef finds that a spike in ocean temperatures in 2016 led to a fall in populations of parrotfish, which keep corals healthy and help them recover from bleaching events by eating harmful algae. Fisheries Governance Technology Fri, 03 Aug 2018 07:50:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/03/rich-and-poor-divide-which-nations-benefit-from-global-fishing https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/03/rich-and-poor-divide-which-nations-benefit-from-global-fishing A new study finds that industrial fishing vessels flying the flags of wealthy nations are catching the majority of the world’s fish, adding to a growing discussion over how food security and sustainable fishing are connected. Economics Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Tue, 31 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/07/31/does-the-bay-area-have-enough-water-for-economic-growth-and-salmon https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/07/31/does-the-bay-area-have-enough-water-for-economic-growth-and-salmon A final draft of the state’s plan to increase flows in key tributaries of the Bay-Delta will mean more water for fish but less for urban areas like the San Francisco Bay Area. Coral Reefs Fisheries Marine Protected Areas Wed, 11 Jul 2018 08:51:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/11/study-do-coral-reef-reserves-protect-ocean-life-yes-but https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/11/study-do-coral-reef-reserves-protect-ocean-life-yes-but With data from 1,800 tropical coral reefs, new research weighs in on an ongoing conservation debate: whether it’s better to preserve marine areas that are still pristine or those that need the most protection. Environment & Wildlife Management & Supply Mon, 09 Jul 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/07/09/how-much-water-do-coho-salmon-need-researchers-find-surprising-answer https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/07/09/how-much-water-do-coho-salmon-need-researchers-find-surprising-answer For California’s endangered Coho salmon, just a trickle of water may mean survival in the small rivers and streams where the fish spend their first year, researchers found. Climate Change Fisheries Governance Mon, 02 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/02/storminess-could-make-fishing-more-risky-as-climate-warms https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/02/storminess-could-make-fishing-more-risky-as-climate-warms Researchers say the effects of more frequent and intense weather would hit hardest in developing countries that rely on fishing for livelihoods and sustenance. But few have studied the potential catastrophic impacts on global fisheries – or the potential solutions. Agriculture Economics Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Fri, 22 Jun 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/06/22/a-new-groundwater-market-emerges-in-california-are-more-on-the-way https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/06/22/a-new-groundwater-market-emerges-in-california-are-more-on-the-way The pilot program is kicking off in Ventura County, but experts say that it may be replicated in other parts of the state as California works to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and curb overpumping of aquifers. Climate Change Coral Reefs Thu, 14 Jun 2018 07:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/14/rising-seas-will-inundate-coral-reefs-that-protect-vulnerable-coasts https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/14/rising-seas-will-inundate-coral-reefs-that-protect-vulnerable-coasts Researchers studied more than 200 tropical reefs and found that few will grow fast enough to keep pace with higher water levels due to climate change. This means the reefs won’t be able to break destructive waves that can wreak havoc on coastal communities. Blue Economy Governance Wed, 13 Jun 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/13/new-fair-trade-movement-raising-wages-for-international-ship-workers https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/13/new-fair-trade-movement-raising-wages-for-international-ship-workers Fair trade doesn’t always mean fair transport, unions say, as the International Labour Organization debates a minimum wage increase for the shipping industry. Better treatment of workers could also have environmental benefits, they argue. Fisheries Governance Solutions Technology Mon, 11 Jun 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/11/new-technology-is-lighting-up-dark-fishing-fleets https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/11/new-technology-is-lighting-up-dark-fishing-fleets Global Fishing Watch is using satellites to monitor brightly lit fishing vessels at night, adding to its ability to monitor a growing portion of the world’s commercial fleet. The goal: to help crack down on illegal fishing and make seafood more sustainable. Agriculture Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 30 May 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/05/30/feds-push-to-raise-shasta-dam-but-would-it-ease-california-water-woes https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/05/30/feds-push-to-raise-shasta-dam-but-would-it-ease-california-water-woes California’s largest reservoir may get even bigger, despite opposition from the state. Some welcome the opportunity to store more water, but others are skeptical it could significantly ease competing demands for limited water and aid fish. Fisheries Governance Marine Protected Areas Mon, 21 May 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/21/the-high-stakes-battle-over-obamas-atlantic-ocean-national-monument https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/21/the-high-stakes-battle-over-obamas-atlantic-ocean-national-monument A lawsuit challenging the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument could undo a decade of ocean protections. But environmentalists say the Trump administration – which is defending the monument in court – is the bigger threat to the unique ecosystem. Blue Economy Fisheries Solutions Wed, 09 May 2018 03:00:07 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/09/the-future-of-food-fish-not-fowl-best-for-planet-scientists-say https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/09/the-future-of-food-fish-not-fowl-best-for-planet-scientists-say Researchers analyzed the environmental impacts of replacing land-raised meat with farmed seafood to feed a burgeoning population and found aquaculture could preserve nearly 750 million hectares. But there could be nutritional tradeoffs. Biodiversity Coral Reefs Fisheries Solutions Technology Wed, 02 May 2018 08:30:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/02/new-weapons-in-the-war-on-lionfish-a-beautiful-but-deadly-invader https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/02/new-weapons-in-the-war-on-lionfish-a-beautiful-but-deadly-invader Lionfish are decimating valuable native species in the western Atlantic Ocean, but spearing the predators hasn’t been enough to slow their spread. Now scientists and fishers are developing traps and other technology to catch the voracious fish en masse. Biodiversity Wed, 25 Apr 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/25/a-voyage-to-the-white-shark-cafe-to-find-out-whats-on-the-menu https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/25/a-voyage-to-the-white-shark-cafe-to-find-out-whats-on-the-menu The predators’ annual migration to a remote area of the Pacific Ocean has long remained a mystery. Now scientists have embarked on a mission to investigate just what the great whites are doing during their sojourn. The answers could help protect the region. Management & Supply Thu, 19 Apr 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/04/19/how-california-water-suppliers-are-getting-earthquake-ready https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/04/19/how-california-water-suppliers-are-getting-earthquake-ready Californians know another “big one” will be coming someday. In preparation, the state’s major water suppliers have been working to seismically retrofit key infrastructure, but vulnerabilities remain. Biodiversity Fisheries Governance Mon, 16 Apr 2018 08:20:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/16/race-to-the-bottom-impact-of-deep-sea-fishing-severely-underestimated https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/16/race-to-the-bottom-impact-of-deep-sea-fishing-severely-underestimated Scientists recalculated historical catch data to find that bottom trawlers that scrape the seafloor with huge nets may be killing far more fish – and destroying more habitats – than previously thought.