Exploring the policies and international agreements governing fisheries, seabed mining and the high seas. https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/governance/rss en 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. 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. Fisheries Governance Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Nick Aspinwall https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/19/taiwan-pushed-to-confront-work-abuse-in-high-seas-fishing-fleet https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/19/taiwan-pushed-to-confront-work-abuse-in-high-seas-fishing-fleet The Taiwanese government is starting to listen to its critics as it works to improve monitoring of conditions for foreign workers on its large long-distance tuna fishing fleet. But local and international labor advocates say reforms aren’t happening quickly enough. Climate Change Governance Solutions Tue, 10 Jul 2018 09:09:57 +0000 https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/10/californias-climate-summit-is-a-moment-to-lead-on-oceans-coasts https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/10/californias-climate-summit-is-a-moment-to-lead-on-oceans-coasts Sara Aminzadeh, executive director of California Coastkeeper Alliance and a member of the California Coastal Commission, says there’s momentum for ambitious ocean commitments to be made at the upcoming Global Climate Action Summit. Governance Plastic Pollution Solutions Fri, 06 Jul 2018 08:30:00 +0000 Paul Harvey https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/06/sometimes-we-really-need-single-use-plastics https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/07/06/sometimes-we-really-need-single-use-plastics As governments around the world rightly consider bans of various kinds of disposable plastics, nuance is needed to protect crucial applications, such as in research, food aid and medicine, argues environmental science researcher Paul Harvey of Macquarie University. Arctic Climate Change Governance Tue, 03 Jul 2018 07:40:00 +0000 Erica Cirino https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/03/narwhals-whales-at-greatest-risk-from-increasing-arctic-ship-traffic https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/03/narwhals-whales-at-greatest-risk-from-increasing-arctic-ship-traffic As sea ice disappears and more ships ply routes like the Northwest Passage in the late summer, better safety and conservation measures will be needed to protect marine mammals, scientists say. 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. Climate Change Fisheries Governance Marine Protected Areas Thu, 21 Jun 2018 03:10:00 +0000 Whitley Saumweber, Roberta Elias https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/06/21/trump-takes-u-s-ocean-policy-in-the-wrong-direction https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/06/21/trump-takes-u-s-ocean-policy-in-the-wrong-direction We must reorient our ocean management to adapt to new climate realities, say Whitley Saumweber, former ocean and coastal adviser to President Obama, and Roberta Elias of the World Wildlife Fund. Blue Economy Fisheries Governance Wed, 20 Jun 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/06/20/deeply-talks-u-s-ocean-politics-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/06/20/deeply-talks-u-s-ocean-politics-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly Following Capitol Hill Ocean Week, Oceans Deeply’s Jessica Leber and Kristen Sarri of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation discuss the ocean and coastal priorities of the Trump administration and Congress. Fisheries Governance Marine Protected Areas Tue, 19 Jun 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Paul Tullis https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/19/sharp-fall-in-australian-fish-stocks-stokes-fight-over-marine-reserves https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/19/sharp-fall-in-australian-fish-stocks-stokes-fight-over-marine-reserves A hotly debated study that found a big decline in fish populations over the past decade comes as the government proposes to open up some marine protected areas to recreational and commercial fishing. Fisheries Governance Marine Protected Areas Fri, 15 Jun 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/06/15/why-famed-ocean-advocate-sylvia-earle-is-looking-south https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/06/15/why-famed-ocean-advocate-sylvia-earle-is-looking-south A coalition hopes to achieve a network of marine protected areas in the vast Southern Ocean by 2020. Earle argues that the health of the planet itself is at stake. 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. Fisheries Governance Marine Protected Areas Wed, 06 Jun 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Erica Cirino https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/06/a-grass-roots-movement-to-create-marine-protected-areas https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/06/a-grass-roots-movement-to-create-marine-protected-areas On the Greek isle of Santorini, fishers, divers, scientists, government officials and environmentalists have devised their own plan to preserve the marine ecology of the waters surrounding an island dependent on fishing and tourism. Governance Plastic Pollution Mon, 04 Jun 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Erica Cirino https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/04/ocean-advocates-take-to-the-streets-to-rally-for-marine-protection https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/04/ocean-advocates-take-to-the-streets-to-rally-for-marine-protection Thousands of people are expected to attend the March for the Ocean in Washington, D.C., this Saturday to draw attention to offshore drilling, plastic pollution and other issues in advance of the November election. 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. Coral Reefs Governance Mon, 14 May 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Erica Cirino https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/14/coal-vs-coral-the-dredging-threat-to-the-great-barrier-reef https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/14/coal-vs-coral-the-dredging-threat-to-the-great-barrier-reef As the Australian government pushes for the construction of a giant coal mine near the world’s largest coral ecosystem, Finnish scientists have developed a way to minimize the impact of dredging required to expand coal ports and accommodate increases in ship traffic. Biodiversity Coral Reefs Fisheries Governance Fri, 11 May 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Ian Evans https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/05/11/expedition-reveals-the-mysteries-at-the-bottom-of-the-gulf-of-mexico https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/05/11/expedition-reveals-the-mysteries-at-the-bottom-of-the-gulf-of-mexico The Okeanos Expedition has returned from a 23-day exploration of the deep ocean in the Gulf of Mexico. Scientist Daniel Wagner says that much of what they saw was new to science and could affect management of the Gulf. Biodiversity Governance Marine Protected Areas Fri, 27 Apr 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Erica Gies https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/27/does-size-matter-debating-the-role-of-marine-protected-areas https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/27/does-size-matter-debating-the-role-of-marine-protected-areas As the world’s marine ecosystems face increasing threats, scientists disagree on whether the trend toward huge, remote reserves is a promising new development or a worrisome distraction. Biodiversity Fisheries Governance Solutions Tue, 24 Apr 2018 06:50:00 +0000 Ian Evans https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/04/24/goldman-prize-goes-to-activist-who-fought-deep-sea-industrial-trawling https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/04/24/goldman-prize-goes-to-activist-who-fought-deep-sea-industrial-trawling Claire Nouvian, one of the winners of this year’s Goldman Environmental Prize, has successfully battled to protect marine life from destructive fishing practices. 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. Coral Reefs Governance Marine Protected Areas Thu, 12 Apr 2018 08:50:00 +0000 Amelia Urry https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/12/can-the-gulf-of-mexicos-largest-coral-reef-survive-a-massive-new-port https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/12/can-the-gulf-of-mexicos-largest-coral-reef-survive-a-massive-new-port Environmentalists in Mexico have fought the recent relocation of a coral reef to make way for bigger ships in the Port of Veracruz. They worry about the ecosystem impacts of the port expansion and the precedent it sets for uprooting corals. Climate Change Governance Wed, 04 Apr 2018 08:50:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/04/tensions-high-as-nations-meet-to-set-climate-plan-for-global-shipping https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/04/tensions-high-as-nations-meet-to-set-climate-plan-for-global-shipping The International Maritime Organization is under pressure to finalize long-delayed targets to reduce carbon emissions from the growing shipping industry. But governments remain divided on how aggressive to be in fighting climate change. Coral Reefs Governance Marine Protected Areas Solutions Thu, 29 Mar 2018 07:40:00 +0000 ‘Aulani Wilhelm https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/03/29/to-save-the-worlds-coral-reefs-bigger-and-smaller-are-better https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/03/29/to-save-the-worlds-coral-reefs-bigger-and-smaller-are-better Coral reefs are vital marine ecosystems, but time is running out to protect them from climate change. The only way to stave off a coral catastrophe, says ‘Aulani Wilhelm of Conservation International, is to scale up marine protected areas – and fast. Coral Reefs Governance Marine Protected Areas Thu, 08 Mar 2018 10:20:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/08/study-sharks-bounce-back-when-coral-reefs-are-strictly-protected https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/08/study-sharks-bounce-back-when-coral-reefs-are-strictly-protected With more nations considering creating shark sanctuaries, new research shows that strict fishing bans can help predator populations recover rapidly, as has been the case on a remote Australian reef. Climate Change Coral Reefs Governance Fri, 02 Mar 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Ian Evans https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/03/02/ocean-acidification-a-chance-for-bipartisan-cooperation-in-congress https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/03/02/ocean-acidification-a-chance-for-bipartisan-cooperation-in-congress Sarah Cooley, a marine scientist at the Ocean Conservancy, explains the environmental group’s strategy for reaching out to both sides of the aisle on legislation to address ocean challenges in a divisive political environment. Governance Plastic Pollution Solutions Thu, 01 Mar 2018 08:40:00 +0000 Erica Cirino https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/01/hawaii-moves-toward-ban-on-ocean-polluting-takeout-food-containers https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/01/hawaii-moves-toward-ban-on-ocean-polluting-takeout-food-containers Last year, Maui and the Big Island banned polystyrene food containers that contribute to the islands’ coastal pollution problem. Now, Hawaii’s legislature is taking action toward the U.S.’ first statewide prohibition on foam packaging, which is toxic to marine life. Biodiversity Fisheries Governance Mon, 26 Feb 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/26/the-oceans-twilight-zone-faces-fishing-threat https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/26/the-oceans-twilight-zone-faces-fishing-threat The mesopelagic area of the ocean plays a crucial role in marine ecosystems, but it has remained largely untouched and unexplored But now some nations are eyeing the deep sea as potentially rich new fishing grounds. Fisheries Governance Tue, 20 Feb 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/20/study-finds-underreporting-masks-sharp-decline-of-global-fish-catches https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/20/study-finds-underreporting-masks-sharp-decline-of-global-fish-catches When researchers reconstructed historical data using modern techniques, they determined that nations have not accurately accounted for past fish catches. But a top U.N. fisheries official disputes the scientists’ methodology and conclusions. Blue Economy Governance Technology Mon, 05 Feb 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/05/hacked-at-sea-concerns-grow-over-lax-cybersecurity-for-ships-ports https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/05/hacked-at-sea-concerns-grow-over-lax-cybersecurity-for-ships-ports As hacking risks grow and maritime operations become more digitally connected, experts in industry and government have long said no one is prepared. This summer was a wake-up call.