Deep Dives
Thought-provoking research providing extensive learning opportunities

Decoding Coral Reefs: Exploring Their Status, Risks and Ensuring Their Future

Lauretta Burke & Katie Wood, World Resources Institute

The ins and outs of coral reefs can be confusing. Here’s a deep dive into what makes a coral reef, why they’re threatened and how they’re doing now.

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The unspoken challenges of blue carbon

Megan Howell, The Fish Site Fisheries & Aquaculture

Blue carbon is emerging as a new conservation game-changer and climate mitigation strategy, but practitioners say that investors and policymakers should think twice before they fall for the hype.

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A Research Strategy for Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal and Sequestration

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

A Research Strategy for Ocean-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal and Sequestration says current levels of CO2 emissions greatly exceed the ability of nature to remove it from the environment, and reducing carbon emissions alone may not be enough to stabilize the climate.

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The Global Pandemic Has Shown We Need an Action Plan for the Ocean

Murphy, E.J. et al., Frontiers in Marine Science

The challenge is urgent. There is an immediate requirement to go beyond calls for action to deal with aspects of the impacts of climate change and human activities on the ocean.

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A European Ocean Energy Industry – the €140bn Economic Opportunity

ETIP Ocean Energy Solutions

Europe faces a choice – to lead or to follow the emerging ocean energy global market.

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Going Deep Into Oyster Country

Myles Poydras, The New York Times Fisheries & Aquaculture

From coastal Virginia to New York and New Orleans, a writer delves into the history and lore surrounding the shellfish, with a focus on the role African Americans have played over the years.

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Emergence of a neopelagic community through the establishment of coastal species on the high seas

Haram, L.E. et al., Nature Communications Plastics & Pollution

Discoveries of persistent coastal species in the open ocean shift our understanding of biogeographic barriers. Floating plastic debris from pollution now supports a novel sea surface community composed of coastal and oceanic species at sea that might portend significant ecological shifts in the marine environment.

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Growing environmental footprint of plastics driven by coal combustion

Cabernard, L. et al., Nature Sustainability Plastics & Pollution

Research on the environmental impacts from the global value chain of plastics has typically focused on the disposal phase, considered most harmful to the environment and human health. However, the production of plastics is also responsible for substantial environmental, health and socioeconomic impacts.

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Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Plastics & Pollution

The United States is a major producer of plastics and in 2016, generated more plastic waste by weight and per capita than any other nation. Although the U.S. solid waste management system is advanced, it is not sufficient to deter leakage into the environment.

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The Anatomy of the Carbon Market

International Emissions Trading Association Energy Solutions Shipping & Ports

IETA is pleased to release its GHG Market Report 2021, which examines the carbon market body, capturing the various components that combine to form the vibrant - and growing - market, and how it is kept healthy.

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To Turn the Tide on Ocean Health, A Collaborative Data Platform Can Help

Atkins, B. et al., World Resources Institute

Better data is urgently needed by the ocean community to improve management policies that govern decisions, such as the selection of marine protected areas and policies on integrated coastal zone management.

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Plastic waste release caused by COVID-19 and its fate in the global ocean

Peng, Y. et al., PNAS Plastics & Pollution

Plastic waste causes harm to marine life and has become a major global environmental concern. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased demand for single-use plastic, intensifying pressure on this already out-of-control problem.

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COP26: experts react to the UN climate summit and Glasgow Pact

Hoicka, C.E. et al., The Conversation

Here’s what they had to say about the deals that were made.

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Checking in on ocean-based climate solutions: Where we are and where we need to be

World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group

Using desk research, a literature review and expert interviews, high-level thinking on ocean-based solutions for climate change is synthesised with an eye towards global impact, but a strong focus on US issues and perspectives.

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Cumulative bleaching undermines systemic resilience of the Great Barrier Reef

Cheung, M.W.M. et al., Current Biology

The Great Barrier Reef is being damaged by expanding coral bleaching events. The cumulative impact of recent bleachings may have reduced larval supply by 71%.

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Oil companies are ploughing money into fossil-fuelled plastics production at a record rate – new research

Fredric Bauer & Tobias Dan Nielsen, The Conversation Plastics & Pollution

As traditional demands for oil – vehicle fuels – are declining as the transport sector is increasingly electrified, the oil industry is seeing plastics as a key output that can make up for losses in other markets. Investing in plastics has therefore become a key strategy for fossil fuel firms.

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Global Principles of Restorative Aquaculture

The Nature Conservancy Fisheries & Aquaculture

This document establishes a definition of restorative aquaculture and provides clarity on how this approach can be effectively implemented and fostered.

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Refuting Marine Aquaculture Myths, Unfounded Criticisms, and Assumptions

Zajicek, P., et al., Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture Fisheries & Aquaculture

Sustainable domestic aquaculture development is a critical component to achieving greater U.S. seafood security in the future, yet detrimental allegations have corrupted public support.

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Blue carbon as a natural climate solution

Macreadie, P.I. et. al., Nature Energy Solutions

Blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs), including mangrove forests, tidal marshes and seagrass meadows, are gaining international recognition as a natural climate solution to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation targets.

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Kick-starting the Caribbean's seaweed farming sector

Rob Fletcher, The Fish Site Fisheries & Aquaculture

Phil Cruver, former CEO of Catalina Sea Ranch, explains why he’s now focusing his attentions on producing food-grade seaweed in the Caribbean, using a unique, submersible system.

Read more → (10 minute read)