Latest news with #MPAs
The South African
11-07-2025
- Science
- The South African
New marine research project unlocks False Bay's shark secrets
As World Shark Day approaches on 14 July, a major marine research initiative has been launched in False Bay aimed at protecting and better understanding the lives of sharks, rays, and skates – collectively known as elasmobranchs. The project is spearheaded by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, in partnership with Shark Spotters, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), and SANParks. The partnership seeks to address critical knowledge gaps about these species by tracking their movements within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) using cutting-edge acoustic telemetry technology. 'This collaboration is not only a significant research advancement but also a platform for developing the next generation of marine scientists,' said Dr Nathalie Viljoen, Head of Research at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. Using SAIAB's Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP), which stretches from St Helena Bay to southern Mozambique, the team has already tagged 29 animals, including lesser guitarfish, spotted gully sharks, and common eagle rays. Each animal is fitted with a transmitter that emits a unique signal, enabling researchers to monitor their location and behaviour over time. The tagging is carried out by a team led by Dr Ilse Jenkinson, a veterinarian at the aquarium, ensuring ethical and professional handling of the animals. Dr Toby Rogers, Research Manager at Shark Spotters, said the project builds on years of successful tracking of species like white sharks and bronze whalers. 'We're excited to expand our understanding of species that have been relatively overlooked. The more we learn, the better we can protect them.' The collaboration also supports student training and academic research, with ties to UCT, UWC, and CPUT. Insights gathered from the study will feed into both conservation strategies and public education, helping raise awareness of the importance of elasmobranchs in marine ecosystems. With World Shark Day shining a global spotlight on marine predators, this project marks a timely and hopeful step towards safeguarding South Africa's rich underwater heritage. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Free Malaysia Today
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
UK announces plans to extend seabed trawling ban
The measures would support species such as lobster, clams, soft corals and langoustines. (Envato Elements pic) LONDON : The UK outlined plans today to extend its ban on 'destructive' seabed trawling to more than half of protected English seas, launching a consultation involving marine and fisheries stakeholders. Under the plans, which environment minister Steve Reed was due to announce at the UN Ocean Conference in France later today, bottom trawling will be banned in another 30,000 square kilometres of English seas in marine protected areas (MPAs). There are currently 181 MPAs covering 93,000km squared, or 40% of English waters. Around 18,000km squared of those waters are currently protected from harmful fishing activity, but that would rise to 48,000km squared under the government's plans. Bottom trawling, in which heavy nets dragged by chains are pulled along the seabed, 'is damaging our precious marine wildlife and habitats', Reed said in a government press release. 'Without urgent action, our oceans will be irreversibly destroyed – depriving us, and generations to come, of the sea life… which we all enjoy.' 'The government is taking decisive action to ban destructive bottom trawling where appropriate,' he added. World leaders started gathering on the French Riviera yesterday ahead of the high-level summit to tackle a deepening crisis in the oceans driven by overfishing, climate change and pollution. The United Nations says oceans face an 'emergency' and the leaders gathering in Nice will be under pressure to commit money and stronger protections for the seas and the people that depend on them. The UK says its bottom trawling plans would help protect rare marine animals and the delicate seabeds on which they rely. The British consultation will invite marine and fisheries stakeholders to share their views and will run from Monday until September 1. The measures would affect marine habitats ranging from subtidal sandbanks to gravels to muds, and support species such as lobster, clams, soft corals and langoustines. 'For too long damaging activities have been allowed to continue within many of our MPAs which are supposed to protect the seabed,' said Joan Edwards from the Wildlife Trusts, a federation of charities. They 'have been campaigning for a long time for better management of our MPAs and therefore welcome the news today of a consultation to ban bottom-towed trawling in over 40 offshore sites', she added. Elsewhere at the UN conference, the UK was set to pledge a further £4 million to the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, bringing the country's total contribution to the fund up to £40 million.
The Independent
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Consultation to consider extending ban on destructive bottom trawling fishing
Destructive bottom trawling fishing, which involves dragging large nets along the seafloor, could be banned across more vulnerable areas of English seas under new Government proposals. Marine and fisheries stakeholders are being asked to take part in a consultation on the prohibition of destructive bottom-towed fishing gear that could affect approximately 30,000 km2 across 41 marine protected areas (MPAs). Environment Secretary Steve Reed says 'urgent action' is needed to protect seabeds and nature before irreversible damage is caused. The UK is under pressure to step up marine protections as the third UN Ocean Conference begins in France on Monday. Governments, business leaders, scientists and campaigners are gathering for the environmental summit in Nice where the spotlight will be on the commitments individual governments make to reduce the impact on their territorial waters, such as banning the damaging fishing practice of bottom trawling in MPAs. The consultation, led by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Defra, runs for 12 weeks from Monday to September 1. The proposed measures would add to the approximately 18,000 km2 of English seabed already protected from bottom-towed fishing gear. MPAs are areas of the ocean established to protect habitats and species essential for healthy marine ecosystems, allowing vulnerable, rare and important marine life to recover from damaging human activities. Bottom trawling and other forms of destructive fishing are permitted in UK waters but conservationists have long been campaigning for a full ban across all marine protected areas. There are 181 MPAs, including three highly protected marine areas (HPMAs), covering 93,000km² or 40% of English waters. The measures aim to protect marine habitats ranging from subtidal sandbanks to gravels to muds, and support important marine species such as lobster, clams, soft corals and langoustines. A ban on bottom trawling in these areas could help conserve valuable and rare marine life, and allow seabeds to recover from damage caused by destructive fishing practices. It could lead to healthier marine ecosystems across English waters, support greater biodiversity and help preserve vulnerable underwater life. New management measures for fishing in 42 MPAs in English waters – a ban on bottom-towed fishing in 41, and the prohibition of fishing using traps in a specified area – are among the proposals. Mr Reed said: 'Bottom trawling is damaging our precious marine wildlife and habitats. 'Without urgent action, our oceans will be irreversibly destroyed – depriving us, and generations to come, of the sea life on which we all enjoy. 'The Government is taking decisive action to ban destructive bottom trawling where appropriate.' Ariana Densham, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said the consultation is 'ultimately a long-overdue completion of a process started by the previous government' and added that bottom-trawling in the protected sea areas is 'like bulldozing national parks'. She said: 'The Government should now strengthen the ban to cover all parts of our marine protected areas, and other types of destructive industrial fishing like supertrawlers and fly-shooters. 'Only this will ensure our marine ecosystems are protected in reality – not only on paper. 'The goal to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 is global, and while the UK must do its part at home it also has a critical role to play in protecting the high seas far from our shores.' Tom Brook, ocean conservation specialist at WWF, said 'done right, these protections can be a win for people, nature and the climate' and 'this is exactly the kind of leadership we need if the UK is to deliver on its promise to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030'. Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts policy and public affairs director, hoped the consultation would see the measures introduced 'rapidly to enable recovery of these sites, a win-win for both nature and the climate.' Oceana UK executive director Hugo Tagholm described the proposals as 'a golden opportunity to safeguard these vital marine sanctuaries from the most damaging fishing practices.' He added: 'If these whole-site bans are fully implemented, this could provide an invaluable and urgently needed lifeline for England's seas, which are so crucial for wildlife and climate resilience.' The consultation comes after Ocean With David Attenborough, released in cinemas to mark the renowned naturalist and TV presenter's 99th birthday last month, showed new footage of a bottom trawling net blasting through silt on the seafloor and scooping up species indiscriminately. The world will also be watching at the summit in Nice to see which countries ratify the UN High Seas Treaty – a pact to establish protected areas across international waters. The ocean treaty, which was agreed by 193 countries two years ago, will not come into force until ratification by 60 countries but just over half of that number have done so. The UK Government is among those that have been criticised by environmentalists for not yet ratifying the treaty or at the very least announcing a timetable to introduce the legislation required. Asked last week whether there has been any progress, nature minister Mary Creagh told the PA news agency: 'We need a legislative slot in Parliament's timetable. 'Any international treaty has to be done by the Foreign Office. We have had discussions with Foreign Office ministers. 'I am confident the treaty will be ratified but it will be ratified in due course.'
The Independent
29-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Marine conservation group claims damage to seabeds is a ‘national scandal'
Marine campaigners have accused Scottish ministers of continuing to allow 'destructive' fishing practices to be carried out in protected areas – claiming this not only breaches international obligations but is a 'national scandal'. The conservation charity Open Seas made the comments as it published its Ocean Witness report, a major survey of seabeds within Scotland's marine protected areas (MPAs). The report – published in the run-up to the global UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France in June – is based on more than 300 seabed surveys that were carried out during a five-month period, with the work done in collaboration with Greenpeace UK. It found that while habitats like maerl beds – which are formed by special seaweeds in shallow seabeds – and seagrass meadows are 'crucial parts of our biodiversity', it claimed in some areas these 'remain unprotected from destructive fishing practices'. Open Seas – which successfully took the Scottish Government to court in 2023 – said while MPAs had been brought in 'to safeguard Scotland's most vulnerable marine ecosystems', it added that 'numerous MPAs lack effective management measures'. As a result, it claimed this allowed 'harmful fishing practices', such as bottom trawling and scallop dredging to persist within their boundaries. 'This ongoing damage not only undermines the intended conservation goals but also threatens the very habitats these MPAs were established to protect,' the report stated. Open Seas said its surveys 'uncovered clear evidence that in many cases these so-called 'protected' areas are merely lines on a map with little real world impact on marine conservation'. One of the examples given was the Papa Westray MPA, which is located at the north end of the island of Papa Westray in Orkney. The group said that despite the area being designated as an MPA 'there are still no restrictions against trawling and dredging within or even near the area'. This, the report said, made it 'yet another example of a protected area that exists in name and not in practice'. The Open Seas research found that marine habitats in areas such as Papa Westray as well as Loch Creran in Argyll and Bute and the Sound of Jura on the west of Scotland are 'actively degraded'. Open Seas accused the Scottish Government of failing to meet international targets under the UN convention on biological diversity and the global biodiversity framework. The campaigning charity also claimed Scottish ministers have 'broken their own promises to protect the most sensitive and important' marine habitats. Open Seas director Phil Taylor said: 'Scotland's marine protections are failing by design. 'Despite public statements and legal commitments, the Scottish Government is allowing destructive fishing inside supposedly protected areas. 'These failures are not only national scandals – they breach Scotland's international obligations to halt biodiversity loss and restore the health of our seas. 'We have heard repeated promises to deliver for our seas and the coastal communities who rely on them from Scottish ministers – sadly those promises have been broken just as regularly.' Mr Taylor continued: 'These are not just technical oversights – they are policy choices that carry environmental, legal and reputational risks. 'Scotland likes to be seen as a leader on the environment. But, as this report shows, we are still dragging our heels while the seabed is being dragged into decline. That must change, starting now.' Will McCallum, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK, said: 'The lessons learnt in Scotland must be applied in all UK waters – allowing destructive industrial fishing practices like bottom trawling in marine protected areas is causing damage to fragile marine ecosystems and results in severe ecosystem degradation which is bad for everyone.' However, he said the research had also shown that 'where areas are meaningfully protected, marine life can recover and flourish' – adding that this 'should give us hope for the oceans'. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Management measures for the most vulnerable sites in the MPA network were implemented in 2016. 'Putting in place the remaining fisheries management measures for MPAs and further measures for the 11 Priority Marine Features most at risk from bottom trawling outside MPAs remains a top priority for this Government. 'Fisheries management measures will be implemented in 2025 for Offshore MPAs and as soon as possible for Inshore sites following the completion of the required statutory assessments and public consultation.'
Edinburgh Reporter
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Coastal Perspectives in the Marine World: From Scotland to Bangladesh
Lothians MSP, Foysol Choudhury recently visited 'Finding the Balance; Perspectives on Marine Protection', a presentation by the University of Edinburgh and SRUC postgraduate students. He reflects here on the partnership and how it affects everyone in the world. He is chair of the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Bangladesh, where there are 'similar climate induced struggles'. 'The Public Participation in Policy class at The University of Edinburgh has partnered with the Scottish Wildlife Trust to carry out a project to engage the Scottish public in discussions about inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), with a group of postgraduate students presenting their research at the Scottish Parliament. 'The students conducted a series of interviews with aims to explore people's relationships with the sea, gaining insights into public knowledge and views on inshore MPAs, and ultimately translate these perspectives into policy recommendations. Their presentation was quite compelling and focused on people's true connections to the sea and its use. 'It is crucial to shine a spotlight on Scotland's marine environment and the deep connection its people share with the sea, as it plays a vital role in the economy and the lives of many coastal communities. With consultations and legislation like the National Marine Plan 2 under review, gaining diverse stakeholder perspectives is essential, particularly about inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), to fully understand how these measures will affect coastal communities and their way of life. Research has revealed a significant gap in marine protection governance between policymakers and the public. This disconnect comes from limited access to reliable information, distrust in decision- making processes, and unequal power dynamics. 'Small-scale fishers feel excluded from policy discussions, perpetuating the perception that these policies favour more powerful interests. Yet, the strong public enthusiasm for marine protection offers a unique opportunity to bridge these gaps through more inclusive and participatory governance. 'The health of our marine environment and the impacts of the climate crisis are interconnected challenges that transcend borders, affecting coastal communities worldwide, from Scotland to Bangladesh. 'As the chair of the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Bangladesh, I recognise the importance of addressing these challenges. Bangladesh, with its extensive coastline along the Bay of Bengal, faces some of the most severe impacts of the climate crisis. Rising sea levels, intensifying cyclones, and coastal erosion have placed immense pressure on the livelihoods of millions who depend on the marine environment. 'Despite contributing only a fraction to global emissions, Bangladesh ranks among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with projections indicating that up to 18 million people could be displaced by rising seas by 2050. Coastal communities, particularly small-scale fishers, are at the forefront of this crisis, grappling with the loss of arable land, declining fish stocks, and frequent natural disasters. 'By fostering local participation, incorporating traditional knowledge, and ensuring equitable power- sharing in marine governance, Bangladesh can strengthen its resilience against climate-induced challenges. 'The parallels between Scotland's and Bangladesh's marine struggles highlight the universal need for inclusive and transparent governance. By learning from each other's experiences, both nations can work towards protecting their marine environments while empowering the communities that depend on them.' Like this: Like Related
