Unlike other baleens like the fin whale, humpback, and blue whale, the North Atlantic right whale has been slow to recover.
From the article:
Scientists studying the North Atlantic right whale have celebrated a year without mortalities in which four new whale mothers entered the breeding population.
11 calves were born this year, the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium reported in a document released Tuesday.
Covered by AP, the animals have now increased to 384 individuals thanks to increased measures to protect these gentle giants from collisions with ships and entanglement with fishing gear: two of their main threats.
The coral reefs of south Sulawesi are some of the most diverse, colorful and vibrant in the world. At least, they used to be, until they wer
"The coral reefs of south Sulawesi are some of the most diverse, colorful and vibrant in the world. At least, they used to be, until they were decimated by dynamite fishing in the 1990s.
As part of a team of coral reef ecologists based in Indonesia and the UK, we study the reefs around Pulau Bontosua, a small Indonesian island in south Sulawesi...
In many places around the world, damage like this might be described as irreparable. But at Pulau Bontosua, the story is different. Here, efforts by the Mars coral restoration program have brought back the coral and important ecosystem functions, as outlined by our new study, published in Current Biology. We found that within just four years, restored reefs grow at the same rate as nearby healthy reefs.
Speedy recovery
The transplanted corals grow remarkably quickly. Within a year, fragments have developed into proper colonies. After two years, they interlock branches with their neighbors. After just four years, they completely overgrow the reef star structures and restoration sites are barely distinguishable from nearby healthy reefs.
The combined growth of many corals generates a complex limestone (calcium carbonate) framework. This provides a habitat for marine life and protects nearby shorelines from storm damage by absorbing up to 97% of coastal wave energy.
We measured the overall growth of the reef framework by calculating its carbonate budget. That's the balance between limestone production (by calcifying corals and coralline algae) and erosion (by grazing sea urchins and fishes, for example). A healthy reef produces up to 20kg of reef structure per square meter per year, while a degraded reef is shrinking rather than growing as erosion exceeds limestone production. Therefore, overall reef growth gives an indication of reef health.
At Pulau Bontosua, our survey data shows that in the years following restoration, coral cover, coral colony sizes, and carbonate production rates tripled. Within four years, restored reefs were growing at the same speed as healthy reefs, and thereby provided the same important ecosystem functions...
Outcomes of any reef restoration project will depend on environmental conditions, natural coral larvae supply, restoration techniques and the effort invested in maintaining the project. This Indonesian project shows that when conditions are right and efforts are well placed, success is possible. Hopefully, this inspires further global efforts to restore functioning coral reefs and to recreate a climate in which they can thrive."
Sprat fishing has disrupted the food chain and diverted humpback, minke and fin whales as well as dolphins
"Demand for fishmeal from fish farms has dramatically increased the fishing of sprats, a small, sardine-like fish that plays a crucial role in the maritime food chain."
Hello, do you have tome to hear the world of cod? You see, the Atlantic cod is one of the most popular food fishes in the world, but it is in danger. these mighty fish once dominated the north Atlantic, but their numbers have dropped massively due to overfishing. I will tell you the lord of the mighty cod so you too can become an evangelist for this magnificent fish.
(Image: an Atlantic cod swimming. It is a long fish whose widest point is just behind the head. Both the head and tail taper to narrow points. It has three dorsal and two anal fish, with small pelvic and pectoral fins. A single, curled barbel extends from the lower jaw. Its body is spotted brown and white, with a notable white stripe running down the side. End ID)
Gadus morhua is a bony fish in the Gadidae family of true cods. They are large fish, with adults typically reaching 1 - 1.4 m (3.3 - 4.6 ft), though there are record of individuals reaching up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft). Cod used tog et larger, but fishing has reduced the maximum size. Cod are long-bodied fish with a pointed face and a humped back that then narrows to the tail, forming a torpedo-shaped body. They have three dorsal fins and two anal fins, more that other fish have. The cod's mouth contains sharp teeth hidden behind prominent lips A single barbel extends from the lower lip. Atlantic cod have a prominent lateral line. The lateral line is a series of pores along the side that detect pressure changes, allowing the fish to read the movement of the water around them.
(image: a cod viewed from a more frontal angle, seen floating just above rocky sediment. End ID)
Atlantic cod are found in cold northern waters of the Atlantic ocean from the east coast of the United States and Canada, southern Greenland, Iceland, the British Isles, mainland Europe as far south as the Iberian peninsula, and north into the Baltic Sea and Arctic Ocean. They tend toward deeper waters along the base of the continental shelf, but can be found in shallower water as well. Cod are typicality found between 150 and 200 m (492 - 656 ft), but can dive as deep as 600 m (1969 ft). They are demersal, meaning they spend most of their time near the seafloor. They also prefer rocky seafloor to sandy or muddy. Cod are predators with a very wide diet that consists largely of fish and crustaceans, but can include molluscs, worms, tunicates, echinoderms, and comb jellies. Cod are also cannibals known for eating the young of their own species. Their barbels and lateral lines are useful for finding prey buried in sediment. Cod are shoaling fish, swimming together in large quantities. The largest (and therefore oldest and most experienced) fish scout ahead and seem to claim the largest and most varied share of the food. Even the smallest fish, who lag behind and get the smallest share of the food, benefit from being in the shoal as they get more food than if they were hunting alone. Atlantic cod are high on the food chain, with only large sharks and toothed whales being large enough to eat adults. In parts of their range, including the Baltic Sea, they are apex predators as adults.
(Image: a small shoal of Atlantic cod swimming together. End ID)
Cod reproduce seasonally, with the date varying based on the location of the population but usually taking place between January and May. For many, but not all, populations, the spawning ground is in a different area than a feeding ground, requiring a yearly migration. They are broadcast spawners, releasing gonads into the water and providing no parental care. Pawning occurs in batches, during which the female will release thousands of eggs for males to fertilize. Males compete for access to females by establishing dominance hierarchies and territories that they defend. When a female chooses a mate, they will ventrally mount each other can release eggs and sperm. The mounting ensures the maximum amount of eggs get fertilized. A mature female can release millions of eggs a year. The eggs and young larvae are carried by the current to nursery grounds. Larvae are sustained by a yolk sac for the first few weeks. Juvenile cod are vulnerable to predators and spend most of their time in rocky areas or amongst seaweed where they can hide. Cod become sexually mature between ages 2 and 8 (varying based on population and temperature) and can live for up to 5 years.
(image: a juvenile Atlantic cod. It is similar on body plan to the adults, but the coloration is different. It is a patchy brown and white, with brown stripes on the finds. End ID)
Atlantic cod are classified as vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN. Their main threat is overfishing. Atlantic cod are one of the most heavily fished species in the world as their meat is high quality and tasty. The wild cod population today is a fraction of what it was before industrial-scale fishing started, with some estimates placing it at 5% of historical numbers. In particular, the North American population underwent a major collapse in the 1990s. This led to a trophic cascade, with effects occurring all over the food web. The collapse led to the cod's prey animals increasing in population, putting strain on producers. Interestingly, many of the local ecosystems affected by the collapse are beginning to stabilize, with former prey species filling the same role the cod did. The North American cod population has not shown signs of recovery despite regulations and bans on fishing in the USA and Canada. The Greenland and European populations are more stable, but still threatened by overfishing. Many seafood watch and conservation organizations recommend you not buy cod to reduce the demand and help populations recover.
(Image: two cod, with more in the background One cod is brown while the other look more yellowish. End ID)
The UK government is putting big business over the health of our precious UK waters and coastal communities - this betrayal ends now.
"The UK government is promoting overfishing by approving maximum catch limits - called fishing quotas - that allow too much fish to be caught.
On top of this, the UK government gives the vast majority of the fishing quota to greedy multi-national fishing corporations. And they decimate marine habitats and fish populations with indiscriminate industrial trawlers.
This destruction is collapsing vital fish stocks like cod. It’s also simultaneously ruining the livelihoods of sustainable, small-scale fishermen in our coastal towns - pushing local fishing communities to the brink. Corporate greed prioritised over our national heritage.
Traditional and more sustainable small-scale fishing boats make up 79% of the UK fleet but only get allocated around 2% of the fishing quota. It’s a national disgrace and it’s been going on for way too long.
Right now, the UK government is preparing for negotiations to set fishing quotas. This is our time to push them to set sustainable limits for catching fish and protect the rights of coastal fishing communities.
VAQUITAS
Todays post is about a critically endangered Pokémon: the vaquita
Vaquitas are the most endangered of the cetacean in the WORLD with as few as TEN (10) LEFT in the wild!
WHAT SPECIES ARE THEY?: They are a species of porpoise endemic!
WHERE DO THEY LIVE?: They live up north of the Gulf of California, which is in Baja California, Mexico!
HOW BIG IS THE CREATURE?: The females are max 150cm (4'9 ft) while the males are 140cm (4'6 ft) in body length, making them the smallest living cetaceans!
WHAT IS THEIR MAIN THREAT?: Their main threat is being caught in gillnets from the (ILLEGAL!) totoaba (a different pokémon) fishery!
WHAT DO THEY EAT?: They are GENERALISTS! Meaning they can survive in a variety of environments and can eat various things, but they mainly feast on demersal (ground) fish, crabs, and squids!
HOW ARE THEIR SOCIAL LIVES?: They are usually seen in pairs, most of the time with a calf, but have also been seen in small groups with up to ten (10).
WHAT IS THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY?: They can live up to twenty(20) years!
HOW DO THEY REPRODUCE?: The way they reproduce is actually also one of the reasons their numbers are dying off. See, they have a synchronous reproductive cycle (meaning they have a mating season). Their pregnancies last around 10 to 11 months, so a little longer than humans, and the calfs are nursed for roughly 7 months before becoming independant from the mother. They only give birth about every other year in the spring time.
WHAT ARE THEIR MAIN THREATS?: Vaquitas live in close proximity to the coast, thus, their habitat being altered is a reason for their low numbers. There is also the birth rate seen above, as you can probably guess, they dont do a good job at reproducing faster than the seed at which they are caught. There is also runoff from pesticides in agriculture, which they ingest, this is toxic to them. Another reason is bycatching, which i mentioned earlier, bycatch is when a pokémon is caught by accident in fishing gear like gillnets, this is not only the vaquitas biggest threat, but also the biggest threat to ALL WATER TYPE POKÉMON!! Due to their massive decline in population, the gene pool for this pokémon has decreased significantly, causing inbreeding, which can lead to them getting weaker in future generations, this is known as inbreeding depression.
WHAT IS THEIR STATUS?: They are listed as critically endangered, only one level above being completely wiped out in the wild, and have been on that list since 1996. There is around ten (10) left in the wild at this moment, and none in captivity. in Mexico, it is considered a felony to remove them from their natural habitat, and gillnet fishing in this reigon is strictly prohibited, and vaquita-safe fishing equipment has been developed to allow this beautiful pokémon to break free!
I used wikipedia to write this article, PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME IF I HAVE MADE A MISTAKE I WILL FIX IT!
Every year a Chinese-dominated flotilla big enough to be seen from space pillages the rich marine life on Mile 201, a largely ungoverned par
Just beyond Argentina’s maritime frontier, hundreds of foreign vessels – known as the distant-water fishing fleet – are descending on Mile 201, a largely ungoverned strip of the high seas in the South Atlantic, to plunder its rich marine life. The fleet regularly becomes so big it can be seen from space, looking like a city floating on the sea.
The charity Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has described it as one of the largest unregulated squid fisheries in the world, warning that the scale of activities could destabilise an entire ecosystem.
“With so many ships constantly fishing without any form of oversight, the squid’s short, one-year life cycle simply is not being respected,” says Lt Magalí Bobinac, a marine biologist with the Argentinian coast guard.
There are no internationally agreed catch limits in the region covering squid, and distant-water fleets take advantage of this regulatory vacuum.
The consequences extend far beyond squid. Whales, dolphins, seals, sea birds and commercially important fish species such as hake and tuna depend on the cephalopod. A collapse in the squid population could trigger a cascade of ecological disruption, with profound social and economic costs for coastal communities and key markets such as Spain, experts warn.
“If this species is affected, the whole ecosystem is affected,” Bobinac says. “It is the food for other species. It has a huge impact on the ecosystem and biodiversity.”
She says the “vulnerable marine ecosystems” beneath the fleet, such as deep-sea corals, are also at risk of physical damage and pollution.
Three-quarters of squid jigging vessels (which jerk barbless lures up and down to imitate prey) that are operating on the high seas are from China, according to the EJF, with fleets from Taiwan and South Korea also accounting for a significant share.
Activity on Mile 201 has surged over recent years, with total fishing hours increasing by 65% between 2019 and 2024 – a jump driven almost entirely by the Chinese fleet, which increased its activities by 85% in the same period, according to an investigation by the charity.
The lack of oversight in Mile 201 has enabled something darker too. Interviews conducted by the EJF suggest widespread cruelty towards marine wildlife in the area. Crew reported the deliberate capture and killing of seals – sometimes in their hundreds – on more than 40% of Chinese squid vessels and a fifth of Taiwanese vessels.
Other testimonies detailed the hunting of marine megafauna for body parts, including seal teeth. The EJF shared photos and videos with the Guardian of seals hanging on hooks and penguins trapped on decks.
Lt Luciana De Santis, a lawyer for the coast guard, says: “Outside our exclusive economic zone [EEZ], we cannot do anything – we cannot board them, we cannot survey, nor inspect.”
An EEZ is a maritime area extending up to 200 nautical miles from a nation’s coast, with the rules that govern it set by that nation. The Argentinian coast guard says it has “total control” of this space, unlike the area just beyond this limit: Mile 201.
But [Cdr Mauricio López of the Coast Guard] says “a significant percentage of ships turn their identification systems off” when fishing in the area beyond this, otherwise known as “going dark” to evade detection.
Crews working on the squid fleet are also extremely vulnerable. The EJF’s investigation uncovered serious human rights and labour abuses in Mile 201. Workers on the ships described physical violence, including hitting or strangulation, wage deductions, intimidation and debt bondage – a system that in effect traps them at sea. Many reported working excessive hours with little rest.
Much of the squid caught under these conditions still enters major global markets in the European Union, UK and North America, the EJF warns – meaning consumers may be unknowingly buying seafood linked to animal cruelty, environmental destruction and human rights abuse.
