State of the Oceans — Log 5
YOUR WEEKLY BRIEFING FROM PARLEY
Photo by Christian Miller
INNOVATION
A team at Florida Atlantic University has unveiled a series of miniature robo-jellyfish built to monitor marine life and harsh underwater habitats. The small, soft robots are based on the shape of the moon jellyfish and can swim against currents – just like the marine organisms that inspired them.
MARINE LIFE
The world began banning toxic chemicals known as PCBs in the 1970s and 1980s. Worldwide production ended in 2001 – but a worrying new study suggests that PCBs are lingering in the blubber of killer whales and could end up wiping out half their global population.
OVERFISHING
The coastal waters of Kenya will now be protected by a dedicated Coast Guard Service, a first in the county. The new service will be responsible for enforcing maritime security and safety, pollution control and the protection of maritime resources, including fisheries.
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
The UK government has called for a full third of the world’s oceans to be protected by 2030. Globally, less than 10 per cent of the world’s seas are currently designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – one of the most important ways to protect precious sea life and habitats.
PLASTIC POLLUTION
Building on the growing momentum around the plastic threat, the UN Environment authority launched its Global Plastics Platform this week. The initiative aims to support countries and cities that have made commitments to reducing and transforming the way we use and discard plastic.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The Atlantic Ocean’s warmer waters triggered the unusual number of major hurricanes seen in 2017, according to a new study. The researchers predict the region could see a couple of extra massive storms each year by the end of the century. Six major hurricanes formed in the Atlantic last year.
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