Nice encounter with five of the '27s' #Orca pod off the sunny West Mainland, Shetland this morning. Here's two of them hunting close inshore beneath us off the cliffs at Reawick.

UK urged to ‘stand strong’ on fishery closures following shameful challenge by the European Commission. ✊

Coalition of conservation groups 👏backs the Government’s stance to help wildlife, e.g. puffins, kittiwakes, seals, cetaceans, haddock & whiting.

independent.co.uk/climate-change…

😡 ICONIC FAIL! And alarming news for Puffins!

The European Commission is challenging the UK’s decision to ban sandeel fishing in Scottish and English waters.

Sandeels are an essential food source for many seabirds, mammals, and even commercial fish.
The ban came at a crucial

Data obtained by Humane Society International shows 130+ non-target marine animals have been found dead in shark nets across New South Wales, Australia, since September 2023.

The nets, in place between September & April, are used at 51 beaches.
abc.net.au/news/2024-04-3…

Two rare Chilean angel sharks caught as bycatch.

'Sightings of angel sharks have become increasingly rare, & some species have been virtually extirpated from their original distribution areas,'

There is an urgent need to protect them from extinction.

newsweek.com/rare-shark-cov…

Drag a net, destroy a world. Bottom trawling is deforestation of the sea.

'Our ancestors’ blood was spilt protecting our land and sea. We now feel a sense of duty to protect it for future generations.'

Environmental activists Sinegugu Zukulu and Nonhle Mbuthuma are awarded for stopping seismic testing on SA's coast 🌊👏🇿🇦

dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-0…

Warning as first American dolphin diagnosed with highly pathogenic bird flu.

The researchers also said that in 2022 there had also been harbor seals and gray seals dying from the virus.

newsweek.com/warning-first-…

🐟 Larger and older fish of a species face increased susceptibility to climate-induced #fishkills , Pauly et al. paper [bit.ly/43CutYJhat] reveals.

“The accelerated metabolism 📈🌡️ caused by heat and its higher oxygen demand eventually kill the larger fish.” ☠️

Research suggests 80% + North Atlantic right whales have been entangled at least once.

“Any threats that increase mortality risk, or increase ill health from sub-lethal entanglement, will directly affect chances of the species going extinct,”

Article: maritime-executive.com/editorials/sav…

The three hottest years on record in Europe have all happened since 2020. 🌡️

The climate crisis is no longer on the horizon — it's here. 🌍

Read the full Copernicus ECMWF report⤵️  climate.copernicus.eu/esotc/2023/tem…

#Climate #CopernicusClimate Copernicus EU

Despite China’s claims of supporting sustainable development in the region, we found the 🇨🇳 fishing fleet is responsible for systemic illegal fishing & human rights abuses in the Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO).

There needs to be more scrutiny of China's investments in the region.

What Everyone Gets Wrong About The ‘Offshore Wind–Whale Death’ Connection.

A combination of increased whale activity along the east coast, concurrent with increased human activity (shipping & fishing) is the much more likely possibility.

forbes.com/sites/scotttra…

Bowhead whales still harmed from whaling that ended a century ago.

Commercial bowhead whaling ended in the early 20th century, but the industry’s lasting effects on the whales’ genetic diversity are leading to declines again.

newscientist.com/article/242869…

Great White Sharks Band Together to Prey on Whales

A team of biologists spotted 8 white sharks attacking an injured humpback whale in South Africa in 2017. An earlier study documented 4 other instances of white sharks preying on whales. 

discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/g…

Tourist fined for approaching walrus in Norway.

A tourist visiting the Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard has been fined more than $1,100 (£900) for getting too close to a walrus.

bbc.co.uk/news/world-eur…

Today is #MarineMammalRescueDay ! Thank you to our amazing WCA Partners around the world who help marine mammals in need! 🙏

(📷 ORRCA)

BRAVE LITTLE HUNTER IS FREE!

Orca calf swims out of a remote Vancouver Island lagoon after being trapped there for a month.

The Ehattesaht First Nation says the calf is now free after she swam out on her own.

cbc.ca/news/canada/br…