Reports of whales trapped in fishing gear are on the rise worldwide, as are the risky attempts of ‘disentanglers’ to free them. By Daniel Cressey, April 24, 2024A right whale entangled in heavy fishing rope off the coast of Florida in the United States. Getting tangled like this can injure or even kill whales and other marine mammals. (Image: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, taken under NOAA research permit / Flickr, CC
To support national guidelines, experts say adaptation measures must be tailored to local conditions, and basic research enhanced. By Xia Zhijian, April 8, 2024Hairtail landed in Fujian. The impact of climate change on China’s fisheries is alarming scientists, and research gaps need addressing. Professor Tian Yongjun says: “We’re still not certain where the spawning grounds of the ‘big four’ families of fish are,” referring to hairtail,
As WTO talks to limit these subsidies falter, another route could reap environmental and human benefits, write Louise Teh and Rashid Sumaila. By Louise Teh, Rashid Sumaila, April 9, 2024Artisanal fishers at work off the coast of Kafountine, Senegal. Average income is below the extreme poverty threshold in the West African country. Subsidies for harmful fishing practices could be redistributed to address it. (Image © Clément Tardif
Solar farms in the ocean could generate clean energy on a vast scale, but there are difficult waters to navigate first. By You Xiaoying, April 18, 2024An experimental solar power station on the Yellow Sea near Yantai, north-east China. Solar farms at sea may make it easier to serve China’s densely populated coastal cities with clean energy. (Image: Tang Ke / Alamy)China is increasingly seeking to put solar panels on the seas off its coastline,
