Quick Dips
Curated topical articles on the Blue Economy

The energy transition needs metals. But it needs social awareness too

El-Shahat, S. et al., World Economic Forum Energy Solutions

Increased interest in ESG investing means metals extraction must take into account its social risks.

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Sharks and rays are in free fall: More than one-third are threatened with extinction from overfishing

VanderWright, W. et al., The Conversation Fisheries & Aquaculture

Sharks, rays and chimeras are now the second-most threatened vertebrate group, after amphibians. In a recent study, we found that over one-third of sharks and rays are threatened with extinction.

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Deadly ‘ghost nets’ increase in Gulf of Carpentaria despite years of clean-ups

Donna Lu, The Guardian Plastics & Pollution

Study author calls for coordinated efforts to remove discarded fishing nets before they reach threatened marine life in gulf’s ‘high biodiversity region’

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Interactive Article: Status of the Worlds Coral Reefs

UN Environment Programme

The Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2020 is a report by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), a network of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI).

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These Maldives islanders once saw sharks as the threat. Now they fear the plastic

Graeme Green, The Guardian Plastics & Pollution Tourism

Diving with tiger sharks off Fuvahmulah brought a tourist boom that has led to a destructive tide of plastic waste. But now locals are pushing back.

Read more → (6 minute read)


Students’ solar-powered camper van turns heads on 1,800-mile road trip

Weronika Strzyżyńska, The Guardian Energy Solutions

Dutch team designed and built two-person van with kitchen, bed, shower, loo and range of up to 450 miles a day.

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Algae sex could save corals from climate change

Mike Williams, Futurity/WEF Fisheries & Aquaculture

A new study shows the algae that are important to corals are able to reproduce through sex. 

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This is how oil spills damage our environment

Charlotte Edmond, World Economic Forum Plastics & Pollution

Oil can kill surface-dwelling animals and birds by poisoning or suffocation, as well as affecting buoyancy and natural waterproofing.

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Tuna Fishing and Retail Groups Join Pew in Encouraging Ratification of Crew Safety Treaty

Kristine Beran, The Pew Charitable Trusts Fisheries & Aquaculture

Cape Town Agreement would lower risks in one of world’s most dangerous professions and curtail illegal fishing.

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How the UN’s Global Biodiversity Framework could become the ‘Paris Agreement for nature’

Andrea Willige, World Economic Forum

The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is a United Nations-led initiative to tackle its root causes and could have a similar impact as the Paris Agreement.

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Why the ocean is our ally in fighting climate change: experts tell Radio Davos their hopes for COP26

Alexander Court, World Economic Forum

Radio Davos dives into the frozen waters of the Arctic and sweltering mangrove swamps in Colombia.

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World Octopus Day IG Live

Investable Oceans Fisheries & Aquaculture

We were thrilled to host @Octonation founder and octopus fan #1 Warren Carlyle @octowarren to celebrate one of our favorite cephalopods! We talked about how amazing octopuses are, why people love them, and what’s in store for the future.

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Countries Must Adopt Ecosystem-Focused Management for Northeast Atlantic Fisheries

Jean-Christophe Vandevelde & Ashley Wilson, The Pew Charitable Trusts Fisheries & Aquaculture

Failures show need for precautionary catch limits and sustainable strategy for mackerel, herring, and blue whiting.

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Oceanic Global Launches 'Blue Standard' to Create Sustainable Industries for the Ocean

Tiffany Duong, EcoWatch

The Blue Standard, as the program is called, is a cross-industry standard that empowers businesses to become leaders in sustainability and accountability for the ocean and the planet.

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Rising sea surface temperatures driving the loss of 14 percent of corals since 2009

UN Environment Programme

The “Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2020” report, released today, documents the loss of approximately 14 per cent of the world’s coral since 2009.

Read more → (7 minute read)


Shipping firms vow to cut emissions if governments support low-carbon tech

Fiona Harvey, The Guardian Shipping & Ports

Industry calls for levy to fund new technologies – but environmentalists say proposal blocks climate progress.

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Research reveals how much plastic debris is currently floating in the Mediterranean Sea

Suzanna Burgelman, Frontiers Science News Plastics & Pollution

The Mediterranean Sea is considered a hot spot for plastic pollution. This is likely due to its densely populated coastlines, fishing, shipping, tourism, and a limited outflow of surface water to the Atlantic.

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'Living seawalls' bring back biodiversity to Sydney Harbour

James and Redmayne, Jill Gralow, Reuters Fisheries & Aquaculture

About 50% of the natural shore of the harbour has been transformed by seawalls and pilings, which do not support biodiversity the same way a natural coastline would.

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People want to do right by nature. They just need a nudge, study shows

Mongabay Plastics & Pollution Tourism

Subtle messaging and cues can encourage tourists to engage in behaviors that protect the marine ecosystem, a new study says.

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How aquaculture can contribute to climate-friendly food systems

Bente E Torstensen & Øyvind Fylling-Jensen, The Fish Site Fisheries & Aquaculture

Only 6-7 percent of the protein currently consumed by humans originates from aquatic sources. Given global population growth and the potential to produce food more sustainably in the oceans than on land, this must change.

Read more → (9 minute read)