Deep Dives
Thought-provoking research providing extensive learning opportunities

Information Sharing Is Key to Ending Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing

The Pew Charitable Trusts Fisheries & Aquaculture

New study uses modelling to show benefits occur even when sharing is not reciprocated.

Read more → (10 minute read)


Microplastics are everywhere — but are they harmful?

XiaoZhi Lim, Nature Plastics & Pollution

Scientists are rushing to study the tiny plastic specks that are in marine animals — and in us.

Read more → (29 minute read)


“How do we manage fisheries in the midst of climate change?” Q&A with EDF’s Eric Schwaab

Rhett A. Butler, Mongabay Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture

Schwaab spoke about how to increase the resilience of fisheries to climate change; U.S. oceans policy, including what the country has gotten right and wrong; and more in a recent interview with Mongabay founder Rhett A. Butler.

Read more → (17 minute read)


Anthropogenic pollution in deep-marine sedimentary systems -- A geological perspective on the plastic problem

Ian Kane & Andrea Fildani, Geology Plastics & Pollution

A new focus article in the May issue of Geology summarizes research on plastic waste in marine and sedimentary environments.

Read more → (10 minute read)


Energy Transition

Vivan Sorab, CREO Energy Solutions

The need to decarbonize the global economy together with a drop in prices of renewable power have accelerated the energy transition, though its magnitude remains its greatest hurdle.

Read more → (more than 30 minute read)


More than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean

Meijer, L.J.J. et al, Science Advances Plastics & Pollution

Plastic waste increasingly accumulates in the marine environment, but data on the distribution and quantification of riverine sources required for development of effective mitigation are limited.

Read more → (more than 30 minute read)


The Blue Wave: Investing in BlueTech Clusters to Maintain Leadership and Promote Economic Growth and Job Creation

The Ocean Foundation and TMA BlueTech

The Ocean Foundation and TMA BlueTech have joined to co-sponsor this white paper calling for a U.S. Apollo-style “Blue Wave Mission,” focused on innovative technology and services to promote sustainable usage of the ocean and freshwater resources.

Read more → (more than 30 minute read)


‘Aquafeed 3.0’: creating a more resilient aquaculture industry with a circular bioeconomy framework

Stefanie M. Colombo & Giovanni M. Turchini, Reviews in Aquaculture Fisheries & Aquaculture

As aquaculture continues to grow, so does the requirement for environmentally sustainable and cost‐effective aquafeed. With an expected increase in aquafeed demand, it is important (now more than ever) to investigate and utilize new aquafeed ingredients that do not deplete natural resources and, instead, may have positive impacts to help control climate change.

Read more → (8 minute read)


COP26 and the ocean-climate nexus

World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group

An open letter by Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean, to Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC

Read more → (13 minute read)


CREO Investment Report Release: Aquaculture Value Chain

Gracie White & Maggie Fried, CREO Fisheries & Aquaculture

Learn about each segment of the sustainable aquaculture value chain in the U.S. and Europe, including growth catalysts, risks, capital needs, and considerations for driving investment impact.

Read more → (more than 30 minute read)


The Second World Ocean Assessment (Volume II)

United Nations Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

The Second World Ocean Assessment (WOA II) is the major output of the second cycle of the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the States of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects. It is the newest outcome of the only integrated assessment of the world’s ocean at the global level covering environmental, economic and social aspects.

Read more → (more than an hour read)


The Second World Ocean Assessment (Volume I)

United Nations Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

The Second World Ocean Assessment (WOA II) is the major output of the second cycle of the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the States of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects. It is the newest outcome of the only integrated assessment of the world’s ocean at the global level covering environmental, economic and social aspects.

Read more → (more than an hour read)


Cities Confront Climate Challenge: How to Move from Gas to Electricity?

Jonathan Mingle, Yale Environment 360 Energy Solutions

Ending the use of fossil fuels to heat homes and buildings is a key challenge for cities hoping to achieve net-zero emissions.

Read more → (12 minute read)


The Potential of Zero-Carbon Bunker Fuels in Developing Countries

Englert, D. et al., The World Bank Energy Solutions Shipping & Ports

Across the maritime industry, there is general agreement that shipping must undergo a rapid energy transition. This implies a shift from fossil bunker fuels, such as the predominant heavy fuel oil (HFO), to a new generation of alternative bunker fuels.

Read more → (more than an hour read)


A case for seaweed aquaculture inclusion in U.S. nutrient pollution management

Racine, P. et al., Marine Policy Fisheries & Aquaculture

Seaweed aquaculture is capable of removing large quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus from coastal ecosystems, yet seaweed has gained little traction for its potential role in targeted nutrient assimilation.

Read more → (17 minute read)


A Safety Net for Ocean Fisheries: The Case for Stronger Protection of Essential Fish Habitat Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act

Brad Sewell & Molly Masterton, NRDC Fisheries & Aquaculture

NRDC conducted a detailed review, including geospatial analysis and mapping, of how each of the eight federal regional management councils (councils) have implemented the Magnuson-Stevens Act’s requirement to designate and minimize harms from fishing to “essential fish habitat” or EFH.

Read more → (more than an hour read)


Animal welfare risks of global aquaculture

Franks, B. et al., Applied Ecology Fisheries & Aquaculture

The unprecedented growth of aquaculture involves well-documented environmental and public-health costs, but less is understood about global animal welfare risks.

Read more → (23 minute read)


In Hotter Climate, 'Zombie' Urchins Are Winning And Kelp Forests Are Losing

Lauren Sommer, NPR Fisheries & Aquaculture

They're purple, spiky and voracious, and just off the West Coast, there are more of them than you can count.

Read more → (10 minute read)


Pandemic Pollution: The Rising Tide of Plastic PPE

Ocean Conservancy Plastics & Pollution

Volunteers removed 107,219 items of personal protective equipment (PPE) from beaches and waterways worldwide in second half of 2020. 

Read more → (15 minute read)


Coast-wide evidence of low pH amelioration by seagrass ecosystems

Ricart, A.M. et al., Global Change Biology

Global‐scale ocean acidification has spurred interest in the capacity of seagrass ecosystems to increase seawater pH within crucial shoreline habitats through photosynthetic activity. 

Read more → (30 minute read)