Marine species

Database reveals vital ocean links to aid conservation

Database reveals vital ocean links to aid conservation

Scientists have launched an interactive global map to show the migratory patterns of more than 100 marine species in an effort to protect at-risk wildlife.   New models were developed by The University of Queensland and Duke University scientists to be part of the Migratory Connectivity in the Ocean (MiCO) database which aims to bridge…

Rare Posidonia Seagrass Fruits Wash Up Across Greece’s Shores Signaling Healthy Seas

Rare Posidonia Seagrass Fruits Wash Up Across Greece’s Shores Signaling Healthy Seas

In what researchers describe as a very rare phenomenon, large numbers of fruits and seeds from Posidonia oceanica, the higher plants that are vital for the health of the seas, have been washing ashore across Greece, Cyprus and other parts of the Mediterranean, signaling that this important and endangered seagrass has been in full “bloom.”…

Assessing the potential acoustic impact of floating offshore wind farms in the Central Mediterranean Sea

The Strait of Sicily, a vital marine passage with diverse fauna, is seeing a steep rise in the planning of offshore wind farm projects. This study assesses the acoustic impact of these wind farms on local marine species. Underwater propagation was modeled for three proposed floating wind farms using JASCO’s Marine Operations Noise Model (MONM),…

Effects of Marine Threats on Mediterranean Marine Top Predators

This chapter explores the growing threats faced by top predators in the Mediterranean Sea. Climate change, overfishing, and plastic pollution may affect their migration patterns and lead them to abandon established reproduction areas. For instance, tuna might not find its spawning grounds due to warmer water, sea turtles might fight against plastic debris to lay…

Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) Know No Geopolitical Borders—An Update of NIS in the Aegean Sea

In this work, combined efforts by Greek and Turkish scientists produced an updated validated NIS inventory of the Aegean ecoregion, covering 120 years of records up to August 2024. Of the 342 NIS currently present in the Aegean Sea, the majority (281 species) have invaded the South Aegean, followed by the North Aegean (128 species…

Major industry in Greece devastated by worsening sea conditions: ‘The destruction we suffered … was 100%’

Major industry in Greece devastated by worsening sea conditions: ‘The destruction we suffered … was 100%’

Photo Credit: iStock Officials say mussel farming in Greece is close to collapsing as record-warm water temperatures take a toll on the industry. Our overheating planet has farmers worried about how they will provide for their families. What’s happening? The latest report by the National Centers for Environmental Information suggests this year is a virtual…