Looking after coastal carbon sinks: Blue Carbon Policy Framework 2.0 released

The International Blue Carbon Policy Working Group, co-organized by IUCN and Conservation International, revisited the Blue Carbon policy recommendations. The Blue Carbon Policy Framework 2.0 outlines new and revised activities needed to improve restoration, conservation and management of coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses through coastal conservation and climate change mitigation policies and financing processes. It takes into account the outcomes of the

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Bermuda finalises three National Parks on one day!

Monday 12th March 2012.

Three New National Parks Finalized today - West Side of Andros, Conception Island Marine Environment (added to the terrestrial area) and Fowl Cays National Park, Abaco - Great day for the BNT and its Partners TNC, Friends of The Environment Nature's Hope (South Andros) and ANCAT

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New study released on seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions

A new review has been published on “Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment” by BirdLife International, a partner of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. The review also covers the situation in Europe’s overseas territories.


The review reveals that seabirds are now more threatened than any other group of birds. Of the 346 seabird species, 97 (28%) are globally threatened, and a further 10% are listed as Near Threatened.

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Mission Blue Expedition to Coiba, Panama launched

Coiba National Park, located off the southwest coast of Panama, is made up of Coiba Island, 38 smaller islands and the surrounding marine areas within the Gulf of Chiriqui. Protected from the cold winds and effects of El Niño, Coiba hosts exceptional diversity on the land and under the ocean. Considered a precious jewel of the Pacific, Coiba is a critical part of the Eastern Pacific Seascape, a broad ocean area within the waters of Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador.

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World Ocean Council Encourages Vessels Transiting North Pacific to Send Debris Information to NOAA

5 March 2012 – Information from vessels transiting between Japan and North America is critical to tracking the debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11, 2011. Ships are encouraged to submit observations and photos of marine debris – as well as reports of ‘no debris observed’ – to: DisasterDebris@noaa.gov

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A novel approach to fishing

An IUCN study published in the Journal Science suggests rethinking of fisheries management that could increase food security and minimize the negative impacts of fishing on the envrionment.

See more at:  http://iucn.org/?9313/A-balanced-kettle-of-fish--IUCN-suggests-a-novel-approach-to-fishing

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands announce Marine Protected Area to safeguard biodiversity

27 February 2012Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham has welcomed the declaration of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) around the UK Overseas Territory of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands.

The MPA, announced today, joins over two hundred already in existence worldwide. It covers an area of over one million square kilometres (equivalent to four times the terrestrial area of the United Kingdom) of the Southern Ocean, and includes over 20,000 square kilometres of no-fishing zones.

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