Positive News

A multiyear “shark census” in the Republic of the Congo — conducted in partnership with artisanal fisherfolk — has documented a remarkable 42 species of sharks and rays off the coast of Songoro, 34 of which are at an elevated risk of extinction. By developing long-term, trusted relationships with the local community, the research was designed to minimize disturbance to fishing activities and prioritize the people whose daily livelihoods depend on the water. 🦈 | Source: Mongabay

A new study shows that the global diving community is uniquely positioned to improve the health of the ocean through diver-driven citizen science, advocacy, and increased coordination. With a focus on Indigenous knowledge and stewardship, the research highlights how fostering a sense of community and ensuring equitable access to our shared waters is vital to inspiring the next generation of divers, conservationists, and ocean lovers. 🤿 | Source: Nice News

Chemists have developed a new nontoxic, low-cost catalyst that can break down Nylon-6, the complex plastic polymer that makes up fishing nets. Other chemical processes designed to break down plastics like this often require toxic solvents, extreme conditions, or costly materials, but this discovery offers a quick and effective solution that works within minutes, deconstructing the material without creating harmful byproducts or further damaging the ocean. 🐡 | Source: Good News Network

Scientists in Scotland have chemically engineered a plastic-hungry bacteria that eats and “upcycles” plastic, chemically breaking it down into adipic acid, a critical ingredient in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and fragrance industries. By using this bio-upcycling technology to convert plastic waste into useful resources like makeup and perfume, this approach could help create circular economies and avoid plastic waste reaching waterways and the ocean through canny scientific innovation! 🦠 | Source: Good News Network

UK scientists have developed a floating leaf-like device that chemically combines sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce a net-zero fuel. The ultra-thin, flexible technology was inspired by plants, imitating the organic process of photosynthesis to synthesize fuel in a process that doesn’t emit carbon dioxide. Now supported by a startup, the team hopes to commercialize these inventions on an industrial level, rolling out carpets of floating “leaves” to defossilize the economy! 🍃 | Source: The Guardian

In November, Mexico became the latest nation to call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining in international waters, joining 23 other countries that called for either a precautionary pause, moratorium, or full ban on the dangerous practice. Commentators have recognised this change in Mexico’s view as a promising shift from their former position, a hopeful gesture toward a future free of the exploitation of vital deep-sea ecosystems. If you haven’t already, head to the Act page to sign our petition and say no to deep-sea mining. 🇲🇽 | Source: Mongabay

The EU has agreed to ban the export of plastic waste that ends up in ports of countries that cannot process it, a hopeful step towards high-polluting nations recognizing their role in the global plastic crisis and taking accountability for responsibly recycling their plastic waste. Legislative changes like this have the potential to prevent plastic waste from polluting waterways and reaching the ocean. 🇪🇺 | Source: The Guardian

The Ḵwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Ha̱xwa’mis First Nation, whose territory lies just north of Vancouver, has declared a new 40,000-hectare protected area on B.C.’s remote mid-coast, restoring their right to Indigenous-led land stewardship. The Atla River supports pink, chum, coho, and sockeye salmon — the First Nation is working to protect all salmon migratory routes in the next phase of restoration and protection! 🌊 | Source: The Narwhal

A new citizen science whale identification program uses artificial intelligence and crowdsourced photos to recognize individual whales by their unique tails, so far identifying 68,000 humpback whales worldwide! Using sightings from whale watchers across the globe, the program streamlines data collection to offer fascinating, collaborative insight into one of the ocean’s most peaceful populations. 🐋 | Source: Happywhale

In a recent study, researchers and coastal ecologists in the Netherlands have discovered that old pear trees can be used to make artificial reefs and attract a surprisingly rich amount of biodiversity in a short period of time. Their organic branching structures lend themselves well to becoming “tree reefs,” mimicking a natural process that will eventually biodegrade, leaving behind dozens of species of peaceful marine life. 🍐 | Source: Mongabay