Panama exceeds it's 30 percent ocean protection goal years before 2030.
This is brilliant news! Good on Panama for making this happen!
This is brilliant news! Good on Panama for making this happen!
Positive Wildlife News 2023
- Thread starter UngulateNerd92
- Start date
- Status
New Private Conservation Area in Peru Conserves High-Priority Dry Forests and Endemic Species
Andes Amazon Fund celebrates the creation of the Utco Private Conservation Area (PCA) in Peru’s Cajamarca region. The conservation area was established in perpetuity, and protects 7,562 acres (3,060 hectares) of Amazonian dry forest, and is considered an “epicenter of biodiversity.” The dry forests of the Utco Private Conservation Area are home to nearly 2 dozen species found nowhere else in the world.
New Private Conservation Area in Peru Protects Endemic Species
Andes Amazon Fund celebrates the creation of the Utco Private Conservation Area (PCA) in Peru’s Cajamarca region. The conservation area was established in perpetuity, and protects 7,562 acres (3,060 hectares) of Amazonian dry forest, and is considered an “epicenter of biodiversity.” The dry forests of the Utco Private Conservation Area are home to nearly 2 dozen species found nowhere else in the world.
New Private Conservation Area in Peru Protects Endemic Species
Kenya’s Black Rhinoceros Continue to Rebound
Figures released by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) show that 938 eastern black rhinos (Diceros bicornis michaeli) were recorded as of December 2021, up from 853 the previous year. This represents a population increase of almost 10% and far surpasses the goal of achieving 830 black rhinos by December 2021, which was set in the national Black Rhino Action Plan in 2017.
Kenya’s black rhinos continue to rebound
- 938 eastern black rhinos were recorded in Kenya in December 2021, 85 more than in 2020
- The increase in the Kenyan black rhino population is attributed to effective conservation measures and robust monitoring
Figures released by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) show that 938 eastern black rhinos (Diceros bicornis michaeli) were recorded as of December 2021, up from 853 the previous year. This represents a population increase of almost 10% and far surpasses the goal of achieving 830 black rhinos by December 2021, which was set in the national Black Rhino Action Plan in 2017.
Kenya’s black rhinos continue to rebound
Florence and her cubs give hope that west African lion can come roaring back
National park in Senegal shows off three surprise new recruits in fight to save critically endangered species from extinction.
A lioness in one of the world’s rarest lion populations has given birth to three cubs, new video footage shows, raising hopes that the critically endangered big cat can be saved from extinction.
In contrast to their southern cousins, west African lions have almost completely disappeared. Scientists believe between 120 and 374 remain in the wild, their historic range reduced to four populations clinging on in Nigeria, Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso.
In Niokolo-Koba national park in Senegal, just 29 remain in the forests that surround the tributary to the Gambia River, where they are threatened by poaching and habitat loss caused by farming. Now, new footage of the lioness and her three cubs has given conservationists hope for their survival.
https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.amp...frican-lion-senegal-cubs-save-from-extinction
National park in Senegal shows off three surprise new recruits in fight to save critically endangered species from extinction.
A lioness in one of the world’s rarest lion populations has given birth to three cubs, new video footage shows, raising hopes that the critically endangered big cat can be saved from extinction.
In contrast to their southern cousins, west African lions have almost completely disappeared. Scientists believe between 120 and 374 remain in the wild, their historic range reduced to four populations clinging on in Nigeria, Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso.
In Niokolo-Koba national park in Senegal, just 29 remain in the forests that surround the tributary to the Gambia River, where they are threatened by poaching and habitat loss caused by farming. Now, new footage of the lioness and her three cubs has given conservationists hope for their survival.
https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.amp...frican-lion-senegal-cubs-save-from-extinction
‘Historic moment’ for nature as Europe’s first wild river national park announced in Albania
A project with outdoor gear company Patagonia and NGOs will protect the Vjosa, one of the continent’s last free-flowing waterways
One of the last wild rivers in Europe, home to more than 1,000 animal and plant species, has been declared a national park by the Albanian government, making the Vjosa the first of its kind on the continent.
The Vjosa River flows 168 miles (270kms) from the Pindus mountains in Greece through narrow canyons, plains and forests in Albania to the Adriatic coast. Free from dams or other artificial barriers, it is rich in aquatic species and supports myriad wildlife, including otters, the endangered Egyptian vulture and the critically endangered Balkan lynx, of which only 15 are estimated to remain in Albania.
For years, the Vjosa’s fragile ecosystem has been under threat: at one point as many as 45 hydropower plants were planned across the region.
https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.amp...osa-wild-river-national-park-europe-first-aoe
A project with outdoor gear company Patagonia and NGOs will protect the Vjosa, one of the continent’s last free-flowing waterways
One of the last wild rivers in Europe, home to more than 1,000 animal and plant species, has been declared a national park by the Albanian government, making the Vjosa the first of its kind on the continent.
The Vjosa River flows 168 miles (270kms) from the Pindus mountains in Greece through narrow canyons, plains and forests in Albania to the Adriatic coast. Free from dams or other artificial barriers, it is rich in aquatic species and supports myriad wildlife, including otters, the endangered Egyptian vulture and the critically endangered Balkan lynx, of which only 15 are estimated to remain in Albania.
For years, the Vjosa’s fragile ecosystem has been under threat: at one point as many as 45 hydropower plants were planned across the region.
https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.amp...osa-wild-river-national-park-europe-first-aoe
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation conveys black hills habitat to public; benefits Elk, Mule deer and hunting opportunity
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation successfully collaborated with two local landowners to acquire and convey 239 acres of big game habitat in western South Dakota to the Black Hills National Forest (BKF). The property, previously a private inholding within BKF, is now in the public’s hands and open for hunting and other recreational activities.
“This project not only protects habitat and connectivity for elk, mule and whitetail deer, turkey and other game species but it ensures quality hunting opportunities today and for future generations,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “Properties surrounded by national forest lands are at risk of development, which would create impacts for wildlife and recreation throughout the surrounding forest. And for that reason, the U.S. National Forest Service considered this property a high priority.”
The property is in the heart of Black Hills elk country, home to more than 6,000 elk. Located near Hill City, it features aspen and mixed conifer habitats, meadows and grasslands that supply abundant wildlife habitat.
RMEF Conveys Black Hills Habitat to Public; Benefits Elk, Mule Deer and Hunting Opportunity
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation successfully collaborated with two local landowners to acquire and convey 239 acres of big game habitat in western South Dakota to the Black Hills National Forest (BKF). The property, previously a private inholding within BKF, is now in the public’s hands and open for hunting and other recreational activities.
“This project not only protects habitat and connectivity for elk, mule and whitetail deer, turkey and other game species but it ensures quality hunting opportunities today and for future generations,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “Properties surrounded by national forest lands are at risk of development, which would create impacts for wildlife and recreation throughout the surrounding forest. And for that reason, the U.S. National Forest Service considered this property a high priority.”
The property is in the heart of Black Hills elk country, home to more than 6,000 elk. Located near Hill City, it features aspen and mixed conifer habitats, meadows and grasslands that supply abundant wildlife habitat.
RMEF Conveys Black Hills Habitat to Public; Benefits Elk, Mule Deer and Hunting Opportunity
Here is another relevant article.
Vjosa, one of our last wild rivers, becomes Europe's first Wild River National Park
Today, the Vjosa River in Albania, one of the last wild rivers of Europe is declared a National Park by the Albanian Government, becoming the first Wild River National Park in Europe. In future, the Vjosa will be conserved as a living, free-flowing river, to the benefit of people and nature. This is the result of a unique collaboration between the Albanian Government, local and international experts, environmental NGOs from the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), and outdoor clothing company Patagonia.
Vjosa, one of our last wild rivers, becomes Europe's first Wild River National Park
Ranch purchase in north central western Washington preserves wildlife corridor
The state and Colville Confederated Tribes buy land between the Kettle and Cascade mountains that's important for animal species.
A conservation group has helped broker the purchase of a ranch on Washington’s Okanagan River to allow it to be preserved for cultural and environmental purposes.
The 700-acre McLoughlin Falls ranch, south of Tonasket, sits on a rocky canyon with glacier-carved cliffs and ponderosa pines.
https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/...tral-wa-preserves-wildlife-corridor?_amp=true
The state and Colville Confederated Tribes buy land between the Kettle and Cascade mountains that's important for animal species.
A conservation group has helped broker the purchase of a ranch on Washington’s Okanagan River to allow it to be preserved for cultural and environmental purposes.
The 700-acre McLoughlin Falls ranch, south of Tonasket, sits on a rocky canyon with glacier-carved cliffs and ponderosa pines.
https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/...tral-wa-preserves-wildlife-corridor?_amp=true
Province extends old-growth logging deferral in endangered spotted owl habitat
The Province is taking another important step to support the recovery of endangered spotted owls while promoting biodiversity and accelerating the protection of old-growth forests.
As part of an integrated strategy to re-establish a sustained breeding population in some of B.C.’s old-growth forests, the Province has extended an old-growth logging deferral in the Spuzzum and Utzilus watersheds in the Fraser Canyon that spans 32,671 hectares. The deferrals have been extended for another two years, until Feb. 28, 2025.
Extending these deferrals supports the long-term recovery of this species. More than 280,000 hectares of spotted owl habitat have been protected as part of an integrated strategy that safeguards 100,000 hectares of long-term owl habitat, in addition to the 180,000 hectares of protected habitat within provincial parks, Greater Vancouver watersheds, ecological reserves and regional parks.
Province extends old-growth logging deferral in endangered spotted owl habitat | BC Gov News
The Province is taking another important step to support the recovery of endangered spotted owls while promoting biodiversity and accelerating the protection of old-growth forests.
As part of an integrated strategy to re-establish a sustained breeding population in some of B.C.’s old-growth forests, the Province has extended an old-growth logging deferral in the Spuzzum and Utzilus watersheds in the Fraser Canyon that spans 32,671 hectares. The deferrals have been extended for another two years, until Feb. 28, 2025.
Extending these deferrals supports the long-term recovery of this species. More than 280,000 hectares of spotted owl habitat have been protected as part of an integrated strategy that safeguards 100,000 hectares of long-term owl habitat, in addition to the 180,000 hectares of protected habitat within provincial parks, Greater Vancouver watersheds, ecological reserves and regional parks.
Province extends old-growth logging deferral in endangered spotted owl habitat | BC Gov News
Rains boosts migratory, local shorebirds in South Australia, including rare species
When Libby Hunt arrived with a team of bird counters on Eyre Island near Smoky Bay in South Australia, she was delighted to be greeted by a noisy chorus of 5,000 crested terns feeding and fossicking along the shoreline.
There are normally a large number of birds, but this year was an exceptional year.
The count of the birds was part of BirdLife Australia's National Shorebird Monitoring program involving Landscape board staff and volunteers across islands and isolated beaches from SA's Elliston to Cactus Beach.
"That is definitely a bucket list item," Libby Hunt from Landscape Western Eyre Peninsula said.
https://amp-abc-net-au.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/102104660
When Libby Hunt arrived with a team of bird counters on Eyre Island near Smoky Bay in South Australia, she was delighted to be greeted by a noisy chorus of 5,000 crested terns feeding and fossicking along the shoreline.
- Shorebird numbers were up in a survey in February on SA's Western Eyre Peninsula
- The area supports up to 21 of the 38 international migratory species that travel from the northern hemisphere annually
- The survey was part of BirdLife Australia's National Shorebird Monitoring program
There are normally a large number of birds, but this year was an exceptional year.
The count of the birds was part of BirdLife Australia's National Shorebird Monitoring program involving Landscape board staff and volunteers across islands and isolated beaches from SA's Elliston to Cactus Beach.
"That is definitely a bucket list item," Libby Hunt from Landscape Western Eyre Peninsula said.
https://amp-abc-net-au.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/102104660
After more than 20 years of work, a North Carolina wetland is brought back to life
The North River Wetlands Preserve in Carteret County used to be flat agricultural land with rows and rows of crops like soybean and potatoes. Now it’s 6,000 acres of trees, water, and marsh, with some occasional fire ants, bears and snakes.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation has worked on restoring this land since 1999. Todd Miller, the executive director of the federation, has been overseeing this project since the beginning.
"It’s a pretty rare opportunity to actually see nature come back in its glory and see a system the way it should be," Miller said. "Knowing that it’s not just a beautiful wetland, but that we’re doing something good for the downstream waters and that we’re gonna have a healthier coast as a result of that, is pretty gratifying."
https://www.wunc.org/environment/20...a-wetland-restoration-river-coastal?_amp=true
The North River Wetlands Preserve in Carteret County used to be flat agricultural land with rows and rows of crops like soybean and potatoes. Now it’s 6,000 acres of trees, water, and marsh, with some occasional fire ants, bears and snakes.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation has worked on restoring this land since 1999. Todd Miller, the executive director of the federation, has been overseeing this project since the beginning.
"It’s a pretty rare opportunity to actually see nature come back in its glory and see a system the way it should be," Miller said. "Knowing that it’s not just a beautiful wetland, but that we’re doing something good for the downstream waters and that we’re gonna have a healthier coast as a result of that, is pretty gratifying."
https://www.wunc.org/environment/20...a-wetland-restoration-river-coastal?_amp=true
Here is another relevant article.
Bigger Is Better: Panama Expands Marine Protected Area to Protect More Than 54 Percent of Its Oceans
This initiative, backed by data from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, aims to mitigate climate change, protect the country’s deep-sea marine-mountain environments, and safeguard wildlife from human intervention.
Bigger Is Better: Panama Expands MPA to Protect More Than 54 Percent of Its Oceans
Chile’s new national park offers a glimpse of life in the cosmos
Following a rare superbloom event, Desierto Florido National Park was created to safeguard nearly 200 flower species—and many other scientific marvels—in the Atacama Desert.
A new national park in Chile will protect 141,000 acres of biodiverse ecosystem in the sixth national park, Desierto Florido.
This otherworldly landscape offers many wonders besides eye-popping flora.
The Atacama, the world’s driest nonpolar desert, brims with blooms that sprout every three to 10 years; the insects and birds that rely on them; and the microorganisms that flourish in the zone’s harsh, hyper-arid core. Many of these microbes hold clues about survival on an increasingly arid Earth, as well as the potential for life beyond it.
A top-to-bottom desert adventure provides the chance to admire and protect these resilient species and aid in the search for extraterrestrial life with a citizen science project, too.
Chile’s new national park protects a superbloom of rare flowers
Following a rare superbloom event, Desierto Florido National Park was created to safeguard nearly 200 flower species—and many other scientific marvels—in the Atacama Desert.
A new national park in Chile will protect 141,000 acres of biodiverse ecosystem in the sixth national park, Desierto Florido.
This otherworldly landscape offers many wonders besides eye-popping flora.
The Atacama, the world’s driest nonpolar desert, brims with blooms that sprout every three to 10 years; the insects and birds that rely on them; and the microorganisms that flourish in the zone’s harsh, hyper-arid core. Many of these microbes hold clues about survival on an increasingly arid Earth, as well as the potential for life beyond it.
A top-to-bottom desert adventure provides the chance to admire and protect these resilient species and aid in the search for extraterrestrial life with a citizen science project, too.
Chile’s new national park protects a superbloom of rare flowers
Restoration turns pastures into wildlife haven in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest
Over the last five centuries, much of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest has suffered a similar fate. But since 2006, this wetland has been transformed thanks to Locke’s relentless restoration efforts to rewild one of Brazil’s most important biomes. Now, caimans can be seen peering through clusters of reeds while great egrets nest in waterside canopies. “The birds came back,” Locke told Mongabay while walking in the area.
The wetland is part of 12,000 hectares (29,652 acres) of primary and restored Atlantic Forest in the state of Rio de Janeiro, protected by Locke’s nonprofit Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve (Regua). Once largely fragmented and bare, the area now supports 487 types of birds and hundreds of tree species after 750,000 trees were replanted in the last two decades.
Restoration turns pastures into wildlife haven in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest
- After centuries of intensive deforestation, experts say fragmentation and degradation are worse in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest than in the Amazon.
- Experts say restoration can complement primary forest conservation by helping to reconnect fragments of original forest and to bring back lost biodiversity.
- The nonprofit Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve conserves 12,000 hectares (29,652 acres) of Atlantic Forest in the Guapiaçu River Basin, protecting both the environment and the water supply of 2.5 million people.
- In two decades, the nonprofit has planted 750,000 trees, seen a return of hundreds of birds, and reintroduced the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) to Rio de Janeiro for the first time in 100 years.
Over the last five centuries, much of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest has suffered a similar fate. But since 2006, this wetland has been transformed thanks to Locke’s relentless restoration efforts to rewild one of Brazil’s most important biomes. Now, caimans can be seen peering through clusters of reeds while great egrets nest in waterside canopies. “The birds came back,” Locke told Mongabay while walking in the area.
The wetland is part of 12,000 hectares (29,652 acres) of primary and restored Atlantic Forest in the state of Rio de Janeiro, protected by Locke’s nonprofit Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve (Regua). Once largely fragmented and bare, the area now supports 487 types of birds and hundreds of tree species after 750,000 trees were replanted in the last two decades.
Restoration turns pastures into wildlife haven in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest
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Well-Known Member
California Bill to Expand Community, Wildlife Protections Against Rat Poisons
Legislation Would Strengthen Toxic Rodenticide Restrictions
Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Burbank) is spearheading a bill to expand restrictions on toxic rat poisons and increase protections for children, pets and wildlife from unintentional poisoning.
The California Ecosystems Protection Act of 2023, or Assembly Bill 1322, would extend an existing moratorium on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides to include a deadly first-generation anticoagulant rodenticide. The proposed legislation creates safeguards from the most toxic rat poisons until state regulators develop stronger restrictions for their use.
“Despite our hard work passing legislation to curb rodenticide use, California’s most iconic wildlife like mountain lions and eagles are still needlessly poisoned. We must do more,” Friedman said. “This common-sense bill will expand restrictions on some of the most dangerous rat poisons so we can better protect wildlife and families.”
California Bill to Expand Community, Wildlife Protections Against Rat Poisons
Legislation Would Strengthen Toxic Rodenticide Restrictions
Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Burbank) is spearheading a bill to expand restrictions on toxic rat poisons and increase protections for children, pets and wildlife from unintentional poisoning.
The California Ecosystems Protection Act of 2023, or Assembly Bill 1322, would extend an existing moratorium on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides to include a deadly first-generation anticoagulant rodenticide. The proposed legislation creates safeguards from the most toxic rat poisons until state regulators develop stronger restrictions for their use.
“Despite our hard work passing legislation to curb rodenticide use, California’s most iconic wildlife like mountain lions and eagles are still needlessly poisoned. We must do more,” Friedman said. “This common-sense bill will expand restrictions on some of the most dangerous rat poisons so we can better protect wildlife and families.”
California Bill to Expand Community, Wildlife Protections Against Rat Poisons
Delta Waterfowl Praises Maryland Assembly’s Passage of Pro-conservation Omnibus
Maryland House Bill 983 and Senate Bill 327 promise major investments in waterfowl conservation and enhanced access to quality hunting.
Delta Waterfowl applauds the Maryland General Assembly for passing a bipartisan, bicameral, pro-hunting omnibus (Senate Bill 327/House Bill 983) late last week. The legislation will provide historic funding levels for vast conservation enhancements—including to habitats that attract and support migrating waterfowl—and improvements to infrastructures that provide access to quality waterfowl hunting.
The Duck Hunters Organization was joined by numerous conservation partners in supporting the legislation. Cyrus Baird, Delta’s senior director of government affairs, served as a key voice for duck hunters in Annapolis through written and oral testimony in both legislative chambers, and through strategic meetings with partners and lawmakers.
“This is a big win for hunting, conservation, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and it represents more than a year’s worth of input and effort on behalf of duck hunters,” Baird said. “This legislation will allow the DNR to take revolutionary steps to benefit ducks and duck hunters, including objectives it has had in mind for a long time but lacked the financial and staffing resources to make a reality.”
Delta Waterfowl Praises Maryland Assembly’s Passage of Pro-conservation Omnibus - Delta Waterfowl
Maryland House Bill 983 and Senate Bill 327 promise major investments in waterfowl conservation and enhanced access to quality hunting.
Delta Waterfowl applauds the Maryland General Assembly for passing a bipartisan, bicameral, pro-hunting omnibus (Senate Bill 327/House Bill 983) late last week. The legislation will provide historic funding levels for vast conservation enhancements—including to habitats that attract and support migrating waterfowl—and improvements to infrastructures that provide access to quality waterfowl hunting.
The Duck Hunters Organization was joined by numerous conservation partners in supporting the legislation. Cyrus Baird, Delta’s senior director of government affairs, served as a key voice for duck hunters in Annapolis through written and oral testimony in both legislative chambers, and through strategic meetings with partners and lawmakers.
“This is a big win for hunting, conservation, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and it represents more than a year’s worth of input and effort on behalf of duck hunters,” Baird said. “This legislation will allow the DNR to take revolutionary steps to benefit ducks and duck hunters, including objectives it has had in mind for a long time but lacked the financial and staffing resources to make a reality.”
Delta Waterfowl Praises Maryland Assembly’s Passage of Pro-conservation Omnibus - Delta Waterfowl
We’re protecting connectivity in Eagle Valley!
We recently joined with our friends at
Wilderness Workshop to file a lawsuit in Federal Court, asking for a ruling overturning the White River National Forest’s Record of Decision for the Berlaimont Estates Road Improvement Project that was issued last Friday.
The proposed Berlaimont Estates would involve the development and construction of 19 single-family mansion homes in the Eagle Valley surrounded by the White River National Forest. The high-elevation development will require over 5 miles of new paved road that will be located largely on Federal public lands.
We’re protecting connectivity in Eagle Valley!
We recently joined with our friends at
Wilderness Workshop to file a lawsuit in Federal Court, asking for a ruling overturning the White River National Forest’s Record of Decision for the Berlaimont Estates Road Improvement Project that was issued last Friday.
The proposed Berlaimont Estates would involve the development and construction of 19 single-family mansion homes in the Eagle Valley surrounded by the White River National Forest. The high-elevation development will require over 5 miles of new paved road that will be located largely on Federal public lands.
We’re protecting connectivity in Eagle Valley!
Story of hope
In Sussex, just a few hundred metres from busy coastal towns like Shoreham-by Sea, Worthing and Bognor Regis, a story of hope is emerging, as historic kelp forests lost for decades are beginning to flourish, demonstrating the ocean’s ability to recover when it’s protected from destructive fishing activity such as trawling.
On the UN International Day of Forests (21 March 2023), the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project, a coalition of seven local and national organisations, celebrates its second anniversary with first-hand accounts of “unbelievable changes in fish and bottom structure,” with sightings of electric rays and trigger fish, unseen in the area for decades.
The project has been championed by local communities, academics, NGOs and statutory bodies all coming together with the same aim – the recovery of Sussex’s kelp forest.
Kelp forms beautiful underwater forests which are some of the most productive and biodiverse habitats on the planet. In northern Scotland, they are home to seals and, as documented in the first episode of David Attenborough’s Wild Isles, the largest predator native to UK waters – orcas (killer whales).
In Sussex, an extensive kelp forest once stretched along more than 40km of the coastline between Shoreham-by-Sea and Selsey Bill. Tragically, by the start of the 21st Century, over 96 per cent of the kelp bed had disappeared, bar a few small patches. Having survived huge storms for centuries, the kelp didn’t return after the storm of 1987, following years of trawling and other human pressures decimating the seabed, which kelp depends on to colonise.
Two years ago, a local fisheries management byelaw was passed, stopping the fishing method of towing trawls along the seafloor. The Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA)’s Nearshore Trawling Byelaw now excludes trawling from 304 square kilometres of Sussex seabed to protect essential fish and marine habitats and support sustainable inshore fisheries.
Sussex kelp restoration: a story of hope - Oceanographic
In Sussex, just a few hundred metres from busy coastal towns like Shoreham-by Sea, Worthing and Bognor Regis, a story of hope is emerging, as historic kelp forests lost for decades are beginning to flourish, demonstrating the ocean’s ability to recover when it’s protected from destructive fishing activity such as trawling.
On the UN International Day of Forests (21 March 2023), the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project, a coalition of seven local and national organisations, celebrates its second anniversary with first-hand accounts of “unbelievable changes in fish and bottom structure,” with sightings of electric rays and trigger fish, unseen in the area for decades.
The project has been championed by local communities, academics, NGOs and statutory bodies all coming together with the same aim – the recovery of Sussex’s kelp forest.
Kelp forms beautiful underwater forests which are some of the most productive and biodiverse habitats on the planet. In northern Scotland, they are home to seals and, as documented in the first episode of David Attenborough’s Wild Isles, the largest predator native to UK waters – orcas (killer whales).
In Sussex, an extensive kelp forest once stretched along more than 40km of the coastline between Shoreham-by-Sea and Selsey Bill. Tragically, by the start of the 21st Century, over 96 per cent of the kelp bed had disappeared, bar a few small patches. Having survived huge storms for centuries, the kelp didn’t return after the storm of 1987, following years of trawling and other human pressures decimating the seabed, which kelp depends on to colonise.
Two years ago, a local fisheries management byelaw was passed, stopping the fishing method of towing trawls along the seafloor. The Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA)’s Nearshore Trawling Byelaw now excludes trawling from 304 square kilometres of Sussex seabed to protect essential fish and marine habitats and support sustainable inshore fisheries.
Sussex kelp restoration: a story of hope - Oceanographic
New Highly Protected Marine Areas to be designated in English waters
The British government recently announced that three Highly Protected Marine Areas will be designated by July 2023. Conservationist groups welcome the move but argue that the areas need to stretch further.
On 28 February, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that marine habitats and wildlife are set to receive the highest levels of protection as the government will designate the first three Highly Protected Marine Areas in English waters.
Delivering on the commitments set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan, Highly Protected Marine Areas will enable nature to fully recover by removing all harmful activities including fishing, construction and dredging, increasing marine biodiversity and supporting climate-resilient ecosystems to thrive.
From safeguarding ‘blue carbon’ habitats to help tackle climate change; protecting the feeding and nursery grounds of commercially important fish species such as cod and herring; through to reversing the impacts of human activity on degraded marine ecosystems, the first three Highly Protected Marine Areas were chosen due to the ecological importance of nature recovery in the sites.
The three sites being taken forward will be designated before 6 July 2023 and are Allonby Bay (Irish Sea), Dolphin Head (Eastern Channel) and North East of Farnes Deep (Northern North Sea).
“Our comprehensive environment plan sets us on a path to deliver an improved marine environment and halt the decline in biodiversity which benefits us all,” commented Thérèse Coffey, environment secretary. “Highly Protected Marine Areas are a vital step forward in enabling our ecosystems to thrive, increasing climate resilience and ensuring we have a healthy and productive marine environment for generations to come,” she added.
The first three Highly Protected Marine Areas include inshore and offshore sites and will complement the existing network of Marine Protected Areas covering 40% of English waters. Their introduction follows recommendations in the Benyon Review to help achieve clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologically diverse ocean and seas, and drives forward the Government’s commitment to protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030.
Allonby Bay contains ‘blue carbon’ habitats that capture and store carbon. The site also contains honeycomb reefs and blue mussel beds which can provide water purification and important protection from coastal erosion. Nursery and spawning habitats for a range of commercial species including cod, plaice, sole and herring will also be protected.
Dolphin Head has been degraded following impacts of human activity so the Highly Protected Marine Area presents an opportunity to fully recover habitats and species. It will help protect the feeding and nursery grounds of many important commercial fish species such as cod, herring, plaice as well as ecologically important habitats such as ross worm reefs.
North East of Farnes Deep has high levels of biodiversity. The large areas of muddy habitats are important for the storage of carbon as well as for a range of species including birds, marine mammals and fish. This includes spawning and nursery habitats for up to ten commercially important species such as angler fish, surmullet, whiting and haddock.
Highly Protected Marine Areas announced in England - Oceanographic
The British government recently announced that three Highly Protected Marine Areas will be designated by July 2023. Conservationist groups welcome the move but argue that the areas need to stretch further.
On 28 February, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that marine habitats and wildlife are set to receive the highest levels of protection as the government will designate the first three Highly Protected Marine Areas in English waters.
Delivering on the commitments set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan, Highly Protected Marine Areas will enable nature to fully recover by removing all harmful activities including fishing, construction and dredging, increasing marine biodiversity and supporting climate-resilient ecosystems to thrive.
From safeguarding ‘blue carbon’ habitats to help tackle climate change; protecting the feeding and nursery grounds of commercially important fish species such as cod and herring; through to reversing the impacts of human activity on degraded marine ecosystems, the first three Highly Protected Marine Areas were chosen due to the ecological importance of nature recovery in the sites.
The three sites being taken forward will be designated before 6 July 2023 and are Allonby Bay (Irish Sea), Dolphin Head (Eastern Channel) and North East of Farnes Deep (Northern North Sea).
“Our comprehensive environment plan sets us on a path to deliver an improved marine environment and halt the decline in biodiversity which benefits us all,” commented Thérèse Coffey, environment secretary. “Highly Protected Marine Areas are a vital step forward in enabling our ecosystems to thrive, increasing climate resilience and ensuring we have a healthy and productive marine environment for generations to come,” she added.
The first three Highly Protected Marine Areas include inshore and offshore sites and will complement the existing network of Marine Protected Areas covering 40% of English waters. Their introduction follows recommendations in the Benyon Review to help achieve clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologically diverse ocean and seas, and drives forward the Government’s commitment to protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030.
Allonby Bay contains ‘blue carbon’ habitats that capture and store carbon. The site also contains honeycomb reefs and blue mussel beds which can provide water purification and important protection from coastal erosion. Nursery and spawning habitats for a range of commercial species including cod, plaice, sole and herring will also be protected.
Dolphin Head has been degraded following impacts of human activity so the Highly Protected Marine Area presents an opportunity to fully recover habitats and species. It will help protect the feeding and nursery grounds of many important commercial fish species such as cod, herring, plaice as well as ecologically important habitats such as ross worm reefs.
North East of Farnes Deep has high levels of biodiversity. The large areas of muddy habitats are important for the storage of carbon as well as for a range of species including birds, marine mammals and fish. This includes spawning and nursery habitats for up to ten commercially important species such as angler fish, surmullet, whiting and haddock.
Highly Protected Marine Areas announced in England - Oceanographic
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