Researchers: Whales May Turn Down Their Hearing Sensitivity When Warned Of An Impending Loud Noise
Tokyo,Japan - May 8, 2012 18:10 EST
Toothed whales navigate through sometimes dark and murky waters by emitting clicks and then interpreting the pattern of sound that bounces back. The animals' hearing can pick up faint echoes, but that sensitivity can be a liability around loud noises....

Scientists: 'Dolphin Speaker' To Enhance Study Of Dolphin Vocalizations And Acoustics
Tokyo, Japan - May 8, 2012 18:00 EST
Dolphins rely on the combination of a variety of vocalizations and vastly better acoustic abilities than humans to communicate with each other or to detect their surroundings and prey in the dark sea. To gain new insights into how dolphins...

Professor Uses New Supercomputer Model To Accurately Predict 2012 Seasonal Climate Patterns
Tokyo, Japan - Feb 1, 2012 19:52 EST
Professor Toshio Yamagata, Dean of University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science and Head of the Application Laboratory of Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), has announced seasonal climate predictions for 2012 which are strongly influenced by only...

Whale Wars: Japan Whaling Fleet Obstructed By Sea Shepherd Activists
Tokyo, Japan - Jan 5, 2012 19:19 EST
Japan's fisheries agency reported today that Sea Shepherd activists have interrupted the hunt for whales for the first time this season. The text of Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research press release follows: On 4 January the Yushin Maru No. 3...

Greenpeace And Palau Bust Pirates In Palau Shark Sanctuary; 'Occurring On A Daily Basis'
Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Dec 8, 2011 22:34 EST
Palauan fisheries officials have boarded and detained a Taiwanese fishing vessel suspected of illegal fishing activities during a joint patrol with Greenpeace of the Pacific Island nation's exclusive economic zone. The Greenpeace ship Esperanza and the Palauan patrol boat, PSS President...

Whale Wars: Japanese Sue Sea Shepherd And Paul Watson, Seeking Relief From Attacks On Vessels And Crews
Tokyo, Japan - Dec 8, 2011 21:26 EST
The Institute of Cetacean Research, the group heading Japan's whaling efforts, has filed suit again the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in an effort to protect its vessels and crews from physical attacks from the controversial conservation group. Kyodo Senpaku Kaisa,...

Hong Kong-Based Peninsula Hotels Bans Shark Fins From Menus; Hopes To Inspire Others
Hong Kong, PRC - Nov 22, 2011 18:48 EST
In recognition of the threat facing the global shark population and in line with the Company's sustainability vision, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH), parent company of The Peninsula Hotels, today announced that it will stop serving shark fin...

King Kong: Monster 21-Foot, One-Ton Crocodile Captured In The Philippines; To Become 'Biggest Star' Of Eco-Tourism Park
Manilla, Philippines - Sep 5, 2011 17:26 EST
Philippine villagers and veteran hunters have captured a massive 21-foot, one-ton crocodile in Barangay Nueva Era, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur Saturday night. The beast is said to be one of the largest ever captured alive in the country. The female...

Research: Marine Protected Areas Should Take Into Account Larval Fish Migrations; 'Some Traveled Almost 200 Km'
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo - Jul 11, 2011 19:50 EST
Networks of biologically-connected marine protected areas need to be carefully planned, taking into account the open ocean migrations of marine fish larvae that take them from one home to another sometimes hundreds of kilometers away. Research published today in the international...

Indonesia's Wakatobi National Marine Park To Be Designated UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve
Jakarta, Indonesia - Jun 28, 2011 21:26 EST
Legendary underwater explorer and conservationist, Jacques Cousteau is said to have called the Wakatobi islands – then known as the Tukangbesi islands, an "underwater nirvana." UNESCO is soon to designate Indonesia's Wakatobi National Marine Park in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, as...

Landmark Report Investigates Environmental Impacts Of Aquaculture; Sustainably-Farmed Seafood Key To Future Global Food Security
Bangkok, Thailand - Jun 14, 2011 20:14 EST
A new and comprehensive analysis released by WorldFish Center and Conservation International (CI) has investigated the environmental impact of the world's major aquaculture production systems and species, and today offers a first-ever global assessment of trends and impacts of cultivated...

Nine Potentially New Marine Species Discovered On Bali Reefs; 'Surprisingly High Levels Of Diversity'
Bali, Indonesia - May 14, 2011 17:53 EST
A two-week marine survey conducted by scientists with Conservation International (CI) in Indonesia, along with local partners, led to the discovery of eight potentially new species of fish and a potentially new species of coral in the waters surrounding Bali...

Pollutants In Aquifers May Threaten Future Of Mexico's Fast-Growing 'Riviera Maya'
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo - Feb 6, 2011 16:35 EST
Pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, shampoo, toothpaste, pesticides, chemical run-off from highways and many other pollutants infiltrate the giant aquifer under Mexico's "Riviera Maya," research shows. The wastes contaminate a vast labyrinth of water-filled caves under the popular tourist destination on the Yucatan...

Taiwan Reaffirms Support For Shark Conservation; Will Continue To 'Promote Sustainable Fisheries'
Taipei, Taiwan - Jan 30, 2011 17:03 EST
Taipei's Economic and Cultural Office has issued a press release in response to news reports naming Taiwan as one of the top shark-catching countries in the world. The text of the press release follows: "Taiwan regulates shark fishing and will continue...

Greenpeace Urges Re-Opening Whale Meat Embezzlement Probe; 'Systemic And Deep-Rooted Corruption'
Tokyo, Japan - Jan 28, 2011 18:15 EST
Greenpeace is calling for the official investigation into systematic embezzlement within Japan's whaling program to be re-opened following disciplinary action against whaling officials for accepting whale meat 'gifts' from Kyodo Senpaku, the company that conducts the hunt. As the ailing and...

Whale Wars: Japanese Whalers Subjected To Sea Shepherd Flash Bangs, Smoke Bombs, Fouling
Tokyo, Japan - Jan 10, 2011 21:47 EST
The crew of a Japanese whaling vessel claim activists from the Sea Shepherd environmental group threw smoke bombs and grappling irons at their harpoon ship in the Antarctic Ocean on Sunday, thus endangering the vessel and its personnel. The text of...

Experts To Assess Richness Of Malaysian Coral Reefs, Take A 'Snapshot' Of Coral Health
Kota Kinabalu - Nov 29, 2010 19:26 EST
Starting this week, an international team of marine biologists from Malaysia, the Netherlands and the USA will be on an 20-day expedition organized by the WWF-Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Malaya (UM) and the Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity (NCB)...

Bali Dive Outfit Launches Best Dive Job In The World Contest; 'It's A Great Life'
Bali, Indonesia - Oct 21, 2010 16:15 EST
Indonesia-based dive outfit Blue Season Bali today launched a recruitment campaign to train someone for the best dive job in the world – that of a PADI-certified dive instructor on the island of Bali: For free. Blue Season Bali Director...

Young Marine Biologists Aim To Make A Difference With A Tour Of Papua New Guinea
Brisbane, Australia - Jun 16, 2010 23:36 EST
Eager to save shrinking fish stocks and shape the future of their field, two UQ marine biology graduates will soon dive headfirst into a tour of Papua New Guinea. Peter Waldie and Tane Sinclair-Taylor will join Oceanswatch International next month...

Scientists: One Shot And Fish Forget Their Fears
Hiroshima, Japan - Mar 23, 2010 20:39 EST
Imagine if your fear of spiders, heights or flying could be cured with a simple injection. Research published in BioMed Central's open access journal, Behavioral and Brain Functions suggests that one day this could be a reality. The cerebellum, an...

Japan: Flagless Sea Shepherd Vessel Attacks With Illegal Laser Weapon
Tokyo, Japan - Feb 22, 2010 22:15 EST
Japanese research whalers in the Antarctic claim they have come under attack from an illegal laser weapon aboard the flagless Sea Shepherd Conservation Society vessel Bob Barker. The text of Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research press release from the incident...

Japanese Whalers: Sea Shepherd Engages In Repeated 'Desperado' Attacks
Tokyo, Japan - Feb 18, 2010 19:07 EST
Japanese research whalers in the Antarctic have come under repeated attacks by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society over the last two days. The Japanese researchers said the activists approached the Nisshin Maru and repeatedly shot acid and paint projectiles....

Japanese: Sea Shepherd Attempts To Foul Prop Of Nisshin Maru, Repeats 'Foolhardy Actions'
Tokyo, Japan - Feb 16, 2010 22:59 EST
Japan’s Antarctic whale research (JARPA II) mother ship Nisshin Maru is being subjected to another hawser attack by the Dutch-registered vessel Steve Irwin. The hawser aims to disable the rudder and propeller of the Nisshin Maru. From around 08:00JST (1200hrs NZDT; 1000hrs...

Governments Agree To Protect Endangered Sharks Under Un-Backed Treaty; 'A Decisive Step Forward'
Manila, The Philippines - Feb 16, 2010 21:26 EST
A landmark agreement to protect shark species threatened with extinction was reached today by over 100 countries signed up to a United Nations-supported wildlife treaty, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The 113 countries that are party to the UNEP-administered...

Whale Wars: Sea Shepherd Activist Boards Japanese Vessel In Attempted Citizen's Arrest
Tokyo, Japan - Feb 15, 2010 20:53 EST
In another strange twist to the on-going battle between Japanese research whalers and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, activist Peete Bethune boarded the Japanese vessel Shonan Maru 2 in an attempt to make a citizen's arrest of the vessel's captain,...

Ride Of The Valkyries: Japanese Whalers Claim Sea Shepherd Harasses The Nisshin Maru With Classical Music
Tokyo, Japan - Feb 9, 2010 19:04 EST
Over the last day, Japanese research whalers in the Antarctic were subjected to a variety of harassing activities from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. With Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” blaring from large loudspeakers and water firing from a...

Whale Wars: Japanese Whalers Claim Antiwhaling Ship Bob Barker Rammed The Yushin Maru No. 3
Tokyo, Japan - Feb 7, 2010 17:43 EST
Japanese research whalers in the Antarctic have accused the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society of ramming the Yushin Maru No. 3. The Japanese researchers said the activists approached the Yushin Maru No. 3 to throw bottles containing butyric acid...

Rising Sea Levels Threatens To Wipe Out One Of World’s Largest Tiger Populations This Century
Washington, D.C. - Jan 20, 2010 19:21 EST
One of the world’s largest tiger populations could disappear by the end of this century as rising sea levels caused by climate change destroy their habitat along the coast of Bangladesh in an area known as the Sundarbans, according to...

Japanese Whalers: Sixty-year-old Bob Barker Attacks Whaling Ship Shonan Maru No. 2
Tokyo, Japan - Jan 20, 2010 09:50 EST
Japanese whalers have accused the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society of carrying out attacks on whaling ship Shonan Maru No. 2 based from the Bob Barker, an aging 1950's-era vessel. The text of Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research press release follows: The...

Whaling Bombshell: Ady Gil Armed With Deadly Arrows; Sea Shepherd 'Willfully Polluting' Antarctic
Tokyo, Japan - Jan 8, 2010 17:58 EST
Japanese whalers have accused the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society of carrying weapons on the Ady Gil, rejecting claims by the protesters that their state-of-the-art speed-boat had sunk. The Institute of Cetacean Research released photographs last night of four large arrows...

Japanese IRC Press Release: New Zealand Watercraft Collides With The Shonan Maru No. 2
Tokyo, Japan - Jan 6, 2010 21:27 EST
At about 12:30JST today the New Zealand-registered watercraft Ady Gil collided with the Japanese Antarctic whale research (JARPA II) vessel Shonan Maru No. 2. The collision resulted in damage to the Ady Gil disabling it for navigation. While scale of damage...

First In India, University Offers Scuba Diving Course; 'It Is Really Important That Marine Biologists Know Scuba Diving'
Tamil Nadu, India - Nov 10, 2009 23:15 EST
Scuba diving is much more than an adventure water sport. Realizing this, a university is offering, for the first time in India, a certificate course in scuba diving for marine biologists and researchers to study the impact of global warming...

Maldives Hosts 350-minute Dive In Support Of The International Day Of Climate Action
Kuda Huraa, Maldives - Nov 6, 2009 18:02 EST
A historic 350-minute dive took place at the dive centre of <a href="http://www.fourseasons.com/maldives/>Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, in conjunction with the International Day of Climate Action on October 24, 2009. The dive team went underwater for this duration...

Alibaba, World's Largest B2B Site, Bans Sale Of Ivory, Sea Turtle And Shark Fin
Beijing, China - Sep 17, 2009 15:07 EST
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (www.ifaw.org) announced today that Alibaba (www.taobo.com.cn), the world's largest business-to-business and outsource portal site for traders worldwide, has agreed to ban all online trade in elephant ivory, sea turtle, and shark fin. In addition,...

Shark-ravaged Sea Turtle Tries Out Artificial Flippers After Losing Limbs; 'It Will Be A Global First'
Kobe, Japan - Jul 8, 2009 22:12 EST
Tests on artificial flippers for a loggerhead sea turtle with only two limbs started here over the weekend in an attempt to return the turtle to the wild. The Osaka‐based nonprofit organization Sea Turtle Association of Japan is leading the rehabilitation...

New Study To Examine Climatically Important Agulhas Current; 'Gulf Stream' Of The Southern Indian Ocean
Virginia Key, Florida - Jun 29, 2009 20:26 EST
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced that it is funding a study with the goal of building a multi-decadal time series of Agulhas Current volume transport, which will contribute to the Global Ocean Observing System. Led by Principal Investigator,...

Scientists: Traces Of Mercury In Seafood Is Not A Health Hazard; 'This Is Groundbreaking News'
Guiyang, China - Jun 12, 2009 17:25 EST
A group of 561 scientists gathered this week in the Chinese city of Guiyang to explore issues surrounding mercury pollution, and a new survey shows that a large majority of them no longer believe traces of mercury in seafood represent...

Israeli Environmental Organization Campaigns To Clean The Jordan River, Where Jesus Christ Was Baptized
Ramat-Gan, Israel - May 12, 2009 15:53 EST
Zalul, a leading Israeli Non-Governmental Organization devoted to protecting Israel's seas and rivers, has undertaken the mission of saving the Jordan River, a historic Christian waterway now contaminated by modern-day pollutants. Zalul is demanding that the polluted wastewater entering the...

Study: 'Super Reefs' Fend Off Climate Change; East African Reefs 'Unusually Resilient'
Phuket, Thailand - Apr 24, 2009 17:11 EST
The Wildlife Conservation Society announced today a study showing that some coral reefs off East Africa are unusually resilient to climate change due to improved fisheries management and a combination of geophysical factors. WCS announced the results of the study...

WWF: Philippines Fishers Face Collapse And Food Security Threat From Live Fish Trade; 'Highly Overfished'
Palawan, The Philippines - Feb 23, 2009 17:51 EST
The livelihoods of more than a hundred thousand people in the Philippines are under threat with the trade in live reef fish destined for the seafood restaurants of Hong Kong and mainland China facing imminent collapse. A summit on sustainable...