Editor’s note: Artificial light at night (ALAN) – whose undesirable effects are more colloquially referred to as light pollution – has long been known to affect sea turtles. Numerous studies document that adult sea turtles avoid nesting on artificially-lit beaches and artificial lights on land draw newly-hatched sea turtles away from the ocean, leading to ..read more

Study shows few downsides to incorporating climate change in ocean planning Researchers map ocean areas that can protect biodiversity, help fisheries, AND provide carbon benefits Most ocean use revenues go to small number of corporations New satellites will track global carbon and methane emissions Climate change already making equator too warm for many marine species ..read more

Editor’s notes: OCTO, the parent organization for The Skimmer and the EBM Tools Network, is currently working with the UN Environment Programme, the University of Queensland, The Nature Conservancy, WWF, and other partners to develop practical guidance on challenges in MPA practice, including effectiveness, sustainable financing, and climate change. Project partners recently surveyed marine conservation ..read more

By Jon Hare, NOAA Fisheries Editor’s note: Jon Hare is the Science and Research Director of NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, in the US. He oversees science related to NOAA Fisheries mission in the Northeast region (Maine to North Carolina) including marine fisheries, aquaculture, protected species, habitat, and ecosystem science. NOAA ..read more

Editor’s note: Anthropogenic noise in the ocean – from ships, sonar, construction, oil wells, windfarms, seismic surveys, and other activities – harms marine animals ranging from marine mammals to fish to invertebrates. Ocean noise has been documented to: Increase egg and larval mortality, cause developmental delays, slow growth rates, and increase bodily malformations Cause temporary ..read more

Editor’s note: Climate change is the greatest threat to the health of marine ecosystems worldwide, and the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to alter the world’s climate change trajectory, for better or for worse. Numerous, diverse relationships between the two crises have arisen. These relationships have proven enormously changeable over the course of the pandemic ..read more

New marine planning and management trainings added to Skimmer database More than 50 countries commit to protecting 30% of land and oceans by 2030 Japan and Russia take measures to reduce sale of IUU catch Ten largest seafood companies commit to eliminating IUU from supply chains New WTO head makes ending fishing subsidies top priority ..read more

Editor’s Note: From the Archives calls attention to past Skimmer/MEAM articles whose perspectives and insight remain relevant. As professionals in the marine conservation and management field, Skimmer readers are hyperaware of large scale and global changes to marine ecosystems. Research is now examining the emotional and psychological toll that these changes are having on people ..read more

Amílcar Guzmán Valladares and Viviana Luján Gallegos of Wolfs Company have worked with dozens of MPAs to develop business plans and financing mechanisms. They believe there's reason for optimism about the future of MPA finance. We find out why ..read more

The ecosystem services provided by protected areas must be made more apparent, says Carlos Espinosa of Dos Mares. To do that, he says management programs should align MPA activities with the needs of local communities. He's now building a portfolio of community-aligned projects in Central American MPAs, and looking to attract donors and investors ..read more