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A school of fish swims by coral reefs at the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland
Image: Matt Curnock/James Cook University/AFPImage: Matt Curnock/James Cook University/AFP

Oceans

Oceans cover more than two-thirds of the surface of the planet. They are at risk due to pollution, overfishing and other forms of damage such as deep-sea mining, oil and gas drilling. How can we protect our oceans?

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All Content on this topic

Evologics' Quadroin maritime robot inspired by penguins

Robots that mimic marine life

Underwater robots from Evologics collect data to detect acts of sabotage.
BusinessDecember 18, 202404:26 min
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Several hundred feared dead after Mayotte cyclone

Hundreds of people are presumed dead on the French territory of Mayotte after Cyclone Chido hit the archipelago.
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Cambodia: Fishermen find six rare Mekong giant catfish

Scientists estimate there may be only few hundred Mekong giant catfish remaining in the world.
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If all the world's glaciers melted, what would that mean for nature and for human civilization?
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Rising sea levels and coastal erosion are devastating India’s fishing villages. Can the damage be reversed?
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Nature and EnvironmentNovember 29, 202402:48 min
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New quotas for bigeye tuna fishing in the Azores threaten traditional line-and-pole fishermen.
BusinessNovember 25, 202405:57 min
Gus the emperor penguin is released back into the ocean off the south coast of Western Australia

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The emperor penguin made headlines after landing on Australia's coast, an the hope is he will now return to Antarctica.
Nature and EnvironmentNovember 22, 2024
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The Ring of Fire is a string of Pacific volcanoes. Eruptions are a constant threat for Indonesia and other nations.
ScienceNovember 4, 2024
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Nature and EnvironmentOctober 25, 202426:04 min
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Colombia: Saving sharks from illegal fishermen near Malpelo

Since 2018, a team of environmentalists has been on the move to save sharks from illegal fishermen in a nature reserve.
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Every day, marine biologist Gerwin Gretschel observes how rapidly the Mediterranean Sea is changing.
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Britain is giving up sovereignty of a remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean, although it will keep a US-UK military bas
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Sea levels are rising worldwide. Who is particularly at risk — and what can be done to counter the floods?
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China test-fires ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean

Australia has asked for an explanation of the ICBM test, while Japan claims it did not receive a warning from China.
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A man walks along the shoreline where parts of buildings and trees have been engulfed by the sea

Is climate change the reason why sea levels are rising?

Rising oceans are posing a global threat, particularly to low lying islands and coastal cities. How can we respond?
ClimateSeptember 25, 2024
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The oceans are growing steadily warmer

Water temperatures in the Atlantic are rising. What impact could that have on weather, and can we do anything about it?
ScienceSeptember 21, 202404:09 min
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Fisherman and artist depict ocean changes

A fisherman and an artist in Tamil Nadu raise awareness of negative changes to the ocean due to climate change.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 11, 202404:14 min
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Official patrols are monitoring the Balearic Islands. Their mission: to protect seagrass, a key climate protector.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 9, 202403:11 min
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UN chief Guterres warns of fast-rising Pacific ocean

UN chief Guterres issued a global SOS regarding the rising Pacific ocean temperatures.
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A recent discovery of huge resevoirs of water also has huge implications for whether life is feasible on Mars.
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New research based on seismic data indicates the presence of vast swathes of water under the surface of Mars.
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Seismic data from NASA's InSight Lander suggests a massive liquid water deposit below the Martian surface.
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Mining the valuable metals and rare earths found in the ocean floor could permanently damage fragile marine systems.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 2, 2024
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Shrimp farms have been sprouting up like mushrooms over the past five years in Singapore. Now also using AI.
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Scientists wonder whether marine viruses could be harnessed for carbon capture. Would it work? And would it be ethical?
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Chinese fishing fleets in Indian Ocean accused of abuses

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A coastal community in The Gambia faces the dual threat of overfishing and industrial pollution.
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