Conservation News
News, views and stories from the front lines of conservation
Oct 9, 2024
All recent news
Meet the startup turning the tide on plastic pollution
Does the ocean hold the key to a replacement for plastic? Sway, a California-based startup backed by Conservation International, is using seaweed to replace the plastic in packaging.
October 1, 2024
News spotlight: Sharks are deserting coral reefs. Here's why that matters
Rising ocean temperatures are disrupting marine ecosystems, a new study finds — but recent Conservation International projects offer hope for sharks.
September 24, 2024
Study: Protecting the ocean helps fight malnutrition
A new study challenges the idea that marine protected areas come at the expense of locals’ access to fish — instead, finding that fish catches in coral reefs could increase by up to 20 percent.
September 17, 2024
News spotlight: How many fish in the sea? Less than we thought
There are plenty of fish in the sea, so the old saying goes. But that’s not as true as it used to be: Climate change, pollution and overfishing have slashed global fish populations. Now a new study suggests the problem may be worse than expected.
August 29, 2024
Surf spots are climate hotspots, study finds
Surf breaks worldwide are loved for their natural beauty and the thrill of riding that next big swell. Now, a first of its kind study finds that they are also an ally in the fight against climate change.
August 13, 2024
Landmark debt swap to protect Indonesia's coral reefs
The government of Indonesia announced this week a deal to redirect more than US$ 35 million it owes to the United States into the conservation of coral reefs.
July 10, 2024
Where ‘ghost gear’ haunts the seas, divers unite to clean up
Nearly a third of fishing lines are lost or discarded at sea. This so-called “ghost gear” — along with nets and traps — is deadly for marine animals. One man is on a mission to clean it up, net by net.
June 20, 2024
Experts: To protect high seas, take heed of climate change
A landmark treaty to protect the world’s oceans could go into effect soon — but experts argue it must consider climate change if it is going to succeed.
June 13, 2024
On World Oceans Day, charting a new course for our seas
The ocean feeds us, regulates our climate and sustains economies. Yet numerous threats are devastating the health of marine ecosystems. In honor of World Oceans Day, we take a dive into efforts that are charting anew course for our oceans.
June 6, 2024
Study: Mining could disrupt manta ‘superhighway’
There’s only one place on Earth where reef manta rays are truly thriving. A new study finds that this manta haven is even more special — and threatened — than previously thought.
May 30, 2024
With new protections, a critical fishery gets new lease on life
Fishing is a way of life in Peru. But one of it's most important fisheries is not immune from human-made pressures like overfishing and mining. Now, a new protected area is offering a new lease on life.
May 28, 2024
The ocean provides — and needs to be protected. Can humanity do both?
The ocean powers food systems and economies. It also badly needs to be protected from overexploitation. Humanity can do both — with some science, money and humility, experts say.
May 23, 2024
New study a ‘wake-up call’ for marine protections
Countries around the world are trying to bring fish populations back from the brink after decades of overfishing. But some marine protected areas are falling short with a certain type of fish. Here’s why.
April 25, 2024
‘Changing Planet’ finds hope for climate-weary coral reefs
In the third year of the sweeping global PBS series “Changing Planet,” Conservation International CEO M. Sanjayan explores how climate change is affecting some of Earth’s most vulnerable ecosystems — and the groundbreaking science that’s offering hope.
April 22, 2024
New film drops beat for ‘climate heroes’
A new documentary takes viewers on a trip around the world to explore one of nature’s most powerful — yet overlooked — climate allies: blue carbon.
April 18, 2024
Biologist’s keen eye spots (another) new species in the Pacific
With the dazzling diversity of species that live on a coral reef, dwarfgobies are easy to overlook. While the may be easy to overlook — they are the most diverse of all fish genera.
March 20, 2024
Deep-sea expedition may have discovered over 100 new species in the Pacific
A recent deep-sea expedition off the coasts of Chile and Peru is revealing the secrets of a vast underwater mountain system — and could help make the case for future ocean protections there.
March 4, 2024
Study: Shark-finning bans fall short, but bright spots offer hope
Despite evidence that efforts to ban shark finning in recent years isn't reducing shark mortality, new research shows there is reason to have hope.
January 12, 2024
Meet the startup using magnets to keep sharks at bay
Despite having far more to fear from humans, sharks are often vilified in popular culture. To protect beachgoers, governments often resort to ineffective strategies — at great cost to marine life. One company aims to change that.
January 8, 2024
2023 in review: Amid growing ocean threats, a surge of innovative solutions
Conservation News is reflecting on some of our most noteworthy ocean stories of the year — from an innovative approach to protecting Pacific waters, to the launch of a new program to reintroduce threatened sharks back into the wild.
December 14, 2023
Pacific island enacts bold new ocean protections
New Caledonia recently took a big step for ocean conservation by banning all industrial activities — such as fishing, mining and oil drilling — in 10 percent of its waters. The new protections safeguard marine habitats, as well as some of the healthiest coral reefs on Earth.
November 29, 2023
From mountains to mangroves: One expert's journey into marine conservation
Growing up in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Jill Hamilton always felt connected to nature — and knew she would pursue a career to protect it. But time spent on the coast with family drew her from the mountains to the ocean.
November 1, 2023
Can shrimp farming restore mangroves? This scientist is making it happen
Aquaculture — a fancy term for farming fish and other aquatic animals — has been criticized for years. But one scientist wants you to know that it could be essential to feeding the planet, fighting climate change, protecting marine life and supporting small farmers — if done right.
October 17, 2023
Meet the startup that's making seaweed more sustainable
In the past decade, seaweed production has boomed as researchers and investors eye its climate potential. Yet alongside seaweed’s promise, there are pitfalls. A company in the Philippines is working to change that.
October 11, 2023
‘Small rock’ making big ocean conservation impact
The small South Pacific island nation of Niue recently launched a first-of-its-kind sustainable funding initiative that enables anyone to sponsor a square kilometer of its ocean waters — a sanctuary for humpback whales, sea snakes and gray reef sharks.
September 25, 2023
‘Disaster’ deferred: Deep-sea mining talks postponed
After intense negotiations, discussions on commercial deep-sea mining have been postponed — at least for now. Environmentalists view the decision as a hopeful step toward protecting fragile marine ecosystems.
August 1, 2023
How an extraordinary new effort is giving sharks ‘a fighting chance’
Earlier this year, three zebra shark pups became the first endangered sharks ever to be bred in captivity for the purpose of being released into the wild. They're part of a bold plan to bring sharks back from the brink of extinction.
July 24, 2023
New study reveals seaweed’s hidden climate benefits
A new study found that seaweed forests may play a bigger role in fighting climate change than previously thought — absorbing as much climate-warming carbon as the Amazon rainforest. But not all seaweed forests are created equal.
July 18, 2023
Study: Protecting the ocean benefits people and nature
Across the globe, marine protected areas help struggling fish populations and ecosystems recover and flourish. But what impact do they have on the people living nearby? A new study finds big benefits for both biodiversity and coastal communities.
June 22, 2023
News spotlight: Just how big is the ocean plastic problem?
Every year, up to 10 million tons of plastic end up in the world’s oceans — an amount so large it’s hard to visualize. Two journalists from Al Jazeera found that if flattened, ocean plastic today would cover an area roughly the size of Jamaica.
June 21, 2023
Indonesia protects ‘walking sharks.’ Are other sharks next?
The Indonesian government has granted six species of threatened “walking sharks” the highest level of protection — a move experts hope will lead to the conservation of other sharks, whose numbers have plummeted due largely to the shark fin trade.
April 19, 2023
Why a new treaty to protect the high seas is a ‘game-changer’
Roughly two-thirds of the world’s oceans lie beyond national boundaries in an area known as the “high seas” — yet only about 1 percent of that largely unexplored expanse has been protected. Now, nearly 200 countries have agreed on the first-ever United Nations treaty to protect the high seas.
March 10, 2023
News spotlight: Ice sheet warming at highest rate in 1,000 years
In case you missed it: One of the coldest regions of the planet is experiencing its highest temperatures in at least a millennium. While grim, the findings are in line with what’s becoming clearer and clearer — Earth’s frozen regions are steadily warming.
January 30, 2023
News spotlight: Could seaweed be our new big climate ally?
In case you missed it: A recent study reveals that underwater forests are much more prolific than previously thought — and may play a key role in stemming the climate crisis.
January 9, 2023
News spotlight: New satellite offers view into nearly all of Earth’s waters
In case you missed it: As climate change drives sea level rise, and more extreme droughts and floods, understanding the world’s water patterns is increasingly important. Luckily, scientists are coming up with new ways to adapt. The latest: satellites.
January 3, 2023
News spotlight: Can consumer choices protect a critically endangered whale?
In case you missed it: North Atlantic right whales are fast approaching extinction. Each year, this rare species migrates along the eastern coast of the United States. The path leads right whales into a gauntlet of treacherous fishing grounds around New England.
December 5, 2022
New study shows where manta rays thrive
Targeted for their gill plates and trapped accidentally in fishing nets, reef manta rays are in trouble; their populations around the world are plummeting. But in one protected area off the coast of Indonesia, the rays are not only bucking worldwide trends – they’re thriving.
December 2, 2022
News spotlight: In the Philippines, a sea turtle sanctuary is threatened by climate change
On a tiny island in the Philippines, fishermen and green sea turtles live side by side in hard-earned harmony. That wasn’t always the case. Slowly and steadily, they have returned, a story of against-the-odds compromise.
November 15, 2022
News spotlight: What happened to Alaska’s snow crabs? Scientists have a few leads.
Deep in the frigid east Bering Sea, snow crabs have historically flourished — supporting Alaska’s $160 million annual crabbing industry. Yet state officials recently sent shockwaves across the industry when they announced there would be no snow crab season this year for the first time.
October 25, 2022
News spotlight: Athletes become activists to protect surf ecosystems
In case you missed it: More than 85 percent of the world's best surf breaks are located in areas that are critically important for conservation. And surfers are some of the ecosystems’ best advocates.
October 19, 2022
News spotlight: Sea creatures could harbor the next generation of medications, but are they at risk?
In case you missed it: Scientists are sourcing new, lifesaving medications from the sea. But deep-sea mining explorations could risk critical marine ecosystems before their potential is understood.
September 12, 2022
What on Earth is ‘aquaculture’?
In this explainer, we dive into “aquaculture,” a method for farming fish, which can sustainably satisfy the world's growing appetite for seafood — when done correctly.
July 21, 2022
New study dives into what's killing the world’s largest fish — and more
Protecting nature starts with science. Here’s a roundup of recent research published by Conservation International experts.
June 30, 2022
News spotlight: New hope for Mekong ‘megafish’
In case you missed it: A giant stingray hooked (and released) by a fisherman in Cambodia’s Mekong River earlier this month has taken the title of world’s largest freshwater fish.
June 27, 2022
New app aims to take a bite out of illegal shark fin trade
New technology will help inspectors tackle the illegal wildlife trade using a tool most already have in their pockets: their cell phones.
June 8, 2022
A ‘manta ray ruler’ could help protect these gentle giants
A new technique for measuring manta rays could offer critical insights into their health, reproductive status, lifespans and whether a population is growing or shrinking.
March 4, 2022
Notes from the field: fish-waste fertilizer, fire-resistant trees and more
Here are three recent conservation success stories you should know about.
February 25, 2022
In Hawai’i, invasive fish finds a new foe: chefs
In partnership with Conservation International, chefs in Hawaiʻi are cooking up creative ways to control invasive species populations.
January 20, 2022
In historic move, Costa Rica makes big splash for conservation
Costa Rica announced Friday that it will expand its protected ocean area from 2.7 percent to more than 30 percent of its territorial waters.
December 17, 2021
5 ways nature supports human health
Conservation News is highlighting how nature nurtures us — and why we must protect it. Here are a few of the ways nature supports human health.
November 5, 2021
Notes from the field: Forest drones, gorilla germs and more
Here are three recent conservation success stories you should know about.
October 21, 2021
Climate, biodiversity fight gets $5B shot in the arm
In an announcement today at New York Climate Week, nine philanthropic organizations pledged US$ 5 billion over the next decade to support the creation and expansion of protected areas, sustainable management of the world’s oceans and Indigenous-led conservation.
September 22, 2021
Shifting tuna populations could trigger ‘climate justice issue’: study
Ocean warming will alter the habitats of tuna, which could have catastrophic economic consequences for Pacific Island nations and territories, according to a new study.
July 29, 2021
Meet a scientist: the fisheries aficionado
Ana Gloria Guzmán-Mora is the executive director of Conservation International’s Costa Rica program, where she works with local communities and governments to help them meet their goals for protecting the planet.
July 22, 2021
Notes from the field: Protecting Panama’s waters, conserving Malagasy lemurs and more
Here are four recent conservation success stories you should know about.
July 15, 2021
In the high seas, scientists uncover a ‘vortex of life’
On the surface, the international waters off the coasts of Peru and Chile are a seemingly barren expanse. But beneath the waves, two underwater mountain chains — known as the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges — are bursting with life, according to a new study.
June 30, 2021
What on Earth is a ‘seascape’?
A unique approach to ocean conservation could help countries balance protection and production for the marine ecosystems they depend on.
June 8, 2021
In Colombia, a new way to protect mangroves takes root
A recently-launched blue carbon finance project for the first time takes into account not only the carbon that mangrove trees store in their trunks and leaves, but also the carbon they sequester in their soils, often for millennia.
May 19, 2021
In fishing industry, women face hidden hardships: study
According to a recent study, women are facing hidden hardships throughout seafood supply chains around the world.
April 29, 2021
Study: Aerial drones capture manta ray behaviors in thriving population
Conservation News spoke to a manta ray expert at Conservation International about the findings of his new research — from promising pregnancies to drone discoveries to acrobatic feeding behaviors.
April 1, 2021
New science: protecting high seas hotspots, wildlife and more
Protecting nature starts with science. Here’s a roundup of recent scientific research published by Conservation International experts.
February 25, 2021
Tiny, remote islands make huge waves for marine conservation
The government of Tristan da Cunha — the most remote inhabited islands in the world — committed to protecting 90 percent of its territory’s waters, creating the largest marine protected area in the Atlantic.
November 25, 2020
Newly discovered coral species face uncertainty in Pacific’s depths
A team of researchers recently discovered three new species of black coral in the depths of the North Pacific — but deep-sea mining could threaten them.
October 29, 2020
Notes from the field: Sun-powered water, COVID and fishing, and more
Here are three recent conservation success stories you should know about.
October 22, 2020
Meet a scientist: the scuba specialist
Conservation News spoke to Conservation International's marine and diving safety officer, Edgardo Ochoa, about his shark encounters, the dangers of decompression sickness and his passion to prevent a plastic-filled future for the world’s oceans.
October 7, 2020
In high seas, scientists see a lifeline for coral reefs
Coral reefs on the high seas could offer a lifeline for the world's dying reefs, a new study finds.
September 14, 2020
5 ways you can help protect the ocean — in and out of the water
You can help prevent an even more plastic-infested future for our oceans. Here are 5 tips to get you started from Conservation International's diving guru.
August 20, 2020
Big win for tuna fisheries nets renewed focus on human rights
Walmart, the world’s second-largest retailer, just notched a major win for sustainable seafood. Conservation News spoke to two Conservation International fisheries experts about what this could mean for the global fisheries industry.
June 8, 2020
A ‘first aid kit’ for the world’s coral reefs?
In new article for CNN, one of Conservation International's ocean experts offers a survival guide for the world's remaining coral reefs.
June 8, 2020
Meet a scientist: the island-hopping adventurer
Conservation News spoke to Conservation International scientist Mael Imirizaldu about his work helping countries and communities conserve the ocean that they depend on.
May 14, 2020
Tired of ‘writing obituaries for coral reefs,’ surfing scientists find new ways to save them
A new study outlines the relatively small steps humanity can take to ensure coral reefs’ long-term protection and productivity.
April 23, 2020
Meet a scientist: a species-discovering savant
Conservation News spoke with Conservation International's Mark Erdmann about his job as a marine biologist, where he spends almost as much time underwater discovering new species as he does helping communities above ground conserve them.
March 25, 2020
The oceans are on the brink. Here are 3 ways to save them
A look ahead at ocean conservation in 2020 from Conservation International experts.
February 20, 2020
Discovery afoot: New study cracks mystery of how ‘walking’ sharks split
Conservation News spoke with one of the authors of a new study on walking sharks to find out how he and his team uncovered the evolutionary origin of these peculiar creatures — and how this information could help us adapt to climate change.
January 22, 2020
New science: rare plants, climate consequences, marine movement
Here’s a roundup of recent science published by Conservation International experts.
December 5, 2019
Climate Week: From the Amazon to the oceans
Tuesday’s Climate Week roundup: UN report warns grim future for oceans, marine scientists map out how to prevent that future and leaders discuss building resilience in coastal communities.
September 25, 2019
Climate crisis pushing oceans to the brink, report warns
The new UN report warns that climate change could have a drastic impact on the world's oceans and, in turn, humanity.
September 25, 2019
Deep dive: New findings from our whale shark watchers
On International Whale Shark Day, we sat down with two Conservation International scientists to learn more about their work tagging the world's largest fish.
August 30, 2019
Meet a scientist: the sustainable-seafood guru
Conservation News spoke with Jack Kittinger about his passion for protecting the animals — and people — in the seafood sector.
July 10, 2019
Pacific islands face hardships as tuna follow warming waters
Human Nature spoke with a tuna expert about the powerful ways climate change will affect tuna populations.
July 1, 2019
Meet a scientist: the ocean ambassador
Emily Pidgeon is senior director of the Blue Climate program within Conservation International’s Center for Oceans. Pidgeon focuses on coastal and ocean ecosystems as critical solutions to climate change, including “blue carbon” — the carbon stored naturally in mangrove forests and other coastal...
May 2, 2019
Like to dive? New course will train you to be a ‘ghostbuster’ of the sea
A new course by PADI teaches recreational divers how to remove ghost fishing gear
October 31, 2018
Meet a scientist: the whale whisperer
We spoke with Olive Andrews about what whales can teach us about the health of the oceans — and her longtime friendship with a humpback named “Nala.”
July 12, 2018
5 ways that climate change affects the ocean
Conservation News examines some of the ways that climate change affects life in the oceans — and what that means for humanity.
June 7, 2018
To feed itself, Hawai‘i must make sea change, study finds
To feed its growing population, Hawai‘i is looking to produce more locally sourced seafood, which has a smaller environmental footprint.
May 31, 2018
Satellite tags shed light on sea turtle treks
Knowing where the turtles go is the first step to protecting them.
May 22, 2018
What on Earth is the ‘blue economy’?
On the first day of the Economist World Ocean Summit, we break down the “blue economy.”
March 7, 2018
How one ocean voyager uses tradition to connect to the future
Voyagers in Samoa use the Va’a as a way to connect with other cultures while learning to live in harmony with nature.
February 23, 2018
For Colombia’s fishers, embracing sustainability brings better pay
The EcoGourmet program connects independent fishers to local restaurants.
November 28, 2017
The doctor is in: Indonesia’s whale sharks get annual check-up
In Indonesia, scientists give whale sharks “physicals” — measuring, tagging and taking blood samples underwater, in 30 minutes — to assess the health of both the species and the surrounding waters.
September 28, 2017
5 myths about farmed seafood
To feed a growing population without further depleting our oceans, farmed seafood will be crucial.
August 17, 2017
Update: What we’re learning about the world’s largest fish
Two years into a whale shark tracking program, scientists are learning new facts about the world’s largest fish.
August 1, 2017
For better, faster ocean science, researchers look to the cloud
OHI scientists — including several from Conservation International, the index’s co-developer — are using open science to do “better science in less time.”
June 12, 2017
Demystifying the seafood label: Where your seafood actually comes from
When you buy seafood, your purchase affects fishers, businesses — even the health of the ocean.
May 16, 2017
Off Panama’s coast, divers resurrect a ‘ghost’ of the deep
A routine search for spots to train scuba divers led to a disturbing discovery: huge, abandoned fishing nets in the middle of the ocean.
May 3, 2017
Climate-induced species migrations could upend human society: study
A new study in Science on climate change’s effect on mass species migration reveals the impact on humans will be monumental.
April 3, 2017
Key to protecting the ocean? Money and manpower, study finds
There are two keys to protecting our oceans: funding and staff. Without these elements, we’re putting our oceans at risk.
March 22, 2017
What on Earth is ‘blue carbon’?
A term you might never have heard of has immense importance for curbing climate change.
November 1, 2016
5 things you didn't know sharks do for you
For Shark Week, we’re re-sharing one of Human Nature’s all-time most popular shark blogs.
June 29, 2016
Amid widespread coral bleaching, this reef is thriving
Already adapted to major temperature fluctuations, some Indonesian reefs may be better prepared for climate change than others.
June 21, 2016