Planetixx helps DAERA monitor Lough Neagh's algal blooms

Tackling wicked problems is on the agenda at the National NRM Conference in Cairns next week. “We aren’t shying away from tough conversations,” said NRM Regions Australia CEO Dr Kate Andrews. “We will be tackling some of the most intractable issues Australia is facing – from threats posed by biosecurity risks, like bird flu, to saving our unique threatened species. “Speakers will address the impacts of climate change on our regional industries and environments and the challenges for communities as they cope with dramatic changes to their landscapes, including nature loss and land use change,” she said.  The conference will be attended by over 400 delegates from research institutions, First Nations, conservation organisations, landholders, natural resource management professionals and government representatives, including both Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Hon Murray Watt and Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Hon Dale Last. Read more https://lnkd.in/ehfSqjNB Many thanks to Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for their sponsorship of the National NRM Knowledge Conference #NHT. #NRMConf25 #Essential NRM #PlacebasedEverywhere Image: Broadwater Creek, Herbert Catchment - Terrain NRM

🦈 🌊 The sub-regional workshop on the conservation and management of sharks and rays in the #Mediterranean continues in Tunis. It is co-organized by Plan Bleu and WWF North Africa, in partnership with WWF Mediterranean and the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (UNEP/MAP - SPA/RAC), together with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), with the participation of several national and international institutions. The event is generously supported by the Shark Conservation Fund (SCF) and UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention, and is held under the theme “Balancing Conservation and Livelihoods.” 👉 On the second day of the workshop, held from 24 to 26 September 2025, experts, researchers, and decision-makers from across the region came together to discuss regional legal frameworks and national action plans related to the conservation of these species, as well as to review best practices in sustainable management and protection measures. The sessions also focused on the socio-economic dimensions of conserving threatened cartilaginous species, highlighting both the challenges faced by coastal communities and the opportunities available to strike a balance between safeguarding ecosystems and ensuring sustainable livelihoods. 💡 The discussions further emphasized the important role of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in developing tools and policies for the management of #shark and #ray fisheries, while fostering the exchange of knowledge and diverse experiences among participating countries.

Turning the Tide for Our Oceans and Fisheries 🌊 On September 3 (Wed), Dr. Rainer Froese (Senior Scientist, GEOMAR 🇩🇪 and co-creator of FishBase) joined policymakers and experts at the European Parliament to explore strategies for regenerating degraded #marineecosystems and strengthening fisheries economies. Invited by MEP Isabella Lövin, Dr. Froese presented his recent scientific paper, calling for urgent action to restore declining stocks of cod and herring in the #BalticSea. His findings and insights support ongoing efforts to advance the reformed #CommonFisheriesPolicy, promoting sustainable, science-based management for future generations. 🐟 🩵 #SustainableFisheries #MarineConservation #FishBase35 #BalticSea #EcosystemRestoration #PolicyAndScience #OceanAction #FisheriesManagement #ScienceBasedManagement

📣 New UVA-led research reveals how biodiversity protects Chesapeake Bay fisheries — and livelihoods. How is a commercial fishery like an investment portfolio? The more diverse, the better. A new study published in Ecological Applications and led by University of Virginia alumnus Sean Hardison, in collaboration with Associate Professor Max Castorani and researchers from several institutions, shows that biodiversity in the Chesapeake Bay helps buffer watermen from economic ups and downs — much like a diversified portfolio cushions investors from market swings. 🔍 By analyzing 17 years of ecological and economic data, the team found that when fish species peak at different times (asynchrony), the overall fishery becomes more stable. But human factors — like seasonal closures, market demand, and management practices — can either support or disrupt that natural resilience. 🌊 The study also highlights the potential of underutilized species, like invasive blue catfish, to diversify and strengthen commercial fisheries. 💬 “Biodiversity doesn’t just make ecosystems healthier, it makes them steadier over time,” said Castorani. “It spreads risk and acts like insurance when certain fish are in short supply.” 📈 The findings offer valuable insights for fisheries management — not just in the Chesapeake Bay, but globally. #ChesapeakeBay #Biodiversity #Fisheries #Sustainability #SeaGrant #EnvironmentalScience #Ecology #Watermen #ScienceForImpact

New Harmful Algal Bloom Network 🌐 A new Australian and New Zealand Marine Harmful Algal Bloom Network has formed to strengthen information sharing and collaboration on marine harmful algal blooms. The committee members include Sea Change Australia's experts Dr Alison Turnbull and Professor Gustaaf Hallegraeff. The network will: 🔹 Share updates on research, training, and events 🔹 Provide expert advice when needed 🔹 Support capability-building across the region This is a timely step towards better understanding and managing harmful algal blooms across our waters. https://lnkd.in/g-ymBe4r Biodiversity Council FRDC - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation University of Tasmania

#SᴍᴀʀᴛDᴀᴛᴀSᴍᴀʀᴛSᴇᴀғᴏᴏᴅ sᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛs ʀᴇsɪʟɪᴇɴᴛ ғɪsʜᴇʀɪᴇs. Along the Mid-Atlantic, real-time ocean data helps us better understand shifting conditions that shape seafood supply – from water quality to fish migration. A new review highlights how Coastal Acidification Networks across the U.S. are building monitoring systems that track water chemistry and provide the knowledge needed to: ✅ Ensure the seafood we eat is safe and sustainable ✅ Support responsible harvesting practices ✅ Strengthen coastal economies Read the paper here: https://bit.ly/47AjRzq #OceanData #SeafoodSustainability #DataBelowTheSurface #Aquaculture #AquacultureScience #SmartSeafood #Shellfish #Seaweed #OceanEconomy Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) Delaware Cultured Seafood Oyster Seed Holdings OYSTER SEED HOLDINGS, INC. East Coast Shellfish Growers Association

The MSC Ocean Stewardship Fund offers grants to support MSC certified sustainable fisheries and those fisheries that are part of the MSC Improvement Programme. Apply today: http://bit.ly/3IwPbEV This September, we are launching calls for proposals for: 👉 Transitional Assistance Fund (This supports the implementation of improvements for fisheries in the MSC Improvement Program.) 👉 Science and Research Fund (This supports projects that help MSC certified fisheries develop and maintain best practice) 👉 Recertification Assessment Fund (Supports MSC certified fisheries that have been in the MSC Program a long time by covering a proportion of fees for their second or subsequent reassessment) To discover the exciting projects of 2025, click here: http://bit.ly/4n2FQUm #SustainableFishing #SustainableSeafood #MSC #OceanStewardshipFund

EDS urges urgent action as new report highlights extent of coastal ecosystem collapse Fisheries New Zealand has released a report detailing the extent of kelp forest loss along the north-east coast of New Zealand. This is the first time a comprehensive survey of kina barrens at scale has been undertaken. “The extent of kina barrens and associated kelp forest loss documented in the report is profoundly shocking,” said EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart. “Overall, our underwater forests have disappeared from over a third of our north-east coastline. But there have been much greater losses in areas such as the Hauturu-o-Toi (Little Barrier Island 77% loss), the Noises (72%), Mimiwhangata (57%) and Great Mercury (40%). “Given this large-scale collapse of our kelp forests, it is now not surprising that we have been seeing starving snapper and poor rock lobster recruitment. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/g3JmGtRC

Could a seagrass swap have ecological impacts across the Chesapeake Bay's food webs, fisheries and ecosystem functions? 🌿🐟 A new study from Batten School & VIMS researchers reveals that a subtle but dramatic shift is taking place as eelgrass is being replaced by its warmer water relative, widgeon grass. While both seagrasses offer valuable habitat, they support marine life in very different ways. The study estimated that the continued shift could lead to a 63% reduction in the amount of invertebrate biomass living in seagrass meadows by 2060, which ultimately impacts larger species in the food web.
 To learn more visit https://lnkd.in/eBKZCzBF 
#VIMS #BattenSchool #ScienceForSolutions #MarineScience

Exciting news! My thesis research has just been published in Marine Ecology Progress Series!As water temperatures have risen in the Chesapeake Bay, eelgrass has been declining while the more heat tolerant widgeon grass has been expanding. How might this shift in the dominant foundation species affect the Bay’s food webs and ecosystem functions?Well, not all seagrasses are created equal. Just like different pasta shapes serve different purposes in a dish due to their different textures and sauce-holding abilities, not all seagrasses provide the same amount of ecosystem services. Eelgrass has broad, strap-like leaves (think linguine), while widgeon grass has smaller, thread-like leaves (think short angel hair pasta). These differences affect the type of marine life that they support.We found that widgeon grass meadows supported ~28.6% less invertebrate biomass than eelgrass. Our findings suggest that we’re likely to see a fundamental shift in the structure of the food web that favors smaller creatures as eelgrass is replaced by widgeon grass.Learn more about how this seagrass swap could affect the Chesapeake Bay in VIMS' latest news story or check out our research article here: https://lnkd.in/eqbpaCXt