Latest news with #MegaMove
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Over 100 marine megafauna struggle for survival, despite global protections
Source: The oceans are home to iconic marine megafauna , including majestic whales, ancient turtles, agile seals, and powerful sharks. These incredible water creatures sit at the very top of the ocean food webs, playing a crucial role in maintaining balanced and healthy marine ecosystems. But now, over 100 marine megafaunal species are facing mounting threats as increasing human pressure dramatically reshapes their home—the vast and fragile ocean environment. According to recent research conducted by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the Australian National University (ANU) has carefully tracked the movements of these megafaunal species throughout the oceans to pinpoint the most important areas that require urgent and focused conservation efforts. About marine megafaunal species Marine megafauna are the giants of the ocean—large animals like whales, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and giant rays. These creatures aren't just beautiful and captivating; they're essential. They play critical roles in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. Their presence supports biodiversity and helps oceans function as stable, resilient ecosystems. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fastest Selling Plots of Mysore from 40L | 40+ Amenities PurpleBrick Learn More Undo Sea creatures like whales help circulate nutrients by diving deep and then surfacing to breathe, effectively stirring the ocean layers. Sea turtles keep seagrass beds healthy by grazing. Despite their importance, these marine megafauna face mounting threats from human activity. Overfishing, ship strikes, entanglement in plastic waste, noise pollution, and habitat loss all harm marine animals. Many of these animals are long-lived and slow to reproduce, so their numbers can't quickly bounce back once harmed. Climate change compounds these challenges by warming waters and disrupting migration and breeding patterns. Efforts to protect endangered marine megafauna According to reports, Sequeira in 2020 launched the MegaMove project, which aims to unite the marine movement ecology community to confront the urgent challenges facing ocean life. Sequeira said, 'MegaMove brings together an international network of researchers to provide innovative research to advance the global conservation of marine megafauna.' She explained, 'Our research shows that, in addition to protected areas, implementing mitigation strategies like changing fishing gear, using different lights in nets, and creating traffic schemes for ships will be key to alleviating current human pressure on these species.' Hidden routes of the big ocean creatures Currently, marine protected areas (MPAs) cover just eight percent of the world's oceans. However, the UN High Seas Treaty aims to expand that coverage to 30 percent. This new study shows that while the 30 percent goal is important, it may not be enough. The research team tracked animal movements to find areas critical for feeding, breeding, and migration. 'The impacts of a changing ocean on marine megafauna are already evident,' said Camrin Braun, assistant scientist and ocean ecologist at WHOI. 'Our recent work tracking marine predators, including an earlier WHOI-led study, indicates that changes in the ocean are expected to fundamentally alter the status quo for where these species are and how they live.' Getting ready for a changing ocean The study connects closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 14, which focuses on life below water. By combining large-scale tracking data and coordinated international efforts, this research offers a clear path forward—a future where marine megafauna continue to thrive alongside a growing human presence on the seas Also read | Astronomers discover high-altitude clouds darkening skies in YSES-1 system
The Star
07-06-2025
- Science
- The Star
30 per cent global ocean protection target not enough for marine giants, says study
CANBERRA/MANILA (Xinhua): The global goal to protect 30 per cent of the world's oceans by 2030 will not be sufficient to ensure the survival of marine megafauna such as whales, sharks, turtles, and seals, international scientists have warned. An international study has mapped the world's most critical ocean habitats for marine megafauna, revealing that even ambitious global protection targets will fall short of safeguarding these threatened species, according to a release from the Australian National University (ANU) on Friday. In December 2022, the Convention on Biological Diversity parties agreed to conserve 30 per cent of Earth's land and seas by 2030, but the United Nations Environment Program notes that biodiversity is unevenly protected: while a quarter of ecological regions meet the 30 pe rcent target, some have no coverage, leaving many species and ecosystems insufficiently conserved. The UN-endorsed MegaMove project, involving nearly 400 scientists from over 50 countries, tracked more than 100 marine megafauna species to identify where conservation efforts should focus, the release said. The study, published in Science, found that only 8 percent of oceans are currently protected and warns that the UN High Seas Treaty's 30 per cent target, though supported by 115 countries, will not fully safeguard key habitats for threatened marine giants. ANU Associate Professor Ana Sequeira, the study's lead author and MegaMove founder, explained that the research mapped areas where marine megafauna engage in essential behaviors such as foraging, resting, and migration. These species serve as top predators with crucial roles in marine ecosystems but face mounting threats from human activities, she said. "We found that the areas used by these animals overlap significantly with threats like fishing, shipping, warming temperatures, and plastic pollution," Sequeira said, adding the 30-percent protection goal is helpful but not enough, so further measures are needed to reduce threats beyond protected areas. The study identifies specific mitigation measures beyond protected areas, including modifications to fishing gear, different lighting systems in nets, and ship traffic management schemes. - Xinhua
Irish Independent
07-06-2025
- Science
- Irish Independent
New initiatives needed to protect marine migration, says Irish scientist involved in global study
However, current targets on designating marine protected areas (MPAs) are not enough to halt biodiversity loss, and other measures will need to be taken, a study involving six Irish scientists showed. Named MegaMove, the sharing of data by nearly 400 scientists from over 50 countries informed the UN-backed global research, which is published in the journal Science on the eve of UN World Oceans Day tomorrow. Dr Mark Jessopp, one of six Irish-based scientists involved, all from University College Cork (UCC), said the study was the first of its type in terms of scale. 'The study's goal was to identify areas used by marine megafauna for important behaviours like foraging, resting or migratory corridors, and these areas and behaviours can only be found based on their tracked movement patterns,' he said. We will need a range of initiatives, such as changing shipping lanes and restricting some types of commercial fishing gear Dr Jessopp has expertise in the puffin, classified as endangered in Europe, which can fly vast distances from Ireland across the Atlantic in winter. The epic migration makes the birds vulnerable to a range of impacts outside Irish waters, and the study highlights the vital role of international co-ordination. Similar approaches could be taken to other marine megafauna frequenting Irish waters, such as whales and basking sharks, already protected here, and other seabirds, Dr Jessopp said. The combined research, he added, 'outlines the most important locations for 30pc area protection for global marine megafauna species, ranking them based on the largest number of species using areas for important behaviours'. 'It shows that the EU target for designating 30pc of MPAs by 2030 is a good start, but we will need a range of other initiatives, such as changing shipping lanes, restricting use of some types of commercial fishing gear and restricting placement of offshore wind projects,' Dr Jessopp said. MPAs for conservation of marine species and habitats cover 8pc of the world's oceans, which the UN High Seas Treaty wants to expand to 30pc. ADVERTISEMENT The blue sharks we tracked from Cork migrated south into the Bay of Biscay … and as far as the Canary Islands Dr Tom Doyle, also a contributor, said the study is important for Ireland in view of 'the fair share of large migratory species that use our waters'. 'For example, blue sharks migrate thousands of kilometres and can cross many different EEZs [exclusive economic zones]. The blue sharks we tracked from Cork migrated south into the Bay of Biscay, the Azores and as far as the coastal waters of Morocco and the Canary Islands,' Dr Doyle said. 'This presents a challenge for area- based conservation in terms of where to best place MPAs. 'Results from this study suggest that our animals spend most of their time in EEZs, so enhancing protection within areas of national jurisdiction and as part of a network of MPAs is one of the quickest ways to help our blue sharks and other species.' The other UCC scientists involved in the international study were Professor John Quinn, Dr Ashley Bennison, Dr Michelle Cronin and Luke Harman.
