ocean

The world’s oceans will likely lose one-sixth of their fish and other marine life by the end of the century if climate change continues its current trajectory, a new study finds. Every degree Celsius that the world’s oceans warm, the total mass of sea animals is projected to drop by 5% according to a comprehensive computer-based study by an international team of marine biologists at the American National Academy of Sciences. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes special report on global warming already estimates that as of 2017, human activities were responsible for global mean temperature rise of one degree Celsius above preindustrial levels. Unless reductions are made by the world’s leading carbon emitters the world will likely warm by two degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels by 2100.

Over 730 tonnes of plastic end up in the Mediterranean each day. The level of pollution in the Mediterranean poses a major threat to fisheries and the ecosystems in the region. Home to over 7.5% of known marine species, the continued contamination of these waters could endanger numerous organisms. One organization, however, might have the solution to this plastic crisis in the Mediterranean.

January marked the successful completion of the Common Oceans ABNJ Tuna Project’s electronic monitoring pilot program in Ghana.  A celebration was organised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development of the Republic of Ghana with representatives from all stakeholders including the World wildlife Fund (WWF), international Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) and the Ghana Tuna Association (GTA) participating in the event. As part of the festivities, there was a formal transfer of the equipment from the project to the Ghanaian authorities.