The Australian government says it plans to establish the world’s largest marine reserve in the Coral Sea. Environment Minister Tony Burke said the protected zone would cover an area more than one-and-a-half times the size of France. New fishing limits would be imposed and and exploration for oil and gas banned. The proposal is subject [...]
Measures to prevent illicit fishing of Mediterranean bluefin tuna have been strengthened at the annual meeting of governments involved in the industry. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (Iccat) decided to implement an electronic system for recording bluefin catches. Research shows catches have been far higher than skippers have declared. The meeting, [...]
Scientists have discovered how two marine creatures are able to rapidly “switch” their colours – from transparent to reddish brown. The species, an octopus and a squid, use their adaptable camouflage to cope with changing light conditions in the deep ocean. The creatures’ skins respond light that deep-sea predators produce to illuminate their prey. The [...]
The Marshall Islands government has created the world’s largest shark sanctuary, covering nearly two million sq km (750,000 sq miles) of ocean. The Pacific republic will ban trade in shark products and commercial shark fishing throughout its waters. Tourism, including diving, is a staple of the Marshall Islands archipelago, which is home to just 68,000 [...]
Marine scientists have discovered strange new species, but their census also reminds us how little we know about the creatures of the deep… Holidaymakers forced out of the water on the Costa Blanca by an “invasion” of jellyfish will probably not have had time to admire the creatures’ bright purple hue or the way their [...]
Mantis shrimps are mere inches long but can throw the fastest punch of any animal. They strike with the force of a rifle bullet and, with the aid of super-speed cameras, we can truly appreciate how powerful this animal is. (And the online administrator is OBSESSED WITH THEM!) A few years ago, an aggressive creature [...]
A global celebration of the oceans and the efforts to conserve them Hundreds of conservation organisations, educational institutions, dive centres, sailing clubs as well as thousands of individuals in dozens of countries joined around the world in celebrating World Oceans Day, an opportunity to celebrate the oceans’ wide array of wonders and resources, and consider [...]
As it is the season for whale sharks and manta rays, the following article is reproduced to help you understand why we are out diving whilst you are reading this! The Sea Bees Team ____________________________________________________________________________ I am underwater, staring back at an eye as big as a golf ball. Dark and limpid and knowing, the [...]
An explosion in the population of the predatory lionfish in Caribbean waters, where it has no natural predators, is posing a widespread threat to marine wildlife. Just off the north shore of Little Cayman, I sink into the blue abyss. No-one knows how the lionfish came to be in the Caribbean waters I am [...]
Marine archaeologists are in a race against time to preserve parts of a shipwreck they believe is the most significant found in British waters since the Tudor ship, the Mary Rose. Paul Rose, explorer, diver and presenter of Britain’s Secret Seas, visited the site. “We’ve watched it fall apart in front of our eyes for [...]
