Sustainability – Oceans

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OCEANS

Sustainability news and analysis linked to ocean and marine life.

OCEANS

Sustainability news and analysis linked to ocean and marine life.

<p>Sargassum, a seaweed-like algae, surrounds a boat in Bahia La Media Luna, near Akumal in Quintana Roo state, Mexico. File picture: Eduardo Verdugo/AP</p>

news

Scientists warn of ‘regime shift’ as seaweed blooms expand worldwide

Seaweed blooms have expanded by a staggering 13.4% a year in the tropical Atlantic and western Pacific, with the most dramatic increases occurring after 2008

<p>By 2030, Ireland has pledged to protect 30% of our marine waters. With less than 10% of Ireland’s seas currently designated as a MPA, we are currently nowhere near that target and have no adequate management plans in place for any of these areas.</p>

comment-analysis

Ireland has a chance to get it right on protecting our seas

<p>Ironically, global warming could cause temperatures to collapse in Ireland: The 'cold blob' due to the accelerating Greenland Ice Sheet melt could shut down the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Amoc), of which the Gulf Stream is a component. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty</p>

comment-analysis

John Gibbons: A big freeze could turn the Irish into climate refugees

Water sample and purity analysis test, liquid in laboratory glassware

comment-analysis

Bill will eventually arrive if we continue to trade environmental relief for short-term relief

Kerry councillors condemn approval for commercial salmon farm to continue, despite serious breaches

munster

Kerry councillors condemn approval for commercial salmon farm to continue, despite serious breaches

Irish Examiner view: Small changes add up on emissions

ourview

Irish Examiner view: Small changes add up on emissions

Dead elephants and feral sea lions: how poisonous algal blooms harm the planet

Dead elephants and feral sea lions: how poisonous algal blooms harm the planet

As the Earth heats up, the amount of algae in our waterways is rapidly increasing, transforming the colour of lakes and killing entire ecosystems

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025

‘Ticking timebomb’: Sea acidity at critical levels and threatens entire ecosystems

‘Ticking timebomb’: Sea acidity at critical levels and threatens entire ecosystems

Ocean acidification has already crossed a crucial threshold for planetary health, scientists say in unexpected finding

Mon, 09 Jun, 2025

Planet’s darkening oceans pose threat to marine life, scientists say

Planet’s darkening oceans pose threat to marine life, scientists say

Band of water where marine life can survive has reduced in more than a fifth of the world's oceans, in an area equivalent to the land area of Europe, Africa, China and North America combined

Tue, 27 May, 2025

'Ireland needs fresh strategy to protect its extensive maritime area'

'Ireland needs fresh strategy to protect its extensive maritime area'

Valentia Island symposium highlighted some of the challenges — not least that Ireland's maritime area is seven times the size of its landmass

Mon, 26 May, 2025

€23.86m pledged to support sustainable ocean management

€23.86m pledged to support sustainable ocean management

Minister Dooley pledged the sum at the 10th 'Our Ocean' conference in Korea.

Sat, 03 May, 2025

Could this secretive UK project be the key to life beneath the waves?

Could this secretive UK project be the key to life beneath the waves?

In a flooded quarry in Gloucestershire, a group of experts is working on a bold mission — creating permanent human homes beneath the ocean

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

Improving Ireland's water quality a 'core requirement' for Irish farmers

Improving Ireland's water quality a 'core requirement' for Irish farmers

Just over half of Irish surface water bodies (rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters) achieved at least good status in the latest EPA Water Quality in Ireland report, with the primary challenge being too much Phosphate and Nitrogen

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Cork man making waves with drone start-up to restore seagrass

Cork man making waves with drone start-up to restore seagrass

Will O’Brien from Ballincollig and his team of scientists aim to restore ocean seagrass across the world to absorb carbon

Mon, 25 Nov, 2024

Watch: Two critically endangered angel sharks tagged in Tralee Bay

Watch: Two critically endangered angel sharks tagged in Tralee Bay

This marks the first time ever that an angel sharks has been fitted with an electronic tag in Irish waters

Wed, 09 Oct, 2024

SHADOWS OF BLACKTIP REEF SHARK ON THE SUNLIGHT

Sharks deserting coral reefs as oceans heat up, study shows

Climate crisis is driving key predators from their homes and threatening an already embattled ecosystem.

Mon, 09 Sep, 2024

Met Éireann forecasters told of 'profound impacts' from possible collapse of ocean current system

Met Éireann forecasters told of 'profound impacts' from possible collapse of ocean current system

Impact could lead to far more severe winters, warmer summers, and a possible increase in storminess

Thu, 22 Aug, 2024

Decommissioned Ships Are Broken Down At Gadani Shipbreaking Yard

‘Dancing with death': Why dismantling a ship is one of the world's most dangerous jobs

A new international agreement governing ship recycling yards, known as the Hong Kong Convention, is set to come into force next June and is aimed at cleaning up the industry, but critics maintain it is not enough

Thu, 08 Aug, 2024

Tori Towey detention

Irish Examiner view: Ireland's influence abroad helped ensure Tori Towey's safe return

Ireland's independent foreign policy and the hard work of Irish embassies help keep our citizens safe. Plus, as Ms Towey rightly said in Dublin Airport: 'We have each other's backs'

Fri, 12 Jul, 2024

Lack of funding and government support forces Oiled Wildlife Response Network to close

Lack of funding and government support forces Oiled Wildlife Response Network to close

The organisation said they had made the decision to close just as their services were urgently needed when oiled birds were reported all along the east coast

Tue, 02 Jul, 2024

Lack of funding and government support forces Oiled Wildlife Response Network to close

Lack of funding and government support forces Oiled Wildlife Response Network to close

The organisation said they had made the decision to close just as their services were urgently needed when oiled birds were reported all along the east coast

Tue, 02 Jul, 2024

Bluefin Tuna in Net

Climate change forcing bluefin tuna further north away from Irish coast, study finds

An unprecedented marine heatwave off Ireland's west coast last June saw sea temperatures reaching up to 5C above normal

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024

Seaweed, sabotage, and how Ireland could benefit from a sustainable crop under the sea

Seaweed, sabotage, and how Ireland could benefit from a sustainable crop under the sea

Paul Cobb, who has built up a business exporting culinary seaweed from West Cork to Japan, says there is an ocean of untapped potential in Ireland’s Atlantic waters

Sun, 26 May, 2024

Islands of Ireland: Cleaning up the plastic 'treasure' on Inishbroon

Islands of Ireland: Cleaning up the plastic 'treasure' on Inishbroon

But I had no room on my kayak for a 12ft by 6ft refrigerator door which must have come from a commercial ship

Fri, 03 May, 2024

'A very special place': Kerry to be the home of Ireland's first marine national park

'A very special place': Kerry to be the home of Ireland's first marine national park

Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, will include the Conor Pass, Sceilg Mhichíl, Inch Dunes, the Blasket Islands, and Derrynane historic park and grounds

Mon, 22 Apr, 2024

Rising sea temperatures may drive wildlife from Irish waters, report warns

Rising sea temperatures may drive wildlife from Irish waters, report warns

Fish typically found in our coastal waters may disappear permanently due to rising sea temperatures, a new report has warned.

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Divers to help with clean-up efforts around Irish coast

Divers to help with clean-up efforts around Irish coast

'This will be the biggest ever initiative to future-proof Irish waters, alongside the work of protecting marine areas'

Sun, 28 Jan, 2024

Irish branch of global marine conservation body wants 2024 to be a big year

Irish branch of global marine conservation body wants 2024 to be a big year

Sea Shepherd Ireland is an offshoot of Sea Shepherd Global, a non-profit group that has confronted the likes of the Japanese government over whale fishing

Thu, 11 Jan, 2024

Spitsbergen Norway, Arctic boat adventure in Magdalenefjord

Last year's ‘astounding’ ocean temperatures intensified extreme weather, data shows

Professor John Abraham said: 'We can solve this problem today with wind, solar, hydro and energy conservation.'

Thu, 11 Jan, 2024

John Gibbons: 2024 promises to be another year of living dangerously

John Gibbons: 2024 promises to be another year of living dangerously

It is likely that global temperatures this year will — for the first time in millennia — rise by 1.5C over the pre-industrial average

Thu, 04 Jan, 2024

Resumption of sprat trawling in Kenmare Bay 'wiping out marine life'

Resumption of sprat trawling in Kenmare Bay 'wiping out marine life'

The resumption of sprat trawling in Kenmare Bay, Co Kerry, a protected marine area, has angered both locals and ecologists, who say it wipes out valuable feed for whales, seals, and other wildlife.

Sun, 05 Nov, 2023