2014 - Oceana USA

Photos: Reflecting on Oceana’s Work to Protect the Oceans and Restore Ocean Abundance in 2015

From President Obama designating the world’s largest marine reserve to establishing the first-ever Task Force on tackling seafood fraud, 2014 was a big year for our oceans. Oceana was there every step of the way, advocating for clean energy, traceability in the seafood supply chain, sustainable fisheries, and more. Our work led to many victories … Read more

Ocean Roundup: Florida Manatees See Better Year in 2014, Links between Fish Fins and Human Hands Discovered, and More

– Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are typically found in the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. East Coast, but one of these endangered sea turtles recently stranded 5,000 miles from its home off the UK. Scientists say this turtle was likely cold-stunned with a drop in water temperature, and was carried across … Read more

CEO Note: Presidential Task Force Releases Recommendations for Seafood Fraud and Illegal Fishing

Earlier this summer, I wrote to you when President Obama established a Task Force on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud. President Obama established the task force in June at the global Our Ocean conference, hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry. There, he directed federal agencies to work together for … Read more

Good News for the Arctic: Chevron Scraps Plans for Offshore Oil Exploration

Earlier this month, Chevron announced it was withdrawing plans for offshore oil exploration in the Canadian Arctic’s Beaufort Sea in a letter to Canada’s National Energy Board. The oil corporation cited “economic uncertainty in the industry,” as a reason for their decision, according to Reuters.  “Chevron’s decision is further evidence that risky, expensive projects in … Read more

Ocean Roundup: Staghorn Coral “Forests” Discovered off Florida, Peru’s Anchovy Fishery Closed Again, and More

– Scientists have discovered “forests” of staghorn coral off of Southern Florida—a rare discovery since these corals are experiencing large declines. Staghorn coral has declined from coral reef bleaching and white-band disease in recent years. Sun Sentinel – Mexican officials are proposing a $37 million plan to save the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. Under the … Read more

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Ocean Lovers!

All of us at Oceana would like to wish our readers, ocean activists and Wavemakers a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season! While we take time to slow down and reflect over the holidays, we want to express our gratitude for our ocean activists’ dedication and passion. We could not create positive change for our … Read more

Ocean Roundup: Morbillivirus Strikes the Florida Keys, New Species of Snailfish Discovered in Mariana Trench, and More

Editor’s Note: In light of the holidays, this is the last ocean news round-up to be published over the next week. In the meantime, please check our Twitter channel for ocean updates. Happy holidays! – Cornish beaches in the United Kingdom have seen a large number of seal strandings this fall—about double the normal number. … Read more

Photos: Christmas Island’s Incredible Red Crab Migration is Underway

Australia’s Christmas Island—located south of Indonesia in the Indian Ocean—is named for the day of its discovery in 1643. But, if you’re familiar with the incredible natural phenomenon that occurs there around this time of year, you may have thought the island was aptly named for the sea of red that blankets the island each … Read more

Ocean Roundup: Chevron Withdraws Drilling Plans from the Arctic, Peru Issues Ban on Shrimp Fishing, and More

– Chevron has withdrawn its plans for oil drilling in the Beaufort Sea because of “economic uncertainty” and low oil prices. Chevron sent a letter to Canada’s National Energy Board earlier this week, saying it was cancelling plans to drill about 155 miles northwest of Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. Reuters – Peru has issued a ban on … Read more

Holiday Creature Feature: Christmas Tree Worm and Candy Cane Shrimp

Some marine animals don’t have to put any effort into celebrating the holiday season, and instead, celebrate this special time all year long. With the holiday season in full swing, we’re spotlighting two small marine animals that are aptly named for their resemblance to two different holiday symbols: the Christmas tree worm and candy cane … Read more