June 23, 2014
Ocean News: Croatia Wins the World Cup for the Oceans, Vietnamese Illegal Fishing is on the Rise, and More
– Fishermen have killed a record number of whale sharks over the past 13 months in India’s Godavari region. It’s estimated that 15 whale sharks have been killed, but many fishermen are not aware that the government has sanctions in place to reward fishermen with cash prizes if they accidentally catch and then release the animals. The Hindu
– Vietnamese illegal fishing is on the rise around China’s Xisha Islands, officials say. Vietnamese vessels have been caught using dynamite and purse nets—fishing methods banned by China—and officials say they’re threatening Chinese fishermen’s safety and resources. WantChinaTimes
– A new report warns that Britain’s kelp forests could disappear within the next 100 years from climate change and ocean acidification. The authors warned that the majority of the 26,000 square miles of kelp forests will disappear or move further northward, affecting the marine animals that depend on the kelp for food and shelter. The Independent
– Want to know if your favorite World Cup team practices sustainable fishing? Now you can, since the Ocean Health Index evaluated the overall success of 221 countries’ fishery practices. The winner? Croatia. Grist
Long Read:
– Following President Obama’s announcements last week to combat seafood fraud and protect ocean habitat, The Washington Post Editorial Board points out that these measures are a tremendous start for ocean conservation, since “humanity depends on the oceans.” The Washington Post