Story | 29 Oct, 2021
This International Black Sea Action Day, 31st October, 11 habitats of Red-List Endangered Black Sea harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins as well as Vulnerable Black Sea common dolphins have been formally awarded Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) status by the…
Story | 19 Oct, 2021
Marine Heatwaves: a serious threat to marine biodiversity and livelihoods
Back in 2011, extremely warm water temperatures persisting over thousands of kilometres along the coastline of Western Australia caused coral bleaching, mass die-out of marine life and wiped out kelp forests. Since then, this phenomenon of abnormally high-water temperatures has been recorded in…
Story | 01 Jul, 2021
A new paper, published today in Science, argues for an international legally binding agreement that addresses the entire life cycle of plastics, from extraction of raw materials to legacy plastic pollution. Three clear goals are proposed and encouraged, to address not only the well-known issue…
Story | 17 Jun, 2021
Exploring the potential for marine OECMs in the Mediterranean
IUCN along with the World Commission for Protected Areas (WCPA), the IUCN Commission on Ecosystems Management - Fisheries Expert Group and other international organisations are promoting conservation beyond protected areas by providing guidance on identifying, recognising, supporting and…
Story | 14 Jun, 2021
What is high quality ecosystem restoration?
Ahead of the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Decade’s science task force convened to answer this daunting question. This is what they said.
Story | 09 Mar, 2021
Mediterranean Noble Pen Shell Crisis (Pinna nobilis) - January 2021 Update
Thanks to the data provided by conservation organisations and institutions from all over the Mediterranean, IUCN-Med has worked to produce the Red List Assessment of the Mediterranean Fan Mussel (Pinna nobilis) which is now officially recognised and listed as "Critically Endangered" by…
Story | 26 Feb, 2021
New IUCN-backed study finds gray whales at high risk from ship strikes in the North Pacific Ocean
Gland, Switzerland (IUCN) – Ships operating in the North Pacific pose a serious threat to gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), according to the first scientific study that examines the impacts of vessel traffic on the species throughout its range.
Story | 24 Feb, 2021
For renewable energy projects, location is key to protect biodiversity - IUCN guidelines
Gland, Switzerland, 24 February 2021 (IUCN) – By planning solar and wind renewable energy projects in areas with a lower conservation priority, project developers can avoid the most severe potential negative impacts on biodiversity, according to…
Story | 22 Feb, 2021
One-third of freshwater fish face extinction, warns new report
A new report ‘The World’s Forgotten Fishes’ reveals the extraordinary variety of freshwater fish. This variety accounts for over half of all the world’s fish species and is essential to the health of the world’s rivers, lakes and wetlands and well-being of societies and economies across the…
Story | 01 Feb, 2021
Each year, the international community celebrates World Wetlands Day on the 2nd February, a day to put a spotlight on the state of our wetlands globally. Organised by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the 2021 theme focuses on the intrinsic link…