As wildfires rage in Southern California, IFAW are saddened to see the devastation

IFAW - California fires

As wildfires rage in Southern California, IFAW are saddened to see the devastation, and are concerned for their supporters, friends, partners, and everyone affected, as well as their animals. Thousands of acres of wildlife have already been destroyed, and the impact and need from these fires will be tremendous. IFAW stands ready to coordinate with local organizations and municipalities to identify where they can offer support to ensure that animals and the people who care for them are not forgotten during this crisis. ⁠In the meantime, click HERE to view a list of resources of human shelters being set up that are pet friendly as well as other animal evacuation resources.

Fisheries Ministers in the European Union adopted new fishing measures for 2025

Fishing trawler boat

Fisheries Ministers in the European Union adopted new fishing measures for 2025, including substantial reductions in bottom trawling in the Western Mediterranean. Fishing days for trawlers will be reduced by 66% in Spanish and French waters (Gulf of Lion), and by 38% in Italian and French waters (Corsica). Oceana has campaigned to reduce fishing pressure, particularly from bottom trawling — a destructive form of fishing that clear-cuts the seafloor — to help recover overexploited fish populations. Additionally, France, Spain, and Italy have adopted first-ever remedial measures to protect European hake. Oceana is continuing to campaign to restore fish populations in the Mediterranean, which will help protect biodiversity and secure the long-term livelihoods of coastal communities.

White sharks, once abundant in the Mediterranean, have significantly declined

Yachts for Science eDNA Project

White sharks, once abundant in the Mediterranean, have significantly declined due to centuries of fishing and are now listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Despite their ecological importance, there is limited knowledge about their current population and ecology, hindering effective conservation. From 2021 – 2023, Yachts for Science supported this research by connecting private funding and private vessels in three pilot field operations in the Sicilian Channel collected eDNA samples and conducted over 500 hours of baited video surveys. While no white sharks were observed directly, eDNA confirmed their presence at four sites, highlighting one of the last strongholds of this population. Yachts for Science is proud to be supporting this project in 2025 – any yachts looking to get involved in May – June in Scilly please get in touch with rosie@yachtsforscience.com

Will 2025 finally be the year governments prioritise human health, and crackdown on plastic?

A Plastic Planet - Plastic Globe

Will 2025 finally be the year governments prioritise human health, and crackdown on plastic? Kicking off the year with a bang, the media has sent a stark warning that consumers should stop drinking water from plastic bottles, due to its health impacts. A study from Columbia University found that an average one-litre bottle of water contains around 240,000 plastic particles, a figure that is 10 to 100 times higher than previous estimates. Nanoplastics have been associated with a wide range of health issues including cancer, heart disease, birth defects and fertility problems. So why is it down to consumers to stay clear of plastic water bottles? Shouldn’t governments implement bans and enforce alternatives to protect the public from plastic’s harmful effects on our health?

Now here’s some good news to avoid fuelling January blues – the likes of changemakers Rypax (creators of fibre-based bottles) and Reposit (the returnable packaging platform) have already created scalable plastic-free solutions to on-the-go water bottles.

A Plastic Planet and Plastic Free will be at Davos this month with NBCo launching the fiber bottle as an alternative to plastic bottles – at COMPETITION VS COLLABORATION – Why our global challenges can never be fixed using 20th century thinking – showing that solutions are here today.

Imagine 2,000 festive lights strung underwater

Oceans Without Borders coral nursery

Imagine 2,000 festive lights strung underwater; that’s how Oceans Without Borders feel about the thousands of coral fragments that we are growing at their Mnemba Island coral nursery using the new technique of a suspended rope system. A bright counterpoint to mid-April’s coral bleaching heartache in which thousands of dead and bleached corals were recorded. As a new year dawns, the team are celebrating the wins: the invaluable support from Ocean Family Foundation, transformational grant funding, the dedication of our marine ranger teams, and the groundbreaking power of partnerships. Learn more HERE.

6,850 kgs of organic waste diverted from landfills in two years?! All thanks

Trash Hero Organic Waste

6,850 kgs of organic waste diverted from landfills in two years?! All thanks to businesses’ worried about how their waste smells. When several restaurants were concerned about the smell of their waste and how it could impact residents, they reached out to @trashheropattani for help. The Trash Hero volunteers worked with the restaurant owners, showing they could reduce their overall waste, make it cleaner and prevent bad smells simply by separating their organics. They provided 20 litre bins with lids to six participating businesses. Each week, they collect the organic waste, take it to their land and allow it to compost naturally covered with dried leaves.
The collected waste is weighed to track the amount diverted from landfills, saving space, improving safety, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project has been running for two years, and in February 2024, the restaurants received zero waste awards from the government! They will also be used as role models to other businesses.

2024: the year Tara Polar Station 💙 was born!

Tara Polar Station

2024: the year Tara Polar Station 💙 was born! Discover the news that made 2024 an unforgettable year thanks to the commitment of all of their superb teams involved: communication, operations, education, logistics, ocean culture, development and administration by clicking HERE. On behalf of Foundation Tara Ocean, we are sending a huge thank you to the crew and scientists aboard the schooner Tara, as well as to those who contributed to the incredible polar adventure of Tara Polar Station. And of course, thank you to YOU, our community, for your unwavering support throughout this beautiful year.

The Scottish Costal Clean Up are excited to announce plans to expand their volunteer program in 2025

Scottish Coastal Clean Up

As we welcome in the new year The Scottish Costal Clean Up are excited to announce plans to expand their volunteer program in 2025. Their goals include providing timely updates on beach cleaning and other volunteering opportunities and developing activities that are more inclusive and accessible. This will ensure that everyone who wants to contribute can find a role that suits them. If you have thoughts on how the team can make volunteering even more welcoming then please share your ideas with kerriesccu@balancedhorizon.org

The Plastic Pollution Prevention Team at Save the Med launches the HAPI Method

The Hapi Method

The Plastic Pollution Prevention Team at Save the Med launches the HAPI Method.
Set to launch in the first trimester of this year, the newly rebranded HAPI (Honest Alternatives to Plastics Index) Method, formerly known as Plastic Free Balearics, will offer an enhanced set of tools that support businesses in assessing and reducing their plastic footprint. The HAPI Method now includes HAPI CHECK, an online platform for HORECA businesses featuring a self-assessment tool that evaluates their plastic consumption and provides recommendations for clean alternatives; HAPI GUARDIAN, a recognition system for HORECA companies upon achieving the elimination of single-use products from their operations; and HAPI Together, which offers personalised consulting to businesses across all sectors aiming to minimise their environmental impact through waste prevention. The HAPI Method will also deliver training to businesses on responsible practices, the circular economy, and adopting honest alternatives to plastic. Stay tuned for the official launch and upcoming news by following @thinkhapi!

2024 marked a year of systemic changes, greater awareness, and impactful actions

Worldrise 2024 Annual Report

2024 marked a year of systemic changes, greater awareness, and impactful actions for the effective conservation of our seas with Worldrise. The team reached significant milestones, strengthening their commitment with new ideas, projects, and collaborations to make a sea of difference. In 2025, Worldrise is ready to embrace new opportunities and tackle future challenges, always keeping the future of the sea and all of us at the core of its mission! Dive into Worldrise’s 2024 by exploring the annual report HERE.