Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Ocean Health

latest news & developments
Human-made chemicals have become woven into the chemistry of the ocean, a major new led by Jarmo-Charles Kalinski (above) study has found
CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION

Human-made chemicals embedded across global oceans, major study finds

A groundbreaking analysis of more than 2 300 seawater samples shows that industrial chemicals dominate ocean pollution signals, even far from land

  • Sheree Bega
3 min read
A copepod (pictured) is a type of zooplankton, a planktonic crustacean distantly related to shrimp and crabs. Copepods are one of the most common and easily recognised types of zooplankton, found in almost every ocean, sea, and freshwater habitat, even in underground caverns. (Photo by NASA/NOAA)
BIODIVERSITY

Plankton: The tiny powerhouses behind climate solutions and biodiversity

Why these invisible organisms generate a significant portion of oxygen, absorb vast amounts of carbon, and purify water

  • Sheree Bega
4 min read
A chain-forming diatom, a common type of phytoplankton, found in the New York Bight area. (NOAA)
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT

Climate models underestimate global phytoplankton decline, study warns

A CSIR study analysing 26 years of satellite data reveals how ocean warming is significantly reducing ocean productivity

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Environmental efforts pay off: study shows plastic loads in petrels remain stable over decades

New research uncovers surprising stability in plastic ingestion among seabirds on Inaccessible Island

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
The critically endangered seventy-four fish.
JUDY MANN

Beautiful seventy-four fish is a story of hope for marine conservation in South Africa

Our survival depends on the ocean and it is crucial to take steps to save it, conservationist Judy Mann said this week This content is restricted to registered users and…

  • Sheree Bega
1 min read
Disappearing: The mega-stars of the shark world such as the great white get attention, which means that others — like the ghost shark (above) — are forgotten in conservation efforts. Photo: NOAA/OER
DAVID EBERT

Searching for South Africa’s ‘lost sharks’ to save them from extinction

Many may be vanishing before our eyes without anyone paying significant attention

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read