Coral microbiomes harbour thousands of previously unknown microbial species and an exceptional capacity to produce natural products.
As reefs decline, this vast and largely untapped molecular diversity is at risk. @ethz.ch
Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director of the @schmidtocean.bsky.social explains why making ocean data available is so important and how philanthropic actors can enable scientists to collect and access the data we need.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1174500171332791
A @smithsonianmag.bsky.social led study found that during the 2014–2017 Global Coral Bleaching Event, over 50% of the world’s coral reefs suffered significant bleaching.
The current 4th global bleaching event is proving to be even more extensive, affecting up to 84% of the world's reefs.
Long-term ocean warming steadily reduces fish biomass. Short-term warming and heatwaves create local winners and losers, boosting cold-edge populations (+176% biomass) but harming warm-edge ones (-41.6%).
For every 0.1°C / decade increase in seabed temperature, biomass declined by 7.22% on average.
The @ec.europa.eu ’s 7th National Report on Biodiversity reports 16 out of 45 targets set under the #KMGBF are on track to be achieved, before CBD COP17 this October.
Despite robust framework in place, faster implementation can ensure all 2030 targets are met.
Fish communities are shifting towards smaller, more generalist species, simplifying food webs worldwide.
Even without species loss, these changes may weaken ecosystem stability in the Anthropocene. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-global-smaller-fish-shifting-food.html
Do economists and environmental scientists speak the same language when it comes to climate risk?
They have different priorities and frameworks; their perspectives are not aligned.
A broader, integrated approach could improve outcomes for climate, biodiversity, and human well-being.
The @ec.europa.eu is calling for applications for the High-Level European Ocean Board, a new expert group established under the #EUOceanPact.
If you are an expert in areas related to the ocean, maritime economy, and marine or coastal policies, check out the criteria. ↩️
Modern Caribbean reefs are 60-70% shorter and simpler food webs than reefs 7,000 years ago!
This loss of trophic diversity could make reefs more vulnerable to future environmental stress. https://scienmag.com/7000-years-of-transformation-how-humans-altered-caribbean-coral-reef-food-chains/
Scientists discovered that plumes below Greenland's ice sheet may have been caused by thermal convection, similar to a boiling pot of pasta.
As the climate warms, scientists are racing to understand how exactly it will melt and how fast. https://bit.ly/4qXtb6i
🌿 Seagrasses are unsung heroes in ocean carbon storage, storing vast amounts of #BlueCarbon and providing a crucial habitat for marine life.
Protecting these vital ecosystems is essential for both climate action and biodiversity. #WorldSeagrassDay
UNCLOS and the #BBNJ Agreement set the frame for Arctic protection, but leave key gaps.
Without clearer guidance and cooperation, practice will stay uneven and trust between states will suffer.
Authors call for stronger monitoring, shared science and regionally agreed rules.
Are you one of the 5,000 scientists now gathered in Glasgow for #OSM26?
It's the perfect time to join other scientists calling for urgent protection of vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems from destructive fishing practices.
Add your signature today!
@deepseaconserve.bsky.social
@savingoceans.bsky.social
Check out the last 100 years of January sea surface temperature departures in the new ERSSTv6 dataset (up through 2026). 🌊
Learn more about this upgrade in doi.org/10.1175/JCLI... and doi.org/10.1175/JCLI.... If the data latency is similar, I will be using this in replace of my v5 graphics.
Two extreme #ElNiño events (2015 and 2023) caused near-total coral mortality on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
With sea-surface temperatures exceeding 32.6 °C, reefs shifted from coral to algae dominance, with coral mortality reaching ~87–95% by 2024. #MarineHeatwaves
🐋 Southern right whales are reproducing less often.
Climate-driven changes in #Antarctic sea ice and food supply are linked to longer calving intervals, signalling emerging stress in #SouthernOcean ecosystems. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-36897-1
The #HighSeasTreaty sets out procedures for environmental impact assessments in the High Seas.
However, the Agreement has major gaps that could hinder effective protection.
Authors propose practical pathways to make the system work.
Add your signature to the petition on our website ↩️
Proposed changes to the US Endangered Species Act could weaken coral protections in Guam.
Scientists urge stronger, genus-level safeguards for the endangered 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢 to prevent further reef decline. @colinjanthony.bsky.social https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aee4748
Happening this week #OSM26!
📹 @agu.org #OceanSciences #OceanScience #Glasgow
🐬 In Italy 🇮🇹, 1 in 8 dolphins are harmed by fishing gear.
Gillnets dominate confirmed deaths, with cases of larynx entanglement and gear ingestion, while trawl bycatch was less frequent.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097819
Great Channel 4 News report on the latest #AMOC monitoring.
"Trouble is: there is now growing scientific consensus that the AMOC is weakening."
@noc.ac.uk
youtu.be/JpOpsMOBsL4?...
On Greenland’s ice sheet, countless tiny ponds and streams (more than half of the surface-water area locally) darken the surface and soak up more sunshine than satellites capture, adding extra melt energy.
The effect could be 3-4 times larger than satellite-based estimates. #SeaLevelRise
🪼 Jellyfish fun fact: they sleep just like we do!
A scientific paper shows that the total sleep time is similar, sleep reduces neuronal DNA damage even in animals without brains, and melatonin promotes sleep.
https://www.science.org/content/article/jellyfish-sleep-lot-us-and-same-reasons
2023’s record-hot ocean took up less CO2 than expected.
#ElNiño boosted the tropical sink, but exceptional warmth in the North Atlantic and North Pacific drove extra outgassing, tipping the balance so the ocean’s overall uptake weakened.
Three global patterns emerge from #MarineHeatwaves.
They include hidden subsurface bloom and surface plankton decline.
Authors argue that tracking what happens below the surface is essential.
Interested in exploring online marine data?
@copernicusmarine.bsky.social led a session on their MyOcean Pro Viewer, outlining the tool's main features and demonstrating how to explore and visualise data.
Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2at0x6vcQo
🐋 Humans & whales are more similar than we think!
🎶 Humpback whale songs share statistical patterns with human language
🗨️ Whale vocal sequences follow key efficiency principles found in human language.
👥 Whales exhibit complex social behaviours, group identities & cultural learning.
#WorldWhaleDay
A horizon scan for 2026 highlights 15 emerging issues that could shape biodiversity conservation in the coming decade.
From new technologies to climate-driven ecosystem change, early attention to these trends could help avoid risks & unlock opportunities.
@billsutherland.bsky.social
Some wild statistics (and accompanying visuals/graphics) in this excellent BBC Sport article about the Winter Olympics and climate change.
Explores the impact of rising temperatures & lack of snow on elite athletes.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/extra/...
