Nations “failing to save earth’s wildlife”

Phys.org 11 November, 2014 The world can dramatically improve the rate at which it rescues imperilled species if it starts choosing the land set aside as protected areas more wisely, international scientists say.  New research shows that by choosing the least valuable lands as protected areas, the world is doing a poor job of protecting its threatened birds, mammals and amphibians. The Read More…

Host of Birds, Fish and Mammals Gain New UN Protection

Nature World News 10 November 2014 Polar bears, whales, sharks and gazelles are just some among the 31 species of migratory birds, fish and mammals that have been cast under the protective net of the UN conservation body, according to a new report. Following six days of "intense" talks in Quito, Ecuador, the UN Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) announced Sunday the Read More…

Transforming Indonesia’s manta fisheries

National Geographic 17 September 2014 Indonesia announced the creation of the world’s largest manta sanctuary in February 2014. It encompasses a massive 6 million square kilometers of ocean, affording full protection for Oceanic and Reef Manta Rays. This was a bold move, especially considering that Indonesia historically has been the world’s largest fisher of manta rays and sharks. But Read More…

New Fish Species Discovered in the Waters of New Caledonia

Pacific Scoop 8 September 2014 While on a boat not far from Toombo Reef near Boulari Pass on 11 August 2014, Pierre and William Larue found a small silvery fish floating on the water. The fish was first given to the IRD (French Institute of Research for Development) and then SPC took over the task of identifying this small hatchetfish from the Sternoptychidae family. Fish from this Read More…

India ranks No. 2 in fish production – but No. 1 China is ten times…

The Telegraph 9 September 2014 India’s rank as the second-largest fish producer in the world is nothing to cheer about, since it is a tenth that of the world No 1, according to a fisheries scientist. And no prizes for guessing which is the world’s largest producer of freshwater fish: China. Prof C. Mohanakumaran Nair, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Read More…

Eat up! These bottom fish make a dramatic recovery on West Coast

Seattle Times 2 September 2014 The United States' most influential sustainable-seafood group believes a host of once-troubled West Coast bottom fish are now recovering so well that consumers should seek them out at restaurants and markets. Marine scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium said Tuesday that government regulators and fishermen had made such strides in how they manage and catch Read More…

Most would give up wildlife products

Viet Nam Net 9 September 2014 Most Hanoians were willing to use alternatives to wildlife products if they were available and proven to be effective, according to a survey released yesterday (Sept 8) by the Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Sociology at a conference in the capital. Of 1,000 randomly selected respondents ranging in age from 20 to 69, 760 said they would Read More…

Vietnam to organize Mekong Basin science data workshop next week

Tuoi Tre News 9 September 2014 A workshop on science data for the Mekong Basin region will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from September 16 to 18, gathering around 50 environmental experts from the U.S. and six countries in the Greater Mekong region. “Science for a Sustainable Mekong River System” is being jointly organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Read More…

Neighbors on Alert as China Releases Deluge of Water from Mekong Dam

Radio Free Asia 9 September 2014 Huge volumes of water being discharged from a hydropower dam on the Mekong River in southern China’s Yunnan province have placed the country’s downstream neighbors on high alert amid concerns over possible flash floods. Officials in Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia are closely monitoring levels of the Southeast Asian artery after being informed by Beijing Read More…

Fishing Village Pins Hopes on Abattoir Cash Cow

Cambodia Daily 4 September 2014 PREK TOAL VILLAGE, Preah Sihanouk province – Like most people who live in this small village near the border of Kampot province, An Mit is broke. The 21-year-old, who has made a meager living selling fish and crabs or timber cut illegally in Bokor National Park, wants to diversify. “There are no more fish in the sea and no more big trees to cut in the Read More…