Navigating Troubled Waters: A Personal Reflection
In this heartfelt essay, Mark J. Spalding reflects on four decades of building global trust through ocean conservation—now shaken by abrupt political changes. He shares personal stories, professional grief, and his enduring hope for resilience across communities and ecosystems. [Read the full article]
Thriving Antarctic Ecosystems Found in Wake of Recently Detached Iceberg
The expedition was the first detailed, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary study of the geology, physical oceanography, and biology beneath such a large area once covered by a floating ice shelf. The ice that calved was approximately 510 square kilometers (209 square miles), revealing an equivalent area of seafloor. [Read the full article]
Troubled Waters: The Ocean Foundation Navigates a Policy Storm
This in-depth feature lays out the systemic impact of the 2025 U.S. foreign aid freeze on The Ocean Foundation’s international programs. Spalding explores the legal battles, geopolitical stakes, and institutional consequences of the policy shift—making the case that ocean conservation is critical to U.S. national interests. [Read the full article]
The World’s Largest, Most Luxurious Phinisi Yacht, Prana by Atzaró, Announces New Whale Sharks & Dragons Expedition for 2025
Encounter majestic Komodo dragons in their natural habitat and snorkel alongside graceful whale sharks, explore some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs, and meet manta rays, sharks, schooling fish, and turtles along the way, and experience exceptional bird and marine life. [Read the full article]
Entries of URI’s ‘Ocean View’ Youth Art Competition to be Displayed at Pawtucket Gallery
About 300 Rhode Island students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade entered the third biennial “Ocean View” student art competition, organized by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO). [Read the full article]
Methane-Eating Bacteria & Archaea Saving Earth from the Ravages of Climate Change (and cattle burps)
How are methane-eating microbes responding to climate change? Are they physiologically adjusting to temperature changes and other stressors to influence the amount of methane entering the atmosphere? [Read the full article]
Feature Destination: Discovering the Delicate Balance of Palau’s Jellyfish Lake Ecosystem
Jellyfish Lake, or Ongeim’l Tketau, nestled within the Rock Islands of Palau, is one of the world’s most captivating marine environments. This small, isolated lake on Eil Malk Island has become an emblem of both natural wonder and environmental vulnerability. [Read the full article]
Feature Destination – Journeys With Purpose: Restoring Island-Ocean Ecosystems in Palau
Visiting Palau has been one of the most remarkable and affirming experiences of my life. Spending hours in the ocean observing turtles, sharks, rays and a host of other marine species, including cuttlefish changing colour and form to their immediate environment, has proven to be one of the greatest joys and wonders in the world. [Read the full article]
FEATURE DESTINATION – Palau’s Future Amid Shifting U.S. Foreign Policy
The Republic of Palau, a small island nation in the western Pacific, has long stood as one of the United States’ most steadfast allies in a region marked by increasing geopolitical competition. Bound together through the Compact of Free Association (COFA), Palau and the United States have enjoyed a uniquely close relationship. [Read the full article]
Feature Destination – Ann Singeo, hero of the ocean, leads women to sea change
It all started with a straightforward yet impactful concept for Ms. Singeo: giving women fishermen the knowledge and skills they need to embrace sustainable fishing methods so that the ocean’s abundance will continue for upcoming generations. The outcomes have been quite impressive. [Read the full article]
Capitol Hill Ocean Week registration is now open
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is proud to announce the opening of registration for Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2024! The Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) conference will take place in-person in Washington, DC, and on a virtual platform on June 2-5. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, the conference is free and open to the public. [Read the full article]
Aquarium Creates “Retirement Home” for Aging Penguins
Six African penguins at the New England Aquarium are settling into a new “retirement home” that is providing a comfortable environment as the birds age. More than half of the Aquarium’s penguin colony has met or surpassed their typical life expectancy of 10–15 years in the wild. [Read the full article]
Wheaton Precious Metles International Invests in Conserving Coral Reefs in Cayman
WMPI’s commitment to CCMI as a Gold Corporate Navigator supports CCMI’s ongoing, critical work in the Cayman Islands across both research and education with local, regional, and even global implications. This funding underpins CCMI’s 26-year coral reef monitoring and associated community outreach programme, the Healthy Reefs campaign. [Read the full article]
How NOAA Safeguards the Ocean, Fisheries, and the Communities That Rely on Them
Today, NOAA Fisheries, the branch focused on managing and protecting marine resources, is absolutely essential to keeping our oceans healthy, our fisheries sustainable, and our coastal communities thriving. [Read the full article]
President Macron Answers Urgent “SOS” Calling for Transformative Ocean Action Plan Ahead of 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France
The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, answers a call for a transformative ocean plan for 2025-2030, ahead of 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France. 70 days before France and Costa Rica co-host the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the largest global gathering ever dedicated to the ocean. [Read the full article]
Glaciers & Mountains: Melting Water Towers Will Aggravate Global Crises (Report)
The United Nations World Water Development Report 2025, published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water, reveals the extent to which climate disruption, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable activities are transforming mountain environments at an unprecedented rate. [Read the full article]
“Elise” Returns to The Galapagos
In a historic and groundbreaking event, a tagged whale shark has returned to the Galapagos after an incredible ~7 month (210-day) journey across the Pacific Ocean (Image 1). Elise #262715 was tagged on June 21st at Darwin Arch by divers from the Galapagos Whale Shark Project (Image 2 & 3). [Read the full article]
Fourth Annual Plastic-Free Parks Trashblitz Launches During Earth Month
Plastic has made up the majority of trash logged for the past three years, averaging 75% of all waste recorded. Single-use plastic items, including food wrappers, bottles, bottle caps/rings, cigarette butts, wipes, and fragments, are most commonly identified. [Read the full article]
Researchers with URI Ties Co-Author Report on The Next Decade of Ocean Science
Five researchers with ties to the University of Rhode Island contributed to a report that emphasized the vital need for the United States to invest in ocean science research, infrastructure, and workforce development to meet national and global challenges over the next decade or risk being left behind. [Read the full article]
Rehabilitated Sea Turtles from New England Aquarium Surviving Years After Release Back Into The Ocean
Loggerhead sea turtles that were rehabilitated at the New England Aquarium and released back into the ocean in 2021 and 2022 are still alive and showing a surprising affinity for New England habitats, according to data transmitted from surgically implanted acoustic tags. [Read the full article]
Building a Bluer Future for Indonesia’s Marine Tourism Industry
Green Fins, the global environmental standards for diving and snorkelling, is set to contribute to Indonesia’s blue economy. A national workshop, focused on “Enabling a sustainable diving and snorkelling industry in Indonesia through the implementation of Green Fins initiative,” has ignited a collaborative effort to safeguard the nation’s marine ecosystems through marine tourism. [Read the full article]
Ostsee Besuch March 2024 – Through Fog and Time: Coastal Reflections from Stralsund to Barhöft
Ocean and coastal environments have long inspired me. One of my most prized artifacts my late mother created is a painting showing two people sitting gazing out at the sea. Viewing the horizon only an ocean can offer can do profound things to the mind. [Read the full article]
Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation: Improving Elephant Welfare in Southern Thailand
A low rumble echoes through the air as a large female Asian elephant walks across the dirt track in front of me, her mahout following close behind. They meander slowly up the path to the veterinary centre, stopping on the way for the gentle giant to browse on a nearby tree. [Read the full article]
Cover & banner photos: Hiroko Yoshii
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Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.
Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media