Friday Meet & Greet: The Dusky Grouper

Ever looked into the mouth of a dusky grouper? Our divers took this great shot in the La Restinga-Mar de las Calmas Marine Reserve in the Canary Islands a couple of years ago. The dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) has a large body and a very large mouth (as you can see). It’s a bit of … Read more

Atlantic Habitat Protection: Putting our Expedition Data to use

Today is a really exciting day for us. In 2008, OSPAR developed a list of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats. The list is unfortunately vague in many habitat definitions, which prevents a common and clear understanding of where they occur. Because the information that was used to define these habitats was gathered years ago, … Read more

Eelpout – closer to mammals than you might think

Eelpout (Zoarces Viviparus) is one of the most common species in the Baltic Sea. It is also found in the coastal areas of North East Atlantic. Not much of looker, few people are aware how interesting a fish the eelpout actually is. Danish research has brought forward the extraordinary fact, that the eelpout suckle its … Read more

Friday meet & greet: Sea Stickleback

The Sea Stickleback (Spinachia spinachia), which is also sometimes called the fifteen-spined stickleback (because it characteristically has between 14-17 dorsal spines). Adults generally live solitary or in pairs, in shallow coastal areas and feed on small invertebrates. This fish can reach up to 25cm in length and is commonly found. But here is the interesting … Read more

Underwater seismic activity in the Canary Islands

Since mid-July, seismic activity has been detected around El Hierro (one of the Canary Islands) with experts claiming over 9,600 earthquakes, most too mild to be felt, have occurred. Recent data, according to the news, is suggesting that yesterday morning there was in fact an underwater eruption at around 4:30 am local time, and gases … Read more

Oceana supports large quota reductions for important Baltic stocks in 2012

Oceana remains troubled that the vast majority of Baltic fish species like seatrout, dab, brill, turbot and flounder remain largely unmanaged. Yesterday, the European Commission published their proposal for 2012 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for some Baltic fish stocks. Oceana is urging the Commission and Member States to immediately halt fishing for red listed and … Read more

MPA Network Proposal for the Mediterranean Sea (English / Français)

In this document Oceana reviews the current state of regional protection initiatives in the Mediterranean Basin and presents a varied proposal for the protection of marine areas which it considers essential for maintaining a balance in the Mediterranean Basin and achieving good environmental status. The objective of the aforementioned proposal is to contribute to the … Read more

Oceana’s expedition in the Portuguese Atlantic identifies over 100 marine species on Gorringe seamount

Oceana identified over 100 different marine species on Gorringe seamount after completing a scientific expedition in the Portuguese Atlantic during recent weeks with support from the Foundation for the Third Millennium. Apart from important kelp forests, the international marine conservation organization documented deep-sea sponge fields, black coral forests, extensive oyster beds and over 100 different … Read more