The BBC reports that the United Nations has failed in its attempts to pass a global ocean protection treaty for the fifth time. The proposed plan was to regulate commercial activity on the high seas, the area outside of national controls. The goal was to designate 30% of the world’s oceans as protected areas, but countries failed to reach an agreement about fishing rights and funding and support for developing countries.
Shark Guardians reports that, contrary to many articles and a current campaign, the Maldives does not plan to lift its current ban on shark fishing. This is based on a meeting with Minister Waheed of the Maldives Majlis, within which she stated that the statements that have been widely reported are being quoted out of context.
Underwater photography can be a powerful advocate for the oceans, allowing a large audience to view the undersea world and hence seek to protect it. There is also a responsibility to faithfully represent what we see underwater and to do no harm in creating images of it. Wetpixel Live delves into this, with Wetpixel Editor, Adam Hanlon and regular contributor Alex Mustard discussing some practical steps that photographers can take to minimize their impact and create images in an ethical manner.
Come and join the United Nations on 8 June for a full day of online discussion, imagery, and motivation aiming to “raise global awareness of the benefits humankind derives from the ocean and our individual and collective duty to use its resources sustainably.” AT 12:40 pm, Ellen Cuylaerts will announce the results of the 2020 UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition, and the event will culminate with a live celebration of the oceans by musicians from around the world.
Canon USA has announced that it is participating in the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science coral reef restoration project. Canon team members, along with students and university staff embarked on an expedition to plant coral fragments from a nursery into an existing reef of Key Biscayne, Florida.
Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the famous underwater explorer and filmmaker Jacques Yves Cousteau, has performed an apparent volte-face and significantly toned down his previously strenuous opposition to a contentious plan to expand Grand Caymans’ George Town Harbor. It is also reported the Cousteau has accepted a role with one of the companies that are funding the planned development.
The Sharks Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2019 (H.R.737) has passed the US House of Representatives by a vote of 310 vs 107. The bill “makes it illegal to possess, buy, or sell shark fins or any product containing shark fins, except for certain dogfish fins. A person may possess a shark fin that was lawfully taken consistent with a license or permit under certain circumstances.”
The BBC reports that Canada is the first G20 country to ban the trade in shark fin. Until the ban, the country was the largest importer of fins outside of Asia, but the new bill “bans the import and export, to and from Canada, of shark fins that are not attached to the shark.”
Legislation has now been tabled in the Florida State Legislature that will end the trade in the fins of sharks or rays. If passed, the ban will include both the fins of animals caught within the state’s waters and fins imported via its ports. Bills have been filed in the Senate (352) and House (99) but they need public support to move forward and be voted into law.
A paper has been published in the journal Fish Biology detailing a 14-year study into the mating and courtship behavior of oceanic (Manta birostris) and reef (Mobula alfredi) manta rays. The study used behavioral observations, video and photographic records to catalog 229 courtship events in the Maldives.