Ecology Archive

The Trouble With Artificial Reefs

Artificial reefs, created by deliberately sunk ships and other structures, may not be all that they’re cracked up to be, according to two American academics. One, Prof William Lindberg, who specialises in fisheries science at the University of Florida, has said that artificial reefs may actually hinder rather than improve levels of marine life in the [...]
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Why Corals Die From Stress In Warmer Oceans

Australian scientists have thrown new light on the mechanism behind the mass death of corals worldwide as the Earth’s climate warms. Without doubt, one of the most devastating events affecting coral reefs around the planet is coral bleaching. This is triggered by rising water temperatures – when the corals and their symbiotic algae become heat-stressed, the [...]
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Frozen Planet

We are now coming up to half way through the BBC’s latest nature programme – Frozen Planet. If you haven’t been watching this programme you should really check it out (Wednesday evenings at 9pm). There has been some of the most amazing footage I’ve ever seen of nature both under and over the water. Of the [...]
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Cornish dolphin takes to divers

A club diving group could hardly believe their eyes when a dolphin decided to tag along with them for the entire duration of a September dive on the wreck of the Volnay, off Porthkerris in South Cornwall. The group of eight divers from the British Sub-Aqua Clubs Lincoln & District branch were on the last day [...]
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HEPCA lays into rogue operators in Egypt

An Egyptian environmental group has launched a remarkable attack on diving and fishing operators in the country, claiming that many are indulging in practices that are damaging the marine environment. In a statement headed “The Gloves Are Coming Off!”, the Hurghada Environmental Protection & Conservation Association (HEPCA) has said that it is being forced to “launch [...]
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Beachwater Big Weekend – This Saturday

The Beachwater coastal environmental initiative which organises local individuals, groups and communities into getting together and cleaning up their local beaches is now in it’s 18th year. The annual event takes place on the third weekend of september every year. During the event data is collected which is used in the Marine Conservation Societies Beachwater Big [...]
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Where’s The Octopus?

As a diver I have a real interest in sealife. Especially sealife that is in someway cool and interesting. I just watched this amazing footage of how Octopuses change their colour and texture to suit their surroundings. Octopus have amazing camoflague abilities, they can change their skin texture and colour to appear rocky or smooth depending [...]
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Marine Conservation Zones Proposed In The South East

Beachy Head and the Goodwin Sands amongst others are being proposed as conservation zones designed to protect our coastline and the seas inhabitants in those areas. Some 30 recommendations are being proposed by the Balanced Seas group who specialise in Marine Conservation Zones. Marine Conservation Zones can be used to stop or reduce fishing and dredging [...]
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New coral reef found in Alboran Sea

Oceana’s crew has found an extensive white coral reef in the deep waters of the Alboran sea. The reef in the Western Mediterranean was discovered on the Ocean Ranger 2011 expedition, led by Ricardo Aguilar, the director of research of Oceana Europe. The international marine conservation organisation said the 1.5m high reef lies at a depth of [...]
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Sunscreen Pill

The sea may once again hold the answer to one of our problems. Protection from harmful UV rays. Research that is being carried out at King’s College of London suggests that within five years we could all be able to take an oral sun protection tablet to help keep us safe. Scientists have discovered a natural [...]
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