Tag Archives: seas

Historic High Seas Treaty Now in Effect: First-Ever Protection for Ocean Waters

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Antarctic Trawler

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A groundbreaking treaty aimed at protecting the high seas has officially entered into force, marking a significant moment in marine conservation.

The vast expanses of the high seas, beyond a country’s 370-kilometre exclusive economic zone, are often referred to as the “Wild West” of the oceans. This region is notorious for its minimal regulations on fishing, making it a vital area that remains largely unexplored. According to recent studies, this deep-sea environment is inhabited by diverse marine organisms, with up to 95% of the habitat being vital to marine life.

In September 2025, over 60 countries ratified the UN Convention on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in the open ocean, which encompasses half of our planet’s surface. This historic agreement has initiated a 120-day countdown to its official implementation.

“This is one of the most important environmental agreements ever,” states Matt Frost from the Plymouth Marine Laboratory in the UK. “There was no established mechanism for creating protected marine areas on the high seas prior to this treaty.”

World-renowned marine biologist Sylvia Earle calls this treaty a ‘turning point’ in safeguarding ‘Earth’s blue heart’, which plays a crucial role in regulating climate and sustaining life.

A year remains before nations can establish protected areas under the treaty, as regulations and monitoring systems need to be finalized at the inaugural meeting of the parties in late 2026.

“This moment demonstrates that global cooperation is feasible,” says Earle. “Now we must act decisively.”

In the Atlantic, conservationists aim to safeguard unique ecosystems such as the “lost cities” formed by the seaweed mats of the Sargasso Sea, a crucial breeding ground for American and European eels, alongside the remarkable hydrothermal vent communities. Meanwhile, the Pacific Ocean conservation efforts target the Salas y Gomez and Nazca ridges, underwater mountains that serve as habitats for diverse marine species including whales, sharks, and turtles.

The treaty also envisions a shared repository for genetic resources discovered in the high seas, which could facilitate breakthroughs in medicinal research.

As maritime technology advances, fleets of factory ships are exploiting the high seas, leading to the overfishing of species and habitat destruction. This escalation threatens crucial biodiversity zones. Bottom trawling, in particular, causes severe damage to the ocean floor. Emerging techniques are being developed to fish in the “twilight zone” of mid-depth waters, between 200 and 1,000 meters, further complicating conservation efforts.

Local management organizations have noted that for two decades, there has been a call for a treaty to mitigate the overfishing of 56% of targeted fish stocks in international waters, as highlighted in recent studies.

Support for protective measures stems from the fact that 90% of marine protected areas in national waters are actively being preserved, positively influencing nearby fish populations by providing safe environments for spawning and growth.

Additionally, the 30 by 30 commitment aims to safeguard 30% of the Earth’s surface by 2030, making it essential to address the high seas for its successful realization.

Oceans currently absorb approximately 90% of the excess heat resulting from climate change. By shielding these critical areas from fishing and associated pollution, marine ecosystems can better adapt to rising temperatures.

“If you’re battling multiple afflictions, alleviating two can empower you to confront the remaining issues,” Frost asserts.

Moreover, marine ecosystems are responsible for absorbing a quarter of the CO2 emissions that contribute to climate change. Coastal environments like seagrass meadows and kelp forests are crucial carbon sinks, and activities such as the nocturnal feeding patterns of mesopelagic fish and plankton play a role in the carbon cycle.

“These species transport carbon from surface waters to deeper ocean layers, significantly influencing the carbon dynamics,” explains Callum Roberts from the Convex Seascape Survey, a global research initiative focusing on the ocean’s impact on climate change.

The treaty’s initial challenge involves identifying appropriate areas for protection, especially as species migrate in response to shifting ocean temperatures. Only 27% of the ocean floor has been thoroughly mapped.

Enforcement will also be a formidable challenge. Current marine protected areas in national waters include a significant number of “paper parks” that offer little actual protection for species.

Advancements in satellite imagery and AI technology have made it feasible to monitor vessels and detect unlawful activities. Nonetheless, enforcement will rely on member states to act against flagrant violations, including barring offending ships from their ports.

While 145 countries have signed the treaty, it is only enforceable for those that ratify it. Currently, 83 nations have adopted the treaty, with the UK, US, Canada, and Australia yet to follow suit.

“The more nations that ratify this treaty, the stronger it becomes,” says Sarah Bedorf from Oceana. “We all share the responsibility of protecting the high seas, which ultimately benefits everyone.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Rare Artifacts Discovered in Sweden Illuminate Iron Age Metal Trade Between the Atlantic and Baltic Seas

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A recent study by archaeologists investigated round heavy metal objects from Seldal, located in the Haland region of western Sweden. Initially thought to be Bronze Age artifacts due to their shape and size, these objects were determined to be composed of copper-zinc-tin-reed alloys typical of the Iron Age and later periods.

Plano Convex Ingots from Seldal in Harland, Sweden. Image credit: Sabatini et al., doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105312.

The ancient ingots were uncovered in the village of Seldal on Sweden’s west coast during the fall of 2022.

This artifact has been identified as a Plano-Convex Ingot.

“Plano-convex ingots, commonly known as ‘bread’ ingots or ‘casting cakes,’ were prevalent during the Bronze Age, though they vary in size, shape, and composition,” explains Serena Sabatini, a researcher at the University of Gothenburg.

“These artifacts are typically round with flat top surfaces and various inflated convex bottoms.”

“They are created by pouring molten metal into shallow molds or cavities in the ground.”

“Most of these ingots exhibit a rough, ‘bubbly’ top surface, indicating they were poured into an open casting mold, while the bottom remains smooth, as it was not exposed to air during production.”

“Due to their straightforward manufacturing process, they are widely found across Eurasia and were utilized both in prehistoric and historical periods.”

The Särdal Ingot measures 14-15.3 cm in diameter, approximately 2.5 cm thick, and weighs 1223.5 grams.

Notably, the ingot’s surface displays significant corrosion, especially on the rough, raised area.

The overall dimensions and weight of the ingot initially suggested it could be a Bronze Age find.

“At first, we believed the Seldal Ingot dated back to the Bronze Age,” the archaeologist noted.

“However, since it was found alone and not dated within an archaeological context, we opted for isotopic and chemical analysis to determine its composition and estimate a time frame.”

The analysis yielded surprising results, revealing that the ingot was made from copper-zinc-tin-reed alloys typical of the Iron Age and later.

“The findings emerged thanks to the collaborative spirit of the international scientific community exploring archaeological topics, allowing us to identify the isotopic and elemental characteristics of the Seldal ingots, which closely resemble artifacts from two sites found in the Iwawa Lakeland region of northeastern Poland.

Research into the Baltic Sea area, which had a robust network connected to western Sweden and southern Scandinavia during the Roman Iron Age, indicates that the alloys from both Seldal and Iwawa Lakeland were present in the region during the latter half of the 1st millennium BCE.

“Thus, we propose that the Plano Convex Ingots from Harland and the ingots from Poland represent the outcomes of a metallic maritime trade linking Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea, and the Iberian Peninsula.”

Their paper will appear in the October 2025 edition of Journal of Archaeological Science: Report.

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Serena Sabatini et al. 2025. Iron Age Metals Trade between the Atlantic and the Baltic Sea: New insights from the first complete Plano-Convex Ingot found in Sweden and Ingot Rod in Iwawa Lakeland, northeastern Poland. Journal of Archaeological Science: Report 66:105312; doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105312

Source: www.sci.news

Unprecedented Ocean Heat Waves Could Signal Lasting Changes in Our Seas

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Warming oceans might elevate storm intensity, exemplified by Hurricane Milton in 2024

NOAA

Scientists have cautioned that the extreme ocean temperatures observed since 2023 could indicate the onset of drastic changes in global marine conditions, posing a severe risk to life on our planet.

Historic ocean heat waves unfolded in the North Atlantic and Pacific in 2023, marked by their unprecedented severity, duration, and geographical spread, many persisting for over a year.

These heat waves have led to record-high sea surface temperatures globally in 2023 and 2024, contributing to severe weather patterns on land and resulting in back-to-back years being declared the hottest on record.

“While there’s been a gradual increase in ocean temperatures over the past 40-50 years, 2023 stands out as a pivotal year, with significant ocean heat waves impacting numerous regions,” stated Matthew England from the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Sea surface temperatures worldwide remain at alarming heights, with the Mediterranean currently experiencing marine heat waves, as water temperatures exceed 5°C (9°F) during this time.


Researchers are concerned that the oceans may be shifting to new, hotter states, endangering their predictions for both short-term weather phenomena like hurricanes and long-term climate change trends.

To understand the situation, Zhenzhong Zeng from China’s Southern University of Science and Technology is collaborating with colleagues to pinpoint the causes of the 2023 global ocean heat wave by analyzing heat movement within the ocean, wind patterns, and ocean currents. They found that reduced cloud cover significantly increases solar radiation reaching the water, compounded by weak winds and the influence of the warming El Niño pattern in the Pacific Ocean.

Considering the heat wave that began in earnest in 2023 and continues in various regions, Zeng suggests this could be the start of a “new normal” for the world’s oceans. He notes that new data reveals an exponential rise in ocean heat, contradicting previous climate model forecasts.

Persistently elevated water temperatures severely impact marine ecosystems, heightening the risk of coral reef collapse, causing mass die-offs, and leading to shifts in marine species distributions. This also exacerbates heating on land, resulting in intensified droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, and storms.

Zeng expressed that he is “very alarmed” by this potential sea regime change, adding, “I believe nearly all predictions made by Earth System models are incorrect.”

Conversely, some experts argue that it may be premature to declare fundamental shifts in ocean dynamics. Neil Holbrook from the University of Tasmania in Australia points out that there is currently no “clear evidence” to indicate we have reached a critical turning point, given the limited years of data to assess. “I cannot predict what will happen next year; [ocean temperatures] could return to more typical patterns,” he remarked.

However, Holbrook stressed that without substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, “marine heat waves will likely continue to gain intensity and duration, potentially escalating faster than various marine species can adapt.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Research Suggests Arknid Originated in the Cambrian Seas

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Paleontologists have examined the fossilized characteristics of the brain and central nervous system of Mollisonia symmetrica, an extinct organism that existed during the mid-Cambrian period approximately 508 million years ago. Their findings indicate that the nervous system of Mollisonia symmetrica aligns with that of modern spiders and scorpions (arachnids). This revelation contests the long-standing theory that arachnid diversification occurred only after their common ancestors adapted to terrestrial life.

Previously, Mollisonia symmetrica was thought to represent an ancestor of a specific group of arthropods known as Chelicerata, which thrived during the Cambrian period and included the forebears of today’s horseshoe crabs.

Surprisingly, Professor Nicholas Strausfeld and his team at the University of Arizona found that the organization of the nerve structure in the fossilized brain does not resemble that of horseshoe crabs but is instead more akin to that of contemporary spiders and scorpions.

“A lively debate continues regarding the origin of arachnids, the type of progenitor they emerged from, and whether these progenitors were horseshoe crabs,” Professor Strausfeld noted.

Mollisonia symmetrica shares physical features with other early chelicerates from the lower and middle Cambrian periods, possessing a body divided into two main segments.

Some researchers have highlighted the anterior shell followed by a segmented trunk reminiscent of scorpions.

However, no one has claimed that Mollisonia symmetrica was more closely related to horseshoe crabs than to more basal arthropods.

What Professor Strausfeld and his co-authors found is that Mollisonia symmetrica, identified as an arachnid, exhibits a fossilized brain and nervous system.

Similar to spiders and other modern arachnids, the anterior portion of Mollisonia symmetrica (known as the prosoma) features a pattern of segmental ganglia that governs the movement of five pairs of appendages.

In addition to these arachnid-like traits, Mollisonia symmetrica also possessed an unsegmented brain with short nerves extending into pincher-like structures, reminiscent of spider fangs.

Critically, the unique feature defining arachnids is the specific arrangement of the brain, which contrasts with the structure found in current crustaceans, insects, centipedes, and even horseshoe crabs like Limulus.

“It’s comparable to the Limulus type brains in Cambrian fossils, or the ancestral brains of modern crustaceans and insects, which are similar to those of contemporary spiders,” Professor Strausfeld remarked.

“These findings may signify a crucial evolutionary advancement, as studies of modern spider brains indicate this arrangement allows for quicker neural control pathways.

This configuration may enhance efficiency in hunting, quick pursuits, and stealth in arachnids.

“This is a significant evolutionary milestone, seemingly exclusive to arachnids.”

“In Mollisonia symmetrica, we identified brain regions corresponding to extant species, which could reveal the underlying genetic framework common to all arthropods.”

“The arachnid brain implies that, unlike other brains on Earth, its tissues are linked to rapid calculation and motor action control,” Professor Strausfeld explained.

“The earliest terrestrial creatures were likely arthropods that resembled insects, possibly ancestral to crustaceans.”

“We can envision Mollisonia symmetrica—like arachnids—adapting to land, which may have given rise to early insects and their feeding strategies.”

“The first land-dwelling spiders could have played a vital role in developing essential defensive traits, such as insect wings, leading to flight and evasion.”

“The ability to fly provides significant advantages when being pursued by spiders.”

“Nonetheless, despite the agility conferred by flight, insects remain ensnared in the intricate silk webs spun by spiders.”

The results will appear in the journal Current Biology.

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Nicholas J. Strausfeld et al. Cambrian origin of the spider brain. Current Biology Published online on July 22, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.06.063

Source: www.sci.news

Review: Skull and Bones – A Swashbuckling Adventure on the High Seas

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TWhat's frustrating about this adventurous multiplayer game from Ubisoft? reportedly It was in development hell for about 10 years. largely good.some things about it teeth. It offers interesting customization and even thrills when playing against well-matched opponents, including ship battles that are more flexible than you might expect. And when you're sailing from the coast of Africa to the East Indies, or navigating river channels surrounded on all sides by tropical wilderness, you can't help but admire the beauty of this game. And some things about it could get better. For now the menu is confusing, slow and messy time. A few tweaks could further increase the pace before pirate exploration becomes more exciting. This is a live service game, so there is room for evolution.

But some things about Skull and Bones are never going to be good, at least not without tearing them down and starting over, and after years of costly delays, it seems unlikely that that will ever happen. Seems low. All characters in this game have dead eyes and only their lips move when they speak. The story is so boring that even after spending over 20 hours at sea, I can tell you the relative value of rough stones and where to sell cigarettes for the most money, but I can't remember the names of a single character or faction. not. And when you're on the ground, there's no sword fighting, no treasure hunting, no meaningful exploration. A lot of effort has gone into creating a small oasis of land, but there's nothing there except a few quest-givers and a campfire. He only has two more populous pirate-based settlements on the whole map, and while you can at least find a blacksmith and a tavern, it's hard to find other interesting places to anchor.

This means you will spend 90% of your time sailing as all the action takes place on the waves. And if you're not plundering merchant ships or trying to protect yourself from other pirates, all you need to sail is raising and lowering your sails and occasionally adjusting your trajectory. Although boring, I found it peaceful to actually carry things and enjoy the scenery. The best part of Skull and Bones is the Indian Ocean. Occasionally, I felt a sense of quiet awe, such as when I was maneuvering a narrow cutter down a narrow road, seeing rocks towering from all sides and waterfalls cascading around corners. As the sun set, a soundtrack could be heard coming from the crew's shack. At that moment, like Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed games sometimes do, Skull and Bones felt like a recreation of a lost time, breathing new life into the Golden Age of Piracy.

A few tweaks could really speed up the pace – Skull and Bones. Photo: Ubisoft/Keza McDonald

Unfortunately, Assassin's Creed is the elephant in the room here. Skull and Bones is a super fun pirate-flavored adventure inspired by 2013's Assassin's Creed Black Flag. Felt It's an adventure, with lots of islands to explore, things to discover, and interesting stories to discover along with the thrill of sailing and firing cannonballs at your enemies. 2018's Assassin's Creed Odyssey still features a stunning voyage through the deep blue waters of ancient Greece, but there's so much more to do. Skull and Bones levels up sailing ever so slightly, and ship building is much better – changing ships and weapons makes a big difference in how you play – but it has nothing else to offer. The game has no personality or plot at all. The game that inspired it.

Another game I can't help but mention here is Rare's Sea of ​​Thieves. This is another online pirate action game that launched in 2018 in Barren State, but has since evolved into something fun, chaotic, and unique, and a great time with friends. As you would expect from a pirate game. But Skull and Bones is much more serious, lonely, and a completely different game. It reminded me more of Sid Meier's Pirates than Sea of ​​Thieves in that most of the game involves actually transporting or interfering with cargo. A faction of colonialists. The deeper you go, the more Skull and Bones will be tasked with manufacturing, selling, and transporting goods in hidden markets, or sinking other players to steal their goods. This is more than just a pirate game, it's a trade and naval battle simulator. Although he is not overbearing, he is a good sailor and has a wide selection of three-cornered hats.

If publisher Ubisoft continues to support it, Skull and Bones will appeal to avid players of naval warfare enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering with ship construction, facing off against each other, and teaming up to take on deadly fleets and cargo. It will attract a lot of people. However, if you're looking for a game that feels like a pirate adventure, Black Flag is still a better choice.

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Source: www.theguardian.com