Conference seeks to curb exploitation of high seas Long spared because of their remoteness, the high seas have become an important hunting ground for fish trawlers and oil prospectors, putting at risk many marine species that call these waters home.
Prestige oil disaster trial starts in Spain Seamen go on trial Tuesday over the sinking of the Prestige petrol tanker which spilt a devastating oil slick when it sank off Spain in 2002, with hundreds of plaintiffs seeking billions in damages.
China releases panda after special survival regime A captive-bred Chinese panda has been released into the wild as part of efforts to help the struggling species, but this time with special survival training after one of the animals died in a previous attempt.
12 October 2012
Costa Rica tightens ban on shark fins Costa Rica has banned the import of shark fins, closing a legal loophole and targeting a link in a global production chain stretching to Asian markets, where shark fin soup is seen as a delicacy.
Australia scientists tackle reef-killing starfish An Australian research team said Monday they have found an effective way to kill the destructive crown-of-thorns starfish, which is devastating coral reefs across the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Australia hits out at Japan at whale research launchAustralian Environment Minister Tony Burke Thursday hit out at Japan's "alleged" scientific whaling as researchers hailed the testing of new acoustic tracking technology for the endangered blue whale.
04 October 2012
Australia admits neglect of Great Barrier Reef The Australian government admits the Great Barrier Reef has been neglected for decades after a study showed it has lost more than half its coral cover in the past 27 years.
03 October 2012
Great Barrier Reef coral halved in 27 years: study Australia's Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half its coral cover in the past 27 years due to storms, poisonous starfish and bleaching linked to climate change.
02 October 2012
Revealed: Secrets of the Squid from Hell Biologists on Wednesday said they had unlocked secrets about the vampire squid, a mysterious creature that feeds on the decaying dead in the unlit depths.
Revealed: How sea lions make mega-dives Scientists in California have shed light on a marine mystery: how diving mammals can hunt for food at great depths without getting the "bends".
20 September 2012
Australian coal basin may be top 10 polluter: Greenpeace A coal basin near Australia's Great Barrier Reef will rank among the world's worst producers of carbon pollution if fully mined, Greenpeace said Wednesday as it warned of devastating consequences.
