Story | 07 Sep, 2017
Global shift in Marine Protected Area analysis and reporting
The UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and IUCN have launched the Marine Protected Planet Interactive - the world’s most authoritative and ambitious platform for information about ocean protection. As of September 2017, Marine Protected Areas cover 6.35% of the ocean…
Story | 10 Aug, 2017
IUCN plant and animal experts inform key decisions on trade and sustainable use
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, informed key decisions on the sustainable use and trade of plant and animal species, including snakes and orchids, at the recent 29th meeting of the Animals Committee and the 23rd meeting of the Plants Committee of the Convention on…
Story | 29 Jun, 2017
Iroise, the jewel of France's west coast
The Iroise Marine Nature Park, the first marine protected area in France, achieved IUCN Green List status in 2014. It was created in 2007 off the coast of Finistère between the islands of Ushant, Molène and Sein and the coasts of Crozon headland and Douarnenez, and protection for 350,000…
Story | 28 Apr, 2017
The Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia (PNNC) hosted this year’s annual WCPA Steering Committee meeting in Cartagena, Colombia. The meeting was the first since Kathy MacKinnon was elected Chair and focused on the Commission’s achievements and challenges, the 2017-2020 Joint Work Programme…
Story | 07 Mar, 2017
IUCN and Sakhalin Energy renew their commitment to protect western gray whales
An independent scientific panel created to protect critically endangered western gray whales in the Russian Far East will continue to monitor activities and provide recommendations to industry in the region for the next five years, according to IUCN.
Story | 23 Feb, 2017
Canada protects unique glass sponge reefs
The conservation community is celebrating a new marine protected area (MPA) for Canada’s ancient and unique glass sponge reefs, which provide a vital habitat to a wide range of marine animals including endangered rockfish. The designation came about through the tireless work of The Canadian…
Story | 21 Feb, 2017
Mass mangrove restoration: Driven by good intentions but offering limited results
There is an urgent need to address the global degradation of coastal ecosystems, but are mass mangrove planting initiatives sustainable?
Story | 17 Feb, 2017
Efforts to save western gray whales featured on Marine Mammals Day in Russia
On the eve of World Day of Marine Mammal Protection (Whales Day) in Russia, IUCN, WWF and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) released the Russian version of a joint report that examines how an IUCN-led independent scientific panel has contributed to the protection of the western…
Story | 26 Jan, 2017
World Wetlands Day: Strengthening resilience and collaboration to reduce disaster risk
On February 2nd the world celebrates its wetlands – complex ecosystems that provide a wide variety of services and benefits for people and nature. Wetlands such as estuaries, mangroves, marshes, and swamps play, beyond their biological role, a key part in helping people cope with disasters. Yet…
Story | 14 Dec, 2016
Update on global statistics from Protected Planet Report 2016
The latest update to the Protected Planet Report 2016 shows that there are now just under 15,000 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) spread across 18.5 million square kilometres of ocean and sea. Up to 13% of territorial waters are now protected, and dramatic progress has been made towards achieving…