Story | 19 Oct, 2021
Marine Heatwaves: a serious threat to marine biodiversity and livelihoods
Back in 2011, extremely warm water temperatures persisting over thousands of kilometres along the coastline of Western Australia caused coral bleaching, mass die-out of marine life and wiped out kelp forests. Since then, this phenomenon of abnormally high-water temperatures has been recorded in…
Story | 01 Jul, 2021
A new paper, published today in Science, argues for an international legally binding agreement that addresses the entire life cycle of plastics, from extraction of raw materials to legacy plastic pollution. Three clear goals are proposed and encouraged, to address not only the well-known issue…
Story | 15 Mar, 2021
IUCN unveils new guidelines for businesses committed to improving their biodiversity performance
Gland, Switzerland, 15 March 2021 (IUCN) – Businesses committed to address the biodiversity risks and opportunities associated with their activities increasingly need information about the status of species and habitats found across their…
Story | 09 Mar, 2021
Mediterranean Noble Pen Shell Crisis (Pinna nobilis) - January 2021 Update
Thanks to the data provided by conservation organisations and institutions from all over the Mediterranean, IUCN-Med has worked to produce the Red List Assessment of the Mediterranean Fan Mussel (Pinna nobilis) which is now officially recognised and listed as "Critically Endangered" by…
Story | 05 Mar, 2021
Gland, Switzerland, 05 March 20201 (IUCN) – IUCN has called on governments to channel investments towards nature and nature-based solutions as part of their economic recovery packages to address the ongoing pandemic.
Story | 26 Feb, 2021
New IUCN-backed study finds gray whales at high risk from ship strikes in the North Pacific Ocean
Gland, Switzerland (IUCN) – Ships operating in the North Pacific pose a serious threat to gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), according to the first scientific study that examines the impacts of vessel traffic on the species throughout its range.
Story | 22 Feb, 2021
One-third of freshwater fish face extinction, warns new report
A new report ‘The World’s Forgotten Fishes’ reveals the extraordinary variety of freshwater fish. This variety accounts for over half of all the world’s fish species and is essential to the health of the world’s rivers, lakes and wetlands and well-being of societies and economies across the…
Story | 10 Aug, 2020
An ocean hero dedicated to vaquita conservation succumbs to COVID-19
IUCN is deeply saddened by the loss of Mexican conservationist Paco Valverde, who dedicated his life to protect the vaquita – the world’s smallest porpoise and most threatened marine mammal. Paco was regarded as an ocean hero who inspired his community to care for the marine environment on which…
Story | 05 Aug, 2020
The IUCN SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (“the Task Force”) today announces the approval of thirteen new Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) in the Extended Southern Ocean Region.
Story | 31 Jul, 2020
IUCN’s Business and Biodiversity Programme and Species Survival Commission Species Monitoring Specialist Group, working with numerous colleagues in the business and conservations sectors, today shared draft Guidelines for…