Quick Dips
Curated topical articles on the Blue Economy

Commentators note relative silence around aquaculture at COP26

• Megan Howell, The Fish Site • Fisheries & Aquaculture

A recent panel discussion at The Economist’s World Ocean Summit Asia Pacific gave a de-brief on COP26 and the ocean – looking at how the conference addressed ocean conservation and industries.

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New York is building a wall of oysters to fight flooding

• Charlotte Edmond, World Economic Forum • Fisheries & Aquaculture

New York is becoming increasingly flood prone and one organization says oysters may form part of the solution.

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Blue solution to humanity’s “code red” crisis

• World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group

A guest blog by Chris Gorell Barnes, founding partner, Ocean 14 Capital.

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URI Research Foundation awarded Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant, will lead regional coalition to grow ‘blue economy’

• The University of Rhode Island

Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the finalists for the $1 billion “Build Back Better Regional Challenge” that aims to boost economic pandemic recovery and rebuild American communities.

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Heading Towards a Global Plastic Treaty?

• Planet Tracker • Plastics & Pollution

A revival of calls for a global plastic treaty is encouraging. 

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11 Million New Oysters in New York Harbor (but None for You to Eat)

• Karen Zraick, New York Times • Fisheries & Aquaculture

The oysters, which act as nonstop water filters, were added to the Hudson River as part of an ongoing project to rehabilitate the polluted waterways around the city.

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Coastal species are forming colonies on plastic trash in the ocean, study finds

• Adrienne Matei, The Guardian • Plastics & Pollution

Termed “neopelagic communities”, these colonies are thriving in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and going where the current flows.

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Deep-sea mining may wipe out species we have only just discovered

• Elin Angharad Thomas, The Conversation

From giant red tubeworms to iron-armoured snails, these species were once considered to be untouchable by human activity, but that may not be the case for very long.

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Bridging the gap between ocean science and the SDGs

• World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group

Exploring the need for diversity, inclusivity and innovation.

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Plastic is Even Worse for the Environment than We Thought

• ETH Zurich, Futurity • Plastics & Pollution

Researchers have revealed that the impact of plastics on climate and health is bigger than originally thought due to the increased use of coal for process heat, electricity, and as a raw material in production.

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New Report Assesses the Feasibility, Cost, and Potential Impacts of Ocean-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal Approaches

• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine • Fisheries & Aquaculture

Recommends U.S. Research Program.

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Scottish oysters were on the rocks. Now a whisky distillery is throwing them a lifeline

• Ed Scott-Clarke, CNN • Fisheries & Aquaculture

The popularity of the European oyster was its downfall. Since the 19th century, native oyster populations have declined by 95% in the UK.

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To Improve Fisheries Management, Governments Share Experiences With Electronic Monitoring

• Jamie Gibbon & Esther Wozniak, The PEW Charitable Trusts • Fisheries & Aquaculture

Seminars co-sponsored by Pew and South Korea seek to harmonize standards and increase adoption of technology.

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Recycled regatta: world heritage site highlights plastic pollution crisis

• Anne Pinto-Rodrigues, The Guardian • Plastics & Pollution

When environmentalists on a Seychelles atoll decided to race boats made from ocean litter, they had 500 tonnes to pick from.

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ESG Book aims to 'disrupt' sustainability sector with free data

• Huw Jones, Reuters

HSBC, Deutsche Bank and Swiss Re have thrown their support behind ESG Book, a new environment, social and governance (ESG) data platform launched on Wednesday to 'disrupt' the market with a free "public good" service for companies and investors.

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Updated climate plans for COP27 need to make better use of the ocean

• Max Gottschalk, Ocean 14 Capital

Small island state representatives at COP26 stated they would like to see further action and the COP process get “consistently bluer”.

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Nurdles: the worst toxic waste you’ve probably never heard of

• Karen McVeigh, The Guardian • Plastics & Pollution

Billions of these tiny plastic pellets are floating in the ocean, causing as much damage as oil spills, yet they are still not classified as hazardous.

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Nobel-winning stock market theory used to help save coral reefs

• Karen McVeigh, The Guardian

A Nobel prize-winning economic theory used by investors is showing early signs of helping save threatened coral reefs, scientists say.

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Reframing tourism to address plastic pollution

• UNEP • Plastics & Pollution • Tourism

At the intersection of greater environmental awareness, stricter public health measures and the return of the tourism industry lies an enduring threat: plastic pollution.

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Together we fight: Protecting the ocean and combating climate change

• World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group • Shipping & Ports

A guest blog from World Ocean Summit Asia-Pacific speaker Kitack Lim, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Read more → (3 minute read)