Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/index.php en Minns’s $140m great koala national park will ‘obliterate’ regional towns, Coalition claims https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/minns-s-140m-great-koala-national-park-will-obliterate-regional-towns-coalition-claims <p>Labor’s koala strategy doesn’t go far enough, Coalition says, but environmentalists hail park a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ decision</p> <ul> <li> <p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p> </li> </ul> <p>The long-awaited great koala national park in the north of New South Wales, celebrated by wildlife groups, has drawn a mixed reaction from the state’s Coalition.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/minns-s-140m-great-koala-national-park-will-obliterate-regional-towns-coalition-claims" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 07 Sep 2025 15:00:24 +0000 admin 101180 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org The man and the mushroom kayak: can a boat made from mycellim change the future/ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/man-and-mushroom-kayak-can-boat-made-mycellim-change-future <p>Sam Shoemaker’s record-setting voyage shows the promise – and limits – of fungi as a plastic alternative</p> <p>On a clear, still morning in early August, Sam Shoemaker launched his kayak into the waters off Catalina Island and began paddling. His goal: to traverse the open ocean to San Pedro, just south of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/los-angeles">Los Angeles</a>, some 26.4 miles away.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/man-and-mushroom-kayak-can-boat-made-mycellim-change-future" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 07 Sep 2025 14:00:22 +0000 admin 101179 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org The climate solution both the right and the left can get behind | Bill McKibben https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/climate-solution-both-right-and-left-can-get-behind-bill-mckibben <p>We’re beyond Mel Gibson’s Mad Max era. We no longer need oil to make it through the apocalypse</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/climate-solution-both-right-and-left-can-get-behind-bill-mckibben" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 07 Sep 2025 13:00:22 +0000 admin 101178 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Maryland screwworm case has US officials bracing for return of an old foe https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/maryland-screwworm-case-has-us-officials-bracing-return-old-foe <p>Rise in cases south of the border prompts concern over US livestock as Trump budget cuts hit research and foreign aid</p> <p>A patient in Maryland was diagnosed in August with New World screwworm, a parasitic fly, after traveling to El Salvador. Doctors and veterinarians say the case poses very low risks for human health in the US, but it comes after an increase of cases in South and Central America and the Caribbean in recent years. It also highlights the importance of international cooperation on research and prevention.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/maryland-screwworm-case-has-us-officials-bracing-return-old-foe" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 07 Sep 2025 11:00:18 +0000 admin 101177 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Crossing Bass Strait in a boat made entirely of rubbish – video https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/crossing-bass-strait-boat-made-entirely-rubbish-video <p>Samuel McLennan has spent two years salvaging fish farm waste and other marine debris from Tasmanian shores for his oceangoing vessel. McLennan's boat, which he named Heart, has slowly made its way across the Bass Strait to Victoria. Otis Filley joined McLennan aboard for part of the journey</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/video/2025/sep/05/crossing-bass-strait-in-a-boat-made-entirely-of-rubbish-and-trash-video">Continue reading...</a></p> Sat, 06 Sep 2025 20:00:03 +0000 admin 101176 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Loss of koala habitat shows ‘total failure’ of nature laws, conservationists say https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/loss-koala-habitat-shows-total-failure-nature-laws-conservationists-say <p>More habitat has been given up legally in 2025 so far than any other year since the animals were listed as threatened, analysis shows</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/07/nsw-locks-in-great-koala-national-park-and-brings-in-immediate-ban-on-logging">NSW locks in great koala national park and brings in immediate ban on logging</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/loss-koala-habitat-shows-total-failure-nature-laws-conservationists-say" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 06 Sep 2025 20:00:03 +0000 admin 101175 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org NSW locks in great koala national park and brings in immediate ban on logging https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/nsw-locks-great-koala-national-park-and-brings-immediate-ban-logging <p>Minns government to create one of the largest national parks in the state as forest advocates welcome ‘historic’ victory</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/07/loss-of-koala-habitat-shows-total-failure-of-nature-laws-conservationists-say">Loss of koala habitat shows ‘total failure’ of nature laws, conservationists say</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/nsw-locks-great-koala-national-park-and-brings-immediate-ban-logging" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 06 Sep 2025 20:00:03 +0000 admin 101174 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Bucolic battlefield: a California seashore says goodbye to dairy farms – and hopes to heal https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/bucolic-battlefield-california-seashore-says-goodbye-dairy-farms-and-hopes-heal <p>After a years-long battle, organic dairy ranches are being expelled from Point Reyes national seashore to revitalize the ecosystem</p> <p>Rodd Kelsey gazed out on the golden slopes of Point Reyes national seashore sweeping down to the rugged California coastline, pointing to the patches laden with invasive stalks of prickly thistle and browning sod. These are some of the hallmarks of the region’s recent history, he said – but they also showcase the opportunities for its future.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/bucolic-battlefield-california-seashore-says-goodbye-dairy-farms-and-hopes-heal" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 06 Sep 2025 15:00:54 +0000 admin 101173 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org What lies beneath: Lake Tahoe dive offers rare view of the deep https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/what-lies-beneath-lake-tahoe-dive-offers-rare-view-deep <p>Livestream of voyage to bottom of one of country’s deepest lakes draws thousands – but no sign of Tahoe Tessie yet</p> <p>The cobalt waters of Lake Tahoe have long captivated the public, helping drive the area’s massive tourism industry and even attracting urban legends about what lies in the cold, shadowy depths.</p> <p>Theories have ranged from an aquatic creature named Tessie to perfectly preserved bodies <a href="https://www.snopes.com/news/2023/10/21/lake-tahoe-dead-bodies/">dumped by the mafia</a> decades ago.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/what-lies-beneath-lake-tahoe-dive-offers-rare-view-deep" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 06 Sep 2025 13:00:53 +0000 admin 101172 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Climate crisis will increase frequency of lightning-sparked wildfires, study finds https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/climate-crisis-will-increase-frequency-lightning-sparked-wildfires-study-finds <p>These wildfires tend to burn in more remote areas and grow larger faster, posing a higher risk to public safety and health</p> <p>The climate crisis will continue making lightning-sparked wildfires more frequent for decades to come, which could produce cascading effects and worsen public safety and public health, experts and new research suggest.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/climate-crisis-will-increase-frequency-lightning-sparked-wildfires-study-finds" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 06 Sep 2025 12:00:50 +0000 admin 101171 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org