In a groundbreaking study led by the University of Vienna, researchers have unearthed evidence suggesting that the seas of the Jurassic era, some 150 million years ago, teemed with a diversity of ray species far beyond what was previously understood. The discovery of a new species, named Aellopobatis bavarica, provides fascinating insights into the evolutionary history of these ancient marine animals.
In La Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean that is an overseas department and region of France, small-scale fishers often use surface longlines targeting tuna and billfish, but this sometimes leads to the accidental capture of sharks.
The EU-funded ASUR project is researching innovative methods to reduce the incidental catch of sharks by these longlines, bringing together scientists and fishermen to tag and release sharks and to test equipment designed to reduce shark mortality.
The abrupt discontinuation of NHS funding for the Oban Hyperbaric Chamber has been confirmed, prompting substantial concern within the diving community. This development effectively leaves the west coast of Scotland without an NHS registered facility to treat decompression illness, a critical service for divers.
Researchers have charted a colossal deep-sea coral reef system off the southeastern coast of the United States. Described as an underwater metropolis of a 'million mounds', this vast network stretches across the continental shelf and heralds a new chapter in ocean exploration.
The mapping of this coral reef, a feat accomplished through advanced 3D imaging technology, is a landmark in maritime science, underscoring the vast, uncharted territories that still lie hidden beneath the waves.
