Positive ocean news: February ‘25 edition

28 Feb 2025

6 minute read

We have plenty of positive news stories from this month to give you an ocean optimism boost.

Act tackling water pollution becomes law

The Water (Special Measures) Act has received Royal Assent, meaning the bill has now become law. The Act is intended to “address poor performance from water companies” and support the UK Government’s commitment to cleaning up the water sector.

Sandy Luk, Chief Executive of the Marine Conservation Society, said: "The Royal Assent of the Water (Special Measures) Act is a stepping stone towards a cleaner, healthier ocean… We need the upcoming [Water Commission] review to focus on the pollutants which are damaging our coastal environments - ensuring that they are comprehensively monitored, treated, and tackled at source."

Northampton volunteer group to launch Deposit Return Scheme at university

Credit: Aled Llywelyn

Teaming up with the University of Northampton and Trovr, a machine installer, a local litter picking group is to put a reverse-vending machine for drinks containers on the university’s campus.

Drinks bottles and cans account for over half (60%) of the litter collected by Northants Litter Wombles on its cleans. It’s hoped that the machine, in which members of the public and university students will deposit empty plastic bottles and drinks containers, will reduce the amount of litter found in the area's natural spaces.

In exchange for the empty containers, users will receive points which can be used for discounts and rewards through the Trovr app. The company is lending the university the reverse machine as part of a trial for the UK’s incoming Deposit Return Schemes, which are set to launch in October 2027.

Almost 500 deep-sea species found off Costa Rican coast

Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute

A team of marine biologists has documented 488 deep-sea species in methane seeps off Costa Rica's Pacific coast, including at least 58 which are entirely new to science and only 131 previously identified species.

The species were recorded over ten years of dives and expeditions which sought to increase our understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and biodiversity. The photographs, DNA sequences and specimens have been collated in a comprehensive catalogue of deep-sea biodiversity, with project partners hoping the freely available resource will help inform further deep-sea research, education, and conservation.

New study shines a light on the mantis shrimp’s resilience

Researchers from Northwestern University have discovered how mantis shrimps can withstand the force of their glass-cracking punches.

Researchers set out to discover the secret of this species mystifying resilience, finding that their clubs have an in-built protection mechanism, protecting the shrimp’s delicate tissues from the harmful shockwaves its punch generates.

Although more research is needed, the findings offer a new way of thinking about biological impact resistance and support the development of materials that can selectively filter out harmful shockwaves, while allowing less damaging forces to pass through.

Beavers engineer their own wetland following delays to planned project

Credit: Tim Umphreys

Beavers in the Czech Republic took matters into their own paws after a planned wetland creation project faced years of delays.

A dam was to be built in former military training grounds to stop sediment and acidic water from two nearby ponds spilling into the Klabava River, which is home to critically endangered crayfish. The protected area would then become a nature-rich wetland.

However, the planned project, first drafted in 2018, faced several years of delays, during which the area’s beavers built a dam and wetland of their own – two times bigger than the planned one. They then built several dams in the gulley surrounding the ponds – which the Czech Nature Conservation Agency was only in talks about doing.

Known to be great ecosystem engineers, beavers help protect areas against flooding, improve water quality and boost wildlife. In this case, they also saved Czech taxpayers £1m.

Scientists to monitor krill from space to help safeguard species

By analysing subtle colour differences in the ocean, scientists are hoping to monitor Antarctic krill from space, which are threatened by climate change and overfishing.

They will then take snapshots which will be used to monitor – and hopefully safeguard – the species.

Although only a few inches long, krill play a critical role in marine ecosystems, helping to absorb and store carbon and provide food for Antarctic species such as penguins, seals and blue whales. However, krill are increasingly at risk from rising sea temperatures and overfishing, with potential knock-on effects for the other marine species they support.

Rod Downie, chief polar adviser at WWF-UK, said: "We urgently need to better manage the fishery and protect krill habitats within a network of marine protected areas. ‘Krill from Space’ may give us a new tool to help monitor and safeguard this vital species."

Rare anglerfish seen in broad daylight for first time

A humpback anglerfish, which typically lives between 200 and 2,000 metres underwater, was seen near the water’s surface off the coast of Tenerife. It’s thought that this is the first sighting of the species in broad daylight, with only submarine images, dead individuals or larvae seen previously.

Marine biologists from Condrik Tenerife, who were conducting a shark research campaign, were able to spend a couple of hours observing the remarkable deep-sea species, which boasts a mouth full of teeth and a bioluminescent lure on its head for capturing prey.

It’s unknown why this humpback anglerfish was so close to the surface, but some speculate it may be due to El Niño, which reduces the amount of cold water upwelling off the coast of North America.

Largest ever male great white shark recorded in the Atlantic

The shark, measuring 13.8 foot (4.2 metres) long, was found swimming off the coast of Georgia in the US. It was then tagged so its movements could be tracked across the Atlantic Ocean.

Despite its name, the great white shark is the fourth largest shark species. Females are typically larger, measuring 15-16 ft (4.5-4.8 metres) long, with males averaging around 11-13 ft (3.35-3.9 metres). The largest ever recorded is Deep Blue, a female measuring around 20 feet which was first spotted in Mexico.

Found in temperate, subtropical waters, these sharks are currently listed as vulnerable, with their numbers are decreasing due to poaching and fishing.

New sea squirt species discovered

While exploring deep-sea reefs off Rakiura Stewart Island, New Zealand, researchers discovered a species of sea squirt which is thought to be new to science.

The 30cm-tall sea squirts were found on the seafloor at a depth of 115 metres by researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, who were curious about the “unusual ‘egg’ shapes”.

Unlike deep-water reefs in other parts of New Zealand, the research team found that sea squirts dominated the marine communities in those off Rakiura Stewart Island.

Professor James Bell, a marine biologist at the university, said, "Finding this sea squirt is a reminder that we still have so much to learn about the rich diversity of life in the ocean. It's also a reminder of the need to ensure we protect our marine environment and the unique species it supports.”