High Seas Treaty to Enter into Force
biodiversity global goals, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) 30×30 target to protect 30% of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030.Adopted in June 2023, after nearly two decades of discussion and negotiations, the Treaty opened for signature on 20 September 2023. Palau became the first country to ratify on January 22, 2024, and since then States from every region have joined. In addition to the 60 ratifications, 142 countries plus the European Union have signed, signaling their intent to ratify.Under the Treaty, the first Conference of the Parties (CoP) must convene
Over 50 Species New to Science Found Along Salas y Gómez Ridge
a high seas marine protected area upon ratification of the UN High Seas Treaty. Parts of the ridge within Chile’s national jurisdiction are protected. However, much of the ridge lies in international waters. While many countries, including the United States, have signed the treaty, only Chile and Palau have ratified it. Once 60 nations ratify the treaty, countries can establish marine protected areas in international waters with sufficient scientific data.The expedition follows a scientific research cruise in January, which primarily investigated the Nazca and Juan Fernandez Ridge seamounts and
UN to Start Taking Deep-sea Mining Applications This July
supply metals to Glencore Plc, is one of the most prominent voices advocating for the practice. Its executives have repeatedly said they believe deep-sea mining would have less impact than traditional mining for battery metals on land.China is a leader in deep-sea mining exploration, but Chile, France, Palau and Fiji, among other nations, have called for a global moratorium on the practice, citing environmental concerns and a lack of sufficient scientific data.(Reuters - Reporting by Clara Denina and Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Sandra Maler
How the Blue Economy Will Shape the Future of Canada’s Oceans
;s ocean economies will be felt throughout the country and will set an example for nations around the world.But what is a blue economy? And what makes it different from business as usual?The term blue economy was first championed by small-island developing countries, including Fiji, Bahamas and Palau, to bring more local benefits from ocean industries. Developing a blue economy means establishing ocean spaces and industries that are socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically profitable.Canada has been a key player in these efforts, including by supporting the first global
As Nations Pledge to Create Ocean Preserves, How Do Those Promises Add Up?
already using this guide to evaluate existing marine protected areas so that communities and governments can make informed decisions and adjust policies accordingly.While ocean protection has far to go, I see reason for optimism. At the most recent Our Ocean Conference, in the Pacific island nation of Palau in April 2022, nations made more than 400 new commitments to take steps including creating new protected areas and reducing marine pollution and illegal and unregulated fishing.These pledges involved some US$16.35 billion in funding, on top of $91.4 billion already committed at previous conferences
Coral Reef Health Report: Palau’s Coral Reefs - A Jewel of the Ocean
The latest report from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation finds Palau’s reefs had the highest coral cover observed on the Global Reef Expedition—the largest coral reef survey and mapping expedition in history.Scientists at the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF) have released their findings on the state of coral reefs in Palau. Their research, based on extensive underwater surveys, found Palau’s reefs had the highest live coral cover of all the reefs studied on the Global Reef Expedition, a scientific research mission to assess the health and resiliency of
The Quest to Find and Explore USS Indianapolis
the ocean’s surface. For the Indianapolis search, the Vulcan team conducted a significant amount of research, leveraging a combination of historical records, detailed undersea topographical data and advanced technology to explore a 400 square nautical mile search area between Guam and Palau in the Philippine Sea. A key data point came from a discovery by Dr. Richard Hulver, a historian with the Naval History and Heritage Command, who identified a naval landing craft that had recorded sighting the USS Indianapolis hours before it was torpedoed. All this research led to a new estimated
Missing WW II Bombers Found on the Seafloor
;s continued support is helping sustain ongoing missions, while enabling the organization to innovate its technology and broaden its search and discovery efforts to focus areas around the world. In 2016, team members expanded operations, conducting missions in England, New Caledonia, Palau, Saipan, the Solomon Islands, Tinian, and the U.S. in search of over 20 aircraft and 100 service members still missing in action. Five aircraft were successfully identified and documented, with documentation submitted to DPAA. The missions also resulted in new leads, based on field research and personal
Fishers Equipment Helps Locate Weapons and Explosives
control console, an area up to 72 feet wide can be swept in one pass; saving time, fuel, and manpower. To inspect sites on land, the coil can be mounted on the front of an ATV or other vehicle allowing large areas to be swept quickly. This powerful machine is now helping a JMAS team uncover lethal UXO in Palau reports representative Terada Yasuo. Another organization using Fishers equipment in a similar operation is the Regional Centre for Underwater De-mining (RCUD) in Montenegro, which was part of the former Yugoslavia. A bloody civil war in the 1990s left the country littered with unexploded
February 2026
