Alfred DeGemmis of @wcs.org and Rachel James of WWF explain how coral reefs are largely missing from country reporting to international biodiversity and climate agreements - a lost opportunity for targeted action to promote climate resilience. for-the-ocean.org/now-or-never...

New study in Coral Reefs by @wcs.org's Tim McClanahan and Jesse Kosgei explains how fishers in Kenya are staying in the fishery even though stocks are declining and they are not earning a living wage. newsroom.wcs.org/News-Release...

Ocean finance still falls far short of what’s needed. We have a long way to go to put it into the hands of those who really need it. We describe what’s actually working in blue finance, as well as the proven mechanisms that must now scale to deliver measurable, community-centered impact.

As #COP30 unfolds in Belém, one message is clear: ocean finance pledges aren’t enough. A new op-ed by @stacyjupiter.bsky.social, @oceanknigge.bsky.social, & Loreley Picourt highlights proven tools, from guarantees to community-led governance, that can turn commitments into impact. 🌎 bit.ly/4oDOOIu

LISTEN: Despite over a decade of protections, a widespread illegal trade in shark and rays persists. This underscores the importance of the upcoming #CITESCOP20 meeting, where governments have the opportunity to take stronger action. 🌏 🔊 apple.co/4nShUmo

A new study finds persistent illegal trade in protected shark species. @wcs.org has a plan in our Marine Strategy to tackle this. We are working to secure CITES Appendix I listings and are using established crime science techniques to develop tailored preventative responses to illegal trade.

Proud to be one of 15 global teams awarded funding through the @bezosearthfund.org’s AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge. We’re advancing foundational AI models for coral reef monitoring and inviting divers and citizen scientists everywhere to join the effort. 🪸 bit.ly/4oxMguW

With our partners, we are working around the clock to find and map all of these special reefs—what we’re calling high integrity climate-resilient coral reefs (HICOR). The science is clear: Climate resilience is measurable. Hope is actionable, says @stacyjupiter.bsky.social. #HopeForCoral

New science by @wcs.org Director of Marine Science, Dr Tim McClanahan, gives further hope #ForCoral. His review of modelling studies show the outlook for reefs is not uniformly grim – with many reefs remaining stable or improving under the right conditions. newsroom.wcs.org/News-Release...

A newly released Global Tipping Points report suggested that coral reefs have passed thresholds beyond which they can't bounce back. Our new study from Fiji shows just the opposite - astonishing, rapid recovery within 4 years of reefs pummeled by a category 5 cyclone. #ForCoral

ICRS Darwin Medal Nominations due Dec. 15 The ICRS Darwin Medal is the Society’s highest recognition, awarded every four years to a distinguished late-career society member who has made significant scientific contributions recognized globally throughout their career. coralreefs.org/awards-honor...

~~~~~~~~ #GrantSpotlight ~~~~~~~~ We supported @thewcs.bsky.social 'Creating a network of of resilient MPAs in globally significant areas of the Western Indian Ocean 🇰🇪 🇲🇬 🇹🇿 ' 🌊 Grant Report: buff.ly/3E4UgS8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One reason why I was excited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Arcturus expedition by joining the livestream at @wcs.org's CPZ of the NOAA research cruise in #HudsonCanyon with contemporary artists is because 25 years ago I was on a deep sea expedition in #PNG with my own box of watercolors

It's been a long time in development, but I am thrilled to say that our new "Guidebook for assessing and improving social equity in marine conservation" is now released, launched at the IUCN #WorldConservationCongress2025 Download your copy now here: portals.iucn.org/library/node...

The IUCN Guidebook for Assessing and Improving Social Equity in Marine Conservation launched this week. Available to download now: portals.iucn.org/library/node... You can also join us for a webinar on October 28th to learn more! us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #consocsci #marsocsci #marineequity

Sharks & rays are vanishing. Whale sharks, oceanic whitetips, manta & devil rays face steep declines. This Nov at CITES CoP20, governments will vote on giving them Appendix I protections - the strongest safeguard possible. Add your voice: only.one/act/cites-2025 #CITESCoP20

Coral reefs with high ecological integrity are able to quickly recover from extreme climate impacts. In our new study in Coral Reefs, we found high integrity Fiji reefs were able to rebound rapidly following a category 5 cyclone. Full study: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

100 years ago, WCS scientists explored #HudsonCanyon. What set this work apart was not just the science but how it was shared with the public. Today, we carry this legacy forward, says WCS’s John Calvelli, as part of a campaign to protect it. 🌎 www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/...

So excited to be launching @wcs.org’s new Coral Reef Conservation Strategy today, led by the indefatigable @emilysdarling.bsky.social ! We have goals to identify, manage and monitor high integrity climate resilient reefs around the world, working with governments and community partners.

So pleased to see this @blueactionfund.org project signed to advance marine conservation and sustainable livelihoods in #Bangladesh. @wcs.org is excited to be partnering with @worldfish.bsky.social to deliver outcomes for biodiversity and human well-being.

Incredibly proud of @emilysdarling.bsky.social for this tremendously well-deserved honor.

The WCS Ocean Giants Team does extensive research in the waters between Cape May, NJ, and Montauk, NY, to provide the science needed to protect marine species in the area and their habitat. See their trip to #HudsonCanyon on our latest #DayInTheLife: bit.ly/3K9sEyl 🌎

100 years ago, the Arcturus Oceanographic Expedition set sail from New York. Led by our then-Department of Tropical Research (DTR), the 6-month voyage made an unexpected stop at the end at the little-known #HudsonCanyon. Isabel Cooper, a DTR staff artist, made 100+ illustrations on the expedition.

The Pacific Islands are charting a course for the world’s largest ocean protection effort with $37.5 million in new support from @bezosearthfund.org. Includes Solomon Islands, with support from WCS, advancing this work for people, culture, and the planet. 🌏 bit.ly/4mmhTWW

What’s on the menu for whales in New York Bight? New science from WCS Ocean Giants team shows humpbacks in nearshore/mid-shelf areas seem to eat wider variety of prey than those much further offshore—valuable info to guide conservation efforts and ecosystem monitoring. 🌎 doi.org/10.1002/aqc....

As part of our campaign to protect #HudsonCanyon, select fishmongers in New York have been turning butcher paper into a call to action, writes @fastcompany.com. 🌎 www.fastcompany.com/91367948/nyc...

We are only now getting a true understanding of the scale and scope of the shark meat trade, says WCS's @lukedavid301.bsky.social. Upcoming #CITES #CoP20 will include urgently needed proposals to protect the world’s most threatened species. 🌏 news.mongabay.com/2025/08/mong...

Luke Warwick of @wcs.org notes in the below article from @mongabay.com that "the shark meat trade is larger and more damaging to the survival of these ancient ocean predators than anyone has previously realized". Mongabay has exposed high volumes of shark meat traded in Brazil.

Thrilled to see our @wcs.org Marine and Southeast Asia-Pacific staff presenting on the #WISH approach at #WorldWaterWeek. WISH is an innovative place-based example of planetary health in practice to implement holistic watershed management for public health, environment and climate benefits

NEWS: Philippines has designated a new marine protected area in biodiversity-rich Siquijor waters. Comes after years of participatory planning and consultations, community leadership, and support from a variety of agencies and NGO partners like WCS. 🌏 🪸 bit.ly/3Hp1K4M

New study from @wcs.org and partners document 85% decline in abundance of Nassau grouper at their spawning site at Glover's Reef over 20 years, moving the population to local extirpation. Read more from Coral Reefs: link.springer.com/article/10.1... Photo (c) Connor Holland/Ocean Image Bank

Interested in how to manage for climate-resilient coral reefs? Have a read of the new blog by @wcs.org's @emilysdarling.bsky.social and ICRI's Margaux Monfared promoted through the #TogetherForTheOcean campaign: lnkd.in/gaXsshGY

Fiji’s best wave was once forbidden to locals, now the country has its first pro-surfer

** Exciting postdoc opportunity in community-based fisheries co-management ** Come work with Patrick Smallhorn-West at JCU & me at WCS to understand patterns of co-management governance and link these to social and ecological outcomes. Full job description here: careers.jcu.edu.au/jobs/postdoc...

Thrilled to be present at the launch of the Captain Jonathan Smith Fund, in memory of a true Fijian ocean voyager and protector. The fund is much needed to spearhead cleanup of derelict vessels in Suva Harbour.

The Pacific Island law students who dreamed up the case to put before the International Court of Justice will be dancing in the streets today. The ICJ just issued an advisory opinion that countries can sue each other over climate change, including for historic emissions www.bbc.com/news/article...

I can't stop signing Mia Kami's powerful anthem for our planet and the ocean. Originally performed at Our Ocean Conference in Palau - the video was remixed with more ocean footage for another live performance at #UNOC3 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbyd...

Gathering with Fiji and Pacific #coralreef experts to talanoa about needs for effective management of the region’s reefs

Very honored to join the SNAPP Board. I’ll be helping to identify cutting edge scientific collaborations to advance conservation and sustainable development outcomes for nature and people.

As the movie Jaws turns 50 this year, some reflections by @wcs.org's Hans Walters, shark expert from the New York Aquarium, on why sharks should be revered and not feared: www.nydailynews.com/2025/07/19/t...

Timely paper from @sangeetamangubhai.bsky.social and co-authors suggesting strategies to improve Pacific Islander research and authorship in the academic literature. Read the full article from Pacific Conservation Biology here: www.publish.csiro.au/PC/fulltext/...

Last week our WCS Ocean Giants team had its first sighting of a #finwhale mother & calf in the New York Bight since 2018. We’ve been acoustically monitoring this species for nearly a decade, revealing song pattern trends and providing insight into its seasonal presence. Read more: bit.ly/3TyJHvk

NEWS: @CITES shark and ray listings have driven improved global shark and ray management at a rate and scale that was previously lacking, says new study. Uneven implementation underscores urgent need for continued investment. 🌏 bit.ly/3Tn1cPi

Over the last decade CITES action has focused on shark fin trade. 90% of it is now regulated. We must now address other drivers of shark overfishing. Two other new proposals look to unsustainable oil and meat trades. These would ensure both gulper and smoothound shark trade is legal and sustainable.

Whale sharks, oceanic whitetips, wedgefish, manta rays—these iconic species need the same protections as tigers or gorillas. New #CITES proposals out now to prohibit commercial trade are “clearly justified,” says WCS’s @lukedavid301.bsky.social. 🌏 bit.ly/46jYIbN

Diego Montecino-Latorre of @wcs.org talking about the importance of wildlife surveillance for #onehealth management in practice. #iccb2025

Lucy Keatts of @wcs.org presenting on the continuum of care for achieving #onehealth outcomes at #iccb2025

Incredible session at #iccb2025 yesterday moderated by @georgina-gurney.bsky.social on advancing equity in conservation. Kudos to all presenters!

So proud of the many conservationists that @wcs.org has launched here at #ICCB2025, including Margaret Fox, former WCS Fiji staff, now leading on gender and fisheries in the Pacific for The Pacific Community

@georgina-gurney.bsky.social sets the scene for a critically important topic of advancing #equity in conservation. #ICCB2025