A Powerful Wave of Protection for Manta Rays, Sharks, and Rays Worldwide

Governments worldwide have approved unprecedented international safeguards for manta rays, sharks, and several ray species. All ten manta and devil rays are now listed under CITES Appendix I, ending international commercial trade and giving these slow-reproducing animals a crucial chance to recover.

Additional species, including oceanic whitetip and whale sharks, have also been elevated to Appendix I, while guitarfish, wedgefish, and several shark species gained new restrictions under Appendix II. It marks one of the strongest global actions ever taken to protect vulnerable marine life. Read more...

New Technology Boosts Coral Recovery

A breakthrough “larval seedbox” method has dramatically increased coral settlement on the Great Barrier Reef, with trials showing up to a 56-fold improvement across large reef areas. By slowing dispersal, the seedboxes give coral larvae more time to attach, survive, and establish new growth.

With further testing underway, this scalable technique could become a key tool in large-scale reef restoration at a time when climate pressures are intensifying. Read more...

Legal Action Brings Fresh Hope for Pilot Whales in the Faroe Islands

A detailed complaint submitted by Sea Shepherd has led to formal charges against whalers involved in a grind that violated Faroese law. In response, grind foremen have announced that no hunts will take place in the northern islands while the case is active, creating an unexpected pause in a region where hunts normally continue without interruption.

The charges follow Sea Shepherd documentation of an incident in which an exhausted pod was held for hours and several whales were left alive in shallow water—actions explicitly forbidden under national rules. The case has drawn renewed attention to long-standing concerns about the grind and marks a rare moment of accountability, offering a potential turning point for the protection of pilot whales in the Faroe Islands. Read more...

Norway Freezes Deep-Sea Mining Plans

Norway has postponed all deep-sea mining activity in its Arctic waters until at least 2029, creating one of the strongest political barriers yet to the emerging industry. The delay, secured through budget negotiations, is being hailed as a major win for vulnerable and largely unexplored deep-sea ecosystems.

Scientists and NGOs warn that mining the seabed could cause irreversible damage, and the EU Parliament has already called for a global moratorium. Norway’s pause provides critical time for research and public scrutiny. Read more...

Sea Shepherd Returns to Antarctica to Defend Whales From the Expanding Krill Industry

Sea Shepherd will return to Antarctica at the start of the new year as industrial krill fishing intensifies in what may be the world’s most important whale feeding ground. Fourteen supertrawlers now operate between the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Orkney Islands, competing directly with whales, seals, and penguins for rapidly declining krill populations.

With catch limits weakened, a new 138-meter supertrawler entering the fleet, and evidence that krill densities may have dropped by up to 80% since the 1970s, Sea Shepherd is launching its fourth expedition to document the crisis and push for stronger protections. The Allankay will continue working with journalists and scientists to expose the impact of concentrated industrial fishing and build support for long-overdue safeguards in the Antarctic. Read more...