Newsletter Archive

Dear UN Atlas member,As we approach the close of this year, the recent World Fisheries Day celebrations serve as an important reminder that we must focus on changing the way the world manages global fisheries to ensure sustainable stocks and healthy oceans ecosystems. Just last month the United Nations General Assembly called on countries that have not yet done so to become a party to the Law of the Sea regarding jurisdiction over national and international waters, as well as the seabed, and to maintain sustainable fisheries. Nearly one year ago a massive tsunami wreaked devastation to countries in...

Dear UN Atlas member,This month we feature the maritime industry, with new topics from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), including the causes of marine pollution, safety issues facing today's seafarers, and globalization and international trade. We take a close look at the importance of transportation at sea, coastal tourism and the shipping industry.We have contributions on the series of hurricanes battering North America's coastlines and the devastating impacts these are having.If this newsletter may interest someone you know, please forward it. Contribute to and participate in the growing Atlas community by becoming an active Member of the UN Atlas today....

Dear UN Atlas member, Recently added information on the site shows a continued support to those who were impacted by both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf of Mexico, United States of America. Hurricanes can play havoc with the sea bottom. There is much to be done to remap port shipping lanes and determine where debris lies so that safe, efficient port activity can be restored as soon as possible. Other essential work includes clearing the fishing grounds of debris; removal of vessels in the marsh; and oyster-bed restoration. This month we have added...

Dear UN Atlas member, Hurricane Katrina, the powerful storm which has caused widespread destruction and loss of life along the Northern Gulf of Mexico coastline of the United States, shows us once again the vulnerability of coastal communities. Now, with relief efforts and rebuilding underway, we are reminded of the necessity for emergency preparedness in order to minimize the impact of such catastrophic natural disasters. This month we have added a new topic on ship recycling. This is the most environmentally-friendly way of disposing of ships, although work practices and standards in recycling facilities often need major...

Dear UN Atlas member, This month we have flagged some upcoming workshops - from whale-tracking in the Arctic to the differences in statistical modelling. All these international workshops are being organized globally using the Virtual Office - a free, interactive web facility provided by the UN Atlas. More information. News items continue to reflect the rehabilitation work in the tsunami-zone and underline still-needed efforts, as explained in an interview with an FAO Fisheries Department officer. In other recent news, you can find out about the discovery of a new dolphin species, a new portal on...

Dear UN Atlas member,It has been six months since the tsunami hit the coasts of the Indian Ocean. While many post-tsunami rehabilitation efforts have taken root, more are still needed. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) plays a key role. Rebuilding continues, as you can read below with a recent donation to the IMO's Tsunami Maritime Relief Fund. The Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) topic keeps expanding. Recent additions include information on the Benguela Current LME Programme which focuses on Angola, Namibia and South Africa, as well as a new entry on the West Bering Sea...

Dear UN Atlas MemberOne of this month's news items features World Environment Day - an annual event celebrated every June 5th and organized by the United Nations Environment Programme, one of the main partners of the UN Atlas of the Oceans. The theme for this year's World Environment Day is ""Green Cities"". A major highlight is the Urban Environmental Accords Green Cities Declaration, to be signed by mayors from more than 60 cities around the world. The Accords cover seven environmental categories - energy, waste reduction, urban design, urban nature, transportation, environmental health, and water - and lay out 21...

Dear UN Atlas members, A new topic on mollusks has been added this month by the Census of Marine Life (CoML) which acts as the lead editor for the Biology section of the Atlas. The Census is a growing global network of researchers in more than 70 nations engaged in a 10-year initiative to assess and explain the diversity, distribution and abundance of life in the oceans - past, present and future.The section on Large Marine Ecosystems has expanded with a new topic on the California Current. This is an example of a large pelagic ecosystem which has been studied...

Dear UN Atlas members, Three months after the devastating tsunami of December 2004, a massive earthquake hit the coast of Indonesia - bringing another round of death and destruction to the already-shattered region. The NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (based in Hawaii, USA) analyzed the earthquake data to determine location and magnitude, and issued a tsunami bulletin 11 minutes later. Fortunately, only small waves were generated, nonetheless it highlighted once again the need for more observing systems around the world. A new topic on Oceans and Human Health has recently been added...

Dear UN Atlas members, Information on the tsunami, which is now more focused on rehabilitation, is increasing thanks to your continued contributions.UN Atlas editors are currently developing a section on freshwater which will address the various ways the oceans can be used as a source of freshwater for drinking and agriculture. Coverage of Large Marine Ecosystems has expanded with a new topic on the Gulf of Mexico. Another topic - dedicated to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) - was also added this month with an emphasis on the long-term, sustainable development of these island nations....