[Commentary ] Slow-moving and peaceful, manatees are vital to the health of our oceans.

This Manatee Appreciation Day, we honor the dedicated people working to save them.

As a new op-ed by conservationist Omar Vidal argues, whether these giants survive the next 100 years is up to us. https://mongabay.cc/PCo3jf

#Mongabay #Manatees

On Manatee Appreciation Day, remember these gentle giants who protect aquatic ecosystems (commentary)

Along the warm waters of Mexico’s Caribbean coast lives a creature so gentle that sailors once mistook it for a mermaid. Slow-moving, peaceful and curious, manatees have glided through rivers and coastal lagoons for millions of years, long before humans ever set foot on these shores. On Manatee Appreciation Day, it’s worth remembering not only […]

Conservation news

Scientists in Argentina are tracking 22 more mammal species than in 2019. The latest update to the national Red List includes a groundbreaking focus on "alien taxa," using new classifications to determine how non-native species are impacting the country's diverse ecosystems.

Story by Maxwell Radwin for #Mongabay.
https://mongabay.cc/YRyxRX

#News #Conservation

Argentina updates national IUCN mammal list with new focus on non-native species

Scientists have updated the conservation status of hundreds of mammals in Argentina, adding previously unassessed species and revising biodiversity threat levels. The assessment evaluated 417 native mammal species across the country, identifying national threats even in species that are listed as least concern. More than 500 scientists contributed to the effort, which also involved a […]

Conservation news

Why are Chinese deep-sea research vessels navigating around U.S. military territory?

A joint investigation by Elizabeth Claire Alberts and Kara Fox for #Mongabay and #CNN revealed that for the past five years eight deep-sea mining ships traveled on strange patterns outside their designated exploration areas and even went “dark”.

Experts believe these vessels could be serving a military intelligence purpose.

Read the full story. https://mongabay.cc/mgbDSMsm

#News #DeepSeaMining

China’s deep-sea mining fleet may also track US submarines

A Mongabay and CNN investigation found the eight Chinese state-owned ships that conduct deep-sea mining research in China’s mining areas allocated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) actually spent little time in these exploration areas, while spending much of their remaining time operating in militarily strategic waters. Many of these vessels are linked to the […]

Conservation news

Sicilianews24.it: La flotta cinese di estrazione sottomarina potrebbe monitorare i sottomarini statunitensi.

## Attività di mining in acque profonde: La strategia della Cina
Un’indagine condotta da Mongabay e CNN ha rivelato che otto navi cinesi di proprietà statale, utilizzate per ricerche sul mining in acque profonde, hanno trascorso poco tempo nelle aree di esplorazione designate dall’Autorità Internazionale del Fondo Marino (ISA). La maggior parte del tempo è stata dedicata a operare in acque strategiche dal punto di vista militare.
Alcuni di questi vascelli sono legati alla Marina Cinese e hanno regolarmente attraccato in porti militari, spostandosi in zone economiche esclusive di altre nazioni e disattivando i segnali di identificazione automatica (AIS). Sebbene non ci siano prove certe che dimostrino un ruolo militare, è evidente che i vascelli possano avere un utilizzo duplice, svolgendo sia funzioni scientifiche che strategiche.
Con la Cina che si posiziona come leader nel settore del mining in acque profonde, gli Stati Uniti stanno accelerando i propri sforzi per accedere a queste aree e contrastare la dominanza cinese nelle catene di approvvigionamento di minerali critici. Le Isole Cook stanno emergendo come un hotspot in cui la competizione tra Stati Uniti e Cina si intensifica.
## Un rischio per gli ecosistemi marini
L’aumento della rivalità tra Cina e Stati Uniti ha sollevato preoccupazioni riguardo ai potenziali danni irreversibili all’ambiente marino dovuti al mining in acque profonde. Molti esperti avvertono che la salvaguardia degli ecosistemi potrebbe diventare la principale vittima di questa competizione geopolitica.
Le esplorazioni avvenute nei cinque anni precedenti hanno mostrato che le navi cinesi hanno speso solo il 6% del loro tempo nelle aree di mining assegnate, mentre la maggior parte del tempo è stata dedicata alla navigazione in acque strategiche. Questo ha portato gli analisti a concludere che, oltre alle attività di mining, potrebbero esserci anche operazioni di raccolta di informazioni militari.
Recentemente, il vascello Xiang Yang Hong 01 ha intrapreso diverse missioni di ricerca nel settore del mining in acque profonde, ma trascorrendo più tempo al di fuori delle aree designate. È stato riferito che la nave ha disattivato il suo AIS, evidenziando l’intenzione di operare senza essere tracciata.
L'articolo La flotta cinese di estrazione sottomarina potrebbe monitorare i sottomarini statunitensi. sembra essere il primo su Sicilianews24.it.

The Chinese underwater mining fleet could be monitoring U.S. submarines.

Deepwater Mining Activities: China’s Strategy

An investigation conducted by Mongabay and CNN revealed that eight Chinese state-owned ships, used for deepwater mining research, spent little time in the exploration areas designated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Most of the time was spent operating in strategically important military waters.

Some of these vessels are linked to the Chinese Navy and have regularly docked at military ports, moving into the exclusive economic zones of other nations and disabling Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals. While there is no definitive proof that demonstrates a military role, it is clear that the vessels could have a dual use, performing both scientific and strategic functions.

With China positioning itself as a leader in the deepwater mining sector, the United States is accelerating its efforts to access these areas and counter China’s dominance in critical mineral supply chains. The Cook Islands are emerging as a hotspot where competition between the United States and China intensifies.

A Risk for Marine Ecosystems

The increase in rivalry between China and the United States has raised concerns about the potential for irreversible damage to the marine environment due to deepwater mining. Many experts warn that safeguarding ecosystems could become the main victim of this geopolitical competition.

Explorations over the past five years have shown that Chinese ships have spent only 6% of their time in the assigned mining areas, while most of the time was spent navigating in strategic waters. This has led analysts to conclude that, in addition to mining activities, there may also be military intelligence operations taking place.

Recently, the vessel Xiang Yang Hong 01 has undertaken several research missions in the field of deepwater mining, but spending more time outside designated areas. It has been reported that the ship disabled its AIS, highlighting the intention to operate without being tracked.

The article “China’s Submarine Mining Fleet Could Be Monitoring US Submarines” appears to be first published on Sicilianews24.it.

#Chinese #China #Mongabay #theChineseNavy #theUnitedStates #only6% #XiangYang #first

https://www.sicilianews24.it/la-flotta-cinese-di-estrazione-sottomarina-potrebbe-monitorare-i-sottomarini-statunitensi-823771.html

La flotta cinese di estrazione sottomarina potrebbe monitorare i sottomarini statunitensi.

## Attività di mining in acque profonde: La strategia della Cina Un'indagine condotta da Mongabay e CNN ha rivelato che otto navi cinesi di proprietà

Sicilianews24.it

Deep-sea mining rules face major delays. While the International Seabed Authority aims for a 2024 "mining code," a recent meeting concluded with significant gaps remaining. As the U.S. fast-tracks its own plans, the risk of mining without global oversight grows.

Elizabeth Alberts reports for #Mongabay. https://mongabay.cc/rWiWBQ

#News #DeepSeaMining

Deep-sea mining rules face delays despite urgent push

The UN's deep-sea mining regulator adjourned without a clear timeline for finishing industry rules, even as the U.S. pushes ahead with mining plans under domestic law.

Conservation news

Foreign investors are suing Latin American and Caribbean nations for $36.6 billion, often targeting environmental policies.

These legal battles undermine government efforts to protect ecosystems, transition to clean energy, and human rights.

Story by Aimee Gabay for #Mongabay. https://mongabay.cc/whKo2n

#News #Latam

How foreign investor lawsuits stymie environmental protection

New data by the Transnational Institute reveal how an increase in lawsuits by foreign investors is undermining government efforts to protect natural resources and human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean. Countries in the region are facing a total of $36.6 billion in lawsuits from corporations, all through investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) claims, which […]

Conservation news

Meta has shuttered nine Facebook groups in Indonesia following a joint investigation by #Mongabay and @Bellingcat.

The report uncovered evidence of illegal wildlife trade conducted openly on the platform. Reporters found advertisements for protected species, including the rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) and infant Javan silvery gibbons.

Story by Achmad Rizki Muazam and Foeke Postma.
https://mongabay.cc/TAqnWm

#Indonesia #Wildlife

Facebook shuts Indonesia groups after Mongabay and Bellingcat report illegal wildlife trade

This story was produced in collaboration with Bellingcat. Read their version here, and Mongabay-Indonesia’s version here. JAKARTA — A new report by Mongabay and independent journalism organization Bellingcat has uncovered several Facebook groups selling protected species in Indonesia, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. In a Facebook group whose Indonesian name translates […]

Conservation news

As the sun sets over Kenya’s cave systems, a critical race is underway to understand the hidden lives of bats.

Bats are vital to our ecosystems, yet they are among the most sensitive species to human disturbance.

Read the full story by Shola Lawal on how scientists are safeguarding Kenya's bat populations. https://mongabay.cc/lDvoC3

#News #Mongabay #Bats #Kenya

At dusk in Kenya’s caves, scientists study the hidden lives of bats

As the afternoon fades at the Three Sisters Caves in Kenya’s Kwale county, David Wechuli’s team begins setting up nearly invisible nets along the hillsides in the coastal forest. “When dusk arrives, bats begin pouring out of the caves,” Wechuli says. “Some fly straight into the nets. We quickly remove them, carefully untangling each bat […]

Conservation news

Conservation tech leaders SMART and EarthRanger are merging into a single platform: SERCA.

By combining real-time visualization with advanced data analysis, this partnership aims to streamline operations for organizations like WWF and WCS.

Learn more about the capabilities of SERCA in this report by Maxwell Radwin for #Mongabay. https://mongabay.cc/eXEHgGS

#News #Conservation #SERCA

Flagship conservation platforms SMART and EarthRanger join forces in new tech partnership

For years, conservation groups have relied on two leading technologies to help manage protected areas: EarthRanger, a platform for wildlife monitoring and real-time field reporting, and SMART, a conservation management software useful for logging patrol data and ranger activity. But some organizations have struggled to decide between them and even end up using both, forcing […]

Conservation news

[Founder's Briefs] Community-led mapping in Gabon is proving that traditional knowledge can stop industrial logging. Massaha’s biocultural map revealed a history of occupation that global data missed, successfully protecting their rainforests.

By Rhett Butler. https://mongabay.cc/xkkuzU

#News #Gabon #Mongabay

How a community defended its ancestral forest from logging

  To the cartographers of the modern conservation world, the forests of northeastern Gabon can appear almost empty. Satellite images show a deep green canopy stretching across the Congo Basin. Global datasets classify large tracts as “intact forest landscapes”, areas supposedly free of industrial disturbance and largely untouched by people. On paper, such forests look […]

Conservation news