With proposals being put forward to open up a Welsh Special Area of Conservation sparking controversy, I ask - What is so special about a Special Area of Conservation anyway?

Scientists call out Canada for undermining it's own ocean protection mandate and putting marine species at risk.

Vanua Levu's Nagigi community want to create an aqoliqoli  - a short-term no take marine protected area - to ensure a sustainable future.  

Since whales can't easily get out of our way, we should make sure we are not in theirs.

Nathan Bennett has been actively researching the links between the environment and human societies for many years.

Marine protected areas differ if how much protection they offer, and some may in reality not offer much more protection than you get in the rest of the ocean anyway. Why does this happen? Politics.

Sydney, Australia has cleaner coastal waters, but seaweeds and the animals they provide homes for just aren't coming back... yet

Even non-consumptive forms of eco and nature-based tourism – such as wildlife watching – can have a negative impact on the very species we are hoping to see and protect.

All the science is the world isn't going to do anything if we choose not to take action