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The global COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has forced small island states to make rapid changes to the way they manage their marine estates following changes in global shipping practices and access which are essential for the supply of food items and island's infrastructure. Following the closure of the border of neighboring French Polynesia, changes had to be made to the PITCAIRN Islands' sole supply vessel route, which resulted in the vessel requiring to set anchor on arrival at the island to conserve fuel. Considering this change and to ensure the continued protection of vulnerable coral habitats the local government has had to make swift decisions to identify anchoring zones that minimize seabed disturbance. Data collected in January 2020, just prior to the pandemic, were assessed using a rapid assessment method and combined with earth observation data to create the first shallow water (s pristine, marine habitats during these unprecedented times.

One direct consequence of Arctic warming is the expansion of navigable portions of the Arctic Ocean. As a result, vessel traffic and the accompanying threats of spills, strikes and disturbance is intensifying throughout the Arctic. In the BERING Sea, these threats to the environment, wildlife and to the people who rely on marine resources for food and cultural continuity, are acute. We examined the spatial relevance of an Area To Be Avoided (ATBA), a shipping-risk mitigation measure, established around St. Lawrence Island with respect to seabirds, as sentinel species, habitat use. We studied four seabird species (common murre Uria aalge, thick-billed murre U. lomvia, crested auklet Aethia cristatella, black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla) breeding at St. Lawrence Island in the northern BERING Sea. GPS tracking data from 47 at-sea foraging trips showed that both murre species and crested auklets distributed outside the ATBA, during at least one stage of the breeding season. A larger dataset based on the birds' red blood cell isotopic signatures confirmed that for murres, the tracked individuals covered the broad niche exploited by these species. Habitat modelling further showed that the birds' most suitable marine habitats were associated with seasonal surface chlorophyll blooms, and largely extended beyond the ATBA on the shelf north of the island. Data on the murres' diet and diving behavior emphasized the importance of the shelf as a foraging habitat for these birds. We suggest that extending the ATBA to the north by only 35 km, would include areas of maximal habitat suitability. This extension would better protect seabirds, their foraging habitats and the cultural continuity of St. Lawrence Islanders, against growing threats stemming from Arctic warming.

The Pacific Islands have described progress on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the IMO as "alarmingly slow" and too slow to save many island nations.

CMA CGM, a leading worldwide shipping Group, presented its new strengthened services offer linking the Reunion Island during the inauguration of the Group's new offices, on Tuesday 26th January. The event took place the day before the inauguration of the New Port Reunion. The Reunion Island now becomes CMA CGM Group's maritime hub in the Indian Ocean.

The Israeli government's security cabinet has debated the island proposal which is backed by Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU.

The Israeli government's security cabinet has debated the island proposal which is backed by Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU.

As China builds artificial islands in a vast resource-rich South China Sea and neighbors in Southeast Asia brace for possible conflict, Taiwan is cutting carbon emissions and offering a hospital for humanitarian aid on the sea's largest natural islet to seek international approval for easing tension.

As China builds artificial islands in a vast resource-rich South China Sea and neighbors in Southeast Asia brace for possible conflict, Taiwan is cutting carbon emissions and offering a hospital for humanitarian aid on the sea's largest natural islet to seek international approval for easing tension.

Plans to demolish South Korea island announced.

Plans to demolish South Korea island announced.

An engine fire on board a cruise ship operated by Carnival Corp left about 4,500 passengers and crew stranded in the U.S. Virgin Islands for a second day on Tuesday and forced the cruise operator to cut the trip short.

An engine fire on board a cruise ship operated by Carnival Corp left about 4,500 passengers and crew stranded in the U.S. Virgin Islands for a second day on Tuesday and forced the cruise operator to cut the trip short.

EPA, New York Announce Ban on Boat Sewage in Long Island Sound.

Floating Island: New home for Rohingya refugees emerges in Bay of Bengal.

Five Migrants Drown off Greek Islands.

Costa Asia Launches China's First Cruise To South Pacific Islands.

Nine Rescued After Grounding off Greek Island.

Marshall Islands Now Second Largest Registry.

For Pacific islands like Palau, Tuvalu and Kiribati, the implications of climate change are clear - and devastating. Already, these governments have begun to plan for a future in which entire populations have to relocate as their islands vanish under the rising sea. But climate change also threatens ways of life in subtler ways, leaving families around the world to work out for themselves how to cope.

A commercial fishing vessel sank Saturday off the west coast of Vancouver Island, killing three of the

Marshall Islands flag flies over record tonnage - tops 125 million tons.

The quick-thinking crew of a cargo ship thwarted a possible a hijacking or robbery at sea Saturday off Davao del Sur province by locking themselves in their quarters, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. About eight men on two motorized outriggers boarded the MV Cecilia, but the crew quickly locked all the vessel's hatches and windows, said Commodore Joselito dela Cruz, PCG district commander on the main southern island of Mindanao. He said the suspected pirates left empty-handed before a Coast Guard vessel arrived at the site, near Balut Island.

Sabah cops probe piracy attempt near Banggi Island.

One dead, 15 missing after ferry "Vicente" sinking off Fogo Island.