New Tracking Tool Maps Ocean Migrations of 100+ Species, Boosting Conservation Efforts
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📰 The quick summary: A new online tool from the University of Queensland now tracks over 100 migratory marine species across oceans, helping conservationists better understand and protect these animals as they cross international boundaries.
📈 One key stat: Almost half of all species that migrate over or in the ocean are feared to be in decline, highlighting the urgent need for better conservation strategies across jurisdictions.
💬 One key quote: “They’re absolutely astonishing journeys and they’re far more common than we give them credit for. All sorts of species do this,” says Daniel Dunn, an associate professor and director of the University of Queensland’s Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science.
1️⃣ The big picture: Scientists have created the first comprehensive online tool that maps the journeys of over 100 migratory marine species across the world’s oceans. The Migratory Connectivity in the Ocean (Mico) system synthesizes data from more than 1,000 tracking studies to visualize how species like loggerhead turtles, humpback whales, and Arctic terns travel astonishing distances. By revealing these migration patterns, researchers aim to address a fundamental conservation challenge: protecting animals that regularly cross international boundaries and travel through the high seas. The tool arrives at a crucial time as countries work to implement global agreements to protect 30% of the planet by 2030.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Conservation efforts can now be better informed by hard data showing exactly where and how migratory species move across oceans. Policymakers working on international agreements like the high seas treaty will be able to identify critical areas that need protection based on actual migration routes rather than guesswork. The tool bridges a significant knowledge gap by bringing together scientific studies from around the world into one accessible system. This visual approach helps illustrate the remarkable journeys these animals make – like Arctic terns flying 90,000km round trips or loggerhead turtles swimming 1,000km along continental shelves. Marine conservation can become more strategic and effective by targeting protection efforts where migrating species need them most.
3️⃣ What’s next: The Mico team hopes their tool will support implementation of the “30 x 30” target – the global plan to protect 30% of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030. Their data will help determine which areas need protection to ensure migration pathways remain connected. Additionally, the newly adopted high seas treaty can use this information to establish protected areas in international waters where many species travel.
Read the full story here: The Guardian – ‘Astonishing journeys’: online tool tracking migratory animals highlights challenge of protecting them
