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        <title>Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ocean-sustainability</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability | New and Recent Articles</description>
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        <pubDate>2026-05-14T05:40:14.833+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1804530</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1804530</link>
        <title><![CDATA[At-sea transshipment of fishery catches: a systematic literature review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Mohammed Mustafa Yaseen Al-Asbahi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionAt-sea transshipment is the process of transferring cargo, fuel, crew, and supplies between vessels at sea. Fishery catch transshipment specifically refers to the transfer of fish catches from fishing vessels to refrigerated cargo carriers (reefers) operating beyond national jurisdictions. By enabling fishing vessels to remain at sea for up to 13.3 months, compared with approximately 3 months for non-transshipping vessels, the practice enhances operational efficiency for distant-water fleets while simultaneously functioning as the primary logistical channel for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, catch laundering, labor abuses, and the depletion of global marine stocks; IUU losses linked to these activities are estimated at USD 10-23.5 billion annually.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted on 35 peer-reviewed articles published between 2011 and 2025. A multi-database search of Scopus, Web of Science, and Springer Nature returned 2,826 initial records, which were filtered, deduplicated, and screened in full text to yield the final sample. Articles were coded across five thematic categories: monitoring and technology, policy and governance, geopolitical and international relations, economic and social aspects, and environmental sustainability.ResultsResearch interest surged after 2018, with peak output in 2024. Quantitative methodologies dominated (65.7%), followed by mixed-methods and qualitative approaches (17.1% each). Machine learning and satellite-based tracking applied to AIS data are the most common detection tools, but only 50%–70% of events are captured because of AIS disabling, signal manipulation, and dark-vessel activity. Activities concentrate in the Northwest Pacific, West Africa, and the Indian Ocean, frequently involving vessels registered under flags of convenience. Comparative analysis of 17 regional fisheries management organizations showed that only three mandate full observer coverage.DiscussionA persistent misalignment between surveillance capabilities and regulatory frameworks remains, sustained by inconsistent reporting and weak enforcement. Three priority gaps emerge: the spatial relationship between transshipment hotspots and ecologically sensitive zones is unexamined; no study has linked vessel registries with port inspection databases into an integrated compliance system; and interdisciplinary research tracing the full chain from at-sea transfer through catch laundering to market entry and labor conditions is absent. Mandatory electronic monitoring, standardized data sharing, and increased transparency in vessel ownership are needed to transform transshipment from a regulatory blind spot into a leverage point for sustainable ocean governance.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1756643</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1756643</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Cetaceans and floating marine macro-litter in the Calabrian Ionian Sea (Central Eastern Mediterranean): applying conservation research]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Maria Assunta Menniti</author><author>Rosanna Agresta</author><author>Pasquale Gariano</author><author>Maria Grandinetti</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The Gulf of Squillace, in the Calabrian Ionian Sea, where we have been conducting scientific research and marine monitoring since 2019, has proven to be an important area for pelagic animals, including seabirds and sea turtles. Among these, the presence of cetaceans such as bottlenose dolphins, Risso's dolphins, and striped dolphins is regular, while other species are less frequent visitors. Over the years of monitoring, it has become clear that multiple factors contribute to the degradation of the coastal marine environment, particularly the presence of marine debris. Floating dangerous debris for cetaceans (DDFC) emerge as one of the main anthropogenic threats to the conservation of marine ecosystems and pelagic megafauna. During autumn and winter, marine litter predominantly originates from extreme weather events and riverine inputs. In contrast, during spring and summer, most debris is generated by maritime activities such as fishing, recreational boating, and coastal tourism. A monitoring survey conducted in 2024 and 2025, covering about 1,400 km, analyzed the distribution of floating macro-debris and cetaceans. Data collection was performed via visual surveys from inflatable boats, recording debris type and the presence of marine species. Results indicate a predominance of synthetic polymers, followed by fishing gear, wood, and metals. This study quantifies the potential risk of interaction by analyzing the spatial overlap between cetaceans' sightings tracks and floating dangerous debris for cetaceans. The primary objective is to identify high-risk areas to support evidence-based conservation strategies and mitigate programs, such as source prevention and debris removal. The presence of multiple cetacean species underscores the ecological importance of this region, which includes the SAC “Fondali di Stalettì” and the Marine Park “Baia di Soverato,” further justifying the need for targeted management recommendations.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1758599</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1758599</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Liability in ocean observation: applying UNCLOS and the BBNJ regime in the South-West Indian ocean]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Suriya Narayanan Sundararajan</author><author>Anna-Lena Simon</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The regulation of ocean observation in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the evolving regime related to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) draws attention to a complex interplay of regimes and the common concern for the ocean stewardship. In this regard, as the drive for ocean observation is expanding, particularly in light of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution also known as the triple planetary crisis, the legal architecture surrounding the liability for damages arising from ocean observation becomes increasingly critical. This paper will explore the barriers to effective legal accountability in ocean observation, particularly in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), where UNCLOS and the BBNJ Agreement along with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol, converge within the broader framework of ocean governance to create a nuanced regulatory landscape. The lack of coherent tethering between advancing technological capabilities in ocean observation and the absence of a corresponding liability framework under the regime mentioned above will be examined, with a particular focus on gaps in liability for damage to marine biodiversity, and data collection. Additionally, the legal challenges and opportunities presented by the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) Region, an oceanic expanse impacted by ocean observation to monitor offshore activities that affect marine biodiversity, will be explored in this paper. The region, characterized by its rich biodiversity, underscores the need for a robust liability framework to address transboundary risks, benefit-sharing and the conservation and sustainable use of the marine environment. By pursuing a detailed analysis of treaty law, case law, customary law and regional cooperation mechanisms, this paper seeks to delineate a path toward a more coherent and accountable regime for ocean observation in ABNJ with a particular focus on SWIO. Preliminary analysis indicates that a fragmented regime interaction raises a barrier to accountability. Consequently, the paper proposes a conceptual liability framework that integrates legal standards with regional cooperation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1704716</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1704716</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Balancing urbanization and ocean sustainability: the evolution of eco-shorelines through cross-disciplinary collaboration in Hong Kong]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Jay J. Minuti</author><author>Cheryl Chu</author><author>Thea E. Bradford</author><author>Kenneth M. Y. Leung</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Hong Kong's shoreline development dates back to the 19th century, when the British established a strategic trading port. Since then, rapid urbanization and economic growth have transformed much of the coastline, with high-rise buildings, infrastructure, and extensive land reclamation leading to the loss of natural shorelines. Approximately 16% of Hong Kong's coastlines have been converted into artificial shorelines, including concrete and rubble-mound seawalls, which serve as coastal defenses against wave action, erosion and flooding. While these structures provide essential protection, they often simplify natural habitats, reduce biodiversity, and compromise ecosystem functions, including fisheries production, seawater biofiltration, carbon sequestration, and natural coastal protection. Over the past decade, ecologically engineered shorelines (i.e., eco-shorelines) have emerged in Hong Kong as both small-scale trials and larger-scale implementations within new town development and reclamation projects. By integrating ecological principles into artificial shoreline design, eco-shorelines aim to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem function without compromising coastal protection. This review examines the development of eco-shorelines in the highly urbanized environments of Hong Kong, highlighting design innovations, ecological outcomes, governance frameworks, and collaborative approaches. Using Hong Kong as a case study, this review highlights the potential of eco-shorelines to support sustainable coastal urbanization, emphasizing the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration and the broader applicability of these approaches to other regions.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1721755</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1721755</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Assessing ecosystem risk from human activities in an Atlantic oceanic island]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ana C. Suhett</author><author>Débora S. Ferrari</author><author>Sergio R. Floeter</author><author>Ana M. Liedke</author><author>Tiago B. R. Gandra</author><author>Amanda R. Rodrigues</author><author>Hudson T. Pinheiro</author><author>Raphael M. Macieira</author><author>João L. Gasparini</author><author>Vinicius J. Giglio</author><author>Maria A. Gasalla</author><author>Carlos E. L. Ferreira</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The increasing intensification of anthropogenic pressures on remote sites such as oceanic islands highlights the need for integrated approaches to marine management and conservation. Here, we applied an Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) using Options for Delivering Ecosystem-Based Marine Management (ODEMM) framework to identify and quantify ecological risks associated with five socioeconomic sectors (fishing, military activities, shipping, tourism, and research), at Trindade and Martin Vaz Islands (Southwestern Atlantic). Through a structured expert elicitation process involving stakeholders, we constructed a matrix of linkages between sectors, pressures, and ecological components. Each impact chain (sector → pressure → ecological component) was scored based on spatial overlap, frequency, and degree of impact and combined multiplicatively to estimate Impact Risk (IR). We identified 515 impact chains, with fishing emerging as the dominant risk vector, particularly affecting pelagic fish, shallow reefs, and sedimentary habitats. Network-level proportional connectance analysis revealed high connectivity for military and shipping sectors, though with lower overall risk intensity. Although the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs) has been a step forward, our results reveal that the absence of management and enforcement plans limits their effectiveness. We recommend strengthening fisheries enforcement, expanding MPAs to include critical habitats, and adopting continuous ecological risk assessments as a basis for adaptive management strategies. Our findings demonstrate the applicability of IEA–ODEMM in data-limited, remote systems and provide a transparent, replicable framework to prioritize management actions and strengthen adaptive governance in oceanic island ecosystems facing cumulative human pressures.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1767068</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1767068</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Pathways to social–ecological indicators in the era of Digital Twins of the Earth]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-16T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Aurelija Armoskaite</author><author>Ida Maria Bonnevie</author><author>Daniel Depellegrin</author><author>Alejandra G. Cabanillas</author><author>Giulia Bellon</author><author>Erasmia Kastanidi</author><author>Maik Neukirch</author><author>Miriam von Thenen</author><author>Astrid Sanchez Jimenez</author><author>Lise Schrøder</author><author>Juliana Socrate</author><author>Solvita Strake</author><author>Henning Sten Hansen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Effective ecosystem-based management strategies that prevent further degradation of the ecosystem state and negative impacts on societies are needed but require cross-disciplinary and complex understandings of social–ecological systems (SES). This study defines, evaluates, and operationalises the concept of social–ecological (SE) indicators using the butterfly model based on the DAPSI(W)R(M) framework, linking drivers, activities, pressures, state changes, impacts on human welfare, and responses as measures. A review of 148 indicators developed under the marine strategy framework directive (MSFD), including contributions from HELCOM, OSPAR, the European Environment Agency, and marine-relevant UN sustainable development goals (SDGs), was conducted. Indicators were assessed across four key dimensions: mapping along the DAPSI(W)R(M) cause-effect chain; indicator complexity; normative basis; and the relationship between the indicator and its indicandum. Based on the analysis and a literature study, an SE indicator definition was developed requiring SE indicators to be compound or explicitly connect the ecological and social dimensions. Only nine of the analysed indicators qualify as SE indicators by making traceable connexions across both dimensions of the butterfly model. Existing compound indices, such as the ocean health index (OHI) and its regional adaptation, the Baltic health index (BHI), illustrate how nested, goal-oriented indices can operationalise SE integration while also highlighting challenges related to transparency and aggregation due to their nested nature. Pathways for adapting existing non-SE indicators into SE indicators are outlined, drawing on ongoing work in the SEADITO project (2024–2027) that develops SE modelling tools for the European Digital Twin of the Ocean (EU DTO). To enable compound SE indicators and support implementation within emerging digital twins of the earth, such as the EU DTO, additional criteria for SE indicators are proposed, consisting of the addition of crosscutting interlinkages and digital readiness, respectively, in addition to existing criteria of measurability, sensitivity, specificity, scalability, transferability, and precision. By clarifying what makes an indicator SE and identifying concrete development pathways, this study advances the methodological foundation for integrating SES analysis into marine spatial planning and ecosystem-based management in an era in which digital twins of the earth are accelerating the digital infrastructure for SES.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1782334</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1782334</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Interdisciplinary and inclusive approaches to mangrove and coral restoration in the U.S. Virgin Islands]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Cynthia A. Grace-McCaskey</author><author>Alexandra P. Stevenson</author><author>Kristin Wilson Grimes</author><author>Marilyn Brandt</author><author>Allie Durdall</author><author>Chloé Camacho</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In this paper, we describe a community-based approach to Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), focusing on the Hull Bay Coral and Mangrove Restoration Workshop held on March 2, 2024. Designed as a collaborative platform using community-based, participatory research methods, the workshop brought together community leaders, fishers, restoration practitioners, and agency personnel to co-produce knowledge and explore culturally- responsive strategies for coral and mangrove recovery. The workshop is part of a broader interdisciplinary research agenda grounded in the co-development of NbS to address complex social-ecological challenges associated with climate change. The workshop functioned as a dynamic site of engagement and learning, where participants shared observations on coral reef and mangrove degradation, voiced concerns about existing restoration efforts, and advocated for locally-driven solutions. Key findings include participants' emphasis on the importance of ecological function (particularly fisheries habitat, shoreline protection, and ecosystem resilience) over extractive tourism-centered benefits, the desire for deeper engagement with local ecological knowledge, implementation of programs that engage younger generations, and the development of co-management frameworks that prioritize local autonomy. Using qualitative data from workshop notes, participant feedback, and thematic analysis, this study contributes to a growing body of literature calling for transformative, inclusive, and collaborative NbS. It highlights how community workshops can foster inclusive governance, empower historically underrepresented voices, generate context-specific knowledge that complements scientific approaches, and reinforces community members' sense of place and marine identity. This research demonstrates that participatory workshops are not just outreach tools but critical interventions for reimagining NbS through relational, interdisciplinary, and community-oriented lenses. As coral reefs and mangrove forests face mounting pressures from climate change, this case study offers insights into how community-grounded efforts in the USVI can inform more fair, accessible, and resilient restoration practices across the Caribbean and beyond.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1702958</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1702958</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Offshore gas in West Africa as a driver of change: an assessment of impacts and redistribution of pressures]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mamadou Ndiaw Seck</author><author>Bouya M'Bengue</author><author>Bocar Sabaly Baldé</author><author>Sandra Kloff</author><author>Marcos Llope</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Oil and gas are among the most important non-renewable energy sources globally, and recent technological advancements have accelerated offshore exploration, especially in Africa. Countries like Nigeria, Sudan, Algeria, and Egypt are major players, with Algeria, Nigeria, and Egypt among the top ten nations with substantial liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacities. West Africa, once underrepresented in the sector, has gained prominence with the 2016 discovery of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) reserve, located between the maritime borders of Senegal and Mauritania. The emergence of this new sector could significantly alter the region's approach to managing its marine resource. The GTA project unfolds in four stages exploration, construction, exploitation, and decommissioning all of which pose environmental risks. These include habitat destruction, pollution from discharges, noise, species displacement or death, light pollution, and the degradation of nesting, feeding, and breeding grounds. Sessile species are particularly vulnerable. However, there is a less studied dimension of the implications of this new sector. The development of these phases requires the displacement of other activities, particularly fishing, leading to knock-on effects that also warrant consideration. The complexity introduced by this emerging marine sector necessitates a holistic assessment of its implications for the region's present and future development. Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) are widely used to inform ecosystem-based management (EBM). Using the ODEMM (Options for Delivering Ecosystem-Based Marine Management) approach, the study identifies the interconnections between sectors, environmental pressures, and ecological components. A modification of the ODEMM framework, distinct from previous applications (focusing on a single sector), was made during our analysis to better highlight the effects of the GTA project in our study area. Results showed that this new sector has several impacts on ecological components, increasing certain existing pressures and introducing new ones. Despite these negative impacts, positive effects, such as the use of platforms as artificial coral reefs, were also observed.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1828491</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1828491</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Correction: Disentangle the skein: a nomenclature framework to assess the contribution of Maritime Spatial Plans to the European Green Deal]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-27T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Correction</category>
        <author>Martina Bocci</author><author>Alexandre Cornet</author><author>Vesa Arki</author><author>Folco Soffietti</author><author>Adeline Bas</author><author>Daniele Brigolin</author><author>Mónica Campillos-Llanos</author><author>Pierpaolo Campostrini</author><author>Fabio Carella</author><author>Cristina Cervera-Núñez</author><author>Annija Danenberga</author><author>Katia Frangoudes</author><author>Kira Gee</author><author>Maria Gómez-Ballesteros</author><author>Eider Graner</author><author>Bettina Käppeler</author><author>Olivier Laroussinie</author><author>Laura Pietilä</author><author>Mari Pohja-Mykrä</author><author>Heikki Saarento</author><author>Hristo Stanchev</author><author>Margarita Stancheva</author><author>Marta Stube</author><author>Emiliano Ramieri</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1793907</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1793907</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Enhancing public engagement and scientific literacy for marine conservation in Brazil: the role of informal science education events]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-16T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis</author><author>Manildo Marcião Oliveira</author><author>Renato Matos Lopes</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Effective marine conservation increasingly depends on public engagement, particularly in biodiversity-rich regions facing acute socio-environmental pressures. In Brazil, a global marine biodiversity hotspot, important informal science education events such as Semanas de Biologia, Fiocruz pra Você, and the Semana Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia serve as important interfaces between marine science and society. This perspective paper reflects on the role of these initiatives in enhancing scientific literacy and public engagement for marine conservation, drawing on qualitative observations from outreach activities conducted between 2023 and 2025 and situating them within the broader literature on informal science education and science communication. Rather than presenting causal impact assessments, the paper examines how multisensory and participatory strategies, including biological specimens, tactile materials, interactive games, and low-cost immersive technologies, can foster accessible and meaningful learning environments for diverse audiences. Finally, it outlines future directions for strengthening informal science education as a strategic component of marine conservation, emphasizing multimodality, reflexive evaluation practices, community co-production, and equitable geographic access. By framing informal outreach as a key interface between science, society, and policy, this perspective contributes to discussions on how public engagement can support conservation governance in Brazil and other global marine biodiversity hotspots.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1752532</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1752532</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The role of law in coastal ecosystem conservation: a case study on mangrove protection in the U.S., Egypt, and Saudi Arabia]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Perspective</category>
        <author>Ibrahim Badawi</author><author>Omar Almohammadi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Climate change poses escalating threats to coastal ecosystems through sea-level rise, intensified storms, and rising ocean acidification, placing global sustainability at risk. Mangrove ecosystems play a critical role in coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate mitigation stabilizing shorelines, filtering pollutants, and acting as major carbon sinks. Sustainable mangrove management offers livelihood opportunities for local communities, such as fishing, shellfish gathering, and beekeeping. Despite their importance, mangroves have experienced significant decline, particularly in countries with extensive coastlines. This paper examines how legal frameworks and policy initiatives address mangrove protection in the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, with a focus on the role of law in mitigating coastal ecosystem degradation. Using a comparative legal analysis, the paper reviews mangrove-related legislation, regulatory approaches, and national initiatives in these three jurisdictions. The analysis finds that the United States employs more developed legal mechanisms for mangrove protection, including marine protected areas and scientific monitoring, while Saudi Arabia and Egypt rely more heavily on large-scale restoration initiatives and broader environmental laws rather than mangrove-specific legal frameworks. The paper concludes that strengthening targeted legal measures for mangrove protection, informed by comparative legal experience, can enhance coastal ecosystem resilience and support long-term environmental sustainability in regions vulnerable to climate change.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1751387</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1751387</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Disentangle the skein: a nomenclature framework to assess the contribution of Maritime Spatial Plans to the European Green Deal]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-09T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Martina Bocci</author><author>Alexandre Cornet</author><author>Vesa Arki</author><author>Folco Soffietti</author><author>Adeline Bas</author><author>Daniele Brigolin</author><author>Mónica Campillos-Llanos</author><author>Pierpaolo Campostrini</author><author>Fabio Carella</author><author>Cristina Cervera-Núñez</author><author>Annija Danenberga</author><author>Katia Frangoudes</author><author>Kira Gee</author><author>Maria Gómez-Ballesteros</author><author>Eider Graner</author><author>Bettina Käppeler</author><author>Olivier Laroussinie</author><author>Laura Pietilä</author><author>Mari Pohja-Mykrä</author><author>Heikki Saarento</author><author>Hristo Stanchev</author><author>Margarita Stancheva</author><author>Marta Stube</author><author>Emiliano Ramieri</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The European Green Deal (EGD) sets an ambitious, cross-sectoral agenda with direct implications for the sea. Yet methods to systematically assess how national Maritime Spatial Plans contribute to EGD objectives remain scarce. The article proposes an EGD–MSP nomenclature that translates the EGD's complexity into a practical, adaptable framework for practical application in Maritime Spatial Planning. The framework clusters EGD ambitions into seven topics—climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, sustainable seafood production, biodiversity and ecosystem protection and restoration, blue circular economy, zero pollution, and fair and just transition—and organises them hierarchically into sub-topics and operational elements. The nomenclature was tested across seven EU countries (Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Spain) using desk analysis of MSP plans and related documents, targeted interviews, and a workshop to examine aspects common to the participating countries. A semi-quantitative synthesis (YES/PARTIALLY/NO) enabled consistent comparison of how EGD elements appear in MSP visions, objectives, and measures. Results show that climate change mitigation is widely and explicitly addressed—primarily via offshore renewable energy—while adaptation is present but often indirect. Biodiversity protection is common, whereas restoration remains limited. Blue circular economy and zero-pollution objectives are referenced more often in objectives than in concrete measures. Approaches to a fair and just transition are emerging, with participation and transparency improving, yet institutional, financial and technical knowledge capacities remain uneven. The nomenclature balances harmonisation and interpretative flexibility, enabling robust cross-national comparisons without imposing uniformity. Beyond analysis, it provides a practical scaffold for implementation, monitoring, and iterative plan revision, and can be extended into an indicator-based system to track MSP contributions to the EGD over time.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1760735</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1760735</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Working in fisheries - fish and aquaculture: a celebration of women's contribution and experience]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Beatriz Morales-Nin</author><author>Dianne Margaret Tracey</author><author>Audrey J. Geffen</author><author>Cynthia M. Jones</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1695203</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2026.1695203</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean policy integration: how far are we from policy coherence?]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Sašo Gorjanc</author><author>Ginevra Capurso</author><author>Laura Bastide</author><author>Emiliano Ramieri</author><author>Andrea Barbanti</author><author>Morgane Roquais</author><author>Sarah Loudin</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThe Mediterranean Sea is one of the world's most extensive biodiversity hotspots, yet its biodiversity is increasingly degraded due to environmental pressures and socio-economic activities, particularly fishing. Although a comprehensive policy framework exists to balance socio-economic needs with environmental protection, tensions persist due to limited integration among relevant policies and institutions. Mediterranean fisheries provide substantial socio-economic benefits, but overfishing remains a critical challenge. Against this background, this paper examines the integration of marine environmental and fisheries policies in the Mediterranean.MethodsThe study adopts a multi-scale case study approach, covering the full Mediterranean regional level and two national contexts: the Italian North Adriatic and the French Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It employs a mixed qualitative methodology combining literature and policy reviews with semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic research. The analysis focuses on coherence between European Union and regional Mediterranean policies, as well as their implementation at the national level in French Mediterranean and Italian northern Adriatic waters.ResultsThe analysis identifies key challenges in policy alignment and persistent tensions between biodiversity conservation and fisheries management at the policy level. Both the EU's Common Fisheries Policy and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean incorporate environmental objectives and coordinate with environmental policies and institutions. However, this coherence at higher policy levels diminishes during implementation due to entrenched sectoral silos, power dynamics, varying levels of political will, and differences in available funding.DiscussionThese findings highlight ongoing difficulties in achieving effective marine policy coherence in the Mediterranean. The dilution of high-level policy alignment during implementation underscores the need for stronger enforcement, enhanced cross-sectoral coordination at both institutional and stakeholder levels, and more adaptive governance mechanisms. Addressing these issues is essential to better safeguard Mediterranean biodiversity while balancing socio-economic objectives.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1697910</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1697910</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Integration of artificial intelligence for sustainable freshwater fishery governance: an Okavango River ecosystem perspective]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Fillemon Nadhipite Johannes</author><author>Paulinus Ndumba Sindumba</author><author>Frans Ndemupondaka Haimbodi</author><author>Tetukondjele Panduleni Iyambo</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This qualitative study examined the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in sustainable freshwater fishery management within the Okavango River ecosystem, combining primary field research with a comprehensive document review. The investigation explored how AI technologies, including machine learning and predictive analytics, can enhance fish stock assessment, habitat monitoring, and resource administration to achieve ecological and socio-economic sustainability. The study emphasizes the Okavango River's unique biodiversity and its critical importance to local communities while assessing AI's potential to transform traditional fishery management approaches. The research employs a dual-method approach, utilizing both face-to-face semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (fishers, vendors, and officials) and a systematic review of relevant policy documents and documentary reviews. Thematic analysis of interview data and document content reveals key insights about AI adoption challenges, implementation opportunities, and practical applications in freshwater fisheries. Findings demonstrate AI's transformative potential in enabling real-time data collection, predictive population modeling, and overfishing prevention. However, significant barriers emerge, including technological infrastructure gaps, institutional resistance, and capacity-building needs among local stakeholders. By synthesizing field data with existing literature, this study makes a novel contribution to sustainable fishery management discourse, offering context-specific, AI-integrated strategies for the Okavango River ecosystem. The research proposes policy recommendations that address both technical implementation challenges and ethical considerations, grounded in empirical evidence from multiple data sources. Ultimately, this study highlights the critical role of AI in balancing ecosystem conservation with socio-economic development, while demonstrating how mixed-method approaches can strengthen research outcomes in environmental technology studies.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1575438</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1575438</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Non-state actors in transboundary coastal environmental cooperation: a case study from Southern China's Greater Bay Area]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Vivian H. Y. Chu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Cross-jurisdictional cooperation on the management of coastal wetlands in China's Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) had long been limited to information exchange. This study finds that NGOs, tasked with crucial policy-entrepreneurial responsibilities, aroused new dynamics to coastal wetland conservation in the GBA's Deep Bay (also known as Shenzhen Bay). This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the implications of non-state policy entrepreneurs' positions as well as their collective policy entrepreneurial strategies in promoting cross-jurisdictional environmental cooperation. Selected studies in the literature reveal cautious and skilful ways in which Chinese NGOs conduct policy advocacy. This paper deviates from these as NGOs' attempts to influence management practices and policy are studied in the delicate transboundary context, where added complexities are expected. NGOs' success documented in this case study is highly unusual because, conventionally, culturally and/or politically in this region, cross-jurisdictional environmental management is heavily dominated by governmental actors. This paper analyses the reasons accounting for their success in triggering collaborative coastal wetland conservation. The availability of resources to the NGOs, in terms of funding from its private donations and knowledge from experts and scientists, as well as their autonomy, were important factors. This paper goes on to explain the implications of a more recognized role of non-state actors, including ECR, who have become more active in research related to wetland conservation in the GBA.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1679893</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1679893</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Monitoring and assessment of rocky reefs and maërl communities in the Special Conservation Area “SCA - Underwater Valleys of the Mazarrón Escarpment” (SE Iberian Peninsula, Western Mediterranean)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jose M. Bellido</author><author>Beatriz Terrones</author><author>Ana Muñoz</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Rocky reef ecosystems and maërl communities have a great ecological importance. However, as most of these habitats are present in shallow water near shore, they are particularly vulnerable to the effects of human activities. The main goal of this research is to improve the knowledge on maërl communities and reefs within the Special Conservation Area (SCA) “Underwater Valleys of the Mazarrón Escarpment”, in southeast Spain. An intensive sampling of benthic habitats between 20 and 300 m depth by two coastal and two oceanographic surveys was conducted during 2022 and 2023. We made use of towed sledge and ROVs as main sampling methodologies, although some other benthic dredges were also utilized (shipek dredge, beam trawl and rock dredge). Results show a high taxonomic richness of megabenthic species. Currently approximately 400 taxa have been identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, with a particular focus on the habitats of community interest “rocky reefs - 1170” (Alcyonium acaule, Alcyonium palmatum, Leptogorgia sarmentosa, Cerianthus membranaceus among others) and maërl communities (Lithothamnion spp., Mesophyllum spp., Phymatolithon calcareum, Peyssonnelia rosa-marina among others). Then we constructed an accurate habitat zoning and new bionomic cartography with a finer spatial resolution for the habitats of rocky reefs and maërl communities. Finally, we estimated a set of specific ecological indicators, which allow evaluating their conservation status, their monitoring over time as well as their spatio-temporal evolution.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1743635</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1743635</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Securitizing and greening the contested, climate-changed ocean: benefits, risks and governance pathways for integrating defense into climate-smart marine spatial planning]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-21T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Perspective</category>
        <author>Ralph Tafon</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Oceans are increasingly shaped by climate change, biodiversity loss, geopolitical tensions and maritime crime and insecurity. Climate-smart marine spatial planning (CSMSP) has emerged as a governance framework to integrate climate action, conservation, and equity into ocean planning. However, defense institutions–key actors in maritime security and major greenhouse gas emitters–remain absent from CSMSP discourse. This paper argues that integrating defense into CSMSP offers strategic and climate benefits: minimizing defense-driven offshore wind cancellation and thus accelerating approval, safeguarding environmental protection and undersea critical energy infrastructure, accelerating decarbonization through the military's green transition, and addressing the defense emissions gap. Yet, integration carries significant risks: power asymmetries, spatial exclusion, ecological harm, and militarization of green energy. To reconcile security imperatives with sustainability, transparency and equity, the paper proposes governance pathways: transparent data sharing, conflict-resolution and co-existence protocols, and defense marine zoning. “However, the paper warns that while green defense initiatives have climate benefits, there are reasons to curb our enthusiasm”. Specifically, rising global military spending and the resultant mineral-intensive extractivism to support war-readiness threaten to overshadow these benefits by locking in carbon-heavy supply chains and amplifying upstream emissions, environmental degradation, and social disposability. Aligning national security with climate security thus requires more than technological greening: it requires transparent cradle-to-grave emissions, and strategic restraint in defense spending, war-readiness, and material efficiency. Ultimately, integrating defense into CSMSP is not merely a technical exercise but a normative challenge that will determine whether ocean governance advances sustainability and transparency or succumbs to securitized emissions and green extractivism.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1643289</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1643289</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Ensuring sustainable coastal fisheries under changing climate conditions and the scramble for fish resources]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Grete Elisabeth Dinesen</author><author>Stefan Neuenfeldt</author><author>Casper Willestofte Berg</author><author>Asbjorn Christensen</author><author>Josefine Egekvist</author><author>Ole Ritzau Eigaard</author><author>Jeppe Olsen</author><author>Marie Storr-Paulsen</author><author>Kirsten Birch Håkansson</author><author>Thomas Højrup</author><author>Søren Qvist Eliasen</author><author>Kirsten Monrad Hansen</author><author>Josianne G. Støttrup</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In the recent decade, local fishers in the Jammer Bay, western Skagerrak, experienced declining landings of cod (Gadus morhua) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and were unable to fish up their quotas making it difficult to earn a livelihood. To enable an Ecosystem Based approach to Management (EBM), we applied the Systems Approach Framework (SAF). The fishers' concerns and perceptions of the system were brought forward and integrated into the analysis. We examined whether the declined coastal landings were due to over-fishing, changes in adult cod and plaice distribution, climate change or discards. To address these issues, we integrated data from different, sources including international landings data for Skagerrak, fisheries survey data for the Greater North Sea, Danish landings data and hydrographic models of thermal seabed habitats for the Jammer Bay area, and Danish landings and discards data from the Skagerrak. Our results showed that declines in landings of cod and plaice in the Skagerrak appeared unrelated to quotas and effort. The fisheries survey data showed a regional shift in adult cod and plaice distribution from the southern and central North Sea areas to the northern North Sea areas. However, in the Jammer Bay area changes in where adult cod were caught were related to the distribution of suitable thermal habitats. No effects of changes in thermal seabed habitat were evident for adult plaice. The fisheries survey data showed that juveniles of both species occurred in high densities in the Jammer Bay area as compared to the remaining Skagerrak area and adjacent seas. Their occurrence coincided with the areas that were intensively fished, and high discards of juvenile cod and plaice were registered in the area during the period of the study. These results pointed to the need to implement protection measures for the juveniles of both species. The implementation of an Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measure (OECM) would allow spatio-temporal closures to protect the juveniles while maintaining sustainable fisheries. In this study, we demonstrate how multi-sourced empirical data can be mobilized to provide knowledge-based advice for OECM implementation.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1602115</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/focsu.2025.1602115</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mangroves and associated vegetation under metals and arsenic lingering impact: the legacies of zinc smelter industry residues and iron ore in southeast Brazil]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-03T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Vinicius Tavares Kütter</author><author>Ingrid Tavares Costa</author><author>Alina Criane de Oliveira Pires</author><author>Maria Montes-Bayón</author><author>Alfredo Sanz-Medel</author><author>Wilson Machado</author><author>Emmanoel Vieira Silva Filho</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionMangrove forests play a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of trace elements in intertropical coastal regions. This study evaluates concentrations of metals and arsenic in mangrove plants and ferns (leaves, flowers, branches, and roots) along a tidal creek chronically affected by residues from a zinc smelter and along another creek influenced by iron ore storage in Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.MethodsTo investigate potential physiological responses to metal exposure, selected plant samples were analyzed for the occurrence of proteins like phytochelatins. Total element contents (As, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Pb) were determined using ICP-MS, and the proteins were analyzed through SEC-HPLC-ICP-MS.ResultsElevated concentrations of As (average of 34.81 mg kg−1) were detected in fern leaves, and proteins similar to phytochelatins indicated the presence of two distinct chemical species of As in these plants. In mangrove trees, three chemical species were identified in leaves and two in flowers and branches. Statistical comparisons showed significant differences in Cr, Cu, and Pb in mangrove leaves and Pb in branches from the Arapucaia Channel relative to Saco do Engenho Creek. These higher concentrations were associated with untreated domestic effluent from the Mazomba River and effluent from ore and coal activities in Itaguaí Port.DiscussionResults indicate a dilution gradient for all metals (except Fe) from the former Cia Mercantil Ingá waste site toward the bay, whereas the Arapucaia Channel does not show a comparable dilution pattern. These outcomes highlight consideration contaminant sources, hydrodynamics, and plant uptake pathways in managing mangroves in higher polluted area.]]></description>
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