Oceans given boost as nations agree to protect a third worldwide
But the deal is not legally binding, and opposition from some big countries to the idea could make it largely symbolic
White killer whales were a legend – now they are everywhere
White orcas are so rare, there was once only one. Now they are being spotted more frequently – and the reason is not good news
Ocean warming is already spreading diseases and killing corals
It is one of our greatest hidden challenges – and we are completely unprepared, says the International Union for Conservation of Nature
Whales dive slower and feed less in response to shipping noise
The noise from shipping is disrupting natural behaviour of humpback whales and could lead to a long term decline in their numbers
Record-breaking year shows Earth’s climate is in real trouble
Our planet's “annual physical” check-up finds it severely ill, with dozens of various climate records broken last year
Biggest ever die-off of ocean forests triggered by warming seas
Kelp forests crucial to marine life are disappearing fast in Australia as rapidly warming oceans transform the ecosystems
A recipe for ocean health: Add 10 million oysters to salty water
Rewilding our depleted oceans will help restore them to health, and the best place to start is with the humble oyster, says Charles Clover
UK closer to banning cosmetic microbeads that clog up its seas
Tiny plastic particles from our washing products end up in seas and are ingested by marine organisms. The UK is about to decide whether to ban the beads
Orcas are first non-humans whose evolution is driven by culture
Genomes of 50 whales from different social niches reveal that their varying cultures are also genetically distinct
World’s largest sponge discovered in deep sea is as big as a car
We use them to lather and exfoliate while bathing, but the largest of these marine animals wouldn't fit in a bathtub - or even a Jacuzzi