Wildlife Conservation Society and partners document large-scale coral bleaching and death in wake of sea surface temperature rise   NEW YORK (August 16, 2010) – The Wildlife Conservation Society today released initial field observations that indicate that a dramatic rise in the surface temperature in Indonesian waters has resulted in a large-scale bleaching event that has devastated coral populations. WCS’s Indonesia Program “Rapid Response Unit” of marine biologists was d...

Wildlife Conservation Society’s Landmark Study Shows that Protecting Ocean Biodiversity While Increasing Profits for Coastal Communities is Possible Findings May Turn Tide Toward New Era of Fishery Management NAIROBI, KENYA (MAY 13, 2010) –The Wildlife Conservation Society today announced findings from a study showing that closures and gear restrictions implemented in fishing areas can increase fishery revenue and net profits. The landmark ...

A new study says that banning certain types of fishing gear can help save coral reefs from the damaging effects of climate change, by protecting key fish populations that help stressed reefs recover.

(June 17, 2009)  – Banning or restricting the use of certain types of fishing gear could help the world’s coral reefs and their fish populations survive the onslaughts of climate change according to a study by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and other groups. The international team of scientists has proposed that bans on fishing gear - like spear guns, fish traps, and beach seine nets  – could aid in the recovery o...

With WCS research as a guide, the government of Belize enacts new laws to protect the country’s extensive coral reefs, considered to be the most pristine in the Western Hemisphere.

Wildlife Conservation Society research helped inform new rule changes Parrotfish, Nassau grouper, and other species under new protection; spearfishing is banned in marine reserves NEW YORK (APRIL 27, 2009) -- The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and its partners commend the Government of Belize, in particular the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Honorable Rene Montero, who earlier this month signed a sweeping set of new laws to protect its extensive coral reefs, considered to be the...

In the face of warming ocean waters due to climate change, some coral reefs off East Africa are demonstrating unusual resiliency. A WCS study shows that successful fisheries management is key.

Successful reef management coupled with geophysical factors produces hearty corals off East Africa coast NEW YORK (April 23, 2009) – The Wildlife Conservation Society announced today a study showing that some coral reefs off East Africa are unusually resilient to climate change due to improved fisheries management and a combination of geophysical factors. WCS announced the results of the study at the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), which is meeting this week in Phuket, Thailand. The ...

A combination of improved management and natural regeneration is helping corals stage a rapid comeback in Indonesia following the December 2004 tsunami.

Wildlife-Rich Burdwood Bank is Now Protected NEW YORK (October 9, 2008) – The Wildlife Conservation Society announced today that the government of Argentina has recently banned commercial fishing along an 1,800 square kilometer (694 square mile) submerged island rich in species found no where else on earth and an important feeding ground for sea lions, penguins, albatross and other marine life. The area, known as Burdwood Bank, lies 220 km (136 miles) off the Southern Argentine Coast. Burdwood i...