Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

🌊Markus Knigge🐟 @oceanknigge.bsky.social · 5h

Important news for those tracking #30by30. @protectedplanet.bsky.social merging WDPA & WD-OECM into new 'World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas (WDPCA).' @unep.org @unbiodiversity.bsky.social
www.protectedplanet.net/news-and-sto...

Introducing the WDPCA

Exciting changes are coming to Protected Planet in November, including a bringing together and rebrand of our flagship databases into the World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas.

www.protectedplanet.net

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🌊Markus Knigge🐟 @oceanknigge.bsky.social · 12h

Please consider following @oceanelders.bsky.social and amplifying their voices... 🌊🐳🪸

Ocean Elders @oceanelders.bsky.social · 18h

Victor Vescovo speaks the truth about deep sea mining on the @shawnryanshow.bsky.social

youtu.be/2xoAAjORXlM?...

Victor Vescovo – Solo Dive to the Titanic, Cloning Humans & Reviving Extinct Animals | SRS #244

YouTube video by Shawn Ryan Show

youtu.be

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 1d

Robotic underwater glider sets out to circumnavigate the globe | New Scientist

Robotic underwater glider sets out to circumnavigate the globe

Redwing, a robotic submarine about the size of a surfboard, is embarking on a five-year journey that will follow the famed explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s voyage around the world

www.newscientist.com

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

Thyrza Zoons @oceanthyrza.bsky.social · 1d

@wildtrust.co.za is strengthening small-scale fisheries co-management and 17 of 39 committee nominees are women 👏🏾 Women's participation is not only about offering a seat at the table. It’s about building the confidence to take it 🪑
#GenderEquality #Fisheries

Photo credits: Mnqobi Zuma | WILDTRUST

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🌊Markus Knigge🐟 @oceanknigge.bsky.social · 21h

I saw. So hard to compete with @verampcoelho.bsky.social in the race for having president in the title 🏃🏼‍♀️👟🥇. @oceana.bsky.social is lucky to have her...

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Blue Action Fund @blueactionfund.org · 1d

Meanwhile in Honduras 🇭🇳...

Sandra Dreher @oceandreher.bsky.social · 2d

Visit to @blueactionfund.org project (👉 tinyurl.com/ypn86tru) in La Moskitia, Honduras wrapped up - intense and inspiring! Deeply grateful to connect with local Indigenous communities and an incredible team on the ground. Full of #OceanOptimism 🌊💙

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🌊Markus Knigge🐟 @oceanknigge.bsky.social · 1d

When your former colleagues turns vice president....
Massive congratulations to you @verampcoelho.bsky.social 🎉🥳 @oceanaeurope.bsky.social @oceana.bsky.social

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Judith Weigand @oceanweigand.bsky.social · 4d

More Happy News: since end of September São Tomé & Príncipe is the first country with 100% of its land designated as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve! Now we are just waiting for ✍️ of the decree law by the president to establish the first MPAs in the country 👇 A lot of #oceanoptimism & #conservationoptimism

Blue Action Fund @blueactionfund.org · 4d

Meanwhile in São Tomé and Príncipe 🇸🇹...
Thanks also to cofunding from #Oceans5 & @schorstmeyer.bsky.social
@faunaflora.bsky.social project currently visited by @idelamer.bsky.social & @oceanweigand.bsky.social

Jérôme OLLIER @jeromeollier.bsky.social · 24d

São Tomé and Príncipe commits to creating a marine protected area network - Victoria SCHNEIDER @mongabay.com

news.mongabay.com/2025/09/sao-...

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

Sandra Dreher @oceandreher.bsky.social · 2d

Visit to @blueactionfund.org project (👉 tinyurl.com/ypn86tru) in La Moskitia, Honduras wrapped up - intense and inspiring! Deeply grateful to connect with local Indigenous communities and an incredible team on the ground. Full of #OceanOptimism 🌊💙

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

🌊Markus Knigge🐟 @oceanknigge.bsky.social · Aug 15

Back from Holiday, I had my preferred task on my desk...
Thanks for your investements in 🌍 #OceanOptimism & support to @blueactionfund.org
🌊 @bmz.de 🇩🇪
🌊 @norad.no 🇳🇴
🌊 @afd-france.bsky.social 🇫🇷
🌊 @irishaid.bsky.social 🇮🇪
🌊 @swedishmfa.bsky.social 🇸🇪

Blue Action Fund @blueactionfund.org · Aug 15

Exciting new Grant: Today, we 🖋️ €4.8 million project with Coral Triangle Center & Partners to promote #OceanOptimism in Banda Sea 🇮🇩. (1/3)

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🌊Markus Knigge🐟 @oceanknigge.bsky.social · 2d

Snow Storm Steam Boat Off A Harbours Mouth. 1842 by 🧑‍🎨 Joseph Mallord William Turner. #muSEAum

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

Isabelle Delamer @idelamer.bsky.social · 6d

Packed few days in Príncipe 🇸🇹 visiting the @blueactionfund.org -funded project led by @faunaflora.bsky.social, implemented by local partner Fundação Príncipe.

📸 Small-scale enterprises, grievance mechanism in action, fish catch data collection.

More on the project👇
sl1nk.com/U2BAb

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

Sandra Dreher @oceandreher.bsky.social · 6d

First two days of our project visit in La Moskitia 🇭🇳 completed ✅ — feeling grateful for the warm welcome and meaningful first insights into the Wan Kabu Ka (Our Ocean) project led by Oikos and funded by @blueactionfund.org 🌊☀️
tinyurl.com/ypn86tru

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

Blue Action Fund @blueactionfund.org · 5d

Our EbA funding window hitting the ground in Berlin...
Thanks @ecologic.eu & @bfn-de.bsky.social, for allowing us and our partners to share experiences & lessons learned. #OceanOptimism cofunded by @bmz.de & @greenclimate.fund.
@umweltministerium.de @oceanthyrza.bsky.social

Thyrza Zoons @oceanthyrza.bsky.social · 5d

Ecologic Institute brought together an impressive combination of cases and individuals in the field of coastal EbA the last 2 days! I shared some insights from the 50mln EUR @blueactionfund.org EbA funding window in the WIO.
Also good to see some Blue Action projects present in the room and online 🙌🏼

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

Blue Action Fund @blueactionfund.org · 5d

Meanwhile in STP 🇸🇹..,
@oceanweigand.bsky.social @idelamer.bsky.social

Judith Weigand @oceanweigand.bsky.social · 5d

Yesterday we completed Part 1 of @blueactionfund.org visit on Príncipe Island. Thanks to @faunaflora.bsky.social & Fundacao Principe for showing us your important work on the Island. Establishing MPAs & establishing small businesses to help communities becoming more resilient. #oceanoptimism

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

Blue Action Fund @blueactionfund.org · 4d

Meanwhile in South Africa 🇿🇦...
@wildtrust.co.za @oceanthyrza.bsky.social
www.goodthingsguy.com/environment/...

Nyembe Community Resource Hub to Transform Lives, Boost Skills and Marine Conservation

Nyembe Community Resource Hub was launched this week to advance community development and marine conservation in the region.

www.goodthingsguy.com

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🌊Markus Knigge🐟 @oceanknigge.bsky.social · 2d

Rumah Foundation launches programme to support publishing costs (💵1.5 to 5k) for researchers & small organisations based in Southeast Asia to help bringing their 🌊🐟🪸🧪 knowledge into the scientific community. ogy.de/d6x9

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

🌊Markus Knigge🐟 @oceanknigge.bsky.social · 5d

@endangeredlands.bsky.social offers Planning Grants · Building strong collaborations
· Establishing biodiversity baselines
· Preparing proposals for larger-scale funding
📅 Deadline: 20 January 2026
ogy.de/fbgc

Funding Opportunities | Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme

ogy.de

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

🌊Markus Knigge🐟 @oceanknigge.bsky.social · 5d

💵 25K National Geographic / Buffet Award for leadership in conservation in Africa & Latrin America 2026. Any marine heroines and heroes out there 🪸🌊🐟?
Deadline 17 Oct. ➡️ ogy.de/nybr

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Sophie Thayne @oceanthayne.bsky.social · 4d

Fair enough-virtual workshops are never the same as being on the ground. But with the political situation preventing our @blueactionfund.org trip, teams @blueventures.bsky.social @akf-global.bsky.social & OSDRM in MD made the best of it and pushed through. Huge thanks @oceancecilia.bsky.social 🙏

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

Blue Action Fund @blueactionfund.org · 4d

Meanwhile in São Tomé and Príncipe 🇸🇹...
Thanks also to cofunding from #Oceans5 & @schorstmeyer.bsky.social
@faunaflora.bsky.social project currently visited by @idelamer.bsky.social & @oceanweigand.bsky.social

Jérôme OLLIER @jeromeollier.bsky.social · 24d

São Tomé and Príncipe commits to creating a marine protected area network - Victoria SCHNEIDER @mongabay.com

news.mongabay.com/2025/09/sao-...

São Tomé and Príncipe commits to creating a marine protected area network

The island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe has taken a significant step in marine conservation, announcing that it will establish eight marine protected areas in its coastal waters. The declaration is...

news.mongabay.com

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

Ocean Elders @oceanelders.bsky.social · 3d

We are thrilled to announce that Lavinia Currier and Kristine Tompkins have joined Ocean Elders. Incredible warriors for the planet. 🌎🌍🌏

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

Sangeeta Mangubhai @sangeetamangubhai.bsky.social · 3d

Research from #Fiji is showing high integrity and intact coral reefs had high resilience to category 5 cyclone, bouncing back in 4 years. These are reefs protected by communities in partnership with local tourism operators. #oceanoptimism

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Reposted by 🌊Markus Knigge🐟

Angelo Villagomez @taotaotasi.bsky.social · 4d

Colleges for now -- but we all know he'll eventually come for the NGOs

Sara Partridge, PhD @sarapartridge.bsky.social · 4d

NEW: The "compact" the Trump administration proposed to 9 universities earlier this month is a dangerous trap -- not only would the deal cede significant control over colleges, but it would open them and their leaders up to great legal risk.

www.americanprogress.org/article/trum...

Trump’s “Compact” With Colleges Will Put University Presidents in Legal Jeopardy

The White House’s proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education is unconstitutional, unlawful, and will put universities and their administrators at direct risk from a politicized Justi...

www.americanprogress.org

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Willie Mackenzie @williemackenzie.bsky.social · 4d

💚

Green turtle bounces back from brink in conservation 'win'

Once endangered due to hunting, it is making a strong recovery thanks to global conservation efforts.

www.bbc.co.uk

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