The research, published on 16th December in Journal of Applied Ecology, combined GPS data from over 840 seals tracked in the waters of seven European countries (UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark) with counts of seals hauled out on land to generate at-sea density maps for both species.

A team of researchers from YOKOHAMA National University, Japan, have discovered a previously unknown species of marine fungus that can kill harmful, bloom-forming algae.

The new species, Algophthora mediterranea, is a form of microscopic chytrid fungus that can occupy a broad range of hosts, suggesting that chytrid fungi – a diverse group of aquatic fungi – may play a greater role in marine ecosystems than previously thought.

Critically, the fungus was identified as a destructive parasite in a species of algae, Ostreopsis cf. ovata, known to cause toxic blooms that have adverse health effects on humans. The findings are published online in Mycologia on December 15, 2025.

Researchers from the University of Maine and Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, have developed a faster, more accurate way to detect a toxic species of algae known as Pseudo-nitzschia australis (P. australis). It's a test that uses a quantitative version of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) to pinpoint P. australis in environmental DNA (eDNA) samples using a unique genetic marker. By being faster and more accurate, this test can help the shellfish industry better track and respond to harmful algae blooms. 
 

A new study reveals how manta rays form unique interactions with other fishes in South Florida waters—highlighting their complex ecological interactions between species that support ocean life.

Harvard engineers, as part of Project CETI, have built an open-source bio-logger that adheres to sperm whales and records high-fidelity, multi-channel audio plus rich behavioral and environmental data. The data are tailored for machine learning analysis so that researchers can better understand whale communication.

An international team of researchers led by the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology has uncovered a hidden world of tiny partnerships thriving in wastewater treatment plants worldwide. The microscopic allies—specialized bacteria living inside single-celled hosts—play a surprising role in both cleaning water and potentially contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

Ocean data assimilation systems combine data assimilation with numerical ocean models to predict ocean conditions. Researchers recently created the Yin-He Global Ocean Data Assimilation and Forecast System (YHGO) to provide more accurate estimations of oceanic conditions than older platforms.

Large phytoplankton blooms north of the Hawaiian Islands have been seen in satellite imagery as vast swirls of color nearly every summer, but their origin and ecosystem dynamics have remained mysterious. A recent investigation revealed the confluence of conditions that support the explosion of photosynthetic microbes and the cascade of responses within the microscopic marine world. The highly multidisciplinary study offers the first comprehensive look at the anatomy of these massive biological events

Mosasaurs, giant marine reptiles that existed more than 66 million years ago, lived not only in the sea but also in rivers. This is shown by new research based on analyses of a mosasaur tooth found in North Dakota and believed to belong to an animal that could reach a length of 11 metres. The study, conducted by an international team of researchers led from Uppsala University, shows that mosasaurs adapted to riverine environments in the final million years before they became extinct.

This two-year effort develops innovative 3D-printed materials to remove excess phosphorus from freshwater systems and curb harmful algal blooms. Backed by statewide water-quality investments and prior research, the project will create durable, retrievable structures that provide a more effective, environmentally safe method for long-term nutrient removal. It also includes educational outreach to strengthen the local workforce and public awareness. The work addresses the growing threat HABs pose to ecosystems, public health, the economy and quality of life, driven largely by phosphorus from runoff and other nutrient sources.