The Caribbean is one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to the projected impacts of climate change, and changes in coral reef ecosystems have been studied over the last two decades. Lately, new technology-based methods using satellites and unmanned vehicles, among others have emerged as tools to aid the governance of these ecosystems by providing managers with high-quality data for decision-making processes. This paper addresses the development of a Google Earth Engine (GEE)-based application for use in the management processes of shallow coral reef ecosystems, using images acquired with Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) known as drones, at the Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park; a Marine Protected Area (MPA) located northwest of Old Providence Island, Colombia. Image acquisition and processing, known as drone imagery, is first described for flights performed using an RTK multispectral drone at five different monitoring stations within the MPA. Then, the use of the GEE app is described and illustrated. The user executes four simple steps starting with the selection of the orthomosaics uploaded to GEE and obtaining the reef habitat classification for four categories: coral, macroalgae, sand, and rubble, at any of the five monitoring stations. Results show that these classes can be effectively mapped using different machine-learning (ML) algorithms available inside GEE, helping the manager obtain high-quality information about the reef. This remote-sensing application represents an easy-to-use tool for managers that can be integrated into modern ecosystem monitoring protocols, supporting effective reef governance within a digitized society with more demanding stakeholders.

This article discusses unattributable small-scale marine oil spills, particularly focusing on their environmental and socio-economic impacts in Musandam, Oman. There is a research gap in the literature on unattributable small-scale marine oil spills that reflects the lack of attention paid to these minor yet frequent spills, whose perpetrators invariably escape detection and accountability. The research method combines a literature review with extensive fieldwork, including community mapping, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, to understand the extent, causes, and challenges of untraceable spills. The findings reveal significant ecological damage, economic losses for local fishers and tourism, and systemic issues of untraceability, limited enforcement, and inadequate compensation mechanisms. The article recommends establishing a regional compensation scheme, deploying advanced detection technologies, improving spill reporting, and fostering regional cooperation to enhance spill traceability, upgrade remediation techniques, and obtain redress for affected communities. These recommendations aim to inform policy actions that mitigate environmental risks and uphold environmental justice in the Arabian Gulf region.

Mangroves form an integral habitat component for species of the southern Arabian Gulf, yet their role in supporting fish remains limited. This study investigated habitat use by fish in mangroves to determine the diversity, abundance, size, and whether microhabitat complexity and environmental conditions influence fish assemblage. Fish were surveyed using an underwater visual census among mangrove habitat types across seasonal cycles. Results revealed 1137 individuals belonging to eleven families and fourteen species, a majority being juveniles with Gerres longirostris (44.59%) the most abundant. High-commercial-value species were documented, including Lutjanus ehrenbergii (dominance 18.65%) and Lutjanus argentimaculatus (dominance 15.48%). To date, this study reports the first evidence of Epinephelus coioides in the mangroves of this region. Results showed significant variation in fish assemblage among habitat types and seasons, with markedly higher abundance and diversity during the summer and in mangroves close to structural habitats. Seawater temperature emerged as the most influential environmental variable for fish. Together, structurally complex habitat settings and seawater temperatures were the key drivers shaping the fish assemblage in mangroves. Future investigations would benefit from diel and tidal sampling within multiple habitats near mangroves to better understand fish populations. Findings may guide research and conservation strategies by integrating coastal habitats and fish populations.

Important ecosystem services (ES), defined by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment as benefits people obtain from ecosystems, are provided by kelp forests (

Seafloor species play important ecological roles within marine ecosystems, yet many are vulnerable to the impacts of bottom fishing. Despite the known vulnerability of many seafloor taxa, destructive bottom fishing remains prevalent in many parts of the world given demand for wild-caught seafood. Species Distribution Models (SDMs) are increasingly used to estimate the distribution of vulnerable taxa and estimate possible risk of interactions with fishing gears, but most approaches have used a limited number of taxa. In this study, spatial predictions of species distributions for 207 seafloor invertebrate taxa in New Zealand waters were combined with a comprehensive database of functional traits related to bottom trawling to predict areas of high vulnerability. In addition, this study combined functional redundancy and vulnerability scores to identify ‘high combined risk’ areas that covered 182,087 km² (9.5%) of the study area. The interactions of these areas with current Marine Management Areas (MMAs) and highly fished zones revealed that current MMAs protect 50% of the ‘high combined risk’ areas (91,000 km²), and less than 1% is within fished areas. This leaves a predicted 90,937 km² (49%) outside current protection, some are close to current MMAs and are potentially of high priority for future marine spatial management. Identifying areas most vulnerable to bottom trawling showcases interactions within previously fished areas (areas that have been fished in the past and could potentially be fished again), as well as highlighting areas for management action. Using different sets of functional traits as a combined approach could also be used to assess other anthropogenic impacts, improving ecosystem-based spatial management by ensuring protection of functions at globally significant scales.