Sent 22 November 2017. Part of Little Blue Letter.

 

“I need the sea because it teaches me”
~ Pablo Neruda
This edition of Little Blue Letter is the very first to be curated by a young ocean leader, Martina Mazzucato, who wrote her thesis on polar protection! Signup is now full until February 2018, so you can expect a diverse range of ocean news and views in the coming months.
Ice ice baby
Commercial sea-ways are the backbone of global trade, but just one giant container ship emits as much pollutants as 50 million cars! That’s why the 2017 represents a milestone in the protection of the Arctic Seas and their marine environment.

This year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (finally!) adopted the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (the 'Polar Code' for short). The agreement, much of which came into force in January, establishes mandatory standards for ships operating in the icy waters of the Arctic and Antarctic.
The Polar Code is worth celebrating - it is the first code specifically designed for the regulation of navigation in the Northern Seas and, above all, it sets specific standards to be respected by ships for the protection of the fragile Arctic ecosystem. In other words, the Polar Code could be the first legal instrument that supports safe and environmentally-friendly shipping in the Arctic and Antarctic waters, which will be among the most affected by climate change.
 
There is still a long way to go to fully protect our precious polar regions... but well begun is half done! For more info, take a look at this video.
Gif of the week
Known for its distinctive dark spots and saddle type markings, the Leopard Shark is known to live up to 30 years and takes more than a decade to reach maturity. It is small, generally harmless to humans, and is easily spooked, so many divers and snorkelers have a tough time catching a glimpse before they swim off.
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Because of their slow growth rate, late maturity, and low reproductive output, their populations can decline rapidly under pressure from human activities. High levels of mercury in its flesh mean that you probably wouldn't want to eat it anyway.
#OceanOptimism
Adidas and Parley have launched a collection of fashionable shoes and swimwear crafted from plastic waste!
When in Rome (or Naples)
  • 29-30 November 2017: UfM Regional Stakeholder Conference on Blue Economy. Naples (Italy), 29-30 November 2017. Details here.
  • 1 December 2017: Marine litter: from environmental emergency to potential resource, organized by ENEA. Rome (Italy), 1 December 2017. Details here.
From the editor
Last week I jokingly referred to ICCAT as the International Conspiracy to Catch All Tuna. This week, ICCAT members approved a considerable increase in the catch quota for bluefin tuna. EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella said that the decision was in line with scientific advice, while others have called it disgraceful and unacceptable as it puts long-term recovery and sustainability at risk.
Little Blue Letter is a splash of uplifting ocean stuff, lovingly curated by young ocean leaders and shipped straight to your inbox every Friday. Pass it on, encourage other ocean lovers to sign up, and follow on Twitter.
Little Blue Letter was curated this week by Martina Mazzucato. Martina has a Law Degree at the University of Bologna (Italy), but most of all she has a great passion for the marine environment and is trying to find her way in protecting it.
Editing etc. by Glen Wright. Glen is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI). His research focuses on marine governance, the high seas, and ocean energy. He recently published Academia Obscura: The Hidden Silly Side of Higher Education.