Recent News

Dolphin causes a stir at Somerset Long Bay
Tuesday, August 13, 2013

A dolphin that was spotted yesterday at Somerset Long Bay may have been stranded. US marine mammal biologist Trevor Spradlin said the situation was similar to what he’s seen in the US, where dolphins have recently been found along the coast of Virginia up to New York.


Venti Anni takes off in Tour de Turtles race
Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Crowds gathered at Clearwater Beach this morning when Venti Anni, a juvenile green sea turtle, was released as a part of the Tour de Turtles Race on the Rock.


Officials respond, dolphin very close to shore
Monday, August 12, 2013

A lone dolphin was spotted very close to shore in the West End today [Aug 12], and the Marine Police were called to the scene after receiving reports of what appeared to be a distressed marine mammal at Somerset Long Bay.


Longtail chicks might not be abandoned, but beware just in case
Friday, August 09, 2013

The Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) is calling for the public to look out for stranded Longtail chicks as the birds prepare for their first flights.


Going to be on the water this Cup Match? Spare a moment of thought for the Island's turtles
Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Boating season is underway and local conservationists are urging the public to think green this Cup Match weekend — green sea turtles, that is.



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All the latest updates and news from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, one of Bermuda's leading visitor attractions!

Sargasso Sea: BASS Aims To Raise Awareness
Bernews
Thursday, June 07, 2012

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Ten local non-governmental and environmental groups are teaming up to raise awareness on the Island about the importance of protecting the Sargasso Sea.

Through scientific research, education and community outreach, the Bermuda Alliance for Sargasso Sea (BASS) aims to support efforts by the Sargasso Sea Alliance led by the Bermuda government to establish the Sargasso Sea as a high-seas marine protected area (MPA).

BASS members include Atlantic Conservation Partnership, Bermuda Institute for Ocean Science (BIOS), Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), Bermuda National Trust, Bermuda Audubon Society, Greenrock, Bermuda Sloop Foundation, the National Museum of Bermuda, Look-Bermuda Education Foundation, and the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS).

“As a group, we support the Sargasso Sea Alliance’s mission to make this international high seas area one of the first protected marine areas of its kind in the world, and we would like to see Bermuda residents get on board this campaign and voice their support,” says BASS spokesperson Dr. Judith Landsberg.

“Our goal is to do all we can—through public education, scientific research and community awareness—to help make saving the Sargasso Sea a reality. We want to tell people as much as we can about this precious natural resource—and why they should care.”

Described by oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle as the “golden floating rainforest of the Atlantic Ocean,” the Sargasso Sea covers nearly five-million square kilometres of ocean, bounded by the Gulf Stream and other currents that constantly shift its position.

The Sargasso Sea is one of the world’s most productive marine ecosystems; it feeds, protects the young, and forms a migratory corridor for many endangered and commercially harvested species.

Today this critical habitat is threatened by many human uses—including overfishing and pollution from plastics, oil and bilge.

“Its beauty, richness and value need protecting if we are to continue to benefit from this unique ecosystem,” says Dr Landsberg. “Bermuda is the lone landmass in the Sargasso Sea and has a long record of marine conservation leadership.

“As island residents, we need to work together to help protect the Sargasso Sea for the health of our fisheries and marine environment. By doing so, Bermuda will be showing the world how we can protect and restore our marine resources.”

Currently, less than one-half of 1 percent of the world’s ocean is fully protected, whereas more than 15 times more land has some form of protection.