“This is one of the greatest days in the history of shark and ray conservation.” Historic trade protections were adopted at #CITESCOP20 today. The next step is strong implementation on the ground, says WCS’s Luke Warwick. wcs.org/cites

WCS Celebrates Historic and Sweeping Trade Protections for Sharks and Rays Adopted at CITES CoP20. All CITES shark and ray proposals pass - marking the most comprehensive advance in global shark conservation in CITES history. WCS’s Luke Warwick: “This is a landmark victory, and it belongs to the Parties who championed these protections. Countries across Latin America, Africa, the Pacific, and Asia came together in a powerful show of leadership and solidarity, passing every shark and ray proposal tabled for the CoP covering over 70 species." Read the full statement here: bit.ly/4poL9il

This #WorldToiletDay, let’s talk water pollution. “Water quality isn’t just a #coralreef issue,” says WCS’s Dr. Alec Hughes. “It’s about human health, too.” In the Solomon Islands, we are partnering with communities to take action from ridge to reef: bit.ly/49sDPgr

COMMENTARY: As #COP30 unfolds in Belém, Brazil, it’s clear ocean finance pledges aren’t enough. A new op-ed highlights proven tools, from guarantees to community-led governance, that can turn commitments into impact. 🌊 Read more: bit.ly/4oDOOIu

We are standing at a tipping point, but also at the edge of a powerful opportunity #ForCoral. Coral reefs are under unprecedented stress, but this is not the end of the story.

The @WCSocean Giants Team does extensive research in the waters between Cape May, NJ, and Montauk, NY, to provide the science needed to protect marine species in the area and their habitat. See their trip to #HudsonCanyon on our latest #DayInTheLife: bit.ly/3K9sEyl

One hundred years ago, the Arcturus Oceanographic Expedition set sail from New York City. Led by our then-Department of Tropical Research (DTR), the six-month voyage made an unexpected stop at the end at the little-known #HudsonCanyon. Pictured is Isabel Cooper, a DTR staff artist who completed over 100 illustrations on the Arcturus Expedition and even experimented with painting underwater while helmet diving. @NOAA has launched an expedition of its own to the canyon. We are supporting them and working to increase understanding of the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of the East Coast’s largest deep-sea canyon. Ultimately, the U.S. should designate it as a National Marine Sanctuary. Artists will again play an important role in this expedition. Our @nyaquarium has partnered with the artist collective Works on Water to host two artists in residence during the month of September. Perrin Ireland and Sherese Francis will build on the historic legacy of the Arcturus team to interpret the scientific information generated by NOAA and WCS and engage aquarium visitors. Here, they look at some of the original drawings from the first expedition. If you’re in New York, catch Perrin and Sherese at the aquarium. The livestreams of the NOAA dives can be viewed there too. More info: nyaquarium.com/things-to-do/…

Beautiful Bitaug Marine Protected Area in the Philippines has now officially been designated an MPA. “This is the beginning of what we’ve been dreaming of for almost 18 years.” bit.ly/3Hp1K4M