Vue lecture

At U.N. Conference, Countries Inch Toward Ocean Protection Goal

More than 20 new marine protected areas in coastal waters were announced at the third U.N. ocean conference this week. Experts say thousands more are needed.

© Daniel Cole/Associated Press

A reef in waters off Tahiti, French Polynesia. Countries and territories including Chile, Colombia and others pledged 20 new marine protected areas on Friday.

Japan Says Chinese Fighter Jet Flew Too Close to Its Military Plane

The maneuvers over international waters in the Pacific last weekend prompted Japanese officials to warn China not to repeat them and risk a collision.

© Japan Ministry of Defense

A photo released by Japan’s Ministry of Defense showing a Chinese fighter jet close to a Japanese aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on Sunday.

Climate Change Could Complicate Anti-Submarine Warfare

Sound is the primary means of tracking subs in vast ocean expanses, and research shows that it’s behaving differently as the seas warm.

© Kenny Holston/The New York Times

The American attack submarine Hampton in the Beaufort Sea, north of Canada and Alaska, in March 2024. Ocean changes affecting submarine detection appear to be more pronounced at northern latitudes.

This Elusive Antarctic Squid Was Seen for the First Time

An expedition in the Southern Ocean captured video of a rare species of deep-sea cephalopod. Until now, it had been found only in fishing nets and in the bellies of seabirds.

China Sends Two Aircraft Carriers Into the Pacific for the First Time

By sending warships beyond Japan, the Chinese Navy is demonstrating its ability to project sea and air power far past its home waters.

© Taiwan Defense Ministry, via Agence France Press.

In a photo released by the Taiwan Defense Ministry in April, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailed in waters off Taiwan.
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