LEO Network

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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

Storm, black ice and closed schools: Drive carefully
Norway faces widespread yellow alerts for strong winds and icy roads after a sudden thaw, with the worst conditions in Lofoten, Vesterålen and Finnmark. Bus, ferry, fast boat and some flight services are disrupted; schools closed in parts of Nordland.
Lofoten, Nordland, Norway
NRK

Benn asks fishermen to report jellyfish: “Terrible to see the fish suffer!”
A salmon farm manager in Finnmark urges fishermen to report pearl necklace siphonophore (jellyfish) sightings after blooms caused skin and eye injuries and breathing problems in farmed salmon near Øksfjord/Hammerfest.
Øksfjord, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Invasive carpet sea squirt spreading in Kosterhavet
The invasive carpet sea squirt (filtsjöpung), known as “sea vomit,” is rapidly spreading across the seafloor in Kosterhavet National Park, smothering organisms beneath it. Authorities say budget cuts have hampered monitoring and control, but they are now examining ways to slow the outbreak.
Kosterhavet, Bohuslän, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Ice in the Yenisei Gulf formed a 'dragon-scale' pattern
Strong winds and freezing temperatures in the Yenisei Gulf of the Kara Sea created overlapping, scale-like sea-ice patterns known locally as 'dragon scales.' Photos were shared by the first mate of the nuclear icebreaker Ural.
Yenisei Gulf, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Taymyr Telegraph

Suspected leak from ship that ran aground off Tjeldsund
About 4,000 liters of diesel leaked from the grounded landing craft M/S Sørøysund near Fjelldal in Tjeldsund. Emergency crews are pumping fuel off the vessel and have deployed absorbent booms; authorities do not currently fear major impacts to wildlife.
Fjelldal, Tjeldsund, Norway
NRK
Kari Anne Skoglund; Tora Jarnæs Vold; Malin Straumsnes

Another humpback whale found dead in the Salish Sea
A 21-year-old humpback whale, identified as Polyphemus, was found dead near Lasqueti Island, the second confirmed humpback death in B.C.’s coastal waters in just over two weeks. Cause of death is unknown; DFO and MERS urge caution to mariners to reduce vessel-strike risks.
Lasqueti Island, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

One man is dead, another missing after falling through thin ice near Kotzebue
Two men fell through thin ice near Kotzebue, resulting in one death and one missing person, prompting warnings from local authorities about unsafe ice conditions.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
KOTZ

‘Explosion’ of invasive European green crabs reported in Southeast Alaska
The Metlakatla Indian Community, which has been at the forefront in the effort to control the invaders, has trapped more than 40,000 of them this year.
Metlakatla, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Rare seven-arm octopus caught in Skagerrak
A rare Haliphron atlanticus (seven-arm octopus) was caught by shrimp fishers in western Skagerrak at about 200 m depth and sent to the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory for study.
Skagerrak, Västra Götaland County, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

‘All’ the cod is in the Loppa Sea: Took the entire quota in three days
Exceptionally large cod catches off Loppa and Hasvik, Finnmark, are allowing many small and mid-size boats to fill their quotas within days, and a record year in turnover is expected. Local leaders say boats from across Norway have flocked to the area, with landings markedly higher than last year.
Loppa and Hasvik, Finnmark, Norway
NRK

Thousands of farmed salmon perish in massive die off near Tofino
A harmful plankton bloom and poor water conditions caused large mortalities at three Cermaq salmon farms in northern Clayoquot Sound near Tofino, with up to 185,000 fish lost at one site. DFO says disease was ruled out; critics warn the die-off could affect wild salmon and the marine environment.
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Severe ice conditions complicate navigation in the Anadyr estuary
Thick, continuous ice up to 30–40 cm hindered docking of the cargo ship FESCO Moneron at the Port of Anadyr, with successful mooring only on a second attempt. Ice navigation has been declared since October 18, restricting entry to vessels of at least Ice 2 class.
Anadyr, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
IA Chukotka

Advocates call for safer waters as B.C. island mourns the loss of Wisp the humpback whale
A 4-year-old humpback whale named Wisp washed up on Keats Island, B.C., after a suspected collision with a tour vessel, prompting advocates to call for stronger protections and safer boating practices. Authorities and locals are urging measures to reduce ship strikes in the area.
Keats Island, British Columbia, Canada
CTVNews

Remnants of Typhoon Halong bring widespread damage to Western Alaska
A powerful, ongoing storm in Western Alaska has flooded communities, destroyed homes and left some residents injured by flying debris. Officials say rescue efforts are underway after floodwaters in multiple communities swept homes off their foundations. The remnants of Typhoon Halong tracked farther east than expected, slamming into the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta coast early on Sunday morning. Officials said Sunday afternoon that the hardest hit communities appeared to be Kipnuk, Kwigillingok and Napakiak.
Kwigillingok, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Evan Erickson, Casey Grove, Desiree Hagen, Alena Naiden, Ben Townsend, Samantha Watson

High tide and strong winds on Iqaluit waterfront
A storm surge and strong winds pushed tides to the edge of the waterfront road in Iqaluit on Friday morning. Environment Canada had warned of higher-than-normal tides and possible flooding of ground-level spaces.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Mandatory evacuations ordered in Kotzebue as flooding from coastal storm begins
Flooding had already begun by Wednesday afternoon, and the weather service forecast said water could rise as high as 10 feet above the high tide line. Flood waters are expected to peak around 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Whales flock to the herring
The vessel Beitir NK landed 700 tons of herring in Neskaupstaður, as skippers report many whales—especially orcas—converging on herring grounds and following the net to the ship. Recent catches suggest the herring has shifted north toward Bakkaflói.
Neskaupstaður, Austurland, Iceland
mbl.is

Rare sight in Ofotfjorden: First time I see this
Two walruses were seen swimming in Ofotfjorden near Lillevika, surprising a local observer. Such sightings are rare in this area.
Narvik, Nordland, Norway
Fremover

Storm Amy moves into Sweden
Storm Amy brought hurricane-force gusts at sea and heavy rain to southern and central Sweden, prompting SMHI orange and yellow warnings, transport shutdowns, and widespread power outages. The storm followed severe impacts in Norway and is expected to ease after Sunday, though windy, rainy conditions will persist along the east coast.
Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Mowi blames climate change for latest salmon die-offs on Newfoundland's south coast
Mowi Canada East reports 166,262 farmed salmon died at two sites near Chaleur Bay on Newfoundland’s south coast, blaming repeated sea lice infestations intensified by warm surface waters, low freshwater runoff, and calm winds. The incident follows earlier 2025 mass mortalities linked to a thermocline inversion and warm, low-oxygen conditions.
Chaleur Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
CBC News

Dead tomcod washed up on West Beach
Dozens of dead tomcod have washed up on West Beach in Nome, Alaska, with a possible link to recent sightings of beluga pods, raising concerns about unusual environmental conditions.
Nome, Alaska, United States
Verena Gill, Lars Flora, Gay Sheffield, Sara Germain, Sarah Yoder

End of summer brings a rare sight on Maquoit Bay
Calm late-summer conditions and a fall surge in forage fish activity led to a rare sighting of harbor porpoises inside Maquoit Bay in Brunswick, Maine. The columnist reflects on seasonal transitions and why porpoises may have ventured into the typically shallow bay.
Brunswick, Maine, United States
The Portland Press Herald

Had to close road: Stones thrown from the sea onto the roadway
In Berlevåg, powerful waves threw stones from the sea onto the road, forcing a temporary closure. Officials cited the incident as a reminder of the force of nature.
Berlevåg, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Rare porbeagle caught
A fisherman from Qasigiannguit, Greenland, unexpectedly found a rare porbeagle shark entangled in his salmon net near the abandoned settlement Akulliit. The shark measured about 2.35 meters and was estimated over 200 kg—an unusual catch in Greenlandic waters.
Qasigiannguit, Qeqertalik, Greenland
Sermitsiaq.ag

The most littered beach I have seen
Students and staff from Svalbard Folk High School cleaned more than 100 bags of marine debris from a beach at the south end of Woodfjorden, Svalbard. Participants described it as the most littered beach they had seen.
Woodfjorden, Svalbard, Norway
Svalbardposten

Ferry port calls to Unalaska, Akutan cancelled after fall storm reroutes aging Tustumena
A powerful fall storm with hurricane-force winds forced the M/V Tustumena to cancel port calls to Unalaska and Akutan, turning back at Cold Bay. The aging ferry will remain in Cold Bay until Sept. 7 before heading back up the Aleutian Chain.
Unalaska and Akutan, Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, United States
KUCB

Maritime Authority says Havila Biogass manure spill is among the largest they’ve seen
About 3.5 million liters of livestock-based biomanure leaked from Havila Biogass in Molde, spreading from a marsh into waterways and a small-boat harbor, causing fish and crab deaths. Norway’s Coastal Administration called it one of the largest such spills they’ve encountered and will order cleanup; the company is conducting remediation and investigating a failed pipe gasket as the likely cause.
Eidsvåg, Molde, Norway

Diesel spill near Kodiak-area hatchery disrupts salmon fishery
A fishing vessel that ran aground near Afognak Island on Monday has leaked an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 gallons into Izhut Bay, according to state officials.
Izhut Bay, Alaska
Anchorage Daily News

Video: Cod stomach found full of stones
An Icelandic deckhand was surprised to find a cod whose stomach was completely filled with small stones. The rare find occurred aboard the trawler Skinney SF 20 while fishing off East Iceland.
Höfn, Hornafjörður, Iceland
Morgunblaðið

Human Disturbance and Shorebird Decline in the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Human disturbances, such as off-leash dogs and increased tourism, are causing a decline in shorebird populations at the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, disrupting their critical stopover habitat and reflecting broader global biodiversity challenges.
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Great white shark feasting on whale in Digby Neck adds twist to whale watching season
Whale watchers in Digby Neck, Nova Scotia, witnessed a great white shark feeding on a dead humpback whale, leading to daily shark sightings in early September. Guides also reported an endangered leatherback sea turtle and noted warmer waters are changing species seen in the Bay of Fundy.
Digby Neck, Nova Scotia, Canada
SaltWire

“I didn’t hear the usual grinding of ice”
A Norwegian research vessel reached the North Pole and found extensive open water and thin sea ice, allowing unusually easy navigation compared to 30 years ago. Scientists warn the rapid loss of Arctic sea ice is unprecedented and threatens polar bear habitat.
North Pole, Arctic Ocean, International Waters
The Barents Observer

State issues alert for toxic shellfish found in Kachemak Bay
Alaska health officials issued an alert after wild shellfish from Kachemak Bay’s inner bay tested above regulatory limits for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins. Residents are warned not to harvest or eat untested wild shellfish; monitoring and test results are being posted by the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Homer News

Basking sharks captured on video off Nairn in rare sighting
Up to 10 basking sharks were filmed close to shore off Nairn in the Moray Firth, offering rare, close-up views to tour passengers and beachgoers. The late-summer sightings featured large sharks circling near idle boats in calm water.
Nairn, Highland, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

Seven salmon confirmed as farmed escapees
Icelandic authorities report that 7 of 22 salmon submitted for testing were confirmed as farmed escapees, caught in several North/West Iceland rivers. Tracing suggests six fish share a common origin in Dýrafjörður; investigations continue and anglers are asked to turn in suspect fish whole for analysis.
Búðardalur, Western Region, Iceland
mbl.is

Major emergency response in Nuuk due to fuel spill
Police and fire crews responded Thursday night to a large jet fuel spill at Polar Oil near Nuuk’s harbor. About 7,069 liters leaked but were contained in a spill basin and mostly pumped back; police are investigating the cause.
Nuuk, Sermersooq, Greenland
Sermitsiaq.AG

Massive Iceberg Spotted Near Iceland Triggers Shipping Warning
A huge iceberg—about 300 m long, 300 m wide and 75 m high—was spotted in a key shipping route north of Iceland, prompting a warning to mariners. The Icelandic Coast Guard located it roughly 42 nautical miles north of Hornbjarg during an aerial patrol.
Hornbjarg, Westfjords, Iceland
Iceland Review

Considered sinking it with gunfire
Norway’s Coast Guard considered using a machine gun to sink a drifting mooring buoy near Svalbard before eventually hauling the rusty steel structure aboard. The incident highlights marine debris hazards in Arctic waters.
Hinlopen Strait, Svalbard, Norway
Svalbardposten

Emma was on the fast ferry that hit the whale: "Terrible to see"
A passenger, Emma, says a routine fast-ferry trip near Hammerfest turned dramatic when the vessel struck a whale; the whale was visibly injured with blood in the water.
Hammerfest, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
Nordlys

Alarm: Barnacles Are Growing – Environmentally Friendly Tips for Boat Owners
Barnacle larvae are proliferating in the Baltic Sea, prompting the Swedish Boat Union to warn owners to wash hulls in time to prevent hard barnacle mats and reduce environmental and fuel impacts.
Baltic Sea, Sweden

Investigating whether the site is safe
Statsbygg is evaluating if Hopen’s meteorological station should be moved due to coastal erosion and increased storm waves threatening the buildings.
Hopen, Svalbard, Norway
Svalbardposten

Sea waters around UK experience record temperatures, causing dramatic changes in marine life
Sea surface temperatures around the UK have been the warmest start to the year on record, driving unusual species like bluefin tuna, octopus and mauve stinger jellyfish into British and Irish waters. Irish waters have cooled since a May marine heatwave but remain above average in the east and south.
United Kingdom and Ireland
The Irish Times

Polar Bear near Hornstrandir
A polar bear was spotted traveling on an ice floe near the Hornstrandir peninsula in the Westfjords of Iceland.
Hornstrandir, Westfjords, Iceland
Vísir

Retreating Glacier Could Fill Nuuk Fjord with Ice for Years
A study warns that Narsap Sermia’s rapid retreat could plunge into a deep trough, releasing ice into Nuuk fjord year-round for the next two decades.
Nuuk, Sermersooq, Greenland
Sermitsiaq

Fishermen of Uelen village accidentally caught a dolphin
Fishermen from Uelen in Chukotsky District hauled in what they believed was a dolphin, but specialists later identified the animal as a harbour porpoise.
Uelen, Chukotsky District, Chukotka, Russia
ProChukotku

Storm Wind Halts Anadyr Seaport Operations
On July 26, storm‐force southeast winds gusting up to 19 m/s and light rain forced a temporary shutdown of seaport operations in Anadyr, delaying cargo unloading and canceling passenger ferry crossings.
Anadyr, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
ProChukotku

Humpback whale found dead in Gastineau Channel
A young male humpback whale calf was discovered dead drifting near Sandy Beach in Gastineau Channel and towed by U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA officials to undergo a necropsy.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Caspian Sea Water Levels Drop to Historic Low
Water levels in the Caspian Sea have fallen to more than 29 meters below the Baltic Sea reference point, a historic low, exposing large areas of seabed in the northern region and threatening its ecosystems.
Caspian Sea
The Moscow Times

Blue-green algae blooms intensify as heatwave continues across Finland
A persistent heatwave in Finland is fueling dense blue-green algae blooms in the Baltic Sea’s Gulf of Finland and Archipelago Sea, with freshwater sightings remaining stable.
Various coastal regions, Finland
Yle News

Venomous jellyfish invading west Swedish beaches
A venomous lion’s mane jellyfish has been sighted on several west Swedish beaches between Strömstad and Malmö, delivering powerful stings that can cause breathing problems.
West Coast, Sweden

Algal Bloom in the Archipelago – Municipality Urges Avoiding Swimming
Sustained high temperatures have led to algal blooms at several sites in the Haparanda Archipelago, and local authorities are advising people to avoid bathing.
Haparanda, Norrbotten, Sweden
Norrländska Socialdemokraten (NSD)

Rare Basking Shark in Faxaflói Bay
A rare basking shark was spotted during an Elding whale watching tour in Faxaflói Bay, marking its first appearance in the bay in five years according to the company.
Faxaflói Bay, Southwest, Iceland
Vísir

Spotting rare right whale off Newfoundland had this tour guide 'Out of my skin excited'
A local tour guide spotted one of fewer than 370 North Atlantic right whales off the southern Avalon Peninsula this month, thrilling wildlife enthusiasts and providing key data to DFO.
St. Shott's, Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
CBC News

Tsunami Alert Lifted After Powerful Quakes Off Russian Coast
A tsunami alert issued after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake off Kamchatka was lifted when no hazardous waves arrived, though aftershocks remain possible.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
The Moscow Times

Beached Seldovia whale returns alive to Kachemak Bay
A minke whale stranded on MacDonald Spit near Seldovia for six hours on July 17 but refloated with the rising tide and swam back into Kachemak Bay; the Seldovia Village Tribe suspects a toxic algal bloom disoriented the whale.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States
KBBI AM 890

Oil Spill Severely Impacts Fisheries in Nuussuaq
A damaged oil pipeline in Nuussuaq near Upernavik spilled around 8,000 liters of diesel into the sea, forcing halibut processing and fish production to pause for two days and severely disrupting local fisheries.
Nuussuaq, Avannaata, Greenland
Sermitsiaq

Bad week for Kodiak’s migrating gray whales
A USCG survey flight spotted three more dead gray whales on Sitkinak and Tugidak islands, bringing the 2025 total in the Kodiak region to 11, with several apparently killed by orcas and others appearing emaciated.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

Rare leatherback sea turtle spotted in B.C. waters in once-in-a-decade sighting
A leatherback sea turtle was filmed near Haida Gwaii on July 14, marking the first verified sighting in B.C. waters in 2025.
Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK News

Emergency services warn of iceberg near the harbour
Avannaata emergency services warn residents in Innaarsuit to avoid gathering near the harbour shop due to risk of iceberg calving triggering large waves.
Innaarsuit, Avannaata, Greenland
Sermitsiaq

Marine Heatwave in Norway – Extreme Sea Temperature
Sea surface temperatures off Norway have reached 22–23 °C, at least five degrees above normal, marking a marine heatwave that risks stressing marine life and intensifying extreme weather.
Trøndelag, Norway

Ferry Norrøna got a whole whale on its bow
When the Smyril Line ferry Norrøna arrived at Seyðisfjørður harbor in Iceland on June 19, crew and port officials discovered a large whale lodged across its bow, likely having been dead or mortally injured before impact.
Seyðisfjørður, Eastern Region, Iceland
Dimma.fo

Whaling: Minke Whales in the Barents Sea Unusually Thin
This season’s minke whales caught in the Barents Sea are notably underweight, with experienced whalers and marine scientists observing unusually thin blubber layers and visible ribs.
Barents Sea, Norway

Second Attempt Planned to Help Stranded Orca Return to Sea
Rescue teams in Reykjavík will make a second, high-tide effort this evening to nudge an orca stranded since Tuesday night in the shallow cove of the Grafarvogur neighbourhood back into open waters.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
Iceland Review

Unusually Heavy Hail Triggers Large Landslides
An intense hailstorm in Hov caused multiple large landslides, blocking roads, dislodging a septic tank, and cutting off traditional sheep routes to the sea.
Hov, Suðuroy, Faroe Islands
Dimma.fo

Salvage crew bound for cargo ship that caught fire off Aleutians
The vessel remained afloat as of Thursday morning, and images gathered by the U.S. Coast Guard showed it was still “alight with smoke emanating” from it.
Adak, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Avian Influenza suspected on Buldir Island
Researchers on Buldir Island have discovered dead and sick seabirds, including crested auklets and black-legged kittiwakes, exhibiting symptoms consistent with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, such as unusual behavior and hemorrhages, marking a concerning event in this remote Aleutian location.
Buldir Island, Alaska

Unusually Warm Current North of Iceland
A spring survey by the Icelandic Marine Research Institute recorded a sea surface temperature of 7.8 °C at Siglunes—3.2 °C above the 1991–2020 average—and found unusually warm, saline water flowing onto the northern continental shelf.
Siglunes, Northwest Iceland, Iceland
Morgunblaðið

Dead whale near Yakutat
A dead grey whale was discovered near the mouth of the Akwe River, raising concerns about a possible ship collision due to increased marine traffic from cruise ships and fishing boats in the area.
Mouth of Akwe River

Whale species never before seen in B.C. washes up on Vancouver Island
A young Bryde’s whale washed up dead in Port McNeill Bay on northern Vancouver Island, marking the first known sighting of this warm-water species in B.C. waters.
Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada
CTV News

Algal Bloom in the North: Up to 1 Million Dead Fish
An algal bloom in Northern Norway dominated by Chrysochromulina and Phaeocystis has caused massive fish die-offs in recent weeks, with up to one million farmed fish reported dead around Astafjorden.
Ibestad, Troms, Norway
NRK Troms og Finnmark

Diesel spill in Ramfjorden in Tromsø
Light diesel leaked from an oil company facility into Ramfjorden outside Tromsø, and police, fire crews, Kystverket and the acute pollution committee are working to contain it.
Ramfjorden, Tromsø, Norway
NRK Troms og Finnmark

Rare black iceberg spotted off Labrador coast could be 100,000 years old, prof says
A fish harvester photographed a pitch-black iceberg over 100 km off Labrador in mid-May, prompting social media buzz; a Memorial University professor suggests the ice may be 1,000 to 100,000 years old, its dark hue from ancient sediment or volcanic/meteorite dust.
Off the coast of Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
CBC News

Non-toxic red tide blooming in Saanich Inlet
A bloom of non-toxic Noctiluca algae is lining Saanich Inlet’s shoreline; safe for swimmers and shellfish consumption so far. Scientists say the bloom is not producing toxins yet, but could as the water gets warmer. “This one is a bit early!” said Galbraith.
Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Whale Stranding in Njarðvík, Borgarfjörður Eystri
A six‑meter whale, likely a northern bottlenose whale, washed ashore in Njarðvík at Borgarfjörður Eystri on Good Friday. Locals notified Icelandic environmental authorities, but the carcass may remain on the beach over Easter.
Njarðvík, Borgarfjörður Eystri, Iceland
Vísir

Clumps of concern: Number of tar balls found near western NL shipwreck now at half a dozen
Six tar balls likely from the grounded MSC Baltic III have washed ashore at Cedar Cove, Newfoundland, but underwater inspections by the Canadian Coast Guard show no continuous leak from the ship.
Cedar Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
SaltWire

Low Snow and Exposed Ice
There is unusually low snow coverage and exposed ice on the North Slope. The tundra lakes are more visible and sea ice is lower than normal.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

How changing winter ice conditions around P.E.I. are letting the sea eat into its shores
Researchers warn that shorter winter sea ice seasons around Prince Edward Island reduce the coast’s natural defense against winter storms, leading to increased erosion.
Prince Edward Island, Canada

Devastated by the Destructive Power of Natural Forces
A severe storm over the weekend battered businesses at Fiskislóð 31 in Reykjavík, with colossal waves breaching coastal defenses and flooding inland areas, leaving significant structural and economic damage.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland

The Wave Drove Cars and People into the Sea
Two individuals were swept into the sea near Akranes harbor when a large swell unexpectedly engulfed the area, dragging along cars and a pedestrian. They were rescued by emergency services, with one later transferred to a hospital in Reykjavík.
Akranes, Iceland

Coastal Flooding Causes Major Damage in Seltjarnarnes
Seawater breached sea walls in Seltjarnarnes this morning causing major damage to homes and infrastructure, with emergency services working to pump out water and warnings of further flooding tonight.
Seltjarnarnes, Capital Region, Iceland
Iceland Review

Ice unexpectedly departs from Nome's shore
On February 10-11, 2025, unusually mild weather in Nome led to shorefast ice breaking free from the coastline, leaving deep blue water visible where ice had long persisted.
Nome, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

In shocking first, sea ice breaks off in mid-February
In February 2025, unexpectedly weak sea ice broke off near Nome, Alaska, marking the first recorded early detachment of shorefast ice. Local subsistence hunters and climate specialists warn the event could disrupt the regional ecosystem and traditional hunting practices.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Beaufort Sea ice cuts fiber-optic cable, limiting internet for about 20,000 residents of Northwest Alaska through summer
Shifting sea ice patterns resulting from climate change are imperiling the subsea cable in ways the company did not plan for.The subsea cable is owned by Quintillion but affects companies delivering internet access to residents, schools and local governments.
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, United States

Fishing trawler likely behind Hanko's dead fish, fire chief says
Local fire chief Clas Tallberg stated that fish washed up on Hanko's shore showed injuries suggesting they were crushed by a fishing trawler's net, leading to a mass die-off of brisling sardines. Meanwhile, volunteers are cleaning up white clumps on the beach believed to be vessel wash water.
Hanko, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle News

Ship working for Neste likely behind white clumps on Hanko's shore, company confirms
Finnish fuel firm Neste confirmed that white clumps on Hanko's shore likely resulted from wash water containing used oils from one of its vessels, prompting cleanup efforts and an ongoing investigation.
Hanko, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle News

Coastal Erosion in Atka
The beach is losing sand banks during storms.
Atka, Alaska, United States

Oil Spills Recorded on Five More Coastal Sites in Kuban
Oil products have been found washed up on five more coastal sites in the Temryuksky district and Anapa of the Krasnodar region. Local operational headquarters report that volunteers are already cleaning up these minor spills.
Temryuksky District and Anapa, Krasnodar, Russia
Российская газета

Unalaskans help document largest single-species wildlife die-off ever recorded
The murre die-off might have gone unexplained if it weren't for decades of observations from researchers and citizen scientists.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
KUCB | By Sofia Stuart-Rasi Published January 7, 2025 at 11:32 AM AKST

Black Sea Oil Spill Spreads to Beaches in Annexed Crimea
Oil from damaged Russian tankers has contaminated beaches in Crimea, with significant environmental cleanup efforts underway.
Crimea, Russia
The Moscow Times

Extremely Low Extent of Sea Ice
The article reports extremely low sea ice measurements in the Arctic for January, with notable figures from both the Arctic and Southern Hemisphere.
Svalbard, Arctic, Norway
High North News

Equinor: Oil spill continues to spread – multiple observations along Helgeland
An accidental oil spill from Equinor’s Njord A platform on New Year’s Eve has resulted in raw oil clumps reaching the Nordland coast, prompting a major cleanup effort. Authorities and Equinor are urgently mapping the spread and mobilizing significant resources to prevent further environmental damage.
Helgeland, Nordland, Norway

Krasnodar Declares Regional Emergency as Black Sea Oil Spill Cleanup Stalls
A regional emergency has been declared in Krasnodar, Russia, due to stalling cleanup efforts of an oil spill along the Black Sea coast.
Krasnodar, Russia

Russia Declares Federal Emergency Over Black Sea Oil Spill
Russia has declared a federal emergency due to a significant oil spill along the Black Sea coast, affecting 55 kilometers of coastline, following the damage of two oil tankers during a storm.
Anapa, Krasnodarskiy, Russia

Sailors Rescued From Second Russian Oil Tanker Damaged in Storm
A severe storm in the Kerch Strait damaged two Russian oil tankers, resulting in an oil spill and the death of one crew member, while rescue operations were delayed due to adverse weather conditions.
Kerch Strait, Russia

Crews respond to major oil spill at fish farm near Zeballos
A major diesel spill occurred at a fish farm near Zeballos, spilling up to 8,000 litres of oil into the bay. Cleanup efforts are involving local authorities, the Coast Guard, and First Nations to mitigate environmental impacts.
Zeballos, British Columbia, Canada

Endangered whales found entangled in rope off Massachusetts, and 1 is likely to die
Two endangered North Atlantic right whales were found entangled in fishing gear off the coast of Massachusetts, posing a potentially fatal threat to one juvenile whale.
Massachusetts, United States
Press Herald

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