Caribbean
Caribbean on World Data Ocean: a running collection of 8 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on caribbean in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. A Global Hub for Ocean Intelligence 4 World Data Ocean is a centralized digital platform where researchers, scientists, and ocean enthusiasts converge to explore, analyze, and… New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around caribbean, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything World Data Ocean is covering right now.
Estimating adult-stage abiotic suitability and climate-driven distributional shifts for the threatened queen conch (Aliger gigas) in the Caribbean
The threatened queen conch ( *Aliger gigas* ) is a vital Caribbean species and significant economic resource facing population decline due to overfishing and limited resilience. This research addresses a critical gap in conservation efforts by integrating occurrence data with oceanographic variables to model adult-stage abiotic suitability and predict distributional shifts under various climate scenarios. Our findings reveal potential habitat losses, particularly under moderate and extreme warming projections.
What kinds of tropical sea stars are these? Caribbean/Indo-Pacific.
Identifying tropical sea stars beyond the readily recognized "Chocolate Chip" species ( *Protoreaster nodosus*) can be challenging, particularly when dealing with broadly categorized "Cushion" stars. These cushion-shaped stars are indeed more commonly found in the Caribbean, suggesting that’s likely your origin. While Indo-Pacific waters host diverse sea star fauna, definitive identification often requires empirical data and peer-reviewed validation.
Mysterious 18th-Century Shipwreck Off Mexico Points To Possible Involvement In Caribbean Smuggling
A recently discovered shipwreck within Mexico’s Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve offers compelling evidence of 18th-century maritime activity, potentially linked to Caribbean smuggling operations. Located approximately 4.25 kilometers offshore near La Victoria, the vessel’s condition and artifacts suggest a deliberate grounding. Initial analysis indicates a possible connection to illicit trade routes prevalent during that era.
Video: US Kills 4 In Strike On Suspected Drug-Smuggling Boat In Caribbean, Death Toll Hits 227
Recent U.S. actions in the Caribbean have resulted in the deaths of four individuals during a strike targeting a suspected drug-smuggling boat, raising the confirmed death toll to 227 across multiple interdiction events. This follows a similar strike two days prior that killed two individuals in the Eastern Pacific. These incidents underscore the escalating efforts to disrupt illicit maritime trafficking routes.
Mapping offshore wind potential and spatial trade-offs for marine planning in Caribbean Small Island Developing States
Offshore wind presents a vital pathway to decarbonization and energy security for Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Addressing data fragmentation, this study establishes a reproducible spatial framework to assess wind potential while considering environmental constraints across 12 Caribbean EEZs. Mapping wind speeds and integrating foundation technologies, we identified 10.03% of the maritime domain as ‘Opportunity’ zones, with only 0.36% designated as ‘Trade-off’ areas. For further exploration of marine ecosystems, see our article, "Coral Reefs.
US Sells 2 Sanctioned Oil Tankers Seized In Venezuelan Operation For Scrap In India
The United States has authorized the sale of two previously sanctioned oil tankers, the Era (formerly Marinera) and the Lileo (formerly Galileo), to India for scrap. These vessels were seized during a U.S. operation targeting Venezuelan oil shipments. This action concludes a complex legal process and reflects ongoing efforts to manage assets linked to sanctioned entities. The case highlights the intricate challenges of maritime enforcement, as demonstrated by recent events, including the sentencing of a tanker captain for evading the U.S.
U.S Navy Seizes $ 81 Million Worth Of Cocaine Using Unmanned Vessels In The Caribbean
Recent maritime operations underscore the evolving role of technology in combating transnational crime. The U.S. Navy successfully interdicted a vessel carrying approximately $81 million in cocaine within the Caribbean Sea, leveraging unmanned vessels to track and coordinate with naval forces. This strategic deployment enabled the seizure and represents a significant disruption to illicit drug trafficking routes. Such capabilities highlight the increasing reliance on integrated data ecosystems for real-time ocean intelligence.
U.S. Coast Guard Seizes $2.8 Million Marijuana Shipment In Caribbean Operation Near Bahamas
Following a recent interdiction operation near the Bahamas, the U.S. Coast Guard successfully seized a shipment of marijuana valued at approximately $2.8 million. The illicit narcotics, along with three detainees, were offloaded at Coral Harbour, Bahamas, on Monday for judicial processing. This action underscores ongoing efforts to disrupt transnational criminal networks operating in the Caribbean. Relatedly, our reporting details significant drug seizures at sea, including a recent interception of 2.6 tonnes of cocaine in the Atlantic Ocean, highlighting the scale of maritime drug trafficking.