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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, June 20th 2026 - 16:19 UTC

Environment

  • Friday, May 2nd 2025 - 19:07 UTC

    No injuries or damages reported as strong quake hits Strait of Magellan region

    Some 1,100 people were evacuated in Puerto Williams

    A 7.4-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale struck the Drake Passage Friday, triggering a tsunami warning for Chile's Magallanes region and Antarctic Territory. Chile and neighboring Argentina carried out preventive evacuations, relocating thousands from coastal areas. Shortly after, a stronger 7.5-magnitude quake hit Puerto Williams, followed by a 6.1 aftershock in the Strait of Magellan. Chilean authorities later downgraded the tsunami alert but suspended maritime activities. No injuries or damages were reported, and both countries continue to monitor the situation, urging residents to remain in safe zones.

  • Wednesday, April 30th 2025 - 07:19 UTC

    Darwin Plus funding, Falklands raises the issue on every possible call with UK officials

    “There are projects in limbo at the moment while people are waiting to hear what the future of Darwin and Darwin plus are,” pointed out MLA Roberts

    Amid concerns that the Darwin Plus funding for Overseas Territories could be cut, Falkland Islands lawmaker MLA Leona Roberts, underlined that key environmental funding is “always on the agenda of the Falklands”.

  • Tuesday, April 29th 2025 - 07:43 UTC

    Falklands, the size and maturity of Loligo squid forces closure of fishing season

    The lack of commercial size squid comes in a year when fishing companies have invested heavily in new vessels.

    The Falkland Islands Government Fisheries Department has confirmed that the Loligo fishing season has closed. The season closed on Sunday 27 April. Following issues with the second season in the last two years, the first season was closely monitored, particularly with regards to size and maturity of squid being caught.

  • Saturday, April 26th 2025 - 10:51 UTC

    Argentina: Chubut creates Patagonia Azul Provincial Park

    Chubut's Atlantic seaside accounts for 78% of the province's human population

    Chubut, Argentina, has established the Patagonia Azul Provincial Park, a new Natural Protected Area (NPA) spanning 295,135 hectares along its marine coast. Stretching from Cabo Dos Bahías to south of Bahía Bustamante, the park is connected by Provincial Route 1 for tourist access.

  • Friday, April 25th 2025 - 19:09 UTC

    Environmental organizations commemorate World Penguin Day

    Follow pictures of the different penguin species in the Falklands with credits to Andy Pollard, Georgina Strange, Marc Bouldoukian, FITB and Tomek Zawadowski.

    April 25 marked a new celebration of World Penguin Day to highlight these birds' environmental role, raising awareness of the threats they face, and promoting conservation. Under the theme “Waddle for a Greener Tomorrow,” conservationist groups promoted eco-friendly actions to ensure penguins’ habitats remain safe.

  • Friday, April 25th 2025 - 10:35 UTC

    Uruguay halts Neptuno water supply project for 90 days

    Orsi's government wants to review the terms of the contract signed by the previous administration

    The Uruguayan Government of President Yamandú Orsi and the Aguas de Montevideo consortium signed an agreement Thursday to suspend the Neptuno Project contract for 90 days. This temporary halt pauses the construction of the Arazatí water treatment plant to renegotiate terms established under the previous administration. A Torre Ejecutiva working group will review the contract to ensure a sustainable drinking water supply and institutional transparency.

  • Friday, April 25th 2025 - 06:21 UTC

    Enhanced Marine Protected Area in South Georgia: No Take Zones expanded for krill and toothfish

    Map of the new MPA measures with No Take Zones’ that now cover over 470,000 km², representing 38% of the MPA.

    The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has announced that enhanced Marine Protection Area (MPA) measures officially come into force on 22nd Apri), following the signing of new legislation by Her Excellency the Commissioner, Alison Blake CMG.

  • Thursday, April 24th 2025 - 18:10 UTC

    Darwin Plus projects in Falklands, and UK Prime Minister’s ODA (Development Assistance) Announcement

    Falklands Conservation is working with ‘Habitat restoration and species re-introductions on four Falklands island reserves (£303,425)’ (Pic Falklands Conservation)

    On the 25 February, the UK Prime Minister announced that the UK will increase defence spending to 2.5% of UK gross national income (GNI) from 2027. This will fund the capabilities, technology and industrial capacity vital to keep the UK and allies safe amid an era of renewed state conflict.

  • Thursday, April 24th 2025 - 18:03 UTC

    International Mother Earth Day, FAO launches new climate change website

    The new website's bold and eye-catching pages reflect the diversity of FAO’s work and echo the message of International Mother Earth Day, ‘Invest in our planet’.

    Protecting our planet from the climate crisis through sustainable agri-food systems is fundamental if we are to ensure food security for the world’s rapidly growing population.

  • Thursday, April 24th 2025 - 07:28 UTC

    US Senate bipartisan measure to bolster response to IUU fishing

    Former US Southern Command General Richardson meets with defense leaders from Argentina

    The Unites States Senate has introduced legislation designed to tackle the problem of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The bipartisan measure is geared “to deter IUU fishing by China and othe bad actors, and bolster US international response to these illegal activities”.