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Fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, birds and other marine life exist in ecosystems that rarely fall within maps drawn by man.

Jonathan Jarvis, director of the U.S. National Park Service, discusses an environmental accord signed by the United States and Cuba on Wednesday to protect four marine sanctuaries in waters surrounding the two countries.

Biodegradable plastic doesn’t break down in the ocean. -

Using biodegradables to cut the huge amounts of plastic waste is a nice idea, but a new United Nations report finds that the polymers only disintegrate after prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Thats hard to come by in nature, especially on the high seas. CBC

Hawaii’s reef management plan ignores the aquarium trade. -

Hundreds of thousands of fish sold in U.S. pet stores hail from the Aloha State, where a mass bleaching event is devastating corals. Many of the collected species help keep the reefs healthy, but officials have dismissed calls for a moratorium on taking the fish awayChristian Science Monitor

Sunday is the day of rest for wildfires, too. -

A new analysis of NASA satellite imagery finds that fires around the globe have a weekly cycle—peaking on Tuesday and dipping on Sunday. The authors, noting that natural fires do not pay attention to the day of the week, chalk it up to religion. Washington Post

The United Kingdom plans to shutter all coal plants by 2025. -

The dirty fuel still generates more than 20 percent of Britains electricity, but the countrys energy secretary wants to build more gas-fired stations to make up the demand. BBC

Oregon hunter is charged with killing a gray wolf. -

The state’s wolf-management plan makes it illegal to kill the predators, whose population numbers are in the low 80s. A 25-year-old man who shot the male wolf while hunting coyotes last month faces up to one year in jail and a maximum of $6,250 in fines. Reuters