Amidst the massive algae blooms and the strange invasions of non-native fish, in the Baltic Sea there's a bit of good news this year - seriously threatened cod stocks are experiencing something of an unexpected comeback.
Otherwise, it's a bit hard to find good news about our oceans. Yesterday was World Oceans Day - does that mean today we can go back to bluefin Tuna sushi?
Not quite. Better if it's jellyfish spaghetti and bring-your-own container from here on out. Fish is good for us, we've heard the message incessantly, and it is likely true. But if environmentalists eschew beef only to pile high the fish sticks or the tuna, the oceans are doomed. And farmed fish (generally carnivorous) is not a realistic answer.
The oceans need diversity, too, and bottom trawlers and population pressures on Earth are not helping. Jellyfish are now invading many marine ecosystems.
In spite of their slimy and stinging qualities, jellyfish aren't all bad. Some species transport carbon to the ocean floor. They also are a great environmental bellweather, signaling a change in an ecosystem. And if the Chinese palate is any indication, they don't taste half bad.
Of course, there are other important ways each individual can still make a difference for the oceans, starting with reducing plastic consumption (all the plastic we've dumped is now so integral in the ocean food chain that we're starting to ingest our own plastic trash along with the tuna salad); choosing greener detergents; getting a reliable seafood buying guide, and of course, not dumping any trash at the beach.
Getting off the plastic habit is hard, especially if you live in a city and love take out. The options for your own tiffin carrier are still pretty slim - there's a cute one at Darryl Hannah's online store. But they are out there.
So eschew tuna, take away your trash and cut out plastic.
And like blogger La Vida Loca, if you are ever offered haizhe at a Chinese restaurant, get your cup of green tea nearby and give it a try. The oceans may thank you.
Read more from Graham Hill on Huffington Post
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