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Use of wrasse to combat parasite threatens natural stocks, say experts

Salmon farmers have been accused of playing dirty by using fish caught in the wild to clean lice from Scottish fish farms. Marine conservation experts say that shipping tonnes of English-caught wrasse a year – to tackle lice infestations in salmon pens north of the border – is endangering natural stocks. English anglers have also warned wrasse is becoming harder and harder to find in local waters.

However, salmon farmers have rejected the charge. They say the use of wrasse as a “cleaner” fish is part of a long-term plan to replace chemicals – which are currently administered to pens to control lice infestations – with sustainable, biological controls.

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Mangers of Prospect Park in New York are happy with their new employee.

South Uist The dominant hue will change gradually, as first one then another wildflower species comes to the fore on land left to lie fallow

The continuation of traditional crofting methods ensures that the island’s machair is still celebrated for the spectacular profusion of wildflowers that occurs in the summer. Yellows, whites, purples and blues are all present, though the dominant hue will change gradually, as first one then another species comes to the fore on the land left to lie fallow. But where, after their period of rest, different areas are put back under cultivation, there are other changes in colour.

This spring the grassland down at the end of the track that reaches the sea came under the plough, its green replaced by an expanse of pale open ground. Stretches of machair ready for planting are nothing like prepared fields seen elsewhere in Britain.

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Marine mammal experts make ‘really tough decision’ after rough sea conditions hinder rescue attempts

• Australian volunteers help keep animal breathing – video

A juvenile humpback whale that has been beached on the New South Wales mid-north coast for more than a day will be euthanised.

Rough sea conditions had put a hold on attempts to rescue the whale on Sataurday.

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Finkel's proposed Clean Energy Target could solidify long-term investment in renewable energy, but investor certainty can only be delivered by taking into account the 2°C target.

The fourth largest ice shelf in Antarctica, known as Larson C, has developed a crack 180km long. It is only a matter of time before a giant iceberg peels away and floats free in the Antarctic circumpolar current.

Sure, seabirds might've been flying past, but how did tiny forest birds make it all the way to Lord Howe Island in the middle of the sea?

Writer Inga Simpson recounts experiences of a tree change to the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

The transformation of Singapore into a garden city.

The transformation of Singapore into a garden city.

A tree planting project transforms a Bega Valley landscape; a young couple grinds out a living off just eight hectares; we turn unwanted fruit and veg into edible powder; and meet four-year-old dog trialler Alyssa Brown.

The week’s top environment news stories and green events. If you are not already receiving this roundup, sign up here to get the briefing delivered to your inbox

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A stalking tiger, playful long-eared owl chicks and a rare dormouse are among this week’s pick of images from the natural world

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World Land Speed record holder Andy Green examines how the extremes of speed and acceleration will affect the airflow around the Bloodhound supersonic car.

A directeur sportif must juggle route navigation, team communication, tactics and technical backup – all while driving at high speed. Amy Sedghi hitches a ride on the women’s Tour de Yorkshire to see how it’s done

“I need a bike change”. The urgent call comes after about 45km.

Another rider has hit Audrey Cordon-Ragot’s rear wheel in women’s Tour de Yorkshire and the radio crackles with her call for a replacement to be brought forwards. The Wiggle High5 team’s directeur sportif, Donna Rae Szalinski, has her foot on the accelerator and a hand on the horn, beeping a warning at the other support cars as she zips up the right hand side at 70kmh to deliver a new bike.

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The highly anticipated Finkel review on the future of the national electricity market was released on Friday. Its weak emissions target breaks Australia’s Paris commitments, but the review may well end the deadlock on carbon emissions that has plagued politics for over a decade

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Animals take umbrage when they feel that others are getting greater rewards than they are.

Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel's report into the national energy market is finally out in the open, and calls for immediate action.

Voluntary initiative marks first time companies from Asia, Europe and US have joined together to stop overfishing, illegal catch and use of slave labour

Nine of the world’s biggest fishing companies have signed up to protect the world’s oceans, pledging to help stamp out illegal activities, including the use of slave labour, and prevent overfishing.

The initiative will be announced on Friday, as part of the UN Ocean Conference this week in New York, the first conference of its kind at which member states are discussing how to meet the sustainable development goal on ocean health.

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Helpers endure the rain and swell to look after a whale that became stuck on a beach in New South Wales, Australia. The group used guide ropes to keep the animal upright as the tide fell, enabling it to breathe. The animal, which is nine metres long and weighs about 18 tonnes, will remain beached at least until the high tide arrives in the evening, experts said.

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