April 17, 2009

Phew! Out of Hot Water, But Not Yet in the Clear: Blue Crabs

Blue Crab Population Increasing in Chesapeake Bay

Washington Post

The number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay increased about 43 percent last year, according to survey data released this morning, and scientists said it was likely a sign that measures taken to protect the beleaguered bay icon are working.

Full Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/17/AR2009041701707.html?hpid=artslot

Fish Farming Trends

Depths of bounty: More people eating more fish means more farming

The Economist

EVERY few years, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) produces a report on the state of the world’s fisheries and aquaculture. Its most recent effort is published today and two things are evident. One is that the weight of fish pulled from the depths has peaked. The other is that fish farming will soon account for half of all fish consumed by people, but that its rate of growth is slowing.

Full Story: http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13213331

Note: To know which fish farmed fish are good to eat in your region, keep this printable and portable guide handy: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.aspx
or
as an iphone application: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_iPhone.aspx

Keep Fighting the Good Fight

Japanese whalers fall short of quota, to delight of marine mammal lovers

Los Angeles Times

Japan's goal had been to kill up to 935 minke whales and 50 fin whales. Shigeki Takaya, a fisheries agency spokesman, told the Associated Press: "This season's catch was reduced as a result of the interference by protesters."

Three vessels from the whaling fleet returned home this week and reported a final tally of 679 minke whales and one fin whale for a five-month effort, much of which was spent in clashes with the crew of the Steve Irwin, of the Sea Shepherd fleet.

Full Story: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/04/whale-watchers-and-marine-mammal-enthusiasts-around-the-world-will-be-pleased-to-learn-that-japan-fell-substantially-short-o.html

A Little Help for Salmon

Stimulus funds will aid irrigation, fish passage

Yakima Herald

Farmers, fish and workers in the Yakima Valley will benefit from nearly $44 million in federal stimulus spending. The money is earmarked for three projects to make efficient use of irrigation water in the Sunnyside Division and improve fish passage at Roza Dam, a key spot in the basin for fish migration.
The funding from the stimulus package announced this week will speed the start of the three projects. All had been close to construction, a requirement for stimulus consideration.


Full Story: http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/04/16/stimulus-funds-will-aid-irrigation-fish-passage

Dolphin Bioacoustics

Dolphin "Talk" Made Visible?

National Geographic News

An acoustics engineer in the U.K. claims he's got a key tool in decoding the language of dolphins. He's invented a device that visualizes dolphin sounds, but skeptics have their doubts.

Video Story: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/04/090408-dolphin-speak-video-ap.html

April 16, 2009

Orca Whales and the San Diego Water Supply: A Reminder of Life's Interconnectedness

Water Woes' Next Player: Killer Whales

Voices of San Diego

A National Marine Fisheries Service analysis has determined that massive pumps that annually send billions of gallons of water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to the rest of the state are contributing to a decline in salmon populations. Chinook salmon, commonly called king salmon, spawn in the delta and spend much of their adult lives in the Pacific Ocean, where killer whales prey on them

Full Story: http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2009/02/23/environment/856whales022209.txt

Sea Turtle Awareness

11 Turtles Begin Race To Warmer Waters
Washington Post

Eleven leatherback sea turtles will begin a 3,700-mile "virtual race" today from cold Canadian waters to the warmth of the Caribbean. For daily updates of the turtles' two-week journey, go to http://www.greatturtlerace.org.

Full Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/15/AR2009041503258.html

The Perfect Way to Start Off

United Nations Makes it Official: World Oceans Day is June 8
TransWorldNews

Sixteen years after it was first proposed, the United Nations (U.N.) has notified Oceana of its official resolution to designate June 8 as World Oceans Day. Both the U.N. and Oceana are preparing events to honor the inaugural celebration of the planet’s oceans.

Full Story: http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=83850&cat=15