Norway threatens WTO action over seal ban
Agence France-Presse (AFP)
OSLO (AFP) — Norway threatened Wednesday to submit a complaint to the World Trade Organisation if the European Union bans the import of seal-related products.
"If the EU decides to introduce a broad ban on the trade of products derived from seals, that will affect our liberty to decide how we manage our own marine resources," Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and Fisheries Minister Helga Pedersen said in a statement.
Full Story: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iBv25fASzoghrLmIe1KygcpbHgiw
April 22, 2009
A Major Cleanup Is In Order
More plastic than plankton: Our oceans are covered in patches of garbage as big as a continent
Metro World News in Paris
At the heart of the oceans, areas as big as France, maybe more, are covered in garbage. The most famous of these is the Great Garbage Patch, discovered in the late 1990s in the North Pacific Ocean between the U.S.A. and Asia. But it seems that another seven similar patches may exist, according to Seattle oceanographer Curtis Ebbesmeyer, one of the first scientists to take interest in the strange routes of plastic trash in the sea.
Full Story: http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/live/article/217078--more-plastic-than-plankton
Metro World News in Paris
At the heart of the oceans, areas as big as France, maybe more, are covered in garbage. The most famous of these is the Great Garbage Patch, discovered in the late 1990s in the North Pacific Ocean between the U.S.A. and Asia. But it seems that another seven similar patches may exist, according to Seattle oceanographer Curtis Ebbesmeyer, one of the first scientists to take interest in the strange routes of plastic trash in the sea.
Full Story: http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/live/article/217078--more-plastic-than-plankton
Iron Fertilization Brings Surprising Number of Copepods
Ocean seeding fails on carbon but claims a plus for plankton
The Esperance Express
THE most determined attempt yet to make the ocean soak up more greenhouse gas has failed to achieve a significant impact, dealing a blow to the controversial science.
Despite an international outcry, the "ocean fertilisation" experiment - seeding the ocean with iron to stimulate the growth of microscopic algae and in turn absorb carbon dioxide - went ahead in the South Atlantic this month.
Full Story: http://esperance.yourguide.com.au/news/national/national/general/ocean-seeding-fails-on-carbon-but-claims-a-plus-for-plankton/1471070.aspx
The Esperance Express
THE most determined attempt yet to make the ocean soak up more greenhouse gas has failed to achieve a significant impact, dealing a blow to the controversial science.
Despite an international outcry, the "ocean fertilisation" experiment - seeding the ocean with iron to stimulate the growth of microscopic algae and in turn absorb carbon dioxide - went ahead in the South Atlantic this month.
Full Story: http://esperance.yourguide.com.au/news/national/national/general/ocean-seeding-fails-on-carbon-but-claims-a-plus-for-plankton/1471070.aspx
EU Cuts Back on Fishery Fleet
EU wants smaller fishing fleet to help stocks
The Associated Press
BRUSSELS (AP) — With almost all stocks overfished, the European Commission on Wednesday called for drastic cuts in the EU's 90,000-strong fishing fleet and subsidies to safeguard a sustainable and economically viable fishing industry.
"Fleets have the power to fish much more than can safely be removed without jeopardizing the future productivity of stocks," the EU executive said in a report on Europe's fishing future.
"This imbalance is at the root of all problems," the paper said.
Full Story: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jm9oNd1qwbUCkoNJQ9KKwX1M6vYAD97NELVG0
The Associated Press
BRUSSELS (AP) — With almost all stocks overfished, the European Commission on Wednesday called for drastic cuts in the EU's 90,000-strong fishing fleet and subsidies to safeguard a sustainable and economically viable fishing industry.
"Fleets have the power to fish much more than can safely be removed without jeopardizing the future productivity of stocks," the EU executive said in a report on Europe's fishing future.
"This imbalance is at the root of all problems," the paper said.
Full Story: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jm9oNd1qwbUCkoNJQ9KKwX1M6vYAD97NELVG0
Consequences of Feeding Wild Dolphins in Florida
Dolphin feeding a serious problem
Florida Freedom Newspaper
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - The issue of illegal dolphin feeding is once again rearing its head as summer boating season approaches. Advocates of the marine mammal say the problem is growing worse and the Panama City area has grown notorious for not enforcing the federal law.
Full Story: http://www.destin.com/articles/city_754___article.html/problem_dolphin.html
Florida Freedom Newspaper
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - The issue of illegal dolphin feeding is once again rearing its head as summer boating season approaches. Advocates of the marine mammal say the problem is growing worse and the Panama City area has grown notorious for not enforcing the federal law.
Full Story: http://www.destin.com/articles/city_754___article.html/problem_dolphin.html
Salmon in Even Worse Jeopardy
Three Common Pesticides Toxic to Salmon
Environment News Service
SEATTLE, Washington, April 21, 2009 (ENS) - Three pesticides - carbaryl, carbofuran, and methomyl - jeopardize the existence of protected salmon and steelhead, the National Marine Fisheries Service said in a formal biological opinion released Monday.
Full Story: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2009/2009-04-21-095.asp
Environment News Service
SEATTLE, Washington, April 21, 2009 (ENS) - Three pesticides - carbaryl, carbofuran, and methomyl - jeopardize the existence of protected salmon and steelhead, the National Marine Fisheries Service said in a formal biological opinion released Monday.
Full Story: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2009/2009-04-21-095.asp
Important Programming
Tonight: 'Call of the Killer Whale'
Online video preview: http://www.pbs.org/kqed/oceanadventures/episodes/killerwhale/
The most complex marine species on the planet, our counterparts in the sea, is the orca, the ruler of the ocean.
Aired Tuesday 4/21/09, 'PBS Frontline Poisoned Waters'
Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound
Full Program available to watch online at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poisonedwaters/
Online video preview: http://www.pbs.org/kqed/oceanadventures/episodes/killerwhale/
The most complex marine species on the planet, our counterparts in the sea, is the orca, the ruler of the ocean.
Aired Tuesday 4/21/09, 'PBS Frontline Poisoned Waters'
Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound
Full Program available to watch online at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poisonedwaters/
April 20, 2009
Oyster S.O.S ? Banned Chemicals In Oyster Tissue Brings Mixed Concern Levels
Area oysters contain fire retardant: Two banned chemicals found in oysters from a St. Johns waterway are raising many questions.
Jacksonville News
A chemical compound that's banned in some countries has turned up in surprising levels in oysters in a nearly untouched St. Johns County waterway.
The discovery of the fire-retardant chemical in the Matanzas River near Crescent Beach is puzzling, but whether it's really meaningful remains to be seen, said a scientist who works in the area.
Full Story: http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-04-20/story/area_oysters_contain_fire_retardant
Jacksonville News
A chemical compound that's banned in some countries has turned up in surprising levels in oysters in a nearly untouched St. Johns County waterway.
The discovery of the fire-retardant chemical in the Matanzas River near Crescent Beach is puzzling, but whether it's really meaningful remains to be seen, said a scientist who works in the area.
Full Story: http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-04-20/story/area_oysters_contain_fire_retardant
Salmon Disaster Relief Only Dispenses 60% of Aid Promised to Fishermen
DeFazio, Thompson Tell Bush: Hands Off Salmon Disaster Money
U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio Website News
Washington, DC—Today Representatives Peter DeFazio (OR-04) and Mike Thompson (CA-01), along with 10 other members of Congress wrote to President Bush urging him to distribute the full $170 million in disaster aid to fisherman suffering from the closure of the salmon fishing season on the West Coast. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced this week that it would be releasing only $100 million of the $170 million in funds appropriated by Congress this summer.
Full Story : http://www.defazio.house.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=432
U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio Website News
Washington, DC—Today Representatives Peter DeFazio (OR-04) and Mike Thompson (CA-01), along with 10 other members of Congress wrote to President Bush urging him to distribute the full $170 million in disaster aid to fisherman suffering from the closure of the salmon fishing season on the West Coast. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced this week that it would be releasing only $100 million of the $170 million in funds appropriated by Congress this summer.
Full Story : http://www.defazio.house.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=432
Is Mankind Finally Getting it Right?
Herring make slow recovery
South Coast Today
While it's still too early in the season to tell, [ fisheries biologist] John Sheppard was studying the first of what state and New Bedford officials hope will be many more herring using the river to reach their spawning grounds in the New Bedford Reservoir.
In 2007, New Bedford celebrated the completion of a $1.4 million project officials hoped would shepherd more than 100,000 river herring past three dams on the Acushnet River to the reservoir.
Full Story: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090420/NEWS/904200327/-1/NEWS06
South Coast Today
While it's still too early in the season to tell, [ fisheries biologist] John Sheppard was studying the first of what state and New Bedford officials hope will be many more herring using the river to reach their spawning grounds in the New Bedford Reservoir.
In 2007, New Bedford celebrated the completion of a $1.4 million project officials hoped would shepherd more than 100,000 river herring past three dams on the Acushnet River to the reservoir.
Full Story: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090420/NEWS/904200327/-1/NEWS06
EU Fisheries Reform
EU policy is an 'aberration', says fisheries group
Irish Times
THE EU’s Common Fisheries Policy is a “Napoleonic aberration” based on “command and control”, according to the founder of the West Cork Sustainable Fisheries Group.
Full Story: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0420/1224245022460.html
Irish Times
THE EU’s Common Fisheries Policy is a “Napoleonic aberration” based on “command and control”, according to the founder of the West Cork Sustainable Fisheries Group.
Full Story: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0420/1224245022460.html
A Small Step in The Right Direction to Help Sea Turtles
Compromise Agreement to Save Endangered Sea Turtles
Foster Folly News
New Orleans, LA – The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voted in favor of a compromise agreement this morning put together in recent days by Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, and the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Bottom Longline Fishing fleet aimed at reducing the often times fatal interactions between threatened loggerhead sea turtles and commercial fishing gear. With this agreement, the fishermen will be able to continue fishing, but areas of the Gulf where the majority of the interactions have taken place will now be off-limits to the fleet.
Full Story: http://www.fosterfollynews.com/news/2009April17SeaTurtles.php
Foster Folly News
New Orleans, LA – The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voted in favor of a compromise agreement this morning put together in recent days by Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, and the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Bottom Longline Fishing fleet aimed at reducing the often times fatal interactions between threatened loggerhead sea turtles and commercial fishing gear. With this agreement, the fishermen will be able to continue fishing, but areas of the Gulf where the majority of the interactions have taken place will now be off-limits to the fleet.
Full Story: http://www.fosterfollynews.com/news/2009April17SeaTurtles.php
April 19, 2009
A Slight Deviation from Marine Science to Highlight an Important Matter
Company seeks to sell Laurel Hill Creek’s water
Daily American
The Department of Environmental Protection is considering an application to drill a well in Jefferson Township to supply water to bottling plants in other locations.Department spokeswoman Helen Humphreys said an application was filed on behalf of Cooper Springs, a company, to dig a well in the Laurel Hill Creek watershed. The department is waiting for the applicant to provide additional information on the amount of water to be drawn from the well before making a determination on the application.
Full Story: http://www.dailyamerican.com/articles/2009/03/31/news/local/news228.txt
Daily American
The Department of Environmental Protection is considering an application to drill a well in Jefferson Township to supply water to bottling plants in other locations.Department spokeswoman Helen Humphreys said an application was filed on behalf of Cooper Springs, a company, to dig a well in the Laurel Hill Creek watershed. The department is waiting for the applicant to provide additional information on the amount of water to be drawn from the well before making a determination on the application.
Full Story: http://www.dailyamerican.com/articles/2009/03/31/news/local/news228.txt
Co-Author of the Magnuson-Stevens Act Shows a Different Side
Will feds pursue Stevens on fisheries?
Anchorage Daily News
However, the government should feel more ashamed of bringing those pussycat charges in the first place. The feds had a chance to dig much deeper into Alaska corruption, particularly as it involved the senator's twisting of this nation's fishery policies and earmarking taxpayer dollars to benefit private interests.
Full Story: http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/strohmeyer/story/764313.html
Anchorage Daily News
However, the government should feel more ashamed of bringing those pussycat charges in the first place. The feds had a chance to dig much deeper into Alaska corruption, particularly as it involved the senator's twisting of this nation's fishery policies and earmarking taxpayer dollars to benefit private interests.
Full Story: http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/strohmeyer/story/764313.html
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Continued Navy Sonar Use
Supreme Court Weighs in on Whales and Sonar
Insciences Organisation
Arguments about the impact of Navy sonar on marine mammals rose to the highest court in the land last fall. But not every issue is best settled in court. One source of knowledge related to the case—marine mammal scientists—was essentially left out of the debate.
Full Story: http://insciences.org/article.php?article_id=4005
Insciences Organisation
Arguments about the impact of Navy sonar on marine mammals rose to the highest court in the land last fall. But not every issue is best settled in court. One source of knowledge related to the case—marine mammal scientists—was essentially left out of the debate.
Full Story: http://insciences.org/article.php?article_id=4005
Navy Sonar and Marine Mammals Don't Mix
Military sonar blamed for mass dolphin strandings
The Times Online
Mass strandings of dolphins and whales could be caused because the animals are rendered temporarily deaf by military sonar, experiments have shown.
Tests on a captive dolphin have demonstrated that hearing can be lost for up to 40 minutes on exposure to sonar. Hearing is the most important sense for dolphins and other cetaeceans, and losing it is likely to cause them to become disorientated and alarmed.
Full Story: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6054843.ece
The Times Online
Mass strandings of dolphins and whales could be caused because the animals are rendered temporarily deaf by military sonar, experiments have shown.
Tests on a captive dolphin have demonstrated that hearing can be lost for up to 40 minutes on exposure to sonar. Hearing is the most important sense for dolphins and other cetaeceans, and losing it is likely to cause them to become disorientated and alarmed.
Full Story: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6054843.ece
Right Whales' Future Brightens
News on right whales encouraging
The Owen Sound Sun Times - Canadian Press
Although their species still teeters on the brink of extinction, a record number of right whale calves have been found in winter nursery waters off the coast of the southeastern United States.
Full Story: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1529918
The Owen Sound Sun Times - Canadian Press
Although their species still teeters on the brink of extinction, a record number of right whale calves have been found in winter nursery waters off the coast of the southeastern United States.
Full Story: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1529918
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