US Backs Plan to Legalize Regulated Whaling

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Thu, 2010-04-15 17:22
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US Backs Plan to Legalize Regulated Whaling

The United States has brought forward a plan that would legalize whaling in exchange for detailed monitoring, regulation, and trade controls. Anti-whaling groups are opposed to the compromise.
Humpback whale

The United States formally introduced a plan crafted in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida last March during a meeting of the International Whaling Convention. The plan would allow whaling nations to do so legally within the IWC. Currently, Norway and Iceland whale in objection to the moratorium placed by the IWC in 1986. Japan whales under the guise of "lethal research," but brings the meat to market. The US plan will allow these nations and others to whale legally, but will subject them to a rigorous monitoring process. The controversial treaty would expire 10 years after ratification.

Chinese Coal Ship Lifted Off Damaged Great Barrier Reef

Submitted by ecofactory on Wed, 2010-04-14 16:24
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Chinese Coal Ship Lifted Off Damaged Great Barrier Reef

BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia, April 14, 2010 (ENS) - Salvage experts have successfully refloated the Chinese coal carrier Shen Neng 1 that went aground on the Great Barrier Reef 10 days ago. Oil spilled from the ship's damaged hull into the pristine waters around the grounding site, which is at least 10 kilometers away from the authorized shipping lane.

Initial fears that the 230 meter-long coal carrier would break in two, spilling coal and fuel oil onto the world's longest reef proved to be unfounded.

Conservation Groups Converge in Puerto Rico to Save Endangered Turtles

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Tue, 2010-02-23 20:36
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Conservation Groups Converge in Puerto Rico to Save Endangered Turtles

Conservation groups are moving to keep developers off a 3,000 acre stretch of beach they say is crucial to the endangered leatherback turtle.
Leatherback Turtle

Conservation groups are lobbying with the federal government to preserve a stretch of coastline they say is vital to the nesting of the endangered leatherback turtle. According to The Sierra Club, a 3,200 acre preserve is needed to ensure the species' continued survival. While Puerto Rico's last governor supported the preservation of this land, current governor Luis Fortuno revoked the status of the beach in favor of development to bring in new investment and jobs.

Antarctic Whaling Conflict Leads to Injuries, Arrests

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Mon, 2010-02-15 17:27
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Antarctic Whaling Conflict Leads to Injuries, Arrests

Confrontations continue as Sea Shepherd hounds the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic Ocean.
A Sea Shepherd activist makes a rude gesture at Japanese whalers

The Japanese government reported that three crewmen were injured when members of the anti-whaling activist group Sea Shepherd struck them in the face or head with butyric acid stink bombs. Sea Shepherd stated that the aggression originated from the Japanese vessel when they turned their water cannons on the activists as they tried to lay propeller-snarling cables in the path of the whaling ship. Sea Shepherd activist Locky Maclean said that the acid in the stink bombs is "a harmless liquid. You can handle it, it's not corrosive." Sea Shepherd later denied that they caused any injuries.

Exxon Valdez Oil Still Trapped Under Beaches

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Mon, 2010-01-18 17:40
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Exxon Valdez Oil Still Trapped Under Beaches

New research shows that Exxon Valdez oil is still being naturally sequestered more than two decades after the catastrophic spill.
An Orca breaks the surface of Prince William Sound

Twenty years after the Exxon Valdez tanker spilled millions of gallons of crude oil into the Prince William Sound, scientists still estimate that as much as 20,000 gallons remain. According to researcher Michel C. Boufadel of Temple University, this is due to unusual soil composition that allows oil to reside in a deep layer of sand and small rocks that are trapped underneath larger sections.

Could the Ocean Benefit from More CO2?

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Thu, 2009-12-03 11:04
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Could the Ocean Benefit from More CO2?

New research may reverse theory that ocean CO2 levels will harm coral and other sea creatures.
New Guinea Coral Reefs

In recent years, ocean acidification has become a talking point for climate scientists as an additional symptom of increased atmospheric CO2. It was believed that carbon dioxide diffused in ocean water would slightly acidify it, wreaking havoc on coral, crustaceans, and mollusks that require a specific chemistry to grow their shells and skeletons. Scientists believed that these populations and habitats would be devastated, and turn the ocean food chain upside-down.

Valuing Ecosystem Services Makes Economic Sense, Experts Report

Submitted by ecofactory on Tue, 2009-11-17 15:21
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Valuing Ecosystem Services Makes Economic Sense, Experts Report

BRUSSELS, Belgium, November 17, 2009 (ENS) - Decision makers who factor the planet's multi-trillion dollar ecosystem services into their national and international investment strategies are likely to see far higher rates of return and stronger economic growth in the 21st century, finds a new United Nations-backed report.

Ships Sailing U.S. Atlantic Coast Must Slow for Whales

Submitted by ecofactory on Tue, 2009-11-03 18:06
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Ships Sailing U.S. Atlantic Coast Must Slow for Whales

WASHINGTON, DC, November 3, 2009 (ENS) - The U.S. Coast Guard reminds operators of vessels 65 feet or greater in length that the Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule took effect for the first time on Sunday. The new rule requires those vessels to slow down while operating in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic waters where North Atlantic right whales are known to migrate, calve and nurse.

Rapid Pace of Species Extinctions Mounts to a 'Crisis'

Submitted by ecofactory on Tue, 2009-11-03 18:03
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Rapid Pace of Species Extinctions Mounts to a 'Crisis'

GLAND, Switzerland, November 3, 2009 (ENS) - Nearly one-third of all known species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction, finds the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, IUCN, in the most recent update of its authoritative Red List of Threatened Species™ issued today.

The updated assessment shows that 17,291 species out of the 47,677 assessed species are threatened with extinction.

Irreplaceable Madagascar ecosystem tainted by toxic Turkish shipwreck

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Fri, 2009-10-30 11:24
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Irreplaceable Madagascar ecosystem tainted by toxic Turkish shipwreck

A shipwreck off the coast of Madagascar is already wrecking havoc on the health of the nearby community and ecosystem. Learn more inside.
Madagascar Shipwreck

In August, a Turkish ship carrying thousands of tons of toxic waste sunk near the southern coast of Madagascar. Since then, toxic water has already poisoned citizens and is being blamed for the beaching of nine whales who were migrating and breeding in the area. Oil sludge is still washing up on beaches 20 miles away from the shipwreck, and locals are complaining about respiratory issues, skin disorders, and diarrhea.