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.

US Gives Shell Oil the Go-ahead to Drill Arctic Oil

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Thu, 2009-10-29 17:39
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US Gives Shell Oil the Go-ahead to Drill Arctic Oil

The Department of Interior awarded Shell Oil drilling rights for a fragile arctic environment.
Arctic drilling as tested by the USGS

The Minerals Management Service, a part of President Obama's Department of Interior, approved a lease for arctic oil development for Shell Oil. The exploratory drilling off the north Alaska coast is slated to take place in an area that is home to a variety of endangered species, including polar bears, walruses, and bowhead whales. Shell vowed that they would suspend operations when local inuit people embark on traditional hunts.

NOAA and Four States Form South Atlantic Ocean Alliance

Submitted by ecofactory on Wed, 2009-10-28 11:51
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NOAA and Four States Form South Atlantic Ocean Alliance

CHARLESTON, South Carolina, October 28, 2009 (ENS) - State government representatives from the Southeast coastal region have formed a partnership with the federal agency responsible for oceans to better manage and protect ocean and coastal resources, ensure regional economic sustainability, and respond to disasters such as hurricanes.