Reviewing Fisheries Law in Europe

Growing world populations continue to increase demand for food resources. Fisheries are an extremely important source of protein for much of the world. Better management is critical in order to prevent collapse of this extremely important resource.

European Fisheries Law Undergoes Review

by Ben Block on September 24, 2008

After a recent series of unsavory news reports, the European Commission has announced that its fisheries policy may need to be overhauled due to continued ecological decline and unsustainable fishing practices.

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg announced a laundry list of flaws with the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in a statement released last week. "In its current form, the CFP does not encourage responsible behavior by either fishermen or politicians," Borg said.

In response, the Commission...(complete article here).

The Carbon-Viral Connection

This amazing planet we live on is equipped with marvelous systems for maintaining itself. We are only beginning the process of understanding how it all works. How can we be so arrogant as to believe that our puny efforts affect "climate change" in any meaningful way?

Viruses are hidden drivers of ocean's nutrient cycle

PARIS (AFP) - Scientists on Wednesday said they had discovered deep-sea viruses to be an unexpectedly potent driver of the so-called carbon cycle that sustains oceanic life and helps dampen global warming.

Under the carbon cycle, microscopic algae at the sea surface suck up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Many of these microscopic creatures, called prokaryotes, become infected by naturally-occurring marine viruses.

When they die, their...(complete article here).

New Pacific Island Sanctuaries Fast-Tracked

I love it -- from the President the Environmentalists love to hate....

Bush proposes protections for Pacific islands, atolls and reefs

The plan to guard against mining and fishing is expected to be finalized before the president leaves office.

By Kenneth R. Weiss,
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 26, 2008

President Bush on Monday signaled his intention to protect some of the Pacific Ocean's most remote and unspoiled islands, atolls and coral reefs from fishing and deep-sea mining.

In a memo to three Cabinet secretaries, the president asked for a plan that would protect parts of the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on the planet, as well as waters around Rose Atoll in American Samoa and various islands and reefs in the central Pacific that are under U.S. jurisdiction.

The proposal, expected to...(complete article here).

California Desalination Plant OK'd

This is something that I believe will become common in the near future.

Dry California OKs huge desalination plant

San Diego to get fresh water; Sierra Club cites massive fish kills via intake

OCEANSIDE, Calif. - The California Coastal Commission approved a plan to build the Western Hemisphere's largest desalination plant north of...(complete article here).

Streaming Power

A whole new twist on hydro-electric power is calling.

Oceans of electricity beckon

Researchers eager to tap Gulf Stream to create power

By BRIAN SKOLOFF
Associated Press

DANIA BEACH, FLA. — Just 15 miles off Florida's coast, the world's most powerful sustained ocean current — the mighty Gulf Stream — rushes by at nearly 8.5 billion gallons per second. And it never stops.

To scientists, it represents a tantalizing possibility: a new, plentiful and uninterrupted source of clean energy.

Florida Atlantic University researchers say...(complete article here).