Arcata Eye
Pat Higgins: A fundamentally flawed Marine Life Protection Act – July 8, 2009
Thanks so much for covering the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) issue. I would like to offer the following response and additional information.
The article says that the Harbor District’s North Coast Local Interest Marine Protected Area (MPA) Workgroup is “largely made up of those who oppose the MPA process, and it includes many sport and commercial fishermen.”
By Vern Goehring
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Wednesday, Ventura County beachgoers, surfers, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts will have a chance to weigh in on six different Southern California marine reserve proposals being considered under the Marine Life Protection Act.
The official question: How to best clean up and protect our ocean environment?
But there’s a big problem — state officials and fishing opponents have so far successfully avoided addressing serious pollution problems, despite the clear mandate and authority in the law. And, missing an opportunity to do something meaningful about water quality is unconscionable.
inthenews.co.uk
Wednesday, 08 Jul 2009 00:01
The UK marine and coastal access bill is close to being finalised Printer friendly version The conservation organisation, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), has voiced concerns a government bill will not go far enough to protect marine life.
The UK marine and coastal access bill is close to being finalised, but according to the WWF there are concerns it will not secure the future health of some of the UK’s flagship species and habitats.
Research from the WWF found much of the threat to marine biodiversity was caused by human-induced activities, such as fishing and gas exploitation.
Law and the Environment
This week, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs announced release of the draft Ocean Management Plan, developed pursuant to the Oceans Act of 2008. The draft Plan has gotten most press for its identification of specific areas for off-shore wind energy development – as well as its prohibition of wind farms in other areas, including the area of the proposed Buzzards Bay wind farm. EOEEA Secretary Ian Bowles was quoted as saying that Buzzards Bay is too crowded and sensitive for the development of large-scale wind farms.
Chatham Cape Cod
By Laurie Balliett
CAPE COD – It is said that the waters of Cape Cod Bay were once so full of whales that one could walk from Provincetown to Boston across their backs. A hard image to conjure now that only about 300 right whales exist in the world, and most species are in danger of extinction.
The musty smell of wet whale breath, and the sound of a whale exhaling through its blowhole will stay with anyone who has ever observed whales in motion. Nor can one forget the sight of a whale feeding, coming up with its mouth wide open, full of tiny krill, gulls attempting to snatch dinner out of their gaping mouths.