Did you know that thousands of whales die each year from commercial whaling, ship strikes, and habitat disruption? Or that a new plan is underway to legalize commercial whaling? I am contacting you today on behalf of The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), a non-profit organization working to save animals in crisis worldwide, to help protect our oceans’ whale population.
May 16, 2010
ASSESSMENT OF MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDER REQUIREMENTS IN NORTH SCOTLAND
Alastor Coleby (alastorcoleby@hotmail.com)
Additional contact information
Alastor Coleby: Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), 2010, vol. 12, issue 01, pages 29-49
May 9, 2010
Agencies meet to plan better use of the Sound
By Judy Benson
Groton – Think of marine spatial planning as something like planning and zoning for Long Island Sound.
Spurred by recent projects and proposals for ocean-based energy projects, representatives of New York, Connecticut and federal agencies, marine trades and nonprofit environmental groups will meet today to begin discussions about managing uses of Long Island Sound with marine spatial planning. The daylong forum will take place at the Avery Point campus of the University of Connecticut.
“This is an emerging topic,” Brian Thompson, director of Long Island Sound programs for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said Tuesday.
May 5, 2010
A national ocean policy needed
Long Beach Press-Telegram
By Jerry R. Schubel
Posted: 05/04/2010 08:20:11 PM PDT
California and the nation need a strong national ocean policy to help conserve our most valuable and iconic resources. The ocean is at the heart of our culture and economy, and is a true symbol of the California dream.
Our ocean is a key component of the state’s and the nation’s economic engine. The ocean provides jobs, food, recreation and tourism opportunities that rely on healthy ocean ecosystems. Protecting ocean resources protects our economy.
May 4, 2010
US Ocean Policy Task Force report
Six major oil and gas industry associations, led by API and including IADC, expressed reservations about the “Interim Framework” released by the White House Ocean Policy Task Force (OPTF) on managing coastal and marine spatial planning (CMSP). Industry warned that the framework may conflict with existing laws and discourage adequate offshore oil and natural gas stakeholder consultation.
The trades emphasized the historical role of the traditional offshore energy industry, coexisting with and in many cases enhancing other uses of oceans. Further, they argued that a comprehensive CMSP should enhance access to offshore areas and promote E&P development of new resources. Above all, CMSP shouldn’t become an exercise in prescriptive mapping or zoning. In particular, they warned against using the “precautionary principle,” which are often not based on sound scientific data. Setting the precautionary principle in regulation would violate Congressional intent.