Blog Archives

The US has opened the door to trade sanctions on Iceland over its hunting of fin whales and exports of whalemeat.

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has formally told President Obama that Iceland’s hunt threatens the species, which is globally endangered.

The president has 60 days to give his response, which can include trade bans.

Iceland resumed commercial whaling in 2006, and the fin whale catch has since risen to about 150 per year, with most of the meat exported to Japan.

But Iceland’s fisheries minister said the country’s whaling was based on “sound science”.

“Iceland’s disregard for the International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) global moratorium on commercial whaling is unacceptable,” said Mr Locke.

“Its harvest of whales and export of fin whale meat threaten an endangered species and un...

Some of Bahrain’s dwindling coral reefs may be restored to their former glory as part of a new initiative.

It is expected to begin along the western coast of the island shortly, with the sea near Malkiya the most likely location.

The project, initiated by the Bahrain Environment Society (BES) and funded by HSBC, aims to prevent the country’s coral reefs and fish habitats from disappearing.

It will involve selecting sites to create artificial reefs, a review of optimal types and sizes of artificial reefs, detailed design and layout of reefs for a pilot programme, cost-benefit analysis, an environmental impact assessment and review of potential sources of technical and financial assistance.

The main species of commercial fish this project aims to protect are hammour and bream by rehabilitat...

Members of the European parliament and green campaigners are to stage a demonstration outside the European commission in Brussels calling for an end to overfishing and sustainable limits on catches.

The demonstration on Wednesday morning is timed to take place before Maria Damanaki, the EU fisheries chief, is expected to unveil the most radical proposals on fisheries reform in four decades.

Chris Davies, the UK Liberal Democrat MEP who is leading the demonstration, said he supported Damanaki’s efforts to end overfishing. “Out of sight, beneath the surface of our seas, we have done huge damage to a natural resource that was once abundant and left Europe dependent upon imports for nearly 70% of the fish we eat,” said Davies.

He pointed to recent academic studies suggesting Europe’s fish stoc...

Indonesia will establish the School for Marine Conservation (SMC) in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi, to produce experts who will help the country preserve its natural resources, especially the ocean.

Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister Fadel Muhammad laid the foundation stone for the center’s building, marking the start of construction on Saturday.

He said the center would train many new officers to manage water conservation areas nationwide, which are expected to reach 20 million hectares by 2020 according to government plans.

The chaotic close of this year’s IWC meeting had to be seen to be believed.

And for those who argue the body is ill-fit for purpose, archaic, hopelessly riven and suited only for the scrapyard, it provided perfect ammunition.

Let me try to set the picture out for you as best I can.

At the start of the final day, the Buenos Aires group of 14 Latin American countries demanded that their bid to have the South Atlantic Ocean declared a whale sanctuary be heard, debated and resolved, and voted upon if necessary.

This was despite the fact that there was no chance of them gaining the three-quarters majority needed to usher it through.

For the “pro-sustainable-use” bloc, headed by Japan and Iceland, this was unnacceptable.

At the last two IWC meetings, the proposal had formed one small component ...

Dedicated marine conservationist Pierre-Yves Cousteau has joined IUCN

The European Commission has unveiled major plans to reform the EU’s fishing industry and stop catches being wasted.

The proposal, due to take effect from 2013, would give fleets quota shares guaranteed for at least 15 years.

“Discards” will be phased out – the practice whereby up to half the catch of some fish is thrown back into the sea to avoid going above the quota.

The environmental group Oceana said the plan had “some positive” aspects but stronger measures were needed.

It called the plan “an incomplete work that does not provide the urgently needed strong solutions to restore European seas and ensure the long-term sustainability of fishing”.

The Common Fisheries Policy has been in effect for 28 years, but Maritime and Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki says it has been a failure.

Japan intends to send its whaling fleet back to the Antarctic this year, a senior official has told BBC News.

There has been speculation that campaigns by activists, money problems and new rules at sea might persuade Tokyo to stop Antarctic whaling.

But at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting, Japan’s Joji Morishita said the plan was to return.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which forced the last hunt’s early closure, says it will be back too.

Finding a way to deal with the organisation’s vessels is the main obstacle Japan sees to continuing for the next season and beyond.

“We are now discussing how we can send our fleet back to the Antarctic Ocean,” said Mr Morishita, Japan’s deputy commissioner to the IWC and a senior official in the Fisheries Agency.

“Simply put, ...

The Great Gulf Turtle Race, which spanned five weeks and four countries across the Gulf region, has come to a close and its winners have been announced by the Emirates Wildlife Society and WWF.

In an attempt to raise awareness and interest about marine turtles and their plight as endangered species, the EWS and WWF launched the Great Gulf Turtle Race which ended recently.

Speedy, a turtle tagged in Iran, earned the title of long distance traveller, clocking in a total of 670km in just 35 days.

Meanwhile the title of most popular turtle has been awarded to Amal, which received 1,844 “cheers” on the www.gulfturtles.com website.

Speedy came second in the popularity stakes with 1,263 votes while Otohime, sponsored by Bridgestone Middle East and Africa, clinched third with 170 votes.

The turtle...

Whaling by indigenous peoples and reforms to prevent “votes for cash” allegations are set to top the agenda at this year’s International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Jersey.

Previous years have seen ire directed at Japan over its Antarctic hunts.

But Japan’s current plans are unclear, with its policy under review.

The UK is proposing reforms to make the IWC more open, while some campaigners are angry about US plans to maintain hunting by Alaskan native peoples.

The meeting in the Channel Islands will also discuss proposals to ensure good practice in the whale-watching industry worldwide, and a bid to make the South Atlantic a sanctuary for whales.

Anti-whaling countries are expected to criticise Iceland and Norway over their continuation of commercial hunting

But criticism of Japan ...