All Entries in the "Policy" Category
NOAA Tracking Program Verifies Truth of “Dolphin-Safe” Label
We’ve all seen the “dolphin-safe” labels on the tuna products we buy, but how do we know if that tuna was actually caught in a dolphin-safe way? NOAA Fisheries Service’s Sustainable Fisheries Division operates the Tuna Tracking and Verification Program (TTVP) designed to determine the truthfulness of the “dolphin-safe” labels on tuna products. This year, [...]
U.S. to Support Restrictions on Bluefin Tuna and Other Imperiled Species at CITES Conference
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland said the United States will support trade restrictions on bluefin tuna, polar bears, and imperiled corals and sharks among other proposals at the meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of [...]
Oregon No Longer Permits Driftnets
A vote on December 11 decided that the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will no longer issue commercial fishing permits for drift gillnet gear used to target swordfish and thresher sharks in waters off the Oregon coast. These expansive driftnets are known to ensnare and drown dolphins, sea lions, endangered sea turtles and other animals.
This decision means that the State of Oregon will no longer provide necessary State permits to Oregon-based fishermen wishing to use this gear, effectively ending this indiscriminate fishery in Pacific waters off Oregon.
Timor Sea Oil Spill Aftermath
Hundreds of fishermen and seaweed farmers are seeking compensation for their losses from West Atlas oil rig leak.
First High Seas Marine Protected Area in Antarctica
The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) approved the new high seas marine protected area south of the South Orkney Islands in the Antarctic Peninsula Region. The Commission further agreed to a work plan to create networks of high seas MPAs across 11 other high priority areas in the Southern Ocean by 2012.
Legal Effort to Protect Endangered Blue Whale Underway
The National Marine Fisheries Service, the agency charged with the stewardship of the U.S.’s living marine resources, may be sued for failure to implement the 1998 Blue Whale Recovery Plan. Friends of the Earth, Pacific Environment and the Center of Biological Diversity have joined the notice of intent to sue submitted by the Environmental Defense Center last week.
Multinational Effort to Protect the Gulf of Mexico’s Ecosystems and Marine Life
Scientist in the U.S., Cuba and Mexico are working together on a multinational plan to protect the Gulf of Mexico’s ecosystems and marine life.
New Approach to Clean the Chesapeake Bay
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a new approach and plan to get the Chesapeake Bay clean. This time marine scientists are helping pin-point where the help is needed most.
Timor Sea Oil Spill: Among Three Worst Oil Spills in Australian History
The Timor Sea oil spill, according to Senator Rachel Siewert among the three worst in Australian history, is continuing, apparently unabated, and now the Australian Senate has asked the Federal Environment Minister today to produce all the reports and drafts related to a marine survey on the environmental impacts of the spill by Monday, 16 November.
Australian Shark Control Program: Nets to Stay in Place
The Queensland Government remains committed to the shark control program despite calls for an end to the shark nets that protect Queensland beaches and indiscriminately catches marine life.
Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said a recent incident re-enforced that there are still dangerous sharks off the Queensland coast and still a need for the shark control program.
