"Seabreeze," a bottled-nosed dolphin rescued from muddy water near Bellmore in July and treated by the Riverhead Foundation, will be released to the sea on Monday.
11/10/07
'Seabreeze' Going Home
"Seabreeze," a bottled-nosed dolphin rescued from muddy water near Bellmore in July and treated by the Riverhead Foundation, will be released to the sea on Monday.
LI Sound Dredging
BOSTON, Nov. 9--Six public meetings have been scheduled during the week of Nov. 26 to allow public input on the "Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement" related to the development of a Dredged Material Management Plan for the navigation facilities of Long Island Sound harbors. Three meetings each will be held in communities in New York and Connecticut.
The purpose of developing the Programmatic EIS is to evaluate the overall impacts of alternatives identified in the development of a Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP) for dredged material that would be generated in the maintenance or the improvement of navigation facilities in Long Island Sound with respect to the environment of the Sound and its tributaries.
The DMMP will be developed by the Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with representatives from U.S. EPA (Regions 1 and 2), N.Y. Dept. of State, N.Y. Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Conn. Dept. of Environmental Protection, Conn. Dept. of Transportation, Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Long Island hearings are:
Tuesday, November 27 Afternoon 1 - 4 pm Location: Diplomatic Ballroom Address: Danfords on the Sound Meeting and Conference Center 25 East Broadway Port Jefferson, NY 11777 Telephone: 631-928-5200 Directions:
Tuesday, November 27 Evening 7 - 10 pm Location: Long Island Room Address: Holiday Inn in Westbury- Long Island 369 Old Country Road Carle Place, NY 11514 Telephone: 516-997-5000
The purpose of developing the Programmatic EIS is to evaluate the overall impacts of alternatives identified in the development of a Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP) for dredged material that would be generated in the maintenance or the improvement of navigation facilities in Long Island Sound with respect to the environment of the Sound and its tributaries.
The DMMP will be developed by the Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with representatives from U.S. EPA (Regions 1 and 2), N.Y. Dept. of State, N.Y. Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Conn. Dept. of Environmental Protection, Conn. Dept. of Transportation, Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Long Island hearings are:
Tuesday, November 27 Afternoon 1 - 4 pm Location: Diplomatic Ballroom Address: Danfords on the Sound Meeting and Conference Center 25 East Broadway Port Jefferson, NY 11777 Telephone: 631-928-5200 Directions:
Tuesday, November 27 Evening 7 - 10 pm Location: Long Island Room Address: Holiday Inn in Westbury- Long Island 369 Old Country Road Carle Place, NY 11514 Telephone: 516-997-5000
Boating in China
Interesting, from a paper in Maine. China wants to build a recreational boating industry.
Deputy Secretary General of China's shipbuilding industry visits locally
The top government official charged with developing recreational boating in China visited Maine last week on his way to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. The visit was a follow-up to the Maine boat builders representing the U.S. at the China International Boat Show in April, through the support of Maine's North Star Alliance Initiative.
Mr. Yang Xinfa, Deputy Secretary General of China's Shipbuilding Industry, is the head of two of the most important government sponsored professional organizations in China -- The China Boat Industry and Trade Association, and the China Association of Shipbuilding Industry. He is instrumental in developing the recreational boating industry in China. Yang came to Maine to see first-hand what the state has to offer in terms of boats, marine products and boating lifestyle.
'As China's economy continues to grow, luxury boats are desired as a new status symbol," said Elaine Scott, director of marketing/communications for Maine's Department of Economic and Community Development and director of market/business development for the North Star Alliance.
Deputy Secretary General of China's shipbuilding industry visits locally
The top government official charged with developing recreational boating in China visited Maine last week on his way to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. The visit was a follow-up to the Maine boat builders representing the U.S. at the China International Boat Show in April, through the support of Maine's North Star Alliance Initiative.
Mr. Yang Xinfa, Deputy Secretary General of China's Shipbuilding Industry, is the head of two of the most important government sponsored professional organizations in China -- The China Boat Industry and Trade Association, and the China Association of Shipbuilding Industry. He is instrumental in developing the recreational boating industry in China. Yang came to Maine to see first-hand what the state has to offer in terms of boats, marine products and boating lifestyle.
'As China's economy continues to grow, luxury boats are desired as a new status symbol," said Elaine Scott, director of marketing/communications for Maine's Department of Economic and Community Development and director of market/business development for the North Star Alliance.
11/9/07
Boating Test Online
Boating safety class goes online
Would-be mariners in Ohio can now take a required boating safety class online so that they may legally operate watercraft in Ohio under an agreement signed yesterday by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft.
The online course, offered by Boat U.S. Foundation, would be in place of more traditional boating safety courses that are required for any boater operating a powered craft with more than 10 horsepower.
Would-be mariners in Ohio can now take a required boating safety class online so that they may legally operate watercraft in Ohio under an agreement signed yesterday by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft.
The online course, offered by Boat U.S. Foundation, would be in place of more traditional boating safety courses that are required for any boater operating a powered craft with more than 10 horsepower.
11/4/07
Safeguarding the Ocean's Food Supply
Read about overfishing the planet's oceans and how to avoid it, safe mercury levels, loss of coastal wetlands, water pollution and more.
11/3/07
Noel's Effects at Robert Moses
Fred, at Hurricane City, posted some nice photos today of the waves at Robert Moses.
Lecture on Waters at Stony Brook
SoMAS Presents: Critical Issues Facing Long Island’s Marine Waters
11/9/2007 Start Time: 7:30 PM
"An Assessment of Pollution Problems in a South Shore Estuary: The Forge River"--Bruce Brownawell and Christopher Gobler, Associate Professors
Expanding populations of Suffolk County’s shorelines have led to a host of environmental problems in recent years. Located in Mastic, NY, the Forge River exemplifies this situation as the tributary which has recently experienced low oxygen levels, water discoloration, foul odors, and die-offs of marine life. In 2006, Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences began working with local government agencies and citizens groups to document the extent of the environmental problems and to assist in devising solutions to improve the quality of the Forge River. This presentation will represent a status of these efforts.
The lecture will be followed by a reception.
11/9/2007 Start Time: 7:30 PM
"An Assessment of Pollution Problems in a South Shore Estuary: The Forge River"--Bruce Brownawell and Christopher Gobler, Associate Professors
Expanding populations of Suffolk County’s shorelines have led to a host of environmental problems in recent years. Located in Mastic, NY, the Forge River exemplifies this situation as the tributary which has recently experienced low oxygen levels, water discoloration, foul odors, and die-offs of marine life. In 2006, Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences began working with local government agencies and citizens groups to document the extent of the environmental problems and to assist in devising solutions to improve the quality of the Forge River. This presentation will represent a status of these efforts.
The lecture will be followed by a reception.
NJ Scalloping Season Extended
New scallop-fishing regulations issued to save sea turtles
Chain netting draped across sea scallop dredges will be the government's preferred precaution for reducing accidental captures of sea turtles, with a decision this week to abandon seasonal closures that had been used to protect turtles on scallop grounds off New Jersey.
Environmental groups and fishermen alike were surprised by Thursday's decision by the New England Fishery Management Council, which sets rules for the East Coast scallop fishery.
"We know there are turtles in these areas. We should be taking action on the (turtle) hotspots we know," said Gib Brogan of the environmental group Oceana, which advocates such "time and area" closures to reduce contact between migrating turtles and the fishing fleet.
But the National Marine Fisheries Service recommended not closing any areas, now that it requires the use of dredges modified with what fishermen call turtle chains, said Brogan and Patricia Fiorelli, a spokeswoman for the New England council.
"The issue is whether pushing (fishing) effort around is effective. Turtle distributions are very patchy." Fiorelli said. "Last year, there were no takes in the dredge fishery. There were some this year," even with the area closures, she said.
Regulations associated with the federal Endangered Species Act define "take" as any potentially hazardous physical contact with turtles. Researchers working with the scallop industry came up with chain mats across the dredge openings as a way to avoid the accidental capture and drowning of the air-breathing reptiles.
Oceana activists argue that turtles can still be struck and injured by dredges working the sea floor. Seasonal time and area closures on one area called the Elephant Trunk "keeps the gear out of the water while the turtles are there" from late summer until Nov. 1, David Allison of Oceana said in a statement.
Chain netting draped across sea scallop dredges will be the government's preferred precaution for reducing accidental captures of sea turtles, with a decision this week to abandon seasonal closures that had been used to protect turtles on scallop grounds off New Jersey.
Environmental groups and fishermen alike were surprised by Thursday's decision by the New England Fishery Management Council, which sets rules for the East Coast scallop fishery.
"We know there are turtles in these areas. We should be taking action on the (turtle) hotspots we know," said Gib Brogan of the environmental group Oceana, which advocates such "time and area" closures to reduce contact between migrating turtles and the fishing fleet.
But the National Marine Fisheries Service recommended not closing any areas, now that it requires the use of dredges modified with what fishermen call turtle chains, said Brogan and Patricia Fiorelli, a spokeswoman for the New England council.
"The issue is whether pushing (fishing) effort around is effective. Turtle distributions are very patchy." Fiorelli said. "Last year, there were no takes in the dredge fishery. There were some this year," even with the area closures, she said.
Regulations associated with the federal Endangered Species Act define "take" as any potentially hazardous physical contact with turtles. Researchers working with the scallop industry came up with chain mats across the dredge openings as a way to avoid the accidental capture and drowning of the air-breathing reptiles.
Oceana activists argue that turtles can still be struck and injured by dredges working the sea floor. Seasonal time and area closures on one area called the Elephant Trunk "keeps the gear out of the water while the turtles are there" from late summer until Nov. 1, David Allison of Oceana said in a statement.
11/2/07
Watch Out for Cold Waters
BOATERS SHOULD PREPARE FOR FALLING WATER TEMPERATURES
Inexperienced boaters at risk when on the water to hunt or fish
Boating is usually considered a warm-weather sport but, as waterfowl hunters and anglers know, fall can be the best time of the year to participate in boating activities. It can also be a dangerous time of year for avid sportsmen and women who don’t consider themselves boaters but want to use a boat to get to their desired hunting or fishing spot. More single-boat accidents take place during this time of the year, and with water temperature on the decline, these accidents can prove deadly.
Overloading a small boat with equipment is a quick way to end up in frigid water by capsizing or falling overboard. Either can turn fatal quickly. Sudden immersion into cold water delivers a brutal shock to the body, triggering a spontaneous inhalation reflex. The simple act of wearing a life jacket can be enough to keep one's head above water when this involuntary gasping happens, keeping lungs from filling with water. By keeping capsized boaters afloat, life jackets also enable them to conserve energy and get out of the water.
Inexperienced boaters at risk when on the water to hunt or fish
Boating is usually considered a warm-weather sport but, as waterfowl hunters and anglers know, fall can be the best time of the year to participate in boating activities. It can also be a dangerous time of year for avid sportsmen and women who don’t consider themselves boaters but want to use a boat to get to their desired hunting or fishing spot. More single-boat accidents take place during this time of the year, and with water temperature on the decline, these accidents can prove deadly.
Overloading a small boat with equipment is a quick way to end up in frigid water by capsizing or falling overboard. Either can turn fatal quickly. Sudden immersion into cold water delivers a brutal shock to the body, triggering a spontaneous inhalation reflex. The simple act of wearing a life jacket can be enough to keep one's head above water when this involuntary gasping happens, keeping lungs from filling with water. By keeping capsized boaters afloat, life jackets also enable them to conserve energy and get out of the water.
11/1/07
Ocean Pollution
The Pacific Garbage Patch--twice the size of Texas, floating in the Pacific Ocean.
Altered Oceans series.
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