Iceland Resumes Fin Whale Hunting After Two-Year Break
Iceland has resumed its commercial hunting of fin whales after a two-year suspension by landing the first of an expected 180 whales in Hvalfjördur. The first kill prompted protests from environment and animal welfare groups that the hunt is “cruel and unnecessary”.
NOAA Grant Aids Purchase of Critical Coastal Habitat in Puerto Rico
A NOAA grant of $1 million has helped the territory of Puerto Rico complete the acquisition of Dos Mares, an 87-acre parcel that includes wetlands, forested wetlands, and a coastal mangrove forest.
Nicaragua Approves Massive Canal Project
A multi-billion dollar proposal to plow a massive rival to the Panama Canal across the middle of Nicaragua was approved, capping a lightning-fast approval process that has provoked deep skepticism among shipping experts and concern among environmentalists.
Alarming Illegal Gold mining Threatens Ghana’s Forests and Bodies of Water
Ghanaian authorities have arrested 168 Chinese citizens for illegal goldmining, highlighting the social and environmental challenges posed by China’s growing presence on the continent. The rate of destruction is such that, if it is not stopped, Ghana will not have any forest left…
NOAA proposal extends rule reducing risk of whale ship strikes along U.S. East Coast
The North Atlantic right whales are among the most endangered species in the world, and are highly vulnerable to ship collisions. The whale primarily occurs in coastal or shelf waters. Its known range includes winter calving and nursery areas in coastal waters off the southeastern United States.
Human Deforestation Outweighs Climate Change for Coral Reefs
Better land use is the key to preventing further damage to the world’s coral reefs, according to a study published this week in the online science journal Nature Communications
Tarut Bay, Saudi Arabia
Tarut Bay is located along the coastline of the Arabian Gulf (also known as the Persian Gulf). The bay surrounds one of the largest islands in the Arabian Gulf—Tarut—which has an area of approximately 70 square kilometers (27 square miles).
2013 Sea State Report
For the first time ever, a comprehensive report was released this week outlining how well states protect coastal waters. The report shows that most states and territories are failing to safeguard our nation’s marine life, seafood and coasts.
Study Reveals How Fishing Gear Can Cause Slow Death of Whales
Using a “patient monitoring” device attached to a whale entangled in fishing gear, scientists showed for the first time how fishing lines changed a whale’s diving and swimming behavior.