Suspended Sediment Makes it Harder for Fish to Breathe
Researchers have discovered that suspended sediment damages fish gills and can increase the rate of disease in fish. Suspended sediments result from flood plumes, coastal agricultural and industrial development and from dredging operations and are increasing in coastal waters worldwide.
Former Liberia Minister Ponders Lawsuit Over Buchanan Ongoing Beach Sand Mining
The ongoing beach sand mining in Buchanan communities seem to be undermining government’s and her partners collective efforts to prevent reoccurrence of the devastation of sea erosion in Buchanan City. “On a daily basis, trucks are seen hauling sand from the beach… this is scary and environmentally dangerous.”
The Ecological Effects of Beach Sand Mining in Ghana Using Ghost Crabs as Biological Indicators
Sandy beaches are habitat to many invertebrate biodiversity and threatened vertebrate species. However, extraction of sand is widespread along many developing nations’ beaches destroying the ecosystem services the area provides.
Great Barrier Reef: UNESCO Recommends World Heritage Site Not be Placed on ‘In Danger’ List
World’s largest coral reef to remain on UN’s watchlist as draft ruling calls on Australia to ‘rigorously’ implement its conservation commitments. Environmental groups consider the reef – regardless of the Unesco ruling in June – technically in danger.
U.S. Hopes Chinese Island-Building Will Spur Asian Response
Washington hopes Southeast Asian nations to take a more united stance against China’s rapid acceleration this year of construction on disputed reefs.
Lough Neagh Unauthorized Sand-Dredging, Ireland
The Department of the Environment will confirm how it intends to deal with the controversial issue of sand dredging in Lough Neagh in the next few days. Sand has been removed from the lough since the 1930s, and is used to supply the construction industry.
Showing no Signs of Giving Ground, China and US Remain at Odds over South China Sea Projects
The U.S. and most members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations want a halt to the projects, which they suspect are aimed at building islands and other land features over which China can claim sovereignty. U.S. officials say China has reclaimed about 2,000 acres of dry land since 2014.
Government, Hotels Pressure Local Officials Over Sand Mining
The government, hoteliers and civil society are stepping up the pressure on Thandwe authorities to curb rampant sand mining at Myanmar’s premier beach destination, Ngapali.
BCDC Approves Sand Mining Permit in San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) unanimously approved a 10-year mining permit for sand removal from San Francisco Bay, and from two other areas near Suisun. The amount of sand the permit requests is 15 times greater than the annual amount of sand that comes into the bay from the delta.