|
|
|
This month we look at the vast array of biological components in marine ecosystems - from microbes to mammals. As we gain a better understanding of how highly integrated these ecosystems are, we can also shape action towards more responsible fisheries. In this vein, an international conference on Implementing the ecosystem approach to fisheries will be held in Bergen (Norway) from 26 to 28 September 2006.
Conserving our marine ecosystems is vital. And during emergencies, such as the recent oil spill on the Lebanese coast, a rapid and coordinated response is often required. Long-term ecological research is still needed to measure the fragility and resilience of recovering ecosystems.
If this newsletter may interest someone you know, please forward it. Contribute to and participate in the growing Atlas community by becoming an active Member of the UN Atlas today.
Thank you,
The UN Atlas of the Oceans Editors
Visit the UN Atlas of the Oceans Web site
Comments? Please write to UN-Atlas-Oceans-Project@fao.org
- Caspian Sea : The Caspian Sea is a landlocked endorheic sea of Eurasia between Asia and Europe.
- Marine Microbes : Abundance, diversity and importance of marine microbes
- Caviar, Oil Targeted by Caspian Protection Plan : Caviar lovers may benefit from a five-nation deal entering into force from Saturday meant to clean up the badly polluted Caspian Sea. The Caspian Convention - grouping Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan - is the first legally binding document on any subject adopted by the five shoreline states with widely differing political systems.
- Methods Enable Hawaii-based Longline Swordfish Fishery to Minimize Sea Turtle Interactions : Action is urgently needed to prevent the loss of leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles from the Pacific Ocean. Reducing bycatch of sea turtles in pelagic longline fisheries, in parallel with activities to reduce other anthropogenic mortality sources, may contribute to their recovery.
- Stronger port security key to fight against illegal fishing : FAO workshops to help developing countries shut the door on fish pirates
- IMO: Briefing 30 2006, Clean Up Strategy for Oiled Lebanese Coast : Athens, 17 August 2006 - An action plan to assist the authorities in Lebanon with the clean up of coastal oil pollution and to prevent any damage to neighbouring countries was agreed today at an international meeting convened by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Athens, Greece.
- Asia agrees to reduce trawling and push net fishing : Part of a package of major reforms for the fishery sector, fourteen Asian countries agree to cut trawling and push net fishing as a first step for reversing the production of low value trash fish and 'fishing down the food chain', an FAO statement said today.
- Tropical Coasts : journal about environmental protection and the management of coastal and marine areas
- New Shrimp Farm Rules Aim to Save Asian Mangroves : Environmental regulation of shrimp farming operations across Asia takes a major step forward next month, when the U.N. food agency considers adoption of a set of tougher industry guidelines published on Tuesday.
- International principles for responsible shrimp farming : Provides the basis for a more sustainable development of shrimp farming.
- Oceans Teem with Bacteria, Study Shows : The oceans are teeming with 10 to 100 more types of bacteria than previously believed, many of them unknown, according to a study released on Monday that has jolted scientists' understanding of evolution in the seas.
- Blue Whale Ancestor Was No Gentle Giant, Report Claims : A ferocious-looking fossil with sharp teeth found in Australia shows that ancestors of today's toothless blue whales were not all "gentle giants", a report said.
- Experts Think DNA Technique May Save Whales : Australian researchers said Thursday that analyzing the skin flakes of some whales could help determine their age, a development that could invalidate one argument for killing them.
- TSRA NEWS- Torres Strait Regional Authority : Our Vision: To empower our people to dertermine their own affairs based on our unique Ailan Kastom bilong Torres Strait from which we draw out unity and strengh
- Study Finds Dozens of Bering Sea Animals in Trouble : The Center for Biological Diversity and Pacific Environment released a report classifying 12 percent of the Bering Sea's wildlife species as species of concern because they are at risk of decline or extinction, and identifying potential threats to 22 percent of the region's wildlife populations.
- Ecology, Conservation, And Public Policy : How a new sense of urgency about environmental problems has changed the relationship between ecology, other disciplines, and public policy
- Mitigation of the Impact of Tropical Cyclones in Northern Australia through Community Capacity Enhancement : Article about Disaster Mitigation Policy Planning with focus on tropical cyclones
- Fishing for more: A Student-Stakeholder Workshop on the Biology, Ecology, Sociology, and Economics of Fisheries. : The aim of these proceedings was to document our research and the issues raised by stakeholder representatives at the workshop in order to benefit the sustainable management of fisheries on the east coast of Queensland and in Torres Strait.
- Astounding diversity of marine microbes : In a paper published in the USA by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal (July 31 online early edition), ICOMM scientists reveal marine microbial diversity may be some 10 to 100 times more than expected, and the vast majority are previously unknown, low-abundance organisms theorized to play an important role in the marine environment as part of a "rare biosphere."
- Genetic Testing to Help Anglers, Fish : The last time Scott Boley came home from salmon fishing, he had 17 fish to show for three days of work.
- Ministry drawing fisheries policy : The Ministry of Fisheries is drawing a new fishing policy that would address gaps in existing policies to ensure the total development of the fishing industry and further ensure food security.
- Marine Stewardship Council : The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an independent non-profit organisation that promotes responsible fishing practices.
- Swedish fisheries awarded MSC eco-label : The communal trap and gill net pikeperch fisheries at picturesque Lake Hjälmaren in South Sweden are the world's first freshwater fisheries and the first Swedish fisheries to become certified to the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) environmental standard. Their fish products are now entitled to carry the blue MSC eco-label.
- Hurricane and Red Tide Impacts on Dolphins Among Four Projects Awarded in Specialty License Plate Program Grants : The Protect Wild Dolphins (PWD) specialty license plate program has just awarded $302,000 in grants to four dolphin research, information and awareness programs in the State. Funds will support important work to locate and identify dolphins using acoustic detection devices; develop a code of conduct for dolphin tour operators; a public service announcement that will convey that it is both illegal and dangerous to feed marine mammals; and an investigation of the impacts to dolphins and their environment from recent hurricanes and episodes of red tide.
- Fish Populations in a Tidal Estuary in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand from 1971 to 2004 : Long term ecological research study of fish populations
- Lost in Translation : Traditional Law and environmental mangement in Melanesia
- Greenland Opens New Round of Concessions for Oil Exploration in Fragile Arctic : Several of the world's largest oil companies hope to tap into possible offshore oil and gas reserves as Greenland opened a new round of concessions Tuesday for exploration licenses in the fragile Arctic region.
- IMO: UN agencies and regional Governments to co-ordinate in Eastern Mediterranean oil spill response : Briefing
- IMO: UN agencies and regional Governments to co-ordinate in Eastern Mediterranean oil spill response : The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is to collaborate in efforts to mount a co-ordinated response from UN agencies and other concerned parties, including regional Governments, to the oil spill currently affecting the coastal and marine environments of Lebanon and Syria. The spill, estimated to be one of the largest ever to affect the Mediterranean, follows an incident in mid-July in which an oil storage unit at a power plant in Jiyyeh, 30 km south of Beirut, sustained bombing damage during the current conflict hostilities.