Conservation Officer Report- April 2013

[charlieannear]

Another month has passed with a lot of activity in the Marine Conservation field. 

Some of it has been highlighting potentially devastating activity which is being proposed at various locations in the oceans. 
Every time I hear about something like this, I am amazed (horrified?) that these kind of things are still being suggested. 

Of course, we need to have some human activity in the marine environment- people need to make a living, but as my 8 year old son pointed out following two consecutive articles on the news which were looking at proposals to undertake deep water mining to extract mineral rich rocks from the ocean floor, and another to sift mining waste from the sea floor off Cornwall: “If you don’t know what the effect will be, then you shouldn’t do it”.

What is known is that the ‘food chain’ is actually a ‘food pyramid’.

 

Any kind of damaging activity can upset the small stuff which makes up the foundation of the pyramid, which means there is less food for the slightly larger stuff, and so on towards the top of the pyramid.
If you mess with the stuff at the bottom, the biggest effect is felt by the stuff at the top.

New proposals for industry must consider the potential for detrimental effects to this bottom layer.

 

Similarly, activity which hits the top level can be just as disastrous. Removal of predators such as large fish, sharks and whales is very likely to have given rise to the observed increase in squid (Humboldt) and jellyfish which are beginning to plague large areas of the oceans.

 

This is also the case when considering pollution, with the effects of biological concentration meaning that the inhabitants at the top of the pyramid can suffer the effects of high levels of pollutants in their systems, even if the seas which they inhabit are relatively clean.  This is why the issue of microplastics is likely to be a hot topic over the next couple of years.

This kind of pollution doesn’t break up in the same way that chemical pollution does, instead the particles just get smaller and smaller. 
The seabirds of Midway Island are likely to have mistakenly swallowed pieces of plastic thinking that they were fish, however, they are also likely to have eaten fish that already contained plastic inside.

As we've seen, the overall effect is that the creatures all the way up through the pyramid are being altered by the plastic in their systems (i.e. reduced fertility, growth rate and sensory acuity) and the creatures at the top of the pyramid starve to death because they are packed full of plastic.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Sharks and Rays:

-Groundbreaking protection for Oceanic Whitetip, Porbeagle & Hammerhead sharks and Manta Rays: http://www.cites.org/eng/news/pr/2013/20130314_cop16.php

European Fisheries reform:

-No updates this month. Reform still to get through the last round(s) of debating before the changes voted for by MEP’s get passed.
 

DEFRA:

-Nothing to report

 

Maria Damanaki (EU Commissioner responsible for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries):

-No notable quotes this month

Angling Trust:

-No new Sea Angling topics this month

PDSAA:

-Next meeting 23 May 2013.

-Setting up “Wessex AT Dorset Conservation Group” (there is also to be a Hampshire Group) I’m to be on this as the Chair.

Please let me know if you hear about anything local which we should be aware about.

Mainly a ‘virtual’ group, perhaps meeting twice a year. Aim is to collate local issues and ensure Wessex AT is aware of them in order that AT can lend any support where possible/necessary.
 

B.A.S.S:

-Column in ‘Sea Angler’ magazine: http://ukbass.com/2013/04/01/latest-bass-column-in-sea-angler-3/
 

Hugh’s Fishfight:

-No updates this month

 

Dorset Wildlife Trust:

-No Marine updates
 

MCS (Marine Conservation Society):

-Main effort last month was to encourage support for MCZ’s. Consultation closed on 31 March.

-Good Beach Guide for the year is published. Water quality suffered at many locations due to wet weather overloading sewer systems: http://www.goodbeachguide.co.uk/

-Alternatives to balloon and lantern releases:
http://www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Clean+seas+an +beaches/Campaigns+and+policy/Don't+let+go+-+balloons+and+sky+lanterns

MRC (Marine Reserves Coalition):

-Bali urged to ban shark fishing: http://www.thejakartapost.com/bali-daily/2013-03-22/bali-urged-ban-shark-fishing-build-sanctuary.html#.UUxDVxRw2ME.twitter

-Lyme Bay: http://www.marinereservescoalition.org/2013/03/19/lyme-bay-a-fishing-conservation-alliance/

-European ‘trawler barons’ abuse UK quota: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article3713962.ece

-The year of the shark: http://www.marinereservescoalition.org/2013/03/14/the-year-of-the-shark/

-Zoological Society supports MCZ’s: http://www.zsl.org/conservation/news/show-your-support-for-marine-conservation-zones,1053,NS.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ZSL+-+London+Zoo&utm_campaign=2234558_Conservation+focus+March+2013&utm_content=marineconservation&dm_i=7U7,1BW72,VG9IR,4I7MO,1

 

FCF (Fisheries Conservation Foundation):

-Campaigns to save seagrass/eelgrass habitats. This isn’t just a local issue, they are critical habitats.

-Film looking at the issue of plastics in the oceans:

 

GOC (Global Ocean Commission):

-New group aims to save nearly-lawless seas from over-fishing: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/11/environment-oceans-idUSL5N0B8BRU20130211

-Illegal fishing takes $10-23 Billion per year. Project SCALE aims to address this: http://www.globaloceancommission.org/news/focus-on-illegal-fishing-commission-welcomes-project-scale/
 

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Fisheries (USA). “Stewardship of living marine resources through science-based conservation and management and the promotion of healthy ecosystems”:

-American organisation, but interesting to see how they are tackling the issues which we also suffer from.

-Angling has an $82 Billion impact on the US economy and supports 0.5 million jobs.
-#NOAA Fisheries researchers work with fishermen to reduce bycatch in groundfish trawling: http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/headlines/newport-researchers-working-with-fishermen-to-reduce-bycatch-in-groundfish/article_ba0b75e0-90ba-11e2-92c6-0019bb2963f4.html

-Protection of Eelgrass habitats as they are important to numerous species

-Status of US fisheries: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm
 

Pew Charitable Trusts:

-African partnership to fight illegal fishing:  http://www.pewenvironment.org/news-room/other-resources/another-fish-i-africa-success-as-seychelles-denies-port-access-to-suspected-illegal-fishing-vessel-85899465019?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Ocean&q=cafo&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Ocean&utm_campaign=iuu

-Highlighting the need to protect ecosystems as part of fisheries management, not just manage catch.

-US moves to ban shark fin trade: http://dcist.com/2013/03/maryland_house_votes_to_ban_shark_f.php

-Campaign to protect Bluefin Tuna: http://www.pewenvironment.org/news-room/opinions/the-bottom-line-coming-together-for-bluefin-tuna-85899461366?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Ocean&utm_campaign=gll

-Protection of sharks and rays at CITES conference was the most significant day for the oceans in the 40-year history of #CITES
 

BBC News:

-The deepest parts of the oceans teem with microbes:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21806406 This highlights the fact that we don’t know much about the oceans. So those people who say that they know what effects their particular activity will have, are not likely to be correct.

-Landmark protection for sharks and rays: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21781949

-Scottish project to tag Basking Sharks to be extended: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-21768556

-Catching big fish means smaller fish in future catches: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21813736

The Express:
-Historic day for shark protection: http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/384223/Historic-day-for-shark-preservation
 

Navitus Bay:

- The latest round of presentations have not been going down too well: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10293971.Navitus_Bay_wind_farm_given_thumbs_down_at_meeting/

-and http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10311303.400_pack_Challenge_Navitus_anti_turbines_meeting/