News

Here is a selection of outside news that we think may be of interest to our readers. If you have a newsfeed you think would be relevant for this page please let us know. Don't forget we have our own news in the forum which is available as a newsfeed and is open for use by all members of the underwater community.

UnderwaterTimes.com

Experts: Marine Stewardship Council's Certification Failing Basic Science; 'Bureaucracy' Instead Of 'Biology'

Ecologists Fear Antarctic Krill Crisis As Fishing Industry Threatens To Destabilize Stocks

Shark Bite Victim Says Hospital Violated Privacy By Posting 'Gaping Leg Wound' Pictures On The Internet

Salvaging Of Shipwrecked Champagne Begins In Baltic; 'Oldest In The World'

Scientists: Sonar images reveal sunken oil tanker off California coast, possible pollution threat

How I learned to love farmed fish; 'We don't have a choice anymore'

8-foot bull shark caught in the Potomac River; 'most dangerous shark in the world'

Leopard sharks give a thrill at California beach; 'everything will be fine'

Divers steal from Holland 5 submarine off Sussex coast

Is this the world's ugliest fish? Odd-looking animal nicknamed Shrek by scuba divers

Potential world record tilapia caught in Florida river; 'They suck in the bait, then spit it out'

Killer whale evolution leads to two orca species; large and pygmy rapidly diverging

Brit aquarium may hold world record breaking lionfish

Paddle-surfer captured risking life and limb to enjoy close view of a 40-ton acrobatic whale

REN News @ Depth

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Please stay tuned for an updated RSS feed.

WWF-Australia Latest News

Australia a step closer to action on climate change

WWF welcomes today's policy announcement by the Labor Party and the Greens that if they form government, action will be taken on climate change by putting a price on pollution.

"It is important that our political leaders are talking seriously about a price on pollution, which can only be a good thing for our economy and environment," said WWF-Australia's Head of Climate Change, Kellie Caught.

"The Australian public has said time and time again that they want action on climate change and that they support a price on pollution.

"However, it is disappointing that no time frame was set for introducing legislation. The next Australian Government must introduce legislation early next year so that a price can come into effect by the end of 2011."

WWF is calling on all members of the next parliament to work together on this critical issue.

"If there is one thing that unites all the members of parliament, it is that the effects of climate change will be felt by all their electorates," said Ms Caught.

"Every delay in reducing our pollution makes the job harder and more expensive - whether you live in the city, or the country. As a matter of urgency, Australia's politicians must take action to reduce our pollution."

More information

Jonathon Larkin, Senior Media Officer, 0410 221 410, jlarkin@wwf.org.au

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Australian children at risk from dangerous pesticides

A new study linking pesticides with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children is alarming at a time when Australia’s outdated pesticides laws are failing to protect human health and the environment from dangerous chemicals.

A US-based study released late last week shows a mother's exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides during pregnancy was a strong predictor of attention-related problems in her child.

OP pesticides are used in Australia on fruit and vegetable crops, sugar cane, cotton, cereals and pastures, home gardens and on food-producing and domestic animals.

"In Australia we are told over and again that authorised pesticides are safe yet we are seeing more and more studies showing that this is not the case," said WWF-Australia spokesperson Nick Heath.

In May another US-based study was released that found among 1100 children aged eight to 15, those with higher OP residue levels were twice as likely to have ADHD.

OP pesticides are also of concern because of their toxicity to birds and fish, and their potential to pollute waterways.

One OP pesticide - chlorpyrifos - has been under review by Australia's pesticide regulator since 1996, with only minor changes made to its conditions of use in the interim.

WWF and the National Toxics Network last month released a list of Australia's most dangerous pesticides, which includes 17 chemicals that are known, likely or probable carcinogens, and 48 chemicals flagged as having the potential to interfere with hormones.

More than 20 have been classified as either extremely or highly hazardous by the World Health Organisation yet remain available for use on Australian farms.

"In Europe, pesticides regulation is founded on a precautionary principle designed to give the benefit of the doubt to human health and the environment. Here in Australia, it's the opposite. Chemicals suspected of causing health problems remain on the market for years.

"Surely Australian children and farm workers, wildlife and ecosystems deserve the same level of protection as those in Europe or the United States."

WWF is calling on the next Australian government to better protect humans and the environment from pesticides by putting the onus back on chemical companies to prove their products are safe.

WWF also welcomes recent policy announcements from the Labor Party and the Greens which could deliver such reforms.

"WWF wants to see these types of reforms to Australia's pesticides laws delivered in a meaningful way during the next term of Government," Mr Heath said.

• Show your support for the farmers who are keeping the reef healthy here
• More information on Australia's pesticides

More information

Charlie Stevens, WWF Media Manager - Queensland, 0424 649 689

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One year after Montara spill Indonesia advancing claims

Just after the first anniversary of the Montara oil spill, Indonesian Government agencies are advancing compensation claims against the company responsible - PTTEP Australasia.

For 74 days last year, oil and condensate poured into the Timor Sea at a company estimated rate of 400 barrels a day, killing wildlife and creating a slick of more than 50,000 sq km that clearly overlapped with Indonesian waters.

"As part of a WWF research expedition to the oil spill area last September, I clearly saw Indonesian boats fishing in waters that would be affected by the slick," said WWF-Australia's Conservation Director Dr Gilly Llewellyn.

"It's not surprising they are seeking compensation as species found in the area, including snapper, are sought after by fishermen and are known to be particularly sensitive to oil toxicity."

WWF is particularly concerned that snapper spawning season in the region occurred at the same time the toxic cocktail of oil and dispersants were present in the water.

Other oil spills such as the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska have shown that the impacts of oil on fish populations can take years to show up and can last for more than a decade.

"While we are encouraged by the efforts of Indonesian Government agencies to quantify the toll of this disaster, the true long-term damage may never be known," said Dr Llewellyn.

"The detailed environmental monitoring that would allow us to look for long term impacts on key species is simply not happening or not happening at the scale needed."

As the oil and condensate gushed into the Timor Sea, Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson wrongly assured the public that 'there's no way the environment is at risk'. Since then the Minister has refused to make public the findings of the Montara Commission of Inquiry.

"It has been four months since the Inquiry into the Montara disaster was conducted, and yet the findings have yet to see the light of day," said Dr Llewellyn.

WWF remains deeply concerned that offshore oil and gas projects in Australian waters continue to be planned and approved without the benefit of the Inquiry's findings into the Montara spill.

"Last year's uncoordinated response, lack of equipment and poor environmental monitoring showed the inability of government and industry to deal with such a disaster. Australia is simply not prepared for another large scale offshore oil spill like Montara," said Dr Llewellyn.

"The priority for the next Minister for Resources and Energy must be to release the findings of the Montara Commission of Inquiry."

More information

Jonathon Larkin, WWF Senior Media Officer, 0410 221 410, jlarkin@wwf.org.au

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Two days to go and environment still off the agenda

With election day looming, the environment is still missing from the picture, according to the latest policy scorecard released by WWF-Australia today.

While there has been a lot of noise on many issues in the lead up to the election, WWF's scorecard on key environmental asks shows there has been very little said when it comes to policies to protect the environment.

"With more than 1,500 animals and plants facing extinction in Australia, the next Australian government needs to make a serious commitment to address Australia's most pressing environmental challenges," said WWF's Director of Conservation, Dr Gilly Llewellyn.

"We can turn this crisis around by putting a brake on carbon pollution, protecting critical habitats, and restoring natural resilience across entire landscapes and seascapes."

A poll conducted by Auspoll for WWF shows that 88 per cent of respondents were concerned that our politicians had not communicated a vision or plan to manage Australia's natural assets while maintaining the economy.

"On WWF's most essential policy, a price on carbon pollution, both major parties have failed. Acting without a price signal will only serve to increase the cost of cutting Australia's pollution now and into the future," Dr Llewellyn said.

"The Australian public is crying out for our political leaders to stand up and protect the environment. With two days remaining there is still time for the major parties to show the leadership that's needed to save our most precious landscapes and wildlife."

- WWF's Environment Scorecard as of 18/08/10 can be downloaded here.

View WWF's Environmental Scorecard website here

More information

Charlie Stevens, WWF Media Manager - Queensland, 0424 649 689

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ALP marine parks policy has backbone

The marine parks policy announcement by the Labor Party provides a stepping stone to greater protection for Australia's precious oceans, according to WWF Australia.

The announcement outlines a clear timeframe for implementing a representative network of marine parks by 2012, commits to providing an adequate budget for industry assistance and ongoing management, as well as providing the highest level of conservation protection for important and special areas.

"The odds are currently stacked against Australia's marine life. With so few places free from the threat of industrial and commercial development, and so many species under pressure, we need to give wildlife such as turtles, whales and dolphins a safe home," said WWF's Conservation Manager Dr Gilly Llewellyn.

WWF also welcomes the recognition that Australia's magnificent south-west marine region will be the first cab off the rank for marine parks, as well as the commitment to work with State Governments to create a network of sanctuaries for Australia's whales and dolphins.

"Polling shows loud and clear that the public wants greater protection for our oceans so their children can continue to enjoy these marine wonders into the future."

Research conducted by Auspoll this month for WWF and ACF found over 80 per cent of people in Australia say protecting our oceans is important enough to influence their vote at the upcoming federal election.

As part of the national network of marine parks, WWF calls on all parties to commit to networks of marine sanctuaries, which are free from all extractive uses and which meets the best domestic and international benchmarks.

This is the model used to protect the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo - often hailed globally as some of the best managed marine areas.

WWF will also continue to work towards ensuring that critical habitats of our threatened marine species have the highest legal protection available through amendments to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act.

As an environmental priority, WWF is calling on the next Australian government to implement an emissions trading scheme by 2011. Such a scheme will be the fairest, most efficient and cost effective way of reducing Australia's carbon pollution

More information

Rachael Hoy, Media Office, WWF-Australia, 02 8202 1242, 0407 204 594

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Carbon Farming initiative won't reverse pollution

The highest priority for the next Australian Government must be to reduce Australia's rising pollution by introducing a price on carbon, through an emissions trading scheme.

"The carbon farming initiative announced today by Labor implements only one component of the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, yet without the rest of the legislation - price and cap on pollution - there is no incentive for other sectors of the economy to reduce their emissions," said Kellie Caught, WWF's Head of Climate Change.

"Storing carbon is necessary to reducing Australia's pollution, but if we are to avoid dangerous climate change, the more urgent need is to transform the energy sector.

"The energy sector contributes to 75.8%1 of Australia's emissions yet neither major party is willing to implement the price signal necessary to provide the incentive to switch to clean, less polluting technologies.

"Due to widespread uncertainty concerning the timing of an emissions trading scheme, we are now in a situation where companies are holding off investing in the energy sector, which will increase electricity prices.

"Acting without a price on pollution will increase the cost of cutting Australia's pollution now and into the future.

"WWF is calling on both major parties to commit to implementing a price on pollution within the next 12 months, which makes economic and environmental sense."

More information

Kellie Caught, Acting Head of Climate Change WWF, 0406 383 277

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Voters want more funding for environment

A new Australia-wide poll has found 3 out of 4 people support increasing the share of the nation's budget currently spent on nature conservation. Currently, only 1 per cent of Australia’s budget is spent on protecting the natural environment.

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The poll of 2,200 voters was conducted by Auspoll for the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and WWF.

"We need a well-funded national plan to protect our forests, rivers, wetlands and oceans, but neither of the major political parties has yet shown it has such a plan," said ACF's Healthy Ecosystems Program Manager Paul Sinclair.

The poll also showed 88 per cent of respondents were concerned that no politician had communicated a vision or plan to manage our natural assets while maintaining the economy.

"With only two weeks left in this election campaign, there is still a huge opportunity for Australia's parties to show leadership on environmental issues," said Dr Gilly Llewellyn, WWF-Australia's Manager of Conservation.

"The public is crying out for our political leaders to stand up and protect our environment."

ACF and WWF are calling on the next Australian Government to increase the amount of funding for the environment by reducing the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) on company cars.

"The current tax system pays people to drive more which pushes up pollution harmful to our environment," said Dr Llewellyn.

"We believe Australia can be smarter than that. We must make sure Australian workers receive the help they're entitled to, while also reducing our impact on the environment, and saving money."

Research by the Australian Tax Office has shown that over one billion dollars in revenue each year is foregone because of the current structure of FBT on company cars.

ACF's Dr Sinclair said "our environment is our life support system and it requires urgent and unprecedented investment and national leadership to keep functioning."

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More information

Josh Meadows, ACF media adviser, 0439 342 992

Jonathon Larkin, WWF media officer, 0410 221 410

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Rare snubfin dolphins on collision course

An alarming new study by WWF into one of the world's rarest and most threatened species has found two out of three snubfin dolphins in Roebuck Bay near Broome, Western Australia have been injured by boat strikes and fishing gear.

Click here to donate to our Snub Fin dolphin work »

Snubfin dolphins are Australia's only endemic dolphin species and are found only in Australia's tropical northern waters. The species was not known to exist before 2005, when it was first scientifically described.

Of 161 snubfin dolphins identified in coastal waters around the tourist town of Broome, 124 were photographed and a staggering 63 per cent bore scars from vessel strikes, fishing nets and fishing lines.

"It's startling to think that a rare population of Australia's only native dolphin species would be carrying such a high number of injuries," said Lydia Gibson, WWF-Australia's spokesperson on tropical marine species.

"The area where these dolphins feed and breed is a hotspot for boating and fishing. Human activity is having a massive impact on the resident population of these rare dolphins."

WWF researchers discovered the high incidence of snubfin dolphin injuries by chance as they documented the species in and around Roebuck Bay.

The study's findings did not include snubfin dolphins that may have died from their injuries (unrecoverable due to strong tides, sharks and other scavengers), meaning the proportion of strikes could be far higher.

"Roebuck Bay's shallow waters are popular for recreational boating activities. On top of this, coastal development, petroleum exploration, tourism and fishing increase the number of vessels in the area and add to the risk of these dolphins being injured," Ms Gibson said.

ING DIRECT, Australia's largest online bank, has funded WWF's snubfin dolphin campaign since 2007, working closely with the conservation organisation on its snubfin projects, including the release of the latest report.

"It's remarkable that of 12 international whale and dolphin injury studies, Australia manages to top the list as the country with the highest injury rate to dolphins species," said David Breen, Head of Corporate Affairs, ING DIRECT.

"This new research shows that human activities are having a huge impact on the snubfin dolphin's survival. We are dedicated to working with researchers to understand more about these remarkable creatures, to help safeguard them long into the future."

Among many suggested reforms to help protect this population of snubfin dolphins, the WWF study recommends:

• Implementing speed limits of 5 knots around creeks, mangroves, seagrass and shallow areas of Roebuck Bay;
• Warning boaters to maintain a lookout for dolphins and other wildlife, and slowing to avoid them;
• Urging fishermen to recover monofilament line and nets, and not to fish inside mangrove areas due to high risk of line entanglement;
• Educating the public and asking them to help photograph and document local snubfin dolphins.

"Reform to boat regulation is critical to the snubfin dolphin's survival," said Ms Gibson. "Simple actions can help remedy this problem in Roebuck Bay.

"However, it is just as important for state, territory and federal governments to uplist the current conservation status of the snubfin dolphin to 'threatened', and rapidly identify and protect 'hotspots' of snubfin dolphins across northern tropical Australia."

To download the report 'Collision Course: Snubfin dolphin injuries in Roebuck Bay', go to: www.wwf.org.au/snubfin-report

View our Snub Fin factsheet.

Click here to donate to our Snub Fin dolphin work »

Notes

• The port of Broome has seen a 700 per cent rise in commercial shipping activity in the past two years alone.
• WWF's study is a preliminary study, providing notice of a potentially serious issue that needs more research.
• The incidence of injuries documented in WWF's report could be the result of what might be a long term accumulation of injuries in Roebuck Bay.

WWF/ING DIRECT snubfin project history

Very little is known about snubfin dolphins, as they were only identified as a new species in 2005 and are endemic to the tropical waters of northern Australia. Roebuck Bay is home to the single biggest known group of these charismatic cetaceans that love to frolic and feed around inshore areas.

ING DIRECT customers' support for the snubfin project has raised funds to propel a number of WWF's conservation activities:

In March 2008, ING DIRECT funded the purchase of a new research boat to enable vital snubfin dolphin research, including genetic sampling and underwater sound recording, in Darwin Harbour. The aim was to reveal vital information including identifying key threats to this local species.

In August 2008, a research project took place to identify whether the snubfin population found in waters just north of Broome were in fact a new species of dolphin. The first genetic sampling of the north-west population was undertaken to determine whether the north-west Australian population was a separate species from or subspecies of the snubfin dolphin found in Queensland.

In April 2009, ING Direct funded a preliminary study that unearthed the top ten facts (available) about the mysterious life of the recently discovered and very rare snubfin dolphin. The research gave an overview of the life and habits of this native marine mammal.

In September 2009, WWF, with the help of ING DIRECT, released a report which showed the annual mortality rate of just five per cent (or three individuals) of Townsville's snubfin dolphin population is enough to drive the local species to extinction.

More information

Rachael Hoy, National Media Manager, WWF-Australia, 0407 204 594;

Cortlan Bennett, WA Media Officer, WWF-Australia, 0407 700 001;

David Breen, Corporate Affairs Manager, ING Direct, 0412 933 060

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Coalition's new marine policy puts environment at risk

The announcement today by Tony Abbott that, if elected, a Coalition Government would stop the program to protect Australia's waters risks the future health of our oceans.

"WWF strongly supports the current Marine Bioregional Planning process as a way to build a strong, resilient network of marine sanctuaries," said Dr Gilly Llewellyn, WWF-Australia's Manager of Conservation.

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"The next Australian government must work in collaboration with industry, local communities and marine scientists to ensure that we have healthy seas protected from a range of threats."

Marine sanctuaries are critical to the health of many species including whales, turtles, dolphins and fish. WWF is confident that if decisions about the future of our oceans are truly made on scientific evidence, all sides will support the creation of a network of sanctuaries around Australia.

WWF stressed that such a network should be part of the solution to improve depleted fish stocks, a key threat to the future of the local fishing industry. These marine sanctuaries would occur in Commonwealth waters, three nautical miles from the shore, meaning there would only be a small impact on recreational fishing.

Sanctuaries could also help protect vulnerable and unique places like the waters off the coast of the Kimberley and Margaret River from potential devastating effects of industrialisation, as well as provide safe havens for iconic marine life.

The policy announced today would cast adrift the longstanding support the Coalition has shown for protecting Australia's marine environment, including the creation of the marine bioregional planning process and the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

"As a member of the Howard Government, Mr Abbott implemented the single largest leap in marine conservation in Australia's history, protecting one-third of the entire Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area," said Dr Llewellyn.

Research shows fish populations have rebounded in the Great Barrier Reef because of sanctuaries, particularly among some of the most popular species fished by recreational fishermen including coral trout.

"As global fish stocks decline and we move faster and faster to exploit oil and gas resources in our oceans, we need far sighted leadership that protects our environment, supports local communities and recognises scientific evidence supporting marine sanctuaries.

"This policy fails to deliver such leadership," said Dr Llewellyn.

TAKE ACTION NOW

More information

Jonathon Larkin, 0410 221 401, jlarkin@wwf.org.au

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Greens' pesticide policy will protect Reef

WWF-Australia strongly welcomes the Greens' policy to protect the Great Barrier Reef from dangerous pesticides.

"For far too long pesticides have threatened the Great Barrier Reef," said Nick Heath, WWF-Australia's Program Leader for Water.

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"Our national regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, has assumed chemicals banned overseas are innocent until proven guilty beyond all reasonable doubt."

WWF is calling on all sides of politics to remove dangerous pesticides such as diuron, endosulfan and atrazine from sale in Australia. More than 80 pesticides registered for use in Australia have been prohibited in the European Union because of their risks to human health and the environment.

At least eight pesticides have been under review by the APVMA for 13 years or more.

"The current system aimed at getting dangerous pesticides off the shelves is simply not working," said Mr Heath.

"Atrazine, a pesticide banned in Europe but used widely in Australia, can be found in harmful concentrations in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area."

WWF also welcomes the Greens' acknowledgement that no single action to protect the Great Barrier Reef will be effective without action on climate change.

"The highest priority for the next Australian government must be to reduce Australia's pollution by putting a price on carbon," said Mr Heath.

"Putting a price on carbon is the single most effective step politicians can take to help avert the terrible effects of dangerous climate change, including the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef."

WWF-Australia is calling on the next Australian government to implement an emissions trading scheme by 2011. Such a scheme will be the fairest, most efficient and cost effective way of reducing Australia's carbon pollution.

TAKE ACTION NOW

For more information on WWF"s election asks, visit http://wwf.org.au/wwf-environment-election-asks Media Enquires, Jonathon Larkin, WWF Senior Media Officer, 0410 221 410, jlarkin@wwf.org.au

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