Saipan Tribune: Islands brace for military buildup's impact on reefs
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Island nations and partner U.S. agencies have made some progress in protecting their coral reefs in recent years but they are faced with yet another challenge: how to minimize or prevent a massive military buildup from impacting the marine ecosystems not only of Guam, but also that of the CNMI, Palau, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, and other islands.
This was among the key issues in yesterday's opening of the two-day 2010 U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting at the Saipan World Resort in Susupe.
The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force is one of the foremost policy groups guiding national and international coral reef conservation.
Task Force co-chairs Eileen Sobeck of the Department of the Interior and Andrew Winer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration joined representatives of federal agencies and governors of U.S. territories and affiliate members at the meeting, which showcased coral reef conservation work, watershed restoration projects, and climate change adaptation strategies, among other things.
Guam Gov. Felix P. Camacho said the military buildup “is the largest threat to coral reefs on this island.”
The military buildup involves the relocation of some 8,600 U.S. Marines and their 9,000 dependents from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam.
It also involves the construction of facilities and infrastructure to support training and operations on Guam and Tinian for the relocated Marines.
“I stress that our ability to manage our resources and our infrastructure during the military buildup and beyond will affect our island and our families for generations to come. The efforts of local natural resource managers will be wasted, if the military buildup is not handled in a manner that respects the people of Guahan [Guam] and the natural resources we rely on-for sustenance, for economic viability, for our culture, and for our way of life,” Camacho said.
One of three major projects related to the military buildup in Guam is a deep-draft wharf for transiting aircraft carriers.
The U.S. Navy earlier chose the Polaris Point in Guam's Apra Harbor as its preferred site for a carrier berth.
This would require some extensive dredging of sand and coral to accommodate the 1,325-foot wharf, designed for the larger Nimitz-class carriers, a “turning basin” in the harbor, and a widened ship channel.
Mitigation strategies
Camacho, in his remarks, asked the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to help Guam come up with the best possible mitigation strategies for its coral reefs during this time of immense change and growth in the island.
“The members have the ability to direct resources to this important and urgent task, and techniques and strategies developed for Guahan could have future uses in other locations facing major development as well,” he said.
Capt. Peter S. Lynch, commanding officer of the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, said yesterday that the Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement related to the buildup will not reflect a final decision on the location for a carrier berth because there's no consensus yet about the location.
Lynch, one of the presenters at the task force meeting, said the Department of Defense will defer a decision until after getting additional resource data.
He said DOD has identified funding to conduct additional studies that will take place in fiscal year 2011. Lynch said a decision will be based on data and studies that everybody agree on.
But Lynch pointed out that coral reefs are impacted by a lot of things, including runoff from a construction site or wastewater treatment that's not properly treated and could create algae plumes.
“There are the things we need to do regardless of whether we put the carrier here or there,” he added.
The Record of Decision on the Guam and CNMI Final EIS, which Lynch said could only be about 160 pages, will be released on Sept. 20, instead of the earlier schedule of Sept. 10.
The Navy said the delay is necessary to ensure that all comments received on the Final EIS are fully considered in the Record of Decision. In addition, the consultation processes under the National Historic Preservation Act and Endangered Species Act are still ongoing.
Economic benefits
Just like Guam, other islands look to economic benefits of increased military presence in the region but are at the same time bracing for its impact on the environment, including their coral reefs, which help sustain their economy and way of life.
Palau House of Delegates Speaker Noah Idechong said Palau expects to have increased number of soon-to-be Guam-based military personnel and their dependents visiting the island nation for diving and snorkeling, but he said “the downside is the impact on coral reefs.”
“It's a challenge for us,” he told Saipan Tribune in an interview during a break at the meeting.
Idechong said Palau has been investing in educational campaign on protecting coral reefs.
Palau also started collecting in November 2009 a so-called “green fee” from visitors, to be used for preserving protected areas.
The CNMI is also looking forward to increased military training on Tinian, as well as increased visits from military personnel and dependents for rest and recreation.
Climate change
American Samoa Gov. Togiola Tulafono said preparing for and mitigating climate change is the greatest global challenge facing the world today.
He said in American Samoa alone, the challenge is to protect resilient corals that are most likely to survive in the face of climate change.
Tulafono has also established a Climate Change Executive Order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and a Climate Change Local Action Strategy that integrated the climate change goals of the national Coral Reef Conservation Program with the local level.
'We're denied FEMA aid'
A tsunami hit the Samoan archipelago in September last year, killing people, destroying properties, displacing residents, and impacted the reefs.
“What some of you may not know is that our coral reefs suffered a second blow due to inadequate relief. Following the tsunami, large amounts of debris littered our reefs. Removal of the larger debris items is beyond the capacity of the American Samoan government, both in the expertise and the limited capacity of our landfills,” Tulafono said.
He said American Samoa repeatedly asked FEMA to directly assist NOAA by obtaining supplemental funding to remove the debris by activating Emergency Support Functions of the National Response Framework.
“However, we have been consistently denied on multiple accounts due to the loose interpretation of the ESFs by FEMA. Ladies and gentlemen, let me be frank. While it may sound like that this is about our last disaster and our issues with FEMA, they are not. This is not just about American Samoa. Anyone of our jurisdiction can experience a disaster such as our tsunami of 2009, and suffer the same consequences as us,” he said.
Tulafono asked the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force two things.
The first is the need to provide a formal U.S. position that coral reef health is indeed a public health issue for the people of American Samoa and the other insular jurisdictions.
“This would enable the Stafford Act to provide FEMA funding for coral reef restoration activities to address damage caused by natural disasters,” he said.
The second is the FEMA response requirement that differs for jurisdictions outside of the continental U.S., requiring a natural disaster declaration while there is an automatic response initiation for natural disasters occurring within the continental U.S.
“In conclusion, I am confident about the future of the work of this task force. And together, we can continue to enhance conservation strategies and limit threats to coral reef ecosystems, as already demonstrated by the USCRTF and Coral Reef Conservation Program,” he added.
Micronesian Challenge
CNMI Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said while the region has made great strides in the past decade, there continues to be considerable challenges ahead, particularly in coral reef protection efforts and the impact of climate change.
“Today, we will place considerable attention on the Micronesia Challenge-a commitment by the governments of the CNMI, Guam, FSM, RMI and Palau-to address the very issues of coral reefs and climate change,” he said.
The Micronesia Challenge calls for the protection of 30-percent of the islands' marine resources and 20-percent of terrestrial resources by the year 2020.
“The actions we take now to protect, restore and sustain our coral reef ecosystems will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of our Micronesian region, both economically and culturally. While it is clearly impossible for us to stop the forces of nature, we must remain firm in our commitment to be adequately prepared for what is to come long before it arrives. At the end of the day, it is people who make the difference,” he added.
Vangie Lujan, chair of the U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Committee, said island territories now have more access to federal agency assistance when it comes to coral reef protection.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Divers Catch More Than 500 Lionfish In Keys Derby
Divers Catch More Than 500 Lionfish In Keys Derby
KEY LARGO (CBS4) ― Click to enlarge1 of 1
CBS
Close
numSlides of totalImages Related Slideshows 2010 Celebrity Deaths Famous Atheists & Agnostics Signs of Fail SeaWorld Animals Invade CBS4 Related StoriesDivers Target Lionfish For Prizes In Keys
(9/11/2010)
Divers To Help Remove Invasive Lionfish From Keys
(8/23/2010)
Conservationists Build Appetite For Lionfish
(8/2/2010)
Lionfish Invasion Spreads To Biscayne Nat'l Park
(6/24/2010)
Divers, Fishermen Battle Keys Lionfish Invasion
(2/8/2010)
Marine Groups Campaign Against Lionfish Invasion
(3/2/2009)
Related LinksBiscayne National Park: Lionfish Information
Forget the snapper and amberjack. More than 100 divers collected 534 Indo-Pacific red lionfish during the first concerted effort to reduce the population of the invasive species in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
The first of three Keys-based lionfish derbies Saturday attracted 27 teams, which competed for cash and prizes to collect the most, largest and smallest lionfish. The top $1,000 prize was awarded to a group that captured 111 lionfish.
The second derby is planned for Oct. 16 at Keys Fisheries Restaurant in Marathon and the third Nov. 13 at the Hurricane Hole Marina in Key West.
Lad Akins, of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, says unsuspecting pet owners are releasing the nonnative fish into the Atlantic, where they have no natural predators.
The lionfish population has been growing rapidly in waters off the Keys, concerning environmentalists who say they could devastate fragile coral reefs and disrupt the marine ecosystem balance.
The growing population of lionfish is impacting indigenous fish, because they eat important juvenile reef species such as grouper and snapper.
The mane-like assemblage of spines that give the fish its lion-like appearance are tipped in poison that can cause severe pain, swelling, nausea, headaches and convulsions. However, the fish can be safely handled once the spines have been removed and many people fillet lionfish and cook them up just like any other fish.
KEY LARGO (CBS4) ― Click to enlarge1 of 1
CBS
Close
numSlides of totalImages Related Slideshows 2010 Celebrity Deaths Famous Atheists & Agnostics Signs of Fail SeaWorld Animals Invade CBS4 Related StoriesDivers Target Lionfish For Prizes In Keys
(9/11/2010)
Divers To Help Remove Invasive Lionfish From Keys
(8/23/2010)
Conservationists Build Appetite For Lionfish
(8/2/2010)
Lionfish Invasion Spreads To Biscayne Nat'l Park
(6/24/2010)
Divers, Fishermen Battle Keys Lionfish Invasion
(2/8/2010)
Marine Groups Campaign Against Lionfish Invasion
(3/2/2009)
Related LinksBiscayne National Park: Lionfish Information
Forget the snapper and amberjack. More than 100 divers collected 534 Indo-Pacific red lionfish during the first concerted effort to reduce the population of the invasive species in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
The first of three Keys-based lionfish derbies Saturday attracted 27 teams, which competed for cash and prizes to collect the most, largest and smallest lionfish. The top $1,000 prize was awarded to a group that captured 111 lionfish.
The second derby is planned for Oct. 16 at Keys Fisheries Restaurant in Marathon and the third Nov. 13 at the Hurricane Hole Marina in Key West.
Lad Akins, of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, says unsuspecting pet owners are releasing the nonnative fish into the Atlantic, where they have no natural predators.
The lionfish population has been growing rapidly in waters off the Keys, concerning environmentalists who say they could devastate fragile coral reefs and disrupt the marine ecosystem balance.
The growing population of lionfish is impacting indigenous fish, because they eat important juvenile reef species such as grouper and snapper.
The mane-like assemblage of spines that give the fish its lion-like appearance are tipped in poison that can cause severe pain, swelling, nausea, headaches and convulsions. However, the fish can be safely handled once the spines have been removed and many people fillet lionfish and cook them up just like any other fish.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Billionaire saves marine reserve plans
The Independent: Billionaire saves marine reserve plans
A Swiss billionaire has stepped in to save plans to create the world's largest marine reserve from public spending cuts, it emerged today.
Ministers are in talks over a £3.5 million deal for America's Cup-winning yachtsman Ernesto Bertarelli to fund the policing of the zone around the British-owned Chagos Islands.
The Marine Protected Area (MPA) will cover some quarter of a million square miles of sea around the archipelago in the Indian Ocean and include a "no-take" reserve banning commercial fishing.
It was approved by then foreign secretary David Miliband in April amid complaints that the Government failed to take account of the needs of the territory's exiled inhabitants.
The Chagos have been the subject of a long-running controversy as the islanders exiled to make way for the Diego Garcia US airbase continue a legal fight for the right to return home.
Fears had been raised however that the project could be scrapped without private funding to offset the £750,000 a year set to be lost in fees for lucrative tuna fishing licences.
But campaign group the Blue Marine Foundation said it had secured the backing of the Bertarelli Foundation to provide the necessary financial backing - with ministers agreeing the deal in principle last week and detailed contracts now being drawn up.
Italian-born entrepreneur Mr Bertarelli and his British wife Kirsty - a former Miss UK - are believed to share a £6 billion fortune based on pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
The deal includes the provision of a patrol boat - named the Pacific Marlin.
Blue Marine said a £1.5 million deal to provide fuel for the patrols had been negotiated separately by the Pew Foundation, part of the Chagos Environmental Network, and the Pentagon.
Junior foreign office minister Henry Bellingham welcomed the initiative - hailing it as a "great example" of how the Government could engage the private sector to find funding.
"As the world's largest marine reserve, the MPA will bring huge environmental benefits to the Indian Ocean and to the world," he said.
"It will double the global coverage of the world's oceans benefiting from full protection. We hope that the UK's example encourages others to do the same in other vulnerable areas.
"We are very grateful to the Bertarelli family, their foundation and to the Blue Marine Foundation for their interest and we look forward to working with them.
"This Government wants to form innovative partnerships with the private sector to deliver ambitious objectives. This is a great example of how this could work in practice."
Journalist Charles Clover, who set up Blue Marine in the wake of making a film - The End of the Line - about global overfishing, said he had feared the whole project could have been scuppered "because of what is, to a government, a relatively small amount of money".
A search by fellow campaigners to find a rich individual willing to help found the Bertarelli Foundation had "the vision and the pockets to match", he said. "Hats off to them."
Conservationists have long campaigned for the creation of a marine reserve to protect some of the world's most unspoilt seas and coral reefs against pollution, climate change and loss of species.
The 55 islands across 210,000 square miles in the middle of the Indian Ocean which form the British Overseas Territory have at least 60 endangered species in their coral reefs and waters.
They are home to more than 220 types of coral, 1,000 species of fish and at least 33 different seabirds and have been described as the most pristine tropical marine environment on Earth.
Diego Garcia is the only one of the coral islands which make up the Chagos archipelago which is inhabited - by the US base.
A Swiss billionaire has stepped in to save plans to create the world's largest marine reserve from public spending cuts, it emerged today.
Ministers are in talks over a £3.5 million deal for America's Cup-winning yachtsman Ernesto Bertarelli to fund the policing of the zone around the British-owned Chagos Islands.
The Marine Protected Area (MPA) will cover some quarter of a million square miles of sea around the archipelago in the Indian Ocean and include a "no-take" reserve banning commercial fishing.
It was approved by then foreign secretary David Miliband in April amid complaints that the Government failed to take account of the needs of the territory's exiled inhabitants.
The Chagos have been the subject of a long-running controversy as the islanders exiled to make way for the Diego Garcia US airbase continue a legal fight for the right to return home.
Fears had been raised however that the project could be scrapped without private funding to offset the £750,000 a year set to be lost in fees for lucrative tuna fishing licences.
But campaign group the Blue Marine Foundation said it had secured the backing of the Bertarelli Foundation to provide the necessary financial backing - with ministers agreeing the deal in principle last week and detailed contracts now being drawn up.
Italian-born entrepreneur Mr Bertarelli and his British wife Kirsty - a former Miss UK - are believed to share a £6 billion fortune based on pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
The deal includes the provision of a patrol boat - named the Pacific Marlin.
Blue Marine said a £1.5 million deal to provide fuel for the patrols had been negotiated separately by the Pew Foundation, part of the Chagos Environmental Network, and the Pentagon.
Junior foreign office minister Henry Bellingham welcomed the initiative - hailing it as a "great example" of how the Government could engage the private sector to find funding.
"As the world's largest marine reserve, the MPA will bring huge environmental benefits to the Indian Ocean and to the world," he said.
"It will double the global coverage of the world's oceans benefiting from full protection. We hope that the UK's example encourages others to do the same in other vulnerable areas.
"We are very grateful to the Bertarelli family, their foundation and to the Blue Marine Foundation for their interest and we look forward to working with them.
"This Government wants to form innovative partnerships with the private sector to deliver ambitious objectives. This is a great example of how this could work in practice."
Journalist Charles Clover, who set up Blue Marine in the wake of making a film - The End of the Line - about global overfishing, said he had feared the whole project could have been scuppered "because of what is, to a government, a relatively small amount of money".
A search by fellow campaigners to find a rich individual willing to help found the Bertarelli Foundation had "the vision and the pockets to match", he said. "Hats off to them."
Conservationists have long campaigned for the creation of a marine reserve to protect some of the world's most unspoilt seas and coral reefs against pollution, climate change and loss of species.
The 55 islands across 210,000 square miles in the middle of the Indian Ocean which form the British Overseas Territory have at least 60 endangered species in their coral reefs and waters.
They are home to more than 220 types of coral, 1,000 species of fish and at least 33 different seabirds and have been described as the most pristine tropical marine environment on Earth.
Diego Garcia is the only one of the coral islands which make up the Chagos archipelago which is inhabited - by the US base.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Endangered sea turtles released off Singapore waters
The Independent: Endangered sea turtles released off Singapore waters
Thirteen endangered sea turtles born and bred in Japan were released off Singapore waters Tuesday as part of efforts to conserve the species.
The five one-year-olds and eight three-year-olds are the offspring of Hawksbill turtles donated by the Underwater World Singapore aquarium to the Port of Nagoya aquarium in 1997 and 2002.
They were brought to Singapore earlier this year and kept at the Underwater World aquarium before the eventual release into their natural habitat.
"I feel a sense of great relief because the turtles are where they belong,' George Balazs, biologist and leader of marine turtle research at the Hawaii-based Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.
"Sea turtles in the sea," the scientist said after the last turtle swam into the water.
The three-year-olds were fitted with satellite tracking devices so that scientists can follow their progress.
The turtles were first transported in boxes from nearby Sentosa island and then released on a stretch of beach on Big Sister's Island.
They crawled down the beach to the water's edge and disappeared into the sea as conservationists, scientists, students and the media erupted into cheers and applause.
"This release project has our strong desire that we want to return those Japanese-born turtles to Singaporean sea (which is) the native place of their parents," said Makoto Soichi, director with the Nagoya aquarium.
Underwater World Singapore said cooperation was key to efforts to conserve turtles which are regarded as a delicacy in parts of Asia.
"We hope that our integrated and collaborative efforts will contribute to our better understanding of Hawksbill turtle behaviour and improve turtle conservation efforts," said Peter chew, deputy general manager of the Singapore aquarium.
Turtle soup is a delicacy in parts of Asia and turtle shells are crushed into powder for use in a jelly dessert.
The Hawksbill shell is also used to make products like combs, ornamental hairpins and glasses frames.
Thirteen endangered sea turtles born and bred in Japan were released off Singapore waters Tuesday as part of efforts to conserve the species.
The five one-year-olds and eight three-year-olds are the offspring of Hawksbill turtles donated by the Underwater World Singapore aquarium to the Port of Nagoya aquarium in 1997 and 2002.
They were brought to Singapore earlier this year and kept at the Underwater World aquarium before the eventual release into their natural habitat.
"I feel a sense of great relief because the turtles are where they belong,' George Balazs, biologist and leader of marine turtle research at the Hawaii-based Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.
"Sea turtles in the sea," the scientist said after the last turtle swam into the water.
The three-year-olds were fitted with satellite tracking devices so that scientists can follow their progress.
The turtles were first transported in boxes from nearby Sentosa island and then released on a stretch of beach on Big Sister's Island.
They crawled down the beach to the water's edge and disappeared into the sea as conservationists, scientists, students and the media erupted into cheers and applause.
"This release project has our strong desire that we want to return those Japanese-born turtles to Singaporean sea (which is) the native place of their parents," said Makoto Soichi, director with the Nagoya aquarium.
Underwater World Singapore said cooperation was key to efforts to conserve turtles which are regarded as a delicacy in parts of Asia.
"We hope that our integrated and collaborative efforts will contribute to our better understanding of Hawksbill turtle behaviour and improve turtle conservation efforts," said Peter chew, deputy general manager of the Singapore aquarium.
Turtle soup is a delicacy in parts of Asia and turtle shells are crushed into powder for use in a jelly dessert.
The Hawksbill shell is also used to make products like combs, ornamental hairpins and glasses frames.
MAN EATING GIANT SQUID DEVOURING FISH STOCKS
Daily Express: MAN EATING GIANT SQUID DEVOURING FISH STOCKS
By Stuart Winter, Enviroment editor Have your say(5)
DEADLY sea monsters have woken from the deep to cause carnage among some of the world’s richest fishing grounds.
Millions of killer giant squid are not only devouring vast amounts of fish they have even started attacking humans.
Two Mexican fishermen were recently dragged from their boats and chewed so badly that their bodies could not be identified even by their own families.
No wonder the giant squid are called “diablos rojos” – red devils.
Monster squid are the stuff of legend. But for fishermen and marine biologists along 10,000 miles of coast from Chile to Alaska, the myth has become reality.
And their story is told this week in a Channel Five documentary. [IN ENGLAND]
Since 2002, Humboldt giant squid, named after the 18th century German explorer, have been spreading their tentacles to deplete fishing stocks by moving from their traditional tropical hunting grounds off Mexico and laying claim to a vast sweep of the Pacific.
Hunting in 1,000-strong packs the giant squid can out-swim and out-think fish. Scientists believe they coordinate attacks by using pigment cells to communicate.
A single female is believed to be able to lay 30 million eggs, each one capable of becoming a giant killing machine.
Marine biologists wear chain-mail to protect themselves from creatures that can measure 8ft, weigh 100lb and carry an armoury of more than 40,000 fearsome teeth along two “attack” tentacles.
The creatures have another eight “legs” for grasping and swimming and can reach speeds of more than 15mph.
Former US special forces diver Scott Cassell has put his life on the line to study the squid. He too has been attacked.
He said: “Within five minutes my right shoulder had been pulled out of its socket. I had 30 big marks on my head and throat and one squid hit me so hard I saw stars. They then grabbed on to me and pulled me down so fast that I could not equalise and I ruptured my eardrum.
“They are the most opportunistic predators on the planet. They eat everything in their path. One Humboldt squid in the course of two years can eat 27,000lb of fish. What is going to be the impact on the environment?”
Experts believe they may be taking advantage of warmer waters due to climate change. The threat to fisheries and marine ecosystems is explained in the documentary.
By Stuart Winter, Enviroment editor Have your say(5)
DEADLY sea monsters have woken from the deep to cause carnage among some of the world’s richest fishing grounds.
Millions of killer giant squid are not only devouring vast amounts of fish they have even started attacking humans.
Two Mexican fishermen were recently dragged from their boats and chewed so badly that their bodies could not be identified even by their own families.
No wonder the giant squid are called “diablos rojos” – red devils.
Monster squid are the stuff of legend. But for fishermen and marine biologists along 10,000 miles of coast from Chile to Alaska, the myth has become reality.
And their story is told this week in a Channel Five documentary. [IN ENGLAND]
Since 2002, Humboldt giant squid, named after the 18th century German explorer, have been spreading their tentacles to deplete fishing stocks by moving from their traditional tropical hunting grounds off Mexico and laying claim to a vast sweep of the Pacific.
Hunting in 1,000-strong packs the giant squid can out-swim and out-think fish. Scientists believe they coordinate attacks by using pigment cells to communicate.
A single female is believed to be able to lay 30 million eggs, each one capable of becoming a giant killing machine.
Marine biologists wear chain-mail to protect themselves from creatures that can measure 8ft, weigh 100lb and carry an armoury of more than 40,000 fearsome teeth along two “attack” tentacles.
The creatures have another eight “legs” for grasping and swimming and can reach speeds of more than 15mph.
Former US special forces diver Scott Cassell has put his life on the line to study the squid. He too has been attacked.
He said: “Within five minutes my right shoulder had been pulled out of its socket. I had 30 big marks on my head and throat and one squid hit me so hard I saw stars. They then grabbed on to me and pulled me down so fast that I could not equalise and I ruptured my eardrum.
“They are the most opportunistic predators on the planet. They eat everything in their path. One Humboldt squid in the course of two years can eat 27,000lb of fish. What is going to be the impact on the environment?”
Experts believe they may be taking advantage of warmer waters due to climate change. The threat to fisheries and marine ecosystems is explained in the documentary.
Daily Mail Online: Britain takes first step towards world leadership in tidal energy technology
By Tom McGhie, Mail on Sunday Senior Financial Correspondent
Britain has taken the first significant step towards world leadership in tidal energy technology after a successful two-year commercial trial of a giant underwater turbine.
The huge twin-propeller turbine, owned by Bristol-based Marine Current Turbines, has been anchored to the bottom of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland for two years.
Britannia rules the waves: SeaGen works like an 'underwater windmill' with the rotors being driven by tidal currents rather than wind power
In that time it has been operating round the clock and has delivered two million units of electricity into the grid - enough to power 1,500 homes for two years.
The turbine, called the SeaGen, is the only tidal energy system regularly generating power for the grid and is the one tidal system to be accredited by regulator Ofgem as a British power station.
SeaGen works like an 'underwater windmill' with the rotors being driven by the power of tidal currents rather than the wind. Technical director of Marine Current Turbines Peter Fraenkel said: 'SeaGen remains the world's most powerful tidal turbine and after two years of development and successful operation it is ready to be deployed on a commercial basis.'
New chairman Paul Lester, formerly chief executive of defence and services company VT Group, is now lobbying the Government to provide tax incentives to investors interested in putting money into tidal technology. 'I am not looking for handouts, just some tax changes to encourage more investment,' he said.
'We will also soon need to start raising more funds to enable us to put the SeaGen into industrial production.'
Marine Current Turbines is already working with RWE npower renewable to develop a tidal farm near Anglesey, Gwynedd.
It would involve about nine turbines the size of the Strangford Lough device and provide electricity for 10,000 homes.
By Tom McGhie, Mail on Sunday Senior Financial Correspondent
Britain has taken the first significant step towards world leadership in tidal energy technology after a successful two-year commercial trial of a giant underwater turbine.
The huge twin-propeller turbine, owned by Bristol-based Marine Current Turbines, has been anchored to the bottom of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland for two years.
Britannia rules the waves: SeaGen works like an 'underwater windmill' with the rotors being driven by tidal currents rather than wind power
In that time it has been operating round the clock and has delivered two million units of electricity into the grid - enough to power 1,500 homes for two years.
The turbine, called the SeaGen, is the only tidal energy system regularly generating power for the grid and is the one tidal system to be accredited by regulator Ofgem as a British power station.
SeaGen works like an 'underwater windmill' with the rotors being driven by the power of tidal currents rather than the wind. Technical director of Marine Current Turbines Peter Fraenkel said: 'SeaGen remains the world's most powerful tidal turbine and after two years of development and successful operation it is ready to be deployed on a commercial basis.'
New chairman Paul Lester, formerly chief executive of defence and services company VT Group, is now lobbying the Government to provide tax incentives to investors interested in putting money into tidal technology. 'I am not looking for handouts, just some tax changes to encourage more investment,' he said.
'We will also soon need to start raising more funds to enable us to put the SeaGen into industrial production.'
Marine Current Turbines is already working with RWE npower renewable to develop a tidal farm near Anglesey, Gwynedd.
It would involve about nine turbines the size of the Strangford Lough device and provide electricity for 10,000 homes.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Why fish don't freeze in the Arctic Ocean
USA Today - Science Fair: Why fish don't freeze in the Arctic Ocean
Ever wonder how fish avoid becoming popsicles while swimming in Arctic water that can drop to -19 degrees? Scientists at Germany's Ruhr-University Bochum are figuring out how they do it.
The fish have proteins in their blood that protect them from frost. That's been long known, but scientists never understood how these anti-freeze proteins worked.
Now, using a technique called terahertz spectroscopy, scientists discovered that the proteins change the way water molecules behave in the blood. They "usually perform a permanent dance in liquid water, and constantly enter new bonds, (but) dance a more ordered dance in the presence of proteins," the researchers explain in a statement.
Put another way: "the disco dance becomes a minuet," says Dr. Martina Havenity of Ruhr-University Bochum. The change prevents ice from forming.
By Michelle Kessler
Ever wonder how fish avoid becoming popsicles while swimming in Arctic water that can drop to -19 degrees? Scientists at Germany's Ruhr-University Bochum are figuring out how they do it.
The fish have proteins in their blood that protect them from frost. That's been long known, but scientists never understood how these anti-freeze proteins worked.
Now, using a technique called terahertz spectroscopy, scientists discovered that the proteins change the way water molecules behave in the blood. They "usually perform a permanent dance in liquid water, and constantly enter new bonds, (but) dance a more ordered dance in the presence of proteins," the researchers explain in a statement.
Put another way: "the disco dance becomes a minuet," says Dr. Martina Havenity of Ruhr-University Bochum. The change prevents ice from forming.
By Michelle Kessler
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