NAUUP – AQUAICBAS
Aquatic Activities UPArchive for April 15, 2008
Salmon parasite river ‘cull’ plan : Gyrodactylus salaris
Plans to kill off wild salmon in whole river systems as a last resort to control a virulent parasite have been outlined by the Scottish Government.
The tiny creature, Gyrodactylus salaris(+ info), has already devastated wild salmon in Norwegian rivers.
Ministers warned that the damage to the country’s £60m freshwater salmon industry would be “immeasurable” if it arrived in Scotland.
The “cull” plan would only be used if an outbreak could not be contained.
A special poison would be released to kill the parasites and their hosts.
Contingency plan
It is hoped parasite-free fish would then repopulate affected rivers.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The importance of protecting this iconic fish is paramount.
“Its presence in Scottish rivers attracts thousands of tourists to this country every year.
“The damage that Gyrodactylus salaris could do to our freshwater salmon sector, should it arrive in Scotland, is immeasurable and we must do everything we can to ensure we keep it out.
“However, it is also vital that we are prepared to combat the parasite should it be found on our salmon and ready to take whatever action is needed. Any intervention would entail the widest possible consultation with stakeholders.”
He said the plan provided a range of measures which could be taken if an outbreak was discovered so that they could act quickly and effectively to protect the industry.
Mr Lochhead added that he was grateful to the fisheries organisations and other stakeholder groups who helped to draw up the plans.
Story from BBC NEWS
Warmer seas, over-fishing spell disaster for oceans: scientists
Warmer seas, over-fishing spell disaster for oceans: scientists
by Staff Writers
Hanoi (AFP) April 11, 2008
The future food security of millions of people is at risk because over-fishing, climate change and pollution are inflicting massive damage on the world’s oceans, marine scientists warned this week.
The two-thirds of the planet covered by seas provide one fifth of the world’s protein — but 75 percent of fish stocks are now fully exploited or depleted, a Hanoi conference that ended Friday was told.
Warming seas are bleaching corals, feeding algal blooms and changing ocean currents that impact the weather, and rising sea levels could in future threaten coastal areas from Bangladesh to New York, experts said.
“People think the ocean is a place apart,” said Peter Neill, head of the World Ocean Observatory. “In fact it’s the thing that connects us — through trade, transportation, natural systems, weather patterns and everything we depend on for survival.”
Marine ecosystems and food security were key concerns at the Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, an international meeting of hundreds of experts from governments, environmental groups and universities.
“There is a race to fish, but in wild capture fisheries right now we can catch no more,” said Steven Murawski, fisheries chief science advisor at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“We catch 100 million metric tonnes per year, and that’s been very flat globally. Our only hope is if we conserve and rebuild stocks,” he said, adding that sustainable aquaculture could help make up the shortfall.
The current plunder is risking long-term sustainability with “too many fishing boats taking too many fish and not allowing the stocks to regenerate,” said Frazer McGilvray of Conservation International.
“Once the oceans are gone, we’re gone. The oceans sustain the planet.” [+]
source: Terradaily.com
Marinha Portuguesa: "Anfíbios em Exposição No Aquário Vasco da Gama": Seminários,
Anfíbios em exposição no Aquário Vasco da Gama
Protocolo de renovação do Programa Praia Saudável
Desde o dia 9 de Março e até 1 de Junho no Aquário Vasco da Gama poderá ser visitada a exposição
“Anfíbios de Portugal, Rãs e Companhia”.
A exposição visa divulgar as espécies de anfíbios existentes em Portugal,
bem como a sua biologia e ecologia.
Foi assinado no dia 13 de Março o protocolo de renovação do Programa Praia Saudável
cujos objectivos principais são contribuir para o aumento da segurança e qualidade do ambiente
nas praias assim como as acessibilidades para pessoas com mobilidade condicionada.
A renovação do protocolo, que teve lugar no Centro de Interpretação Ambiental da
Ponta do Sal, em São Pedro do Estoril, foi assinada por representantes da Marinha, da
Fundação Vodafone Portugal, do Instituto da Água, do Instituto da Conservação da Natureza
e da Biodiversidade, do Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitação e da Associação Bandeira Azul da Europa.
Seminário:
“A Marinha no apoio a catástrofes naturais ou acidentes provocados pelo homem”
Realiza-se no dia 18 de Abril no auditório do Comando do Corpo de Fuzileiros o seminário
subordinado ao tema “A Marinha no apoio a catástrofes naturais ou acidentes provocados pelo homem”.
Seminário “An Overview Of Naval Units Training Methodology”
O Comando Naval através da Flotilha irá em 29 e 30 de Abril de 2008 realizar um seminário
subordinado ao tema “An Overview Of Naval Units Training Methodology”.
Este seminário será realizado no auditório do CITAN na Base Naval de Lisboa.
O objectivo principal deste evento será o de debater a metodologia presente e futura dos
processos de treino e avaliação. Entre os vários participantes neste evento estão o
German Liaison Officer ao FOST da Marinha Alemã, o Commander Sea Training do FOST
(Flag Officer Sea Training) da Marinha do Reino Unido e um representante do
CEVACO da Marinha de Espanha.Este evento constituirá uma excelente oportunidade,
para a Marinha Portuguesa e para todos os participantes em geral, para debater o
presente e futuro do treino e avaliação.
