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MASSIVE FISH!! Look at the size of the fish.
This is such a massive fish. Here is the description from the BBC:
"An up-close-and-personal view of the goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara). Scientists now report there are actually two species which split when the Pacific and Atlantic oceans separated 3.5 million years ago. The finding should prove vital to conserving this critically endangered fish." This is such a massive fish. Here is the description from the BBC: ... more -
Vancouver airport at risk of flood
Richmond and the Vancouver International Airport are at risk of being washed out as a result of rising sea levels, flooding and more frequent storm patterns, a climate researcher says. Richmond and the Vancouver International Airport are at risk of being washed out as a result of rising sea levels, flooding and more f... more
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Part of bird reserve left to sea
"Part of one of Britain's most important bird reserves is to be abandoned because of coastal erosion.
Up to a third of the RSPB's Titchwell Marshes on the north Norfolk coast will be given up to protect the rest of the sanctuary from the encroaching sea.
Salt water would damage the freshwater habitat at the reserve, which is home to rare species including bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers.
The RSPB says it will spend £1.5m on a managed retreat and new sea walls.
The erosion of the coast has put the reserve's mixture of brackish marshes - salt marshland which is diluted with freshwater - freshwater marshes and reedbeds at risk of inundation, threatening the resident birds.
At any time, high tides and storm surges could breach the current sea walls which protect 56 hectares (138 acres) of the site.
The managed retreat will see 11 hectares (27 acres) of brackish marsh return to saltmarsh and mudflats exposed to the tide.
Rob Coleman, the reserve's manager, said the need for the scheme "was clear".
"We faced a stark choice between sacrificing the brackish marsh or losing the whole site to the sea."
The RSPB's Helen Deavin, project manager of the managed retreat, said the scheme should ensure the reserve is protected for 50 years, when the natural erosion process is expected to move further down the coast.
"We've got to bear in mind the impacts of climate change such as sea level rises along the coast and increased storminess. These problems aren't going to go away," she added.
But despite losing the brackish marsh, the newly-created intertidal saltmarsh and mudflats will also become important habitats for birds, the RSPB said.
The charity is also planning to create more island nesting sites for breeding avocets in the freshwater part of the reserve and at the Freiston Shore and Frampton Marsh reserves, about 19 miles away.
Four more hectares of reedbed for bitterns will also be created.
The site, visited by around 90,000 people a year, was a tank range during World War II and the site of a military hospital." "Part of one of Britain's most important bird reserves is to be abandoned because of coastal erosion. ... more -
United Kingdom Talk Saturday 23rd August 2008
Saturday's edition of my three times a week talk show. Get the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats.
In today's show :
A strange thing.
Doing it for your country.
Blowing bubbles.
Nice, but badly run.
I ramble on.
Suko's good service from Toshiba.
Three's a crowd.
Louise has trouble with cartons.
Matty receives a rude gift.
Susan's slow connection.
Listening to the sea.
Zack gets irritated.
"I still call Australia home".
Watch out for the motor bike helmets.
Water those baskets.
C.W. has been around a long time.
Amateur talent shows.
Have I ever been in the "naughty chair" ?
Knucklehead & chucklehead.
Lots of medals.
It's about the taking part.
Corn plasters.
Do I cut it off ?
email : chris@chrisreardon.co.uk
WWW.UNITEDKINGDOMTALK.CO.UK Saturday's edition of my three times a week talk show. Get the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats. ... more -
Parts of Britain's coastline will need to be evacuated due to rising tides
Stretches of Britain's coastline will soon have to be abandoned due to the rising tides, the new head of the Environment Agency has warned.
Lord Smith of Finsbury - the former cabinet minister Chris Smith - said Britain faced hard choices over which seaside towns to protect.
In his first interview since taking up his role, he said some coastal areas would be doomed, with an additional threat to low-lying areas from rising sea levels. Stretches of Britain's coastline will soon have to be abandoned due to the rising tides, the new head of the Environment Agency ... more -
Oops! Lifeguards' 4x4 swallowed up by the sea
Eye witnesses describe the moment when the rescue vehicle was lost to the tide.
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United Kingdom Talk Thursday 7th August 2008
Thursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats.
In today's show :
Fun times.
Changing lives.
Ice cream anyone ?
Skegness.
What do you now call a disco ?
Too many chip shops.
Caravans everywhere.
I wish I was an American teen in the 50's.
Goldfish noises.
Looking for something to eat.
Help others.
Decomposing quickly.
Check your route.
Boating.
I hear Mei Mei singing.
Gary's bought a motor bike.
Donkeys.
We moan about stupid things.
A new place for Bingay in September.
You need to be up to date.
Helping people in Peru.
Tommy wants the rest of the story !
Email :
chris@unitedkingdomtalk.co.uk
WWW.UNITEDKINGDOMTALK.CO.UK Thursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats. ... more -
Forty Years to Save Our Oceans
http://www.oceana.org/support/problem/
OUR OCEANS ARE AT RISK!
Oceana – Protecting the World’s Oceans: The Problem
Oceans cover 71 percent of the globe and to the naked eye, they are beautiful. However, beneath the surface, our irresponsible and shortsighted commercial fishing practices have put our oceans at risk. A 2006 report in the journal Science tells us that all of the world's current fisheries could collapse by 2048.
At risk is not just a food supply, but also a wealth of magnificent species and the livelihoods of fishing communities everywhere. But we can keep this projection from coming true — we can change how we manage them. But we must act now.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY!
To the naked eye, our oceans are beautiful. However, a 2006 report in the journal Science tells us that 29 percent of our fisheries have already collapsed. In addition, the scientists' projection of current trends shows all of the world's current fisheries collapsing by 2048. But we can keep this projection from coming true - we can change how we manage them. Indeed, we really have less than 40 years to act - if we fail to act in the next two decades, we could see the trends become irreversible.
Tell President Bush to protect our oceans so that the next generation can also enjoy their bounty. Please sign Oceana's message to President Bush.
http://takeaction.oceana.org/dia/organizationsORG/ocean... http://www.oceana.org/support/problem/ OUR OCEANS ARE AT RISK! Oceana – Protecting the World’s Oceans: The Problem ... more -
Valuable seagrass faces global warming threat
Seagrass meadows, which are vital for the survival of much marine life and a source of household materials in Europe and Africa, face a mounting threat from global warming, a report said on Friday.
The report, from the Swiss-based International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), said the submerged meadows -- many around the Mediterranean -- could be saved through concerted action by governments and scientists.
"Seagrass habitats are already declining due to increasing water temperatures, algae (seaweed) growth and light reduction, which are all effects of global change," said IUCN specialist Mats Bjork, one of the authors of the report.
The report said the grass -- flowering plants found in shallow waters around the globe -- provides food and shelter for prawn and fish populations and is used traditionally as mattress filling, roof covering and for medicines.
If much of it were to disappear, a wide range of species -- including dugongs, sea turtles, sea urchins and seabirds who feed on it -- would also come under increased threat, according to the report.
The report said some of the healthiest seagrass areas known to exist today were off the North African coast of Libya and Tunisia in areas where there had been little industrial or tourism development.
Carl Gustaf Lundin, head of IUCN's Global Marine Program, said the meadows could be saved by making seagrass more resilient to climbing temperatures through mixing genetically more diverse populations.
The report, issued at a conference in Barcelona, said the introduction of protected areas and linking the underwater meadows to nearby mangrove plantations or coral reefs would also give a huge boost to their chances of survival.
Lundin said it was also vital to extend research into how seagrass can be protected -- a effort already promoted by IUCN that would require governments and scientific institutions to devote resources and time. Seagrass meadows, which are vital for the survival of much marine life and a source of household materials in Europe and Africa, face ... more -
Shrimp fosslis in Antarctica, does this mean a temperate continent?
Researchers are reporting that they have discovered fossilized crustaceans on the iced barren continent. The shrimp need liquid water to survive which is presently unavailable in today's Antarctica.
Does this point to evidence that the continent was once more habitable?
What does this say about the future?
(and don't you like the phrase "iced barren continent") Researchers are reporting that they have discovered fossilized crustaceans on the iced barren continent. The shrimp need liquid water ... more -
2008 1,300 Mile Kayaking Odyssey: Young Wisconsin couple circumnavigating Lake Sup...
(Marquette, Michigan) - It’s a 1,300 mile, two month odyssey - kayaking around the always beautiful and sometimes treacherous Lake Superior
Ashland, Wisconsin residents Alissa Weitz and Brian Castillo are promoting the protection of Lake Superior - the world’s largest freshwater lake.
The twenty somethings departed Bayfield, Wisconsin on July 1 and hope to complete their journey by September.
The kayaking duo left Marquette, Michigan on Tuesday afternoon, July 22, 2008 to continue their journey.
They arrived in Marquette for Lake Superior Day 2008 - this year that was July 20 2008.
Lake Superior Day is sponsored by the Lake Superior Bi-national Forum and is held annually on the third Sunday of July.
Alissa and Brian spent Lake Superior Day hiking with friends and swimming including jumping off the tall cliffs at the city's "black rocks."
A big part of their quest is educating the public about protecting Lake Superior and why the largest of the Great Lakes is so important..
The trek takes them through the Canada and the United States including Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Averaging 25 miles a day - with their longest day was about 40 miles.
They encountered water temperatures as low as 38 degrees, fog outside of Marquette, rough waves outside of Houghton, Michigan that prevent them from rounding the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula - and instead cut through the Keweenaw Waterway.
Thanks to Down Wind Sports in Marquette, Brian picked up a new kayak because of problems with the one used during the first part of their trek.
Weitz is a native of Dubuque, Iowa and Castillo is a native of Madison, Wisconsin.
Alissa is 26 years old and Brian is 23 years old.
Graduates of the Northland College outdoor education program in Ashland, Wisconsin, the couple were competitors working for different kayak guiding companies when they met two years ago and fell in love.
The Kayaker's (Alissa Weitz, Brian Castillo) "Session on Superior" blog about trip around the lake:
http://www.sessiononsuperior.blogspot.com
This video was made in cooperation with the Cedar Tree Institute, the Earth Keeper Initiative, the Earth Healing Initiative and the Turtle Island Project – all northern Michigan-based non-profits seeking to protect Lake Superior.
And special thanks to the Lake Superior Binational Forum for helping make this video possible..
Greg Peterson for Earth Keeper, Earth Healing and Turtle Island TV
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News coverage of Alissa, Brian:
Marquette paper:
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/513...
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Ashland paper:
Marquette Photo:
http://www.ashlandwi.com/articles/2008/07/24/news/doc48...
Story prior to trip:
http://www.ashlandwi.com/articles/2008/07/02/news/doc48...
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WX Channnel:
http://uservideo.weather.com:80/item/GY56YQ4K0TH0B3CS
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Lake Superior Binational Forum
Lissa Radke, LSFB US Coordinator
715-682-1489
http://www.superiorforum.info
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Northland College in Ashland, WI:
http://www.northland.edu/Northland
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Down Wind Sports:
http://www.downwindsports.com/index.html
Owners: Bill Thompson, Todd King, Jeff Stasser and Arni Ronis
Marquette: 906-226-7112
Houghton: 906-482-2500
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Sea Kayak Specialists:
http://www.seakayakspecialists.com
Sam Crowley, Nancy Uschold
906-250-4238
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EcoSuperior Enviro:
http://www.ecosuperior.com
Environment Canada:
http://www.ec.gc.ca
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Video made in cooperation with:
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Turtle Island Project official website:
http://www.turtleislandproject.org
Earth Healing Initiative official website:
http://www.EarthHealingInitiative.org
Cedar Tree Institute: (Michigan Earth Keepers, Manoomin Project and the 2008 Zaagkii Wings & Seeds project)
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org
Earth Keeper TV
http://www.youtube.com/yoopernewsman
Turtle Island TV (youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/MunisingWhiteHorse
Earth Healing TV
http://www.youtube.com/user/EarthHealingTV (Marquette, Michigan) - It’s a 1,300 mile, two month odyssey - kayaking around the always beautiful and sometimes treacherous Lake Sup... more -
Barely Alive, Seafloor Microbes Might Resemble Exo-Organisms
Deep below the sea floor live massive colonies of primitive microbes.
Almost like one-celled zombies, these microbes use so little energy that it might be more accurate to call them undead rather than alive.
Yet scientists think that the species might provide a model for life on other planets. Even on this planet, such microbes might account for a whopping 10 percent of the Earth's biomass.
"In essence, these microbes are almost, practically dead by our normal standards," said Christopher House, a geosciences professor at Penn State University, and the lead author of the paper, in a release. "They metabolize a little, but not much."
The cold, lightless and energy-poor conditions under the seafloor provide a promising research analog for the harsh conditions in subsurface Martian soil or near hydrothermal vents on Europa, Jupiter's second moon.
"We do not expect the microbes in other places to be these microbes exactly," said House. "But, they could be living at a similar slow rate." Deep below the sea floor live massive colonies of primitive microbes. ... more -
Brighton nudist beach fun
Having fun in the surf at Brighton nudist beach, even a nice benny hill remix at the end
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Want Scientific Immortality? Name a Species After Yourself
"Jeff Goodhartz is single and has no children. But he wanted to ensure the family name would live on after he's gone.
So he paid $5,000 to have a newfound sea worm given the Goodhartz name, ''goodhartzorum.''
''This really jazzes me up,'' said the 55-year-old high school math teacher whose namesake is translucent with a flamboyant blue tuft. ''It will be out there, the family name.''
And it will be swimming in the Belize mangroves where someone else discovered it.
Goodhartz bought the naming rights from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which unveiled its name-a-species program earlier this year. This modern twist on taxonomy is a way to raise research money, and lots of groups have been doing it.
But its growing popularity has rekindled a debate over whether the practice invites fake discoveries and has led to a push for oversight.
''It is conceivable that someone could fabricate a new species in order to make money, if it were shown to be lucrative,'' said Andrew Polaszek, an entomologist at the Natural History Museum in London.
Taxonomy ranks among the world's oldest professions, dating back to 18th century Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who popularized the classification system still in use today. Of the 30 million or so species of animals, plants and microbes on Earth, only about 1.8 million have been named and identified so far.
Traditionally, the discoverer gets to christen the new organism. All living things have a two-part scientific name, usually in Latin. It's common for discoverers to name a new species after themselves or in honor of their spouses, children, colleagues, benefactors or even celebrities.
In recent years, species names have gone from finders keepers to being auctioned off or sold to donors to support research as other funding has dried up. Not all species are created equal. The rarer and more evolved the organism, the more money it tends to fetch.
Still up for grabs is a $15,000 sea slug, a pair of bone-feeding worms for $25,000 each and $50,000 rare hydrothermal vent worm. Donors receive a framed photo of their namesake and a copy of the scientific paper that describes the species. "
Say WHAT? That's a little rich for my blood! "Jeff Goodhartz is single and has no children. But he wanted to ensure the family name would live on after he's gone. ... more -
Why? Tell Me Why! :: Shark Decline
Discovery-News.com: Shark populations are declining worldwide. Kasey-Dee Gardner dives in for the answer.
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15 dead as migrants attempt to reach Spain
Fifteen Africans died while trying to reach Spain's southern coast in a small, overcrowded boat, Spanish officials told CNN.
Thousands of African migrants risk their lives each year, trying to reach mainland Europe in small, overcrowded boats.
Rescue teams located the craft late Wednesday off the coast of Almeria province and helped it ashore. Aboard were 33 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and a dead woman.
They told authorities that 14 others, including nine young children, had died en route and were dropped overboard.
The survivors included men, women and a months-old baby. It was the second incident in a week involving African migrants. Fifteen Africans died while trying to reach Spain's southern coast in a small, overcrowded boat, Spanish officials told CNN. ... more -
Big Sand Castles and More
Photos taken from the annual Sea Sculpture Festival in Middelkerke, Belgium.
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Wipeout!
Surfing is a dangerous sport and as these photos show, there can be some pretty spectacular wipeouts!
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Kitesurf in ITALY - 151 h2O Sports
A group of Italian Kiter struggling with the sea in storm
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