We already know from the WWF that bluefin tuna will be extinct by 2012. Now we have another big problem: sharks are being killed by the millions — 100 million a year according to the NYT!

As a matter of fact, American owned Citibank has been using shark fins for marketing; their website is currently advertising a 15% discount at Singapore’s Imperial Court Shark’s Fin Restaurant.

Thanks to public awareness from conservationists though – most notably Hong Kong’s Shark Saver’s campaign – the word is finally getting out. Maybe now, sharks will be left alone and allowed to continue their important job as a top-level predator.

Here’s a short teaser of Shark Saver’s Hong Kong campaign highlighting several people taking a stand, vowing not to eat shark fin soup, and asking others to join in. It’s the first in a series of several films from their Hong Kong filming project launched in conjunction with the “Pledge Not to Eat Shark Fin Soup” campaign and Shark Savers Hong Kong. Take the pledge now!

From the Shem Creek blog.

Sharks, poised for extinction?

It also discusses development along the coastline – including over 2000 islands that could foreseeably have bridges connecting them to the mainland. Thanks to Nancy Vinson and several other citizens’ hard work, 95% of those proposed bridges were denied development!

It is well worth your time to watch this short video from the Coastal Conservation League if you are at all interested in the pristine environment that so much of South Carolina has to offer.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Coastal Conservation League celebrates 20 years

Well, when you hear that, you’d think you own water you paid for to get to your house, and if you choose to recycle it in some manner and reuse it, you should be able to without any problem, right? Wrong.

Maybe not here in S.C., but in Las Vegas, water that’s used indoors travels a continuous loop. From people’s homes, water flows to a treatment plant, and is then sent back to Lake Mead where an equal amount is pumped out of the lake, and the 12-mile journey back to the treatment plants and then homes starts all over again.

“People paid for that water and I think they should be allowed to do with it what they wish,”
– Launce Rake, spokesman for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada.

Several locals have wondered: “Why don’t we shorten this loop somehow and come up with a more efficient system?”

As usual, it comes down to money. Water officials claim, “What’s the incentive for residents to curb consumption if their water bills drop? Even more water would be drawn from Lake Mead, without returning.”

Unfortunately, this is a case of too much conservation, and not enough efficiency. There has to be a middle ground where people won’t take advantage of the system by using excess water just because they own it.

Just do the right thing.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Who’s gray water is it anyway?

The public is being asked to report sightings of the swallow-tailed kite, an endangered-species in South Carolina and considered a species of highest conservation concern throughout its breeding range in North America. You call toll free 1-866-971-7474 to report a swallow-tailed kite sighting or fill out the SCDNR form.

Swallow-tailed kites are unmistakable with their narrow, 4-foot wingspan and 10-inch long forked outer tail feathers. The dorsal coloration is black while the head and underparts are white. Average weight for adults is a little over 1 pound, with females being slightly heavier than males.

“The South Carolina Working Group for Swallow-tailed Kites would like to extend its gratitude for all of the citizen science for swallow-tailed kite sightings reported during the 2008 season.” – Laurel Barnhill, SCDNR bird conservation coordinator.

Primary challenges to the swallow-tailed kite are wetland loss and drainage. Specific threats along its migration routes and wintering grounds in southern Brazil are unknown at this time, but significant land use changes could negatively impact the species.

South Carolina’s goal is about 400 nesting pairs statewide. The areas most likely to contain swallow-tailed kites are the Pee Dee and Savannah rivers, Francis Marion National Forest, the ACE Basin and associated floodplains.

From the Shem Creek blog.

URGENT: Watch for the state-endangered swallow-tailed kite

In their testimonies, they called on Congress to quickly reinstate the moratorium on offshore drilling, which was allowed to lapse in 2008 under Bush.

Philippe Cousteau urged Congress to reinstate the offshore drilling bans that until last fall had been in effect for 25 years in Atlantic and Pacific coastal waters.

“Oil and water simply don’t mix,” said Danson. “While not intentional, oil spills do happen and they harm everything from the smallest ocean organisms to the largest predators in the sea.”

“It’s absolutely critical for the health of the oceans. Oil spills still occur.” – Ocean Conservancy board member
Philippe Cousteau

Danson appealed to the Committee, led by Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), that the threats facing the Arctic Ocean will demand a separate and distinct planning process and that we should stop offshore oil and gas activities in the region until there is a comprehensive science-based conservation and energy plan.

Offshore oil drilling will have little if any impact on gas prices. Figures from the U.S. Energy Information Agency show that even at peak production, increased drilling offshore would produce less than one percent of the current energy demand in the U.S. “This is merely pennies at the gas pump,” said Danson.

He also stressed the importance of a speedy transition from fossil fuels to renewable, clean and carbon-free energy, such as offshore wind and solar power. According to recent estimates, the offshore wind industry could generate nearly $950 billion in economic activity and more than 250,000 jobs over the next 20 years.

“We need to work with the oceans, not against them,” said Dr. Michael Hirshfield, senior vice president for North America and chief scientist at Oceana. “The oceans can be a valuable resource in facing the global warming and energy crisis’.”

From the Shem Creek blog.

Cousteau, Danson, Activists want offshore drilling ban

The Coastal Explorations Series provides the public with an opportunity to interact with and meet DNR employees that have knowledgeable insight into the following topics.

The public is encouraged to register through the online calendar. Online registration is available 30 days prior to each scheduled event. Reservations are required for all of the events, as detailed logistical information varies for each seminar and public outing. You can check individual descriptions of each event on the calendar, or visit the 2009 Coastal Explorations Series web page for a list through July.

The Coastal Explorations Series during the spring will span from February through May. The events range in format from seminar, lectures, discussion, to hands-on identification and field outings. For additional information on the Coastal Explorations Series, contact Kim Counts, DNR coordinator, at the Marine Resources Center, at (843) 953-9354, or CountsK@dnr.sc.gov.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Coastal Explorations Series Spring 2009

As a result, 7 fish stocks were removed from the overfishing list in 2007. Approximately 40 stocks are still experiencing overfishing according to NOAA, but the NOAA Fisheries Service and the fishery management councils are in the process of ending overfishing for all of these as well.

NOAA’s action provides guidance on how to comply with new annual catch limit (ACL) and accountability measure (AM) requirements for ending overfishing of those fisheries managed by Federal fishery management plans. Changes to the Act are effective February 17, 2009.

Meanwhile, here’s a one-minute video on overfishing:

“The commercial seafood industry and recreational saltwater fishing provide our nation food, jobs and other incredible benefits…” – Jim Balsiger, acting A.A. for NOAA Fisheries Service.

Finally, here are some common acronyms used in the fishery business:

btw: I couldn’t find which 7 species were removed from the overfishing list for the life of me! If you find out, please let me know. TIA!

From the Shem Creek blog.

NOAA’s final guidance on Annual Catch Limits to end overfishing

The Act passing is a win-win for everybody: it not only keeps us at the forefront of understanding threats to the ocean and finding new ways to address emerging problems, but also promotes knowledge of how CO2 absorption is affecting ocean ecosystems, protects important coastal and estuarine areas that are under threat, and it improves exploration, research, mapping & observation.

“This wise decision could not have come a moment sooner… These challenges can only be solved if scientists and ocean experts have the information they need to intelligently inform their decisions.” – Laura Burton Capps, Ocean Conservancy Sen. VP

1. The Ocean and Coastal Exploration and NOAA Act will authorize the National Ocean Exploration Program, National Undersea Research Program, and the Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase scientific knowledge for the management, use and preservation of oceanic, coastal and Great Lake resources.
2. The Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act will authorize the establishment of an integrated system of coastal and ocean observations for the nation’s coasts, oceans and Great Lakes.
3. The Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act will authorize a coordinated federal research program on ocean acidification.
4. The Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act will authorize funding for a program to protect important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, aesthetic, or watershed protection values, and that are threatened by conversion to other uses.

Also, checkout International Ocean Cleanup

From the Shem Creek blog.

Passed bill protects climate industry demands

Our state legislators return to Columbia next week to begin a new two-year session. The S.C. General Assembly convenes on Tuesday, January 13th. The Coastal Conservation League’s legislative priorities for 2009 include:

• * Empowering South Carolina to Manage our Water Resources – We need water withdrawal permitting to protect our increasingly scarce water supplies.
• * Encouraging our State to Build a New Energy Economy – Secure energy independence by re-injecting our energy dollars into homegrown renewables, energy efficiency and conservation programs.
• * Reforming Outdated Annexation Laws – Stop sprawl, lower taxes, and protect the environment. Our annexation priorities achieve all 3 goals as we strive for sustainable growth patterns for communities.
• * Restoring Full Funding of the Conservation Bank – Funding for this important state land protection tool is at risk and we will fight to maintain it.

You’re invited! Show your support for the conservation community’s Common Agenda by joining us for the “Conversations with Conservationists” Senate briefing on Wednesday, January 14th. The briefing will be held from 10 – 11:30 AM in Room 308 of the Gressette Building.

Also, mark your calendar, because there are a number of opportunities to influence your legislators this session:

• * February 17th – Conservation League Lobby Team Tuesday
  Spend the day with the conservation community’s legislative team and catch up with your legislators. If you can’t make it on this date, don’t worry. Lobby Team meets almost every Tuesday through the end of session.
• * April 28th – Sixth Annual Conservation Lobby Day
  This is our big day to show broad, statewide support for important conservation issues in Columbia. Our hard work is always rewarded with an evening oyster roast and reception.
• * Friday’s – Legislative Update and Action Alerts
  Taking a day off work to join us in Columbia can be difficult. Member emails, phone calls, and letters go a long way, and are critical to our success at the state house. Find out what you can to do help by reading our weekly update, beginning next Friday.

Help spread the word – forward this message. Many thanks for your interest and support!!

Until next week,
Your CCL legislative team,
Heather, Patrick & Patty

From the Shem Creek blog.

Coastal Conservation League: Legislative Preview 2009