Posts filed under ‘Ocean Health’
Value of Hawai’ian Reefs estimated at $33.57 billion
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is completing a study that sets the value of the Hawai’ian coral reefs at $33.57 billion. This assesment, the first of its kind, will be useful in setting policy to protect the reefs.
UH Researcher Predicts Tsunami Debris Coming Sooner To Hawaii
Since receiving a report from a Russian ship, researchers have shortened their two year estimate for the debris from the March 11th tsunami in Japan to hit Hawaii’s west-facing beaches.
They estimate 5 to 20 million tons of debris coming from Japan
Why climate models underestimated Arctic sea ice retreat: No Arctic sea ice in summer by end of century?
In recent decades, Arctic sea ice has suffered a dramatic decline that exceeds climate model predictions. The unexpected rate of ice shrinkage has now been explained by researchers at CNRS, Université Joseph Fourier and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They argue that climate models underestimate the rate of ice thinning, which is actually about four times faster than calculations.
Reef protection Bill in Hawai’i Senate
SB580, the state measure regulating the aquarium trade to protecting all of Hawaii’s reef wildlife has been scheduled for a Tuesday hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee chaired by Sen. Clayton Hee.
Here is how you can submit testimony online:
1) Enter SB580; click “Get latest hearing”
2) Verify the information:
Committee: JDL
Room: 016
Hearing Date: 3/1/2011 9:00 AM
3) Fill in your basic info (address not required)
4) Testifier position: Chose whether you want to Support or Oppose the bill for stronger regulations.
5) Write your testimony in the comment field or upload your testimony, if longer.
6) Check the box, ” I understand and agree to the terms above “.
7) Click “Submit”.
Maui Council Challenges Reef Fish Exporters
Maui County Council again challenged the largest wildlife exporter in Hawaii Friday, with a new law requiring humane treatment of reef fish captured for the aquarium trade. Finning, fizzing and starvation of colorful fish prior to shipment are now illegal, as the campaign to ban aquarium collecting from its most lucrative source, Hawaii, gains momentum.
The new humane treatment law responds to unlimited trafficking in wildlife for the pet trade that has gone unchecked for many years in Hawaii. The reported catch revenue of about $2 million is believed to be far less than actual revenue on unreported/poached catch. Actual aquarium revenue may be $20 million, but that figure pales beside the $800 million annual in reef-based tourism. Hawaii reefs and reef fish populations are in decline. The aquarium trade denies culpability and demands more, with no limit on the catch, no limit on the number of catchers and no constraints on endemic or vanishing species.
Reflections on Kealia Pond Beach Clean-up
Mahalo to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to help with our quarterly beach clean-up at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. We had a good turnout. It feels good to spend a couple of hours of time each quarter to get out there and make our home a better place to live. A special thank you to Community Work Day for their great support in providing the tools to make the job easier and for picking up the filled trash bags.
One of the things that come to mind as we are picking up trash is that no one is free of the responsibility of creating litter. We find trash from every possible source. We see items from retail and food establishments, medical facilities, construction companies, and non-profits as well as everyone else. Of course, the amazing thing we find is that even in this dry, dangerous season, we find hundreds of cigarette butts which were obviously thrown out of the passing vehicles. It is not surprising that we have terrible fires each year.
I hope to see you again next quarter. Contact teri at southmauisustainability dot org for more information.
Reef Sustainability Events for June 2010
The Reef Sustainability Committee invites everyone to participate in any or all of the upcoming projects.
The Turbidity Task Force project is ready to start training water quality monitoring volunteers. We have 1,000 testing kits now created. For those interested in learning more about the program as well as how to enter data online we are meeting at the Whale Sanctuary in Kihei Thursday June 3rd 6:00-8:00 P.M.
The Maui Nui Marine Resources Council meeting on June 9th 5:00 -7:00 P.M. focuses on clean water issues. Jonathan Starr and Robin Knox are giving presentations.
South Maui Sustainability is part of the South West Maui Watershed Project Advisory Group. The public has an opportunity to affect the choices we make for water usage in the future, and is encouraged to participate. The next meeting is June 10th 3:00-5:00 P.M. at the Whale Sanctuary.
Our next Beach Clean-up at Kealia National Refuge is June 26th 8:00-10:00 A.M. Contact Teri at teri at southmauisustainability dot org for cleanup details.
On July 15th at 9:00 A.M. Maui Dreams and the Reef Committee is sponsoring another Fish ID class at Maui Dreams in Kihei followed by a fish survey snorkel at Ulua Beach. Space is limited so please RSVP at teri at southmauisustainability dot org.
EPA Video Contests
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has held contests for educational videos that inspire people to protect the environment.
One contest aimed at helping protect streams, lakes, wetlands, and coasts. The two winners each received $2,500 and have their videos featured on EPA’s Web site. The goal of the video contest is to educate the public on different water pollution issues and illustrate ways that homeowners, gardeners, farmers, pet owners, communities and others can improve water quality by changing simple behaviors.The video submissions are in two categories:
* a 30 or 60 second video that is usable as a TV public service announcement
* a 1-3 minute instructional video
Many of the videos are on YouTube and you can also see the EPA Water Quality Video Contest – Winners and Honorable Mentions.
EPA sponsored another video competition, Our Planet, Our Stuff, Our Choice, to raise awareness of the connection between the environment and the “stuff” people use, consume, recycle, and throw away. They looked for videos that will inspire community involvement, spread information and lead to action. The contest ended on February 15. Thanks to the South Maui family who entered the contest with this video.
Fish Identification Program
Wednesday, March 24
1:00 PM
Maui Dreams Dive Co., 1993 S. Kihei Rd
The Reef Committee has partnered with Maui Dreams Dive Co. and Project Sea-Link to present a free novice fish identification program. The class will be followed by a snorkel fish survey at Ulua Beach, conditions permitting. Space is limited so please contact teri@southmauisustainability.org to confirm.
Quarterly Beach Cleanup
Saturday, March 13
8:00–10:00 AM
Kealia National Wildlife Refuge
We will meet at the new public parking lot, but please try to park your vehicle on the dirt area and leave the parking lot for the general public. Check-in with our cleanup coordinator, Katherine. We have a limited number of pickee-up-thingees for those who need to save their backs, so get there early!
