Study shows steep drop in Pacific bluefin tuna

(Mainichi Japan) May 11, 2010 TOKYO (Kyodo) — The population of large-sized Pacific bluefin tuna with reproductive capacity is shrinking at an alarming rate, in a sign they may face a crisis similar to the one their Atlantic peers are facing, according to a recent study by Japanese researchers. The results indicate the need to […]

New vision required to stave off dramatic biodiversity loss, says UN report

Nairobi, 10 May 2010 – Natural systems that support economies, lives and livelihoods across the planet are at risk of rapid degradation and collapse unless there is swift, radical and creative action to conserve and sustainably use the variety of life on Earth. This is one principal conclusion of a major new assessment of the […]

EU orders Finland to protect critically endangered seals

By John Platt Finland’s Lake Saimaa is home to one of the world’s rarest seals, the Saimaa ringed seal (Pusa hispida saimensis). Just 260 or so of these critically endangered animals remain in the freshwater lake, and now the European Union has told Finland that the country is not doing enough to protect the species. […]

Third of plants and animals ‘at risk of extinction’

  By Matthew MoorePublished: 1:25PM BST 09 May 2010 The world’s biodiversity is threatened by the economic growth of countries like China, India and Brazil, the study will say. While Western countries are increasingly aware of the need to protect endangered species, the developing world’s appetite for raw materials is destroying vulnerable ecosystems, the report’s […]

‘Profound’ decline in fish stocks shown in UK records

By Richard Black, Environment correspondent, BBC NewsPage last updated at 15:13 GMT, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 16:13 UK Over-fishing means UK trawlers have to work 17 times as hard for the same fish catch as 120 years ago, a study shows. Researchers used port records dating from the late 1800s, when mechanised boats were replacing […]

Israel aims to reverse Sea of Galilee fish decline

Writing by Jeffrey Heller, Editing by Mark TrevelyanSun Apr 18, 2010 8:29am EDT JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel hopes to fill the Sea of Galilee with a great multitude of fishes. Responding to a decline in the number of fish in the Biblical lake — where the Gospels say Jesus miraculously produced huge catches for his […]

Dams and drought portend grim future for Mekong Delta – River level lowest in 50 years

Upstream and lower dams could render the Mekong Delta unviable, and China’s intransigence in building them and refusing to share information about their operations will negatively impact the lives of more than 60 million people. “China has plans to construct up to eight dams in total, some sources say the number could rise to fourteen. […]

Fishermen left high and dry fear for Mekong River’s future

By Staff WritersVientiane (AFP) April 4, 2010 Fisherman Phimmalang Sengphet paddles his boat to the sandy banks of the Mekong River in Laos and inspects his meagre haul. “We can’t even catch enough to feed ourselves,” he says wearily. The 38-year-old was able to net more than 10 kilos (22 pounds) of fish a day […]

Marine turtles die in nets ‘in millions’

By Richard BlackEnvironment correspondent, BBC News Millions of marine turtles have been killed over the past two decades through entrapment in fishing gear, according to a global survey. Described as the first global synthesis of existing data, the study found especially high rates of “bycatch” in the Mediterranean and eastern Pacific. Six of the seven […]

Norway raises hunting quota to 1,286 whales

The government of Norway announced on April 1st, perhaps hoping the unseemly news would be lost amid the fictitious headlines of the day, that the country’s whale hunting quota would be raised to the highest level in 25 years: 1286 whales can be killed this season. The announcement has some animal protection groups scratching their […]

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