October 4, 2009
Old Warship sunk off Victoria's coast
There was a barely audible explosion, a puff of grey smoke and in about two minutes the decommissioned Australian naval warship HMAS Canberra sank beneath the waters off Victoria's coast. Read more here.
October 2, 2009
Calif. river restoration begins amid debate
FRESNO, Calif. — When Darrell Imperatrice was a boy, California's San Joaquin River teemed with so many King salmon his father could catch 40-pound fish using only a pitchfork. Then the salmon vanished from the icy river for nearly 60 years. Read more here.
August 31, 2009
Steve and Kristine Barsky Receive the E.R. Cross Award from the Historical Diving Society USA
In making the announcement the Board noted the Barskys' long association with the Society and their lengthy record of volunteer support. In addition to their volunteer work, Kristine was a former Recording Secretary for the Society and Steve was a two-term Director and also an editor. Read more here.
August 4, 2009
Dive Dry with Dr. Bill #347: Wreck Alley Part I:
"What sits on the ocean floor and twitches?" The answer? "A nervous wreck." I thought that would be a good way to start this week's column on my recent dive trip to San Diego's Wreck Alley. Read more here.
July 30, 2009
The Fight for the Bight Fishermen and Environmentalists Square Off Over Marine Reserves in Southern California
...it feels like a fist fight might break out. There, a divergent and impressively complete cross-section of people who care about the Santa Barbara Channel are gathered in a conference room... Read more here.
Statement from the Pew Environment Group on the Hilborn-Worm Study on Rebuilding Global Fisheries Published in Science
WASHINGTON (July 30, 2009) – Rebecca Goldburg, director of Marine Science at the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today in response to a paper published in the journal Science. Read more here.
July 22, 2009
Breakwater redesign could lead to new reef
LONG BEACH - A giant reef - possibly designed somewhat like an arrowhead - might be part of suggested offshore changes designed to protect the city's Peninsula area from sand erosion resulting from a redesign of the breakwater. Read more here.
July 14, 2009
Federal money coming for California's marine environment
Federal and state officials have say nearly $25 million will come to California and 17 coastal counties for environmental improvement projects. KPCC’s Molly Peterson says the funding, announced today in Dana Point, is intended to offset the effects of offshore oil and gas production. Read more here.
July 13, 2009
Invasive seaweed spreads to San Francisco Bay
SAN FRANCISCO - A fast-growing kelp from the Far East has spread along the California coast from Los Angeles to San Francisco Bay, worrying marine scientists and outpacing eradication efforts. Read more here.
The governor’s fishy business
The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) was established in California in 1999. The MLPA by law will create Marine Protected Areas (MPA) that in theory will protect breeding populations of bottom fish and other sea creatures. Read more here.
July 9, 2009
San Diego shipyard gets piece of STIM
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration today announced $17.1 million in grants to 14 small shipyards in 10 states. The grants are part of the Assistance to Small Shipyards program. Read more here.
June 30, 2009
Del Mar, Agua Hedionda Lagoon targeted for reserves
CARLSBAD ---- Just about every map of proposed marine protected areas on display at a meeting Monday night had the waters off Del Mar closed to fishing, and Jeff Squires wanted to know why. Read more here.
June 29, 2009
UNEP launches new online system to view world's MPAs
With the world's oceans facing unprecedented pressures from human impacts in the marine environment, a new decision-making tool is now launched to provide the most current and relevant information about marine and coastal biodiversity and its protection status. Read more here.
June 27, 2009
Artificial Reefs: Great for the Ecology and the Economy
Every so often an idea emerges that establishes support across a broad spectrum of environmentalists, scientists, elected officials, and ordinary citizens. The one we’re talking about today is the creation of artificial reefs. Read more here.
June 24, 2009
Artificial Reefs Gain Popularity
Sea life love them almost as much as divers do, and their popularity is growing exponentially. Read more here.
June 23, 2009
California: Harbinger of National Doom?
If you were given the perfect country, could you mess it up as bad as California? Read more here.
Partnership for Sustainable Oceans asks Governor to suspend MLPA designation process citing lack of funding and scientific data
The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans, the organization that represents recreational fishing and boating interests, has asked Governor Schwarzenegger to suspend the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) planning and implementation process citing a lack of financial and scientific resources to support the designation of marine protected areas (MPAs. Read more here.
Four old ferries sold for scrap
SEATTLE -- After a year of trying, Washington State Ferries finally has sold its four beloved Steel Electrics. Read more here.
June 17, 2009
Monterey Bay Aquarium supports sustainable seafood choices to preserve fish populations
How much seafood will be left after 2050? That question, debated by scientists for years, was raised again recently at Cooking for Solutions, the Monterey Bay Aquarium's annual event about sustainable seafood. Read more here.
June 15, 2009
The Marine Mammal Center's Newly Rebuilt Hospital and Educational Facility Opens for Public Visitors Beginning Today
Sausalito, Calif. (PRWEB) June 15, 2009 -- With its unprecedented makeover now complete, The Marine Mammal Center has officially opened for the public to view its marine mammal hospital, research labs, and education classrooms. Read more here.
June 2009
The Green Line of Defense -The Coast Guard Protects the Seas from Terrorists, Pirates...and Polluters
Since 1972, the Coast Guard has been responsible for a range of environmental prevention and response activities. Read more here.
June 11, 2009
EPA proposes $36-million cleanup of waters off Palos Verdes
The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed spending at least $36 million to clean up the world’s largest deposit of the banned pesticide DDT, located 200 feet underwater off the coast of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Read more here.
Sunken ship creates artificial reef of of N.C. coast
CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. – Divers in Carteret County spent the day Thursday creating an artificial reef off the coast that will help protect the area’s fish population and fuel the local economy. Read more here.
June 6, 2009
Saltwater fishermen balk at national registry
BOURNE, Mass. (AP) — People have tossed hooks and lines into the New England tides since long before there was a Cape Cod Canal for Eddie Pachucki to fish in. Read more here.
June 4, 2009
Agencies sued over Delta species
BAKERSFIELD - Several federal agencies have been sued by a group of south San Joaquin Valley landowners who allege the agencies have failed to protect threatened and endangered species in the Delta. Read more here.
Keys' newest artificial reef is an explorer's paradise
A 523-feet long, 10-stories high retired military ship is a new artificial reef south of Key West, and a boon for scuba divers and sea life. Read more here.
June 2, 2009
MLPA process gets more than a little bit fishy, pro-fishing groups claim
A reader shared an interesting observation this week regarding the controversial Marine Life Protection Act process, ...The reader wondered how California, which is so broke that it plans to cut all core funding for 279 state parks, can afford to continue with a process of establishing underwater parks that will require steady and significant funding for enforcement of rules and to evaluate their effectiveness. Read more here.
I Need Your Help to Protect California's Coastline
The California Department of Finance wants to "drill baby drill" off the Golden State’s coastline, and they’re willing to undermine 70+ years of checks and balances to do it. Read more here.
May 30, 2009
USS Vandenberg artificial reef opens for diving Saturday
KEY WEST - The Florida Keys' newest artificial reef -- the 523-foot Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg -- will open for divers, snorkelers and anglers Saturday morning, according to project organizers. Read more here.
May 27, 2009
USS Vandenberg Sunk Using Explosives to Form Artificial Reef Off Key West
KEY WEST, Fla. — A ship last used by the U.S. Air Force to track missiles and spacecraft became the world's second-largest intentionally sunk artificial reef Wednesday. Read more here.
May 25, 2009
National Geographic diver dies from the bends
A top diver has died while filming the wreck of the sister ship of the Titanic on an exploratory mission for National Geographic magazine Read more here.
May 22, 2009
"Vandenberg" to be sunk off Key West
KEY WEST — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other law enforcement agencies will escort the decommissioned military ship “Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg” on its final voyage, Tuesday, May 26, weather permitting. Read more here.
May 19, 2009
More than just hunks of steel
When they talk about the fleet at Patriots Point, veterans from different conflicts and different warships share one refrain: "They might seem like just pieces of metal to you ... Read more here.
May 18, 2009
Ship recycling accord gets international backing
Delegates from 64 countries are expected to sign an international pact to regulate the recycling of ships today, ending five years of negotiations. Read more here.
May 15, 2009
New Smyrna requests reef study
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- City officials are willing to test the waters, but want some swim buddies before they jump into the deep end of a proposal to put an artificial reef offshore. Read more here.
Artificial reef takes shape at Merimbula
'The artificial reef, measuring approximately 1600 square metres, will be located at Merimbula Lake, on the NSW South Coast Read more here.
May 14, 2009
New artificial reefs to be sunk this summer north of Fort Pierce Inlet
FORT PIERCE — Fishermen and divers can explore new artificial reefs this summer north of the Fort Pierce Inlet. Read more here.
May 13, 2009
Navarre Beach wants to be 'snorkelicious'
It's been more than 10 years in the making. Now the effort to build the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary is making progress. Read more here.
May 12, 2009
Aquatic life flourishing near artificial reefs in Lake Pontchartrain
NEW ORLEANS – Four miles off Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans, a barge is dumping 180 concrete structures into nearly 20 feet of water in Lake Pontchartrain. This $160,000 project is creating one of four artificial reefs. Read more here.
May 9, 2009
Ocean fish fewer, smaller
As environmentalists and fishermen spar over what proportion of coastal Southern California waters should be protected as a sort of ocean wilderness Read more here.
May 8, 2009
Conservation group to build reef off coast
FREEPORT — The Coastal Conservation Association of Texas plans to build artificial reefs south of the Freeport jetties, which officials say will benefit fish and anglers. Read more here.
May 3, 2009
Want your own artificial reef? Try eBay
In a move as creative and "outside-the-box" as it comes, the Martin County Artificial Reef Foundation — a 501c(3) organization — is hoping the cyberspace trading post will be an avenue to raise funds for the deployment of another artificial reef project this summer...eBay window shoppers will be able to place bids on having a reef named for their choosing. Read more here.
April 21, 2009
Vandenberg arrives in Keys
The Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg's 1,050-mile journey from Norfolk, Va. to Key West was expected to end late Monday or early today. The 522-foot ship that will become an artificial reef will remain just offshore until Wednesday morning, when a team of tug, tow and pilot boats are expected to guide the mammoth vessel into Key West Harbor. Read more here.
April 12, 2009
Vandenberg headed to new Florida home, will be a reef
NORFOLK, Va. -- After several delays, the Vandenberg ship has finally left for Key West, one of the last steps in a 13-year process to create the newest artificial reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Officials say the 1,100-mile voyage should take about eight days. The vessel departed on Sunday. Read more here.
April 8, 2009
Silt warnings around Scylla reef
"Divers are warning that the dumping of dredged material could spoil diving around an artificial reef off Cornwall...where the former Royal Navy frigate HMS Scylla has generated £25m since being sunk in Whitsand Bay five years ago. Read more here.
Ocean panel urges federal action to protect coasts, marine resources
"A blue-ribbon panel is urging Congress and the Obama administration today to toughen federal coastal protections in the face of rising climate threats and increased pressure from offshore energy producers. Read more here.
Commercial Fisherman Fighting for Less Restrictions
"We're the most regulated industry in the United States," says Moss Landing fisherman Ernest Pagan. The 32-year fishing veteran is supporting a group of protestors fighting the Marine Life Protection Act."We're the most regulated industry in the United States," says Moss Landing fisherman Ernest Pagan. The 32-year fishing veteran is supporting a group of protestors fighting the Marine Life Protection Act. Read more here.
Wave of abandoned boats expected in Ventura County
Boats are becoming another casualty of the sinking economy as more owners who can’t afford the cost of storage and upkeep are abandoning their boats, leaving local marinas with the expensive chore of having to sell or dispose of them. Read more here.
Nearshore reef zones a reality
The Army Corps of Engineers and Florida Department of Environmental Protection have approved permits for two new artificial reef zones just outside of Pensacola Pass. Read more here.
Iowans, donate proudly to refurbish USS Iowa
Word is the old USS Iowa is looking a bit rugged these days. The wooden decks are popping and the hull is showing a little rust. That's on the outside. The inside is tight and dry. ... the Iowa, which was decommissioned nearly 20 years ago and has been condemned to the torch and rescued more than a few times, is ready for its resurrection. Read more here.
March 31, 2009
U.S. WWII shipwreck found off Australia
The wreck of the first American ship sunk during World War II has been located off Australia's southern coast, ocean researchers said on Wednesday. Read more here.
March 30, 2009
Artificial Kelp Reef Monitoring Project Job
We are looking for a few experienced divers to join the SONGS artificial kelp reef mitigation monitoring team in Carlsbad, California. Read more here.
March 26, 2009
The wreck that made £30 million
Leaders believe Europe's first artificial diving reef off Whitsand Bay has generated up to £30million in its first five years. Read more here.
March 25, 2009
Van Zant: Not many hooked on the Marine Life Protection Act
I'm sure that most of you dedicated anglers know about the Marine Life Protection Act. ... The United Anglers of Southern California simply said "No", which proved to be unsuccessful because a conservation proposal is a demand by the act. Read more here.
March 24, 2009
Saltwater Park may be closed
Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Kent) is reporting to her constituents that both Saltwater State Park in Des Moines and Dash Point State Park in Federal Way are on the state parks closure list because of the state budget shortfall. Read more here.
March 23, 2009
Save The Planet and Work on Your Tan At The Same Time
The Earthwatch Institute is just one organization supporting scientific field research by bringing together scientists, teachers, students, and everyday citizens to create research teams around the world. These teams actively contribute to protecting the environment by gathering much needed data about our ever-changing world. Read more here.
March 22, 2009
RM17.5 Mln Allocation To Build More Artificial Reefs
The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry has allocated RM17.5 million this year to have more artificial reefs built to increase the fish-breeding grounds in the country's waters, Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said here today. Read more here.
March 20, 2009
Southern California marine reserve plan spawns debate
A landmark effort to transform Southern California's coastal waters into a network of havens for marine life has sparked a fierce debate over where to locate no-fishing zones that ecologists believe are needed to replenish the surrounding seas. Read more here.
CSPA Action Alert: Legislation to Eradicate Striped Bass Introduced
Assemblywoman Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield), at the behest of San Joaquin Valley agribusiness, has introduced legislation to eradicate striped bass in order to divert attention from the catastrophic impacts of water exports from the California Delta on delta smelt, longfin smelt, Central Valley chinook salmon,... Read more here.
March 19, 2009
New artificial reef for divers
Scuba divers have a new artificial diving reef to explore at Saltwater State Park near Des Moines. Read more here.
March 18, 2009
Editorial: Mothball Fleet must be removed from Suisun Bay
WE TAKE LITTLE solace in the findings of a yearlong federal study that contaminated sentiment under rotting government ships anchored in Suisun Bay is no worse than elsewhere in local waters Read more here.
March 16, 2009
State gives Fraser Shipyards in Superior $3.7 million dollar grant
With help from state and federal money, up to 100 construction jobs could be created over the next three years at Superior’s Fraser Shipyards. Rich Kremer reports. Read more here.
March 14, 2009
Mothball Fleet's Flaking Paint Poisons and Pollutes San Francisco Bay
There's a reason why most ocean-going vessels need regular paint jobs and maintenance. Old paint, exposed to weather, can peel or chip off. The toxic material in many vessels' paints can poison local waterways and ecosystems. Read more here.
March 13, 2009
Ban on commercial fishing of chinook extended
The grim reality of a devastated salmon fishery hit home Thursday when the Pacific Fishery Management Council agreed to another ban on commercial fishing of chinook in California and Oregon. Read more here.
Mothball area no more toxic than other bay waters
A year-long federal study recommends no specific cleanup actions for Suisun Bay's rotting fleet of warships. Read more here.
March 12, 2009
Artificial reef for Algorrobo and Vélez-Málaga
Work is underway off the coasts of Algorrobo and Vélez-Málaga to install an artificial reef. Read more here.
Deerfield Beach reef to lure tourists and fish
When U.S. Customs confiscated Miss Lourdies and anchored it on the Miami River, it was because the ship had 150 kilos of cocaine concealed inside a steel compartment. The way it was pitched at a District 1 meeting last month, however, the vessel would be reborn as an artificial reef and this area's own economic stimulus package. Read more here.
March 8, 2009
ALP delivers Bay counterpunch
State Premier, Anna Bligh, ... said money from boating licence and registration fees would help fund three new artificial reefs in Moreton Bay Marine Park as well as 24 pontoons and floating walkways for anglers throughout the State. Read more here.
March 6, 2009
SF port industry poised for a comeback
The question: Should some parts of the Southern California coast, including Orange County’s, be declared off limits to sportfishing to protect marine habitat and wildlife? Read more here.
March 5, 2009
India starts hydrographic study in Mauritius
The INS Nirdesshak, an Indian Scientific ship, is expected to dock in Mauritius on Tuesday to carry out a hydrographic study around the Island and create a nautical passage for ships to this part of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius official sources told PANA here. Read more here.
Marad readies port grant criteria
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides the Secretary of Transportation with $1.5 billion in discretionary funds for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure. Read more here.
Surf reef 'completed by August'
Dorset's much-delayed artificial surf reef should be finished by August, the developer has said. Read more here.
Salmon Shortage Squeezes California as Second Fishing Ban Looms
Duncan MacLean is worried about losing the work he has done for 35 years, as the salmon population declines so precipitously that fishing off the California coast may be banned for the second year in a row. Read more here.
March 4, 2009
No-fishing zones off OC? A first look at rough maps
A new study reveals that the Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper stock may be at a higher level of abundance than estimated. Their work suggests that a significant portion of the fish population remains unaccounted..., explaining that red snapper are actually thriving due to the marked habitat improvements seen through highly successful artificial reef programs and more than 5,000 oil rigs. Read more here.
C’mon RFA. Get off your “More Dead Fish for Me” Mantra. The red snapper stock is a train wreck