Nov 15 2006

Oct 31 2006

Oct 15 2006

Jul 31 2006

Jul 14 2006

Jun 30 2006

Jun 16 2006

Jun 02 2006

May 12 2006

Apr 28 2006

Mar 15 2006

Mar 01 2006

Feb 10 2006

Jan 27 2006

Jan 09 2006

China Daily,  31 January 2006

Chinese authorities say that they will maintain their fishing ban along the Yangtze river in 2006  in order to protect fish species at risk.  Specifically, fishing is banned on the upper reaches of the River from Yannan to Hubei until 30 April, with the ban extended until the end of June in the lower waters and within two lakes, the Poyang, and Dongting.  Any fishing for scientific purposes must first be approved by the government which will issue licenses on a case-by-case basis.  

Piracy: "Piracy declines worldwide except off Somalia, Iraq"  & "U.S. navy hands over suspected Somali pirates to Kenya"

Globe and Mail,  31 January 2006  &  People's Daily,  31 January 2006

The International Maritime Bureau reports that piracy attacks during 2005 decreased throughout the world with the exception of waters near Iraq and Somalia. The total number of reported attacks registered 329, the lowest total since 1999, however, Indonesia remained the location most affected by piracy with 79 attacks last year. Meanwhile, the US Navy reports that it handed a group of Somali pirates captured in late January over to Kenyan authorities.

Russia:  "Russian navy plans to build 20 frigates over next 15-20 years"  &  "Russian navy chief wants aircraft carriers"

RIA Novosti,  01 February 2006  &  Globe and Mail,  01 February 2006

Russian Naval Chief Admiral Masorin stated this week that the force plans to build 20 new frigates over the course of the next 15 to 20 years. The Admiral hopes to add at least five new ships to each of the four Russian fleets: the Black Sea, Baltic, Pacific and North Atlantic. Admiral Masorin went on to say that the frigate will be the main class of ship for the Navy in the decades to come. Admiral Masorin was also quoted this week by Russian media saying that the country needs to one or two more aircraft carriers. The Admiral suggested that funding for the projects could be found from increased oil profits.  

Canada:  "CN, Pacific Salmon Foundation to restore river"

Globe and Mail,  08 February 2006

Canadian National Rail has agreed to pay CDN$ 1.25 million to help with clean-up efforts in the Cheakamus River.  The company agreed to pay the sum after one of its trains derailed and dumped toxic chemicals into the river last year.   Environmentalists remain critical of the CN funding pledge, noting that a Pacific Salmon Foundation document released earlier this week estimated that it will take 50 years for fish species in the river to recover.  Under the agreement, CN will pay $250,000 per year over the next five years.  

United States: "U.S. Navy plans to add 32 warships"

People's Daily,  08 February 2006

The proposed Bush Administration budget submitted to Congress on last Monday calls for a navy fleet expansion of 32 ships bringing the fleet to 313 in the next decade.  In order to meet the target, US Navy experts believe that the shipbuilding budget will have to increase to USD$ 13.5 billion by 2008 from its current level of USD$ 9.5 billion.

Coral Reefs: "Japanese experts develop breakthrough method to help restore precious coral reefs"

Channel News Asia,  09 February 2006

Japanese scientists are working on a new method to protect and potentially restore the world's coral reefs which are increasingly suffering at the hands of development, rising ocean temperatures, chemical run-off and increased maritime traffic.  Under the plan, scientists are attempting to attract coral eggs to ceramic plates which will be used to grow the coral over a three year period.  After such time, scientists hope to transfer the plates to areas where corals need to be replaced.  

Great Lakes: "Great Lakes pollution rising despite cleanups, study says"

Globe and Mail,  09 February 2006

Research groups in Canada report that pollution levels in the Great Lakes continue to increase despite the efforts of Canada and the US to stem them.  During the period between 1998 and 2002, dangerous pollutants in the lakes increased by 21 percent.   Researchers believe that companies discharging pollutants are injecting lower percentages of chemicals into the water bodies, but because of increased production, there are still greater total volumes being expelled.  The largest five polluters according to the report are:  

1.U.S. Steel Corp., Gary, Ind.

2.Anheuser-Busch Inc., Baldwinsville, N.Y.

3.Imperial Oil, Sarnia, Ont.

4.Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y.

5.Parmalat Canada, Winchester, Ont.

Canada: "Ottawa injects federal funds to boost sagging cod fishery"

Halifax Herald,  09 February 2006

The Canadian Navy is facing a number of ship repairs before it can participate in a set of exercises scheduled for later this month.  The supply ship HMCS Preserver and the submarine HMCS Windsor both experienced routine mechanical failures this week; Preserver sprang leaks in both boilers and Windsor was forced to return to port because of a leaky air valve.  Naval funding advocates note that the problems faced by Preserver which have allowed the ship to go to sea for only 17 days since completing a CDN$ 40 million refit last summer, are demonstrative of the Navy's need for new supply ships.  Naval officials expect both platforms to be fixed in time to participate in the 20 February exercises.  

Canada: "Staying on the shore"

Vancouver Sun,  09 February 2006

The Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters warned this week that Canada's fishing industry may face a labour crisis in the coming decades as about 50 percent of the industry's current fishermen are set to retire within 10 years.  The group noted that since 1985 there have been very few new fishermen entering the trade, noting that increased licensing fees and low wages have sent many would-be fishermen to urban areas where they can get high paying jobs.  

British Columbia:"Port can now make plans for the long-term:"

Vancouver Sun,  09 February 2006

The sale of Ridley Terminals, a Canadian Crown Corporation, to an Ontario company has been cancelled by the new Conservative government because of concerns that the company, Northwest Bulk Terminals, who had been working with the federal government for two years on the privatization project, may not allow unfettered access to the property once it purchases it.  Workers at the terminal have praised the speed with which the federal government has moved to end the impasse that prevented the terminal from proceeding with long-term contracts.  However, others note that the former Liberal government reported that Ridley was costing tax payers some CDN$ 500,000 a month to subsidize the facility.  Originally the port was built to ship northern BC coal to Asia, as it is the closest North American port to the continent.  However, the closure of two major coal producing facilities in the area has left the terminal with reduced business opportunities.  But, with the recent increases in the cost of coal thanks to increased Asian demand, many expect that the port could resume profitable operations so long as China, a major consumer of coal, does not make too hasty a switch to nuclear power; currently some 70 percent of electricity in China is generated by coal-fired burners. 

Russia: "Russian Navy plans to order 40 corvettes"

Itar-Tass,  09 February 2006

The Russian Navy continued this week to focus on future ship acquisition plans.  According to officials from a Russian shipyard, the Navy plans to add 40 corvettes, ten for each fleet, and hopes to have the first platform ready for testing by May.  If tests are successful, the ships could be operational by 2007.  It is expected that the first two vessels will be deployed to the Northern and Baltic fleets.  Once inducted, the ships will be used for littoral defence and anti-submarine operations.  Each vessel is described as displacing 3,000 tons and is capable of speeds near 35 knots.  

Yemen/ United States:   "US Navy Helps Search Yemen Coast for Prison Escapees"

Voice of America,  09 February 2006

US Naval assets are patrolling waters around Yemen following the escape of 23 Islamist prisoners, including one of the planners of the US Cole attack, from the country earlier this week.  Media reports gave no indication of the number of ships involved in the blockade.  

South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation: "International Fisheries Meeting"

New Zealand News Wire,  11 February 2006

Delegates from 20 countries will gather next week in New Zealand for an international fisheries management conference.  On the agenda will be how to manage fisheries in international waters from Perth to Chile.  The meeting will begin on 14 February.