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Fisheries:
"Scientists May Have Found New Fish Species" Associated Press, 15 February 2006 Scientists report that they have discovered a new fish species and perhaps 20 new seaweeds during an expedition to coral areas off the Dutch island of Saba. Locals hope that the discovery will generate support for plans to divert oil tankers from area. United States: "US to hold mammoth naval exercise in Pacific" China Daily, 15 February 2006 The US announced plans to hold three major naval exercises in the Pacific this year. One of the which, the biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise, will include naval assets from eight countries including Australia, Chile, Japan, South Korea, Peru, Canada, and the US. The other two exercises will be confined to the US navy. For the events, the US is expected to have four different carrier strike groups in the Pacific for the first time in more than 10 years. Ports: "Port expansion plans falling a year behind: Seattle offers growing competition" Vancouver Sun, 16 February 2006 Vancouver Port authorities announced in February that port expansion
plans are about a year behind schedule. Current plans forecast the opening of a new
terminal in fall 2008 which would increase the port's container capacity by 10 percent.
Delays in the consultation process have been blamed. Vancouver Sun, 16 February 2006 Cruise BC announced in February that the province attracted a record
number of cruise ships in 2005 despite a decline in Vancouver. According to the
Association, Vancouver lost business to Seattle, however, many of the ships departing from
Seattle made stops at other BC ports including Victoria and Prince Rupert resulting in
huge growth in both ports. Vancouver is expecting about a two percent decline in
cruise ship passengers this year. Fraser River officials say that some 2 million sockeye salmon were counted by sonar near the river's mouth but failed to arrive at their traditional spawning grounds. The number marks an increase from 2004 when 1.3 million salmon disappeared. Observers hope that the findings will lead the new Conservative government to fulfill its campaign promise to conduct an investigation into the missing fish. Canada: "Cdn warships prepare for training exercises" Canada.com, 20 February 2006 Five Canadian naval vessels left for a three-week training exercise with the US Navy. HMCS Montreal, HMCS Ville de Quebec, Summerside, Moncton and Preserver along with the submarine HMCS Windsor departed earlier this week for the exercise which will take place along the east coast of North America. Salmon: "Declining salmon stocks raise alarm" Globe and Mail, 21 February 2006 The Sierra Club of Canada released a report claiming that salmon stocks along the northern and central BC coast are in serious decline. The report notes that return rates were far lower along the Fraser River than initially targeted and that some 300,000 fish "vanished" while moving upstream to spawning grounds. The group further warns that 75 percent of sockeye populations are in decline or are depressed. Canada: "HMCS Vancouver launches Harpoon missiles and sinks ex U.S. destroyer" The Lookout, 22 February 2006 The Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver test-fired a Harpoon missile during an exercise at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii. During the test, Vancouver successfully fired the missile from over the horizon and sank the decommissioned US destroyer USS O'Brien. A US P3C aircraft also successfully test fired a missile during the exercise. Canada: "Sonar and whales, the navy’s way ahead" The Lookout, 22 February 2006 The Department of National Defence has introduced new policies to protect marine mammals. Under the Maritime Command Order issued in January all platforms using sonar must now identify " a mitigation avoidance zone" and use warning pings to clear any marine mammals before activating active sonar. A different mitigation zone has been identified for each sonar device. South Korea/ Australia: " South Korea considers export of warship technology to Australia" Korea Herald, 22 February 2006 South Korea reportedly received a request from Australia for technology and parts from Korea's KDX-III destroyer programme. According to reports, the KDX is closer to what the Australians are looking for than the US Arleigh Burke and the Japanese Congo AEGIS-equipped vessels. If the South accepts the proposal, negations could begin later this year. Talks will also be held on South Korean self-propelled artillery. Vancouver Sun, 22 February 2006 Federal Fisheries officials carried out the largest illegal abalone
bust in BC history in February. Officers spent several nights conducting
surveillance at Port Edward after receiving a tip about a suspect vessel in the area.
Three people were arrested and 1,130 kgs of abalone seized along with a truck
intended for transport. Officials estimate that there were as many as 11,000 of the
mollusks in the catch, many of which were still alive and have been returned to the ocean.
Officials are now monitoring their progress. British Columbia: "Kamloops, Ashcroft look at becoming inland ports: Proposed facility would handle containers" Vancouver Sun, 23 February 2006 Kamloops and Ashcroft are both conducting feasibility studies to
determine whether either location could serve as a BC inland port; BC officials have
commented that an inland port may be necessary to cope with increased container traffic.
Kamloops is conducting the survey in conjunction with Thompson Rivers
University and hopes that its location along two rivers, two rail lines and three highways
will make it the most logically efficient option. However, Ashcroft has been working
on its study for more than a year and has already dedicated a site for the port if it were
to go ahead. Halifax Herald, 23 February 2006 Nine Cape Breton fishermen were charged with illegally harvesting sea pelts in February. The men hunted grey seals in a protected area and will face charges under the Wildlife Act, the Wilderness Area Protection Act, and the Environment Act. Illegal Fishing:
"Three face charges after massive haul of abalone seized: Heavily laden truck
apprehended by federal officials" Halifax Herald, 27 February 2006 A Department of Fisheries audit found that the department misspent
over USD$ 160 million on providing Mi'kmaq fishermen with boats, gear and licenses
in 2000 and 2001. According to the audit, local boat brokers and fishermen made
overnight profits as DFO personnel failed to follow federal spending guidelines and rules
that require strict documentation and procedures. The spending irregularities came
during a tense standoff between native and non-native fishermen during which time shots
were fired and property damaged. Vancouver Sun, 27 February 2006 Vancouver Sun, 27 February 2006 Salmon fry from the Chilliwack River will be used to restock the Cheakamus River which was affected by a chemical spill last year. Some 330,000 fry will be released in support of the programme. The report gave no indication of whether funds from CN, who was responsible for the spill, will be used in support of the project. |
