Consult the archives of other years.1998 and 1999 Archives
7 December 1999 Cetacean sanctuary in the heart of the MediterraneanOn November 20, 1999, the Ministers of the environment of both France and Italy and the plenipotentiary Minister of the Principality of Monaco signed the final agreement for the creation of a sanctuary covering approximately 100 000 km2 between Toulon (French Riviera), Capo Falcone ( West Sardinia), Capo Ferro (East Sardinia) and Fosso Chiarone (Tuscany). With the signing of this agreement the three countries have committed themselves to banning whaling, fighting pollution and controlling competitive aquatic sports and whale-watching activities in the Mediterranean Sea. Fishing and shipping within the limits of the sanctuary will also be restricted. The Italian Research Institute Tethys proposed the creation of this sanctuary ten years ago based on the natural wealth of this portion of the Mediterranean and on its importance for a population of fin whales. [Tethys, New Zealand Press] I want to know more Italian research group Tethys. October 4 1999 Dolphin on the verge of extinction in New ZealandThe Green Party alerted the Parliament of New Zealand today: The North Island Hector¼s dolphin population could become extinct within a few generations. This dolphin is endemic of New Zealand and it is the world¼s rarest marine dolphin, its North Island population could consist of not more than 120 individuals. According to a recent scientific study at Auckland University, this population is apparently genetically isolated from the South Island populations of approximately 4000 individuals. Commercial fishing, especially gillnetting, would be the principal reason for this population¼s decline. The Green Party asks that a sanctuary be created on the west coast of the North Island, between Kawhia and the Kaipara Harbour, to control commercial fishing. It also denounces the little financial assistance available for research on this population on the verge of extinction. [New Zealand Press Association] September 23 1999 Keiko, a year laterThis week, the people responsible for the operation Free Willy¾ celebrated the first anniversary of Keiko¼s arrival in Iceland, the famous killer whale of the Free Willy movies. The killer whale is kept in a floating bay pen southeast of Reykjavik. This operation, which costs close to two million dollars U.S. each year, is probably destined to fail. As a matter of fact, Keiko still cannot fend for itself and seems uninterested in leaving its pen or in swimming alone in the deeper waters. The organizers have asked the authorities if they could delineate a greater area around the pen so that the animal could be escorted on longer trips.¾ They plan on setting Keiko free during the summer of 2000, although some experts, such as Gisli Vikingsson, biologist of Iceland¼s Marine Research Institute, feel that, in its natural habitat and without human intervention, Keiko¼s chances of survival are rather slim. [AFP, Reuters] To follow Keiko¼s journey to freedom, go to: http://www.keiko.org/. September 16 1999 Russia ends commercial hunt of beluga whalesJust ten days after announcing the signing of an agreement with Japan for the commercial trade of beluga whale meat, the Russian government has resolved to end the commercial and domestic hunt of beluga whales. The resolution was approved following a high-level Russian cabinet meeting where different departmental heads, the Chair of the Russian authorities for CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), the Russian Commissioner of the International Whaling Commission, and Russian marine mammal scientists were among the participants. They agreed that this type of hunt was not sustainable and that it would have a negative impact on Russia¼s reputation. [IFAW, Cetacean Society International] For more information on whaling. September 3 1999 International trade in whale meat rekindled?Japan and Russia have signed an agreement on the commercial trade of 200 metric tons of beluga meat and blubber. The IFAW, an international group for the protection of animal welfare, is denouncing this agreement, which was signed the 3rd of September. The agreement is conditional on the issuance of a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) permit. If the permit were issued, CITES officials would require that a quota of no more than 200 beluga whales be set and that DNA analysis of the meat be performed prior to shipment to Japan to ensure that it is beluga whale meat. Scientific researchers and Russian environmentalists are opposed to this trade. They are concerned about the impact it will have on the beluga populations that are targeted by this commercial trade and about the methods used to hunt them. The IFAW views this agreement as a dangerous step forward for Japan's commercial whale trade.¾ [IFAW] August 18 1999 Dolphins and tuna fishing: Environmental groups have filed a suit against the U.S. government.August 18 1999, a coalition of 10 U.S. environmental groups has filed a complaint against the U.S. government¼s recent changes to the meaning of the "dolphin safe" label affixed to tuna cans. Initially, this label indicated that tuna fishing had occurred without encircling dolphins, while the new definition, which will soon become law in the U.S., would allow fishing in the presence of dolphins, provided that no serious injuries or deaths to these cetaceans is observed during the process. The groups that are opposed to the new law feel that it represents a step backward in the protection of dolphins of the Pacific. Other environmental groups see the change, however, as part of an international protection plan for dolphins and other marine species, and they support the U.S. government. The new law follows an international convention where eight tuna-fishing countries have legally committed themselves to minimize dolphin mortality. [Environment News Service, CRS on MARMAM, NMFS] Orca radio"Orca radio" went on the air in July 1998. This radio station broadcasts sounds from hydrophones situated in the Robson Bight Reserve north-east of Vancouver Island. The signal is received at a land-based station less than 15 km away. The sounds are then transmitted live to the Vancouver Aquarium. This initiative will enable scientists to better understand the vocal behaviour of killer whales and to study their activity within the reserve. Visitors to the reserve and to the Vancouver Aquarium will be made aware of the importance of sound in the lives of killer whales and of measures that are essential for their protection. Orca Radio is now broadcasting on the Internet! 1998 International Year of the OceansThe United Nations proclaimed 1998 "International Year of the Oceans." Among other activities My Ocean Charter was circulated around the world to collect signatures of people young and old willing to commit themselves to protecting the oceans. Did you sign? December 1998 An underwater canyon protected"The Gully" off Nova Scotia has been selected for a pilot project as a Marine Protected Area. Canada has hereby committed itself to protecting the marine resources of this habitat, which is the largest underwater canyon in eastern Canada. It is an important habitat for a number of species including a fragile population of bottlenose whales. |