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Jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) invasion has wiped out Northern Ireland’s only salmon farm, killing more than 100,000 fish.

Billions of small jellyfish, known as Mauve Stingers (Pelagia noctiluca) , flooded into the cages about a mile into the Irish Sea, off Glenarm Bay and Cushendun.

The jellyfish covered an area of up to 10 square miles and a depth of 35 feet. Rescuers tried to reach the cages but the density of fish made it impossible.

It is rare that these species of jellyfish are in coastal waters this far north, but it is common to see blooms of different species of animals and algae in seas, in the natural environment the Salmon would have swam under the swarm to escape.

It would be difficult for the fish farmers have stopped the invasion I guess if given enough time they may have been able to surround the cages with a finer net to stop the jelly fish.

>It has been leaked that the UK Government is thinking to water down the proposal of having marine parks with no take zones to focusing on banning the catching of specific species. This doesn’t make sence as fishing techniques such as trawling produces alot of bycatch and leaves the sea bed looking like a ploughed field, for example juvenile Dublin Bay Prawns or Nephrops norvegicus are blinded when brought to the surface.

The only sensible way forward is to have “designated no take zones” where populations of shellfish and fish are allowed to breed and develop naturally. We should monitor these areas and we could even use a rotation system and put areas of the seabed to fallow, which I belive has worked well when used for fisheries around the world.

>Scotlands Hidden Gems

SNH – November biodiversity topic: “SNH is raising awareness of the contribution that marine biodiversity makes to the economy and environment of Scotland.

The marine biodiversity around Scotland remains a well-kept secret. More than 8,500 species of animals and plants live in Scotland’s seas. Raising awareness of their amazing diversity of form and colour is key to their protection. We depend on the sea for food, transport, energy, and recreation and enjoyment, yet most of us are unaware of the damage we have wrought through mismanagement, malpractice and ignorance. This ‘out of sight, out of mind’ attitude is no longer acceptable, and everyone must seek ways of working together to ensure that all marine activities take their impact on biodiversity into account.

Scotland’s marine environment

Scotland’s seas are one of our greatest biodiversity assets; positioned between subpolar and subtropical influences they support a fascinating and varied assemblage of marine habitats and species. The 16,500km of coastline (approximately 9% of entire coastline of Europe) is extremely diverse with a highly indented fjordic and fjardic landscape to the west, characterised by exposed islands, high sea cliffs and rocky skerries, and the North Sea coast to the east, which is predominantly low lying with sedimentary shores and only intermittent stretches of cliff. The outer isles form three major archipelagos of Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.

Scotland’s seas are home to the world’s most northerly population of bottlenose dolphins, 21 other species of the world’s 82 whales and dolphins and a third of the global population of grey seals.

Beneath the waves some of the finest marine habitats in Europe can be”

>”Disappointing News – as there is a better commercial argument for Whale Watching rather than hunting them.”

Iceland Will Resume Commercial Whaling: “Iceland Will Resume Commercial Whaling

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, October 17, 2006 (ENS) – Iceland announced on Tuesday it will resume commercial whale hunts for the first time in two decades. The decision defies a global ban on commercial whaling and has outraged conservationists who contend there is no need for the country to allow whale hunts.

‘Commercial whaling is an out-dated and unnecessary industry that should have ended a century ago with the use of whale oil lamps,’ said Joth Singh of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. ‘The government of Iceland should be supporting its nation’s thriving and growing whale watching industry rather than sinking money and its political reputation into promoting the hunting of whales.’

Icelandic officials argue that its decision to resume ‘sustainable whaling’ is based on science and reflects the island nation’s long history of utilizing its marine resources.

whale
Iceland has killed more than 160 minke whales since 2003 for research purposes. (Photo courtesy Greenpeace)

The policy will allow Icelandic ships to kill 30 minke whales and nine fin whales annually. The fin whale is listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union, but Icelandic officials dispute the notion that the species is in peril.

They say there are more than 25,000 fin whales in its coastal waters and more than 43,000 minke whales.

‘The taking of threatened or endangered whales is certainly not justified and is strongly opposed by Iceland,’ according to a statement by the Icelandic Fisheries Ministry. ‘On the other hand, sustainable takes of animals from abundant populations are consistent with the principle of sustainable development.’

whale
Critics of whale hunting argue people would much rather watch whales than eat them. (Photo courtesy IFAW)

Norway is the only other country that sanctions commercial whale hunts – this year it issued permits allowing whalers to kill 1,052 mi”

>University of York Press Release: “Costs of a worldwide system of marine parks

A global network of marine parks would cost US$12 to 14 billion per year to run says a study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, co-authored by Professor Callum Roberts from the University of York’s Environment Department.

The global oceans today are in their worst state in the history of humanity. Fisheries are in steep decline, rates of habitat loss now equal or exceed that of the rainforests, and fish stocks have fallen to 10 per cent or less of their numbers at the onset of commercial fishing. At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, coastal nations pledged to turn the tide on this decline by creating national networks of marine parks by 2012. But until now, it has been unclear how much it will cost countries to deliver on their promises.

To restore marine ecosystems and rebuild fish stocks, the World Parks Congress in Durban in 2003 recommended that at least 20 to 30 per cent of every marine habitat should be protected from all fishing. ‘Meeting this commitment to marine protection will require international effort on an unprecedented scale,’ said Andrew Balmford, lead author of the study, ‘Just half a percent of the sea lies within marine parks today, compared to 12 per cent of the land.’

Balmford and colleagues surveyed the running costs of 83 well-managed marine parks worldwide. Annual spending varied enormously, from a few 10s of US dollars to US$28 million per square kilometre per year. ‘Costs were higher for parks that were smaller, closer to coasts, and in high-cost, developed countries,’ said Pippa Gravestock, co-author of the study. ‘However, parks surveyed said their present income only accounted for half the amount needed to achieve ideal management standards.’

Taking into account the present income shortfall, the study estimated the running costs of a global system of marine parks that would protect 20 to 30 per”

>Coastal and Marine National Park: “Coastal and Marine National Park

11/10/2006

A special roadshow gets underway today to mark the start of a consultation into proposals for Scotland’s first Coastal and Marine National Park.

A high-tech touring truck will offer people the opportunity to learn more about the proposals and have their say on the location and management of any future park.

Short films on all ten candidate areas:

* Argyll
* Firth of Clyde
* Lochaber
* Moray
* Orkney
* North Uist
* South Uist
* Shetland
* Solway
* Wester Ross

It was at Troon in Ayrshire today before setting off to visit a number of coastal communities over the next four weeks.

The candidate areas for the park are, Solway, Argyll Islands and Coast, Ardnamurchan, Small Isles and the South Skye Coast, North Skye Coast and Wester Ross, North Uist, Sound of Harris, Harris and South Lewis

At Troon today, Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said:

‘There is a huge amount of interest, activity and diversity on our coasts and sea. It is crucial that coastal and marine-based activity is managed in a sustainable manner which integrates socio-economic and environmental factors for the long-term benefit of our people and natural heritage.

‘I can give an assurance that we will be listening to all views and will take all of them into account before any decision about the designation of a park is made.’

Deputy Environment Minister Rhona Brankin said:

‘We are committed to protecting Scotland’s marine resources for the benefit of those who live and work in or visit our spectacular shoreline.

‘That is why I want to encourage everyone with an interest in our coasts, from fishermen to sports enthusiasts and environmentalists to use this opportunity to have their say.’

A coastal and marine park would have the same broad purpose as terrestrial national parks.

* conserve and enhance the natura”

>”First Experience of diving – most people are the same”

delawareonline ¦ The News Journal ¦ Getting the scoop on scuba diving trends: “I never will forget those first moments as I sank below the surface of the water and tried to breathe.

Rapid, deep, nearly desperate snatches at air. I couldn’t get it fast enough. A classic sign of panic?

Saddled with 40 or so extra pounds and my arms and legs constricted in neoprene, I was sinking deeper and beginning to feel the squeeze building in my ears.

And this was just a 13-foot-deep pool. I remember thinking: ‘What have I gotten myself into?’

Diving has come a long way since French explorer Jacques Cousteau and his countryman Emile Gagnan, an engineer, pioneered scuba — it stands for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus — systems in the 1940s.

Today, there are more than 8.5 million certified scuba divers in the United States.

Because of the sport’s broadening appeal, the ‘typical’ scuba diver is disappearing, said Doug McNeese, executive director of Scuba Schools International (SSI), based in Fort Collins, Colo., one of the country’s four principal diving schools.

It used to be a domain for males age 35 to 50, typically professionals who could afford it and had the leisure time. A growing number of women are taking it up, McNeese said, and they now account for about 30 percent of scuba divers.

More older teens and retirees also are learning to dive, said Kristin Valette, a spokeswoman for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., and a dive instructor for 15 years.

Diving appeals to a wide spectrum of people — baby boomers, the X Generation, the Y Generation, echo boomers — because there are so many different types that people can find one that fits their personality best, whether it’s recreational diving, night diving, shark diving, wreck diving, cave diving or deep water diving, McNeese said.

‘Older divers can enjoy it for the tranquility a”

>There have been reports of illegal razorfish fishing using Arc welding tools electrifying the sea bed in the Forth and the Clyde which not only kills the Razorfish but impacts many other species as well as the potential Health and Safety issues. Keep any eye out for these activities and report any instances and the Boat ID numbers to the Scottish Natural Heritage,

>Scotsman.com News – Scotland – Edinburgh – Rare whale causes a stir in the Forth: “The sighting of the humpback follows that of a fin whale, the world’s second largest creature, near North Berwick last month. That was followed by reports of an unidentified large whale off the coast at Dunbar last week.

The sightings are attracting extra visitors to North Berwick and the Seabird Centre in the hope of catching a glimpse of a whale.

The summer’s warm weather is said to be attracting creatures such as sand eels to the Firth of Forth and whales are following to feed.

Wildlife experts said spotting a humpback whale in the Forth was extremely unusual. Only one other sighting has been reported in recent years.

Linda Dalgleish, marketing manager of the Scottish Seabird Centre, said: ‘We often see minke whales in the Forth, but this is the first year in a long time that we have seen creatures like the fin whale or the Humpback. It is very exciting that these creatures are coming to the Forth.

‘There is very little doubt that it was a humpback whale. They are very easy to identify because of their long, white flippers.

‘The last time we saw a humpback in the Forth was about three years ago – but that was the first anyone could remember in a long time. I was told by a whale expert that you are more likely to see a lion walking down Princes Street than to see a humpback whale in the Forth.

‘We have had a lot of inquiries at the centre from people who have come hoping to see one of the rarer whales. It is fantastic people are taking such an interest.’

The rescue operation on Tuesday involved a dozen volunteers with more on stand-by.

Sue White, who monitors whale sightings for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, said: ‘The whale may have been there feeding and come in a little too close to the shore for its size. There has been a lot of whale activity in the area this year, which must be because there is a lot of food stocks in the Forth at the momen”

>Over fishing of Cuttlefish in Devon

I notice in Dive Magazine this month (July Edition) that there is a reports of Cuttlefish being overfished on the south coast of England. The divers have reported a dramatic drop in the number of the breading population of cuttlefish in Torbay Devon. They saw over 25 mature animals in pots on their dive and very few eggs on the seaweeds near the pots where in the previous years there had been thousands of eggs.

I have no problem with fishermen making a living, but you would think after the disasters in the North Sea Cod Fisheries that we could have a more sustained approach to managing our coastal resources.

I understand that in the Mediterranian that it takes 15-20 months for Cuttle Fish to sexually mature does any one know how long it takes for Cuttlefish to Mature in British Waters? So hopefully if fishing is reduced then the populations would recover fairly quickly.