"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"