The Gulf of Maine Times: Vol. 6 Num. 4 : Resources

The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment has charted a course of action for 2001-2006. The Council’s 2001-2006 Action Plan focuses on three goals: Protect and Restore Coastal and Marine Habitats; Protect Human Health and Ecosystem Integrity; and Encourage Sustainable Maritime Activities. In drafting the plan, the Council gathered feedback from individuals and organizations throughout the region, though public forums, focused workshops and an online survey. The plan complements the work of many local and regional projects and seeks to inspire new initiatives that support habitat protection and improved marine health. The Action Plan is available online at http://gulfofmaine.org/ action_plan2001-2006.html. To obtain hard copies of the plan contact the Maine State Planning Office at (207) 287-3261 or 1-800-662-4545.

Health of Fundy

Considering the whole ecosystem as a patient whose well-being can be monitored and assessed is among the ideas discussed in the latest Fundy Issues series, “Taking Fundy’s Pulse: Monitoring the Health of the Bay of Fundy.” Written by Jon Percy, of SeaPen Communications, and P.G. Wells of the Canadian Wildlife Service, the fact sheet also looks at the use of monitoring indicators to give communities an early warning of failing ecosystems, and satellite technology to measure environmental variability. Copies are available on the Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership Web site: www.auracom.com/~bofep.

Ocean ecosystems need greater protection

In a new report, “Ecological Effects of Fishing in Marine Ecosystems of the United States,” prepared for the independent Pew Oceans Commission scientists find that many current fishing activities are harming the very ecosystems on which future fishing depends, and that this phenomena is worsening.
The authors propose a new approach to fishery management beginning by reorienting fishery and ocean management programs toward the primary goal of protecting natural resources and an increased investment in ecosystem research and monitoring to better address the trade-offs that result from management decisions. Finally, a new approach to fishery management must move from the current single-species model to one that considers the entire ecosystem. The report is available online at www.pewoceans.org.

Cruise ship report

“Blow the Whistle” is the first of a two-part report on the cruise ship industry that makes the case for independently developed standards and third party certification. The report questions the cruise industry’s corporate commitment of investing in environmental technologies, complying with existing regulation and treating communities and workers fairly.
The report is part of the Oceans Blue Foundation’s Cruise Ship Stewardship Initiative. A joint project of Oceans Blue Foundation (Canada) and Oceans Blue Foundation (U.S.), the goal is to establish a cruise certification program for the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. The foundation was created in 1996 to help conserve coastal environments through environmentally responsible tourism. Go to www.oceansblue.org to view the study and more.

Underwater acquisitions

The Nature Conservancy has released a new report, “Leasing and Restoration of Submerged Lands.” The report explores the potential for buying or leasing property underwater as a novel marine conservation strategy, particularly the concept of coupling the acquisition or leasing of submerged lands with the restoration of shellfish populations. Every coastal state has submerged lands available for lease or acquisition, said Mike Beck, acting director of the Conservancy’s marine initiative and the team leader on the report. The Conservancy is the first conservation organization to use leases or ownership strategies, which have been used by oil and aquaculture business interests, for marine conservation purposes instead.
The report is available at: http://nature.org/files/lease_sub_lands.pdf