Project Kaisei Explores Plastic Vortex in the Pacific Ocean

Because the floating garbage pile is constantly in flux, nobody really knows how big it is, but some estimates suggest its mass is double the size of Texas.

clipped from www.moremarin.com Project Kaisei has launched. The group of scientists, environmentalists and ocean lovers left the SF Bay yesterday on an expedition to study a gigantic floating ‘plastic vortex’ of trash that floats in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  The group–led by Marinite Mary Crowley–is trying to figure out what type of trash is there, how it got there and ways to remove and recycle it. The gigantic trash heap has been growing for years–the result of our consumption of non-recyclable materials–and contributes to death of marine life and pollution of the oceans. Because the floating garbage pile is constantly in flux, nobody really knows how big it is, but some estimates suggest its mass is double the size of Texas. You can follow the action on the Project Kaisei website where they’ve set up a special Google Earth link to track the project’s progress. (photo of boat courtesy of Ocean Voyages Institute; photo of trash courtesy of Whole Travel Blog)

Aquaculture World News: Eco-Aquaculture Projects Get Funding

British Columbia Receives CAD 930K for Eco-Aquaculture Projects / July 2009

The Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced that Federal funds are being offered through the Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Programme (AIMAP) to:

• Testing net biofouling management technology
• Capturing and reusing fish effluent
• Introducing new mechanized clam harvest and automated oyster grading technology to BC
• Testing ultraviolet light as a water discharge sterilizer
• Adopting a parasite suppression technology for farmed salmon

Related Seafood articles:

- Investments earmarked for deep water mussels
- DFO invests USD 306 mln in maritime economy

SOURCE: By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

Seafood News – Aquaculture: Budget Increase Proposed for U.S. Aquaculture

“Congress and the Obama administration should be visionary and support research for more innovative aquaculture technologies, like land-based, re-circulating systems, to explore more sustainable options to meet our domestic seafood needs.”

clipped from www.seafoodsource.com Seafood News – Aquaculture Budget increase proposed for U.S. aquaculture The proposed fiscal 2010 budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, released this week by the Obama administration, includes a USD 2 million (EUR 1.5 million) increase in the agency’s USD 4 million (EUR 3 million) offshore aquaculture research program. The Obama administration says the increase would allow NOAA to “develop permitting guidelines, review marine aquaculture permit applications, support stock enhancement programs and inform habitat and other regulatory consultations, resulting in significant advances in NOAA’s capacity to issue or consult on marine aquaculture permits.” Currently, there’s no federal regulatory framework in place for offshore aquaculture. The Bush administration pushed a bill to accelerate the permitting process for open-ocean aquaculture, but the National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007 never became law.

Sylvia Earle: How to Protect the Oceans

Legendary ocean researcher Sylvia Earle (TED Prize winner!) shares astonishing images of the ocean, and shocking stats about its rapid decline, as she makes her TED Prize wish: that we will join her in protecting the vital blue heart of the planet by any and all means possible.

Sylvia Earle discusses our need for developing deep probing submarines for ocean exploration. She also discusses how excess carbon dioxide is speeding up global warming and how hundreds of millions of tons of plastic and debris ends up in the oceans, undermining our planet’s chemistry.

If “business as usual” continues, our planet is in deep trouble. All is not lost…IF we act now.

Green Jobs Will Fuel World Economy – The Future of Aquaculture

This week, people of all classes, colors and faiths stood together and watched in awe as millions participated in Democracy to elect the next President of the United States.

• How is this important to modern aquaculture today?
  
• What will this mean for the Blue Revolution?
  
• What will the impact of a new US President mean for “Going Green”?
  

Millions of “Green Jobs” Will Boost the World Economy

Green Economy Growth Change is Vital

Island Bounty is dedicated to watching world trends closely. President Elect Obama stated his top priority is “…a building a low-carbon, clean-energy economy” once he gets to the White House.  He has pledged to create 5 million green jobs!

It’s exciting to know that another World Leader is behind the vital mission to infuse the global economy, to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and pledges to encourage the Going Green momentum.

Island Bounty has always stood by these ideals. We passionately support this commitment. It’s long past time for a sincere Green Revolution.

Is a Green Revolution really possible OR is that just an unrealistic dream?

The truth is, “going green” and making good on that promise will not be a easy. According CNN, there is “Big Business” opposition forecasting negativity for the word wide effort to save and protect the Planet. Another argument is “…tackling the climate crisis will result in a net loss of work opportunities for America.”

Great Hopes for Clean Energy, Sustainable Seafood, Modern Aquaculture, and “Going Green”

Clean Energy offers real solutions for Going Green

There are many other reports that give us great hope that going green is not just a dream, but is a viable reality.

“A new report released today shows that the U.S. can create two million jobs by investing in a rapid green economic recovery program, which will strengthen the economy, increase energy independence, and fight global warming.”
- Political Economy Research Institute

At Island Bounty, SA - we will continue to put forth sound proposals to spur “green economy” growth. We will continue to support economic progress and ecological integrity, not just in the US, but worldwide!

• We pledge to continue to connect the people that need and want to work in the field of progressive, modern aquaculture.
• We pledge to never give up on the future of environmental sustainability, the production of  “green,” clean, disease-free seafood to feed the world in a great time of need.

The Future of Aquaculture: Examples of Ethical Issues

Fish Farming and Related Issues

Island Bounty, SA

Without a doubt the aquaculture industry is going to be effected by many different complex trends over the coming years, all operating together, sometimes in very unexpected ways and producing changes in the industry that may be very rapid indeed.

The ability of the aquaculture industry to foresee and react to these trends and changes is of vital importance to the future development and success of the sector.

Island Bounty understands the mega trends already in place, and is positioned to become the industry leader.