Endangered Species

 

'Sharks Love This Water': Israeli Power Plant Draws A Crowd. According to E&E News, “A giant power plant with billowing smoke may not look like the most natural habitat for sea life. But the hot water gushing from an industrial plant in Israel’s northern city of Hadera has drawn schools of sharks that are increasingly endangered by overfishing in the Mediterranean Sea. Now the hotspot is also drawing tourists. Sandbar and dusky sharks have been sighted around the power plant for decades, but scientists only started collecting data two years ago. Although they are still trying to count the smatterings of sharks nearby, researcher Aviad Scheinin said the hundreds flocking exclusively to the Hadera power plant every winter qualify as ‘a legitimate and rare phenomenon.’ ‘The paradox that we see here is that this is not a natural environment ... and you cannot see it anywhere else in the vicinity,’ said Scheinin, manager of the top predator project at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, established by the University of Haifa. ‘This phenomenon is influenced and created by men, both with the power plant and the sea’s increasingly warm water.’ The shifting climate of the Mediterranean Sea has been creating a bizarre boon for sharks, which thrive in and chase warm water. Expert say the warm water stimulates shark metabolisms, improves their breathing cycles and facilitates their pregnancies.” [E&E News, 1/31/19 (=)]

 

Conservation & Wildlife

 

Collins Joins Senators In Renewing Wetlands Conservation Act. According to Associated Press, “Maine’s senior senator is joining a group of colleagues to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for another five years. Republican Sen. Susan Collins says the bipartisan group of senators wants to increase the authorized annual funding for the program to $60 million. The act came into existence 30 years ago to provide federal money for projects that protect waterfowl, fish and other wildlife. Maine alone is the site of nearly 100 North American Wetlands Conservation Act projects that are either completed or underway. Collins says the projects have conserved more than a million acres of wildlife habitat. The act allows the federal government to share costs of conservation projects with states, local governments, private industry groups and nonprofit conservation organizations.” [Associated Press, 1/31/19 (=)]

 

Federal Agency Sued Over Wildlife Killings In Wyoming. According to Associated Press, “Conservation groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program that kills animals to protect crops, livestock and other wildlife in Wyoming. The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports that the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Wyoming contends the agency’s program relies on outdated environmental analyses. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by the Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project and WildEarth Guardians. The lawsuit says that the Wildlife Service killed 20,604 animals in the state in 2017. It says that was a 325 percent jump from the animals that were killed when agency program plans were last approved in 1996.” [Associated Press, 1/31/19 (=)]

 

Bill Aims To Ban Wildlife Killing Contests. According to E&E News, “Animal rights activists have come out in support of a bill in the Oregon Legislature that would ban killing wildlife as part of a contest. The Humane Society of the United States cited several such contests, including the Harney County Coyote Classic, in eastern Oregon. Five contests cited by the group involved killing coyotes, with the teams killing the most winning prizes. Rules of one contest stipulated that coyotes run over by a vehicle won’t be counted. Robert Wielgus, a retired professor and director of the Large Carnivore Conservation Lab at Washington State University, said such contests don’t result in less livestock depredation or in increased deer population. The Senate bill, sponsored by seven Democratic lawmakers, would make such contests illegal.” [E&E News, 1/31/19 (=)]

 

Farmers Could Be Compensated For Wildlife-Damaged Irrigation. According to Associated Press, “Legislation to compensate Idaho farmers and ranchers for damage caused by elk, deer, antelope and moose to irrigation equipment and ground planted with seeds in the fall will get a hearing before lawmakers. The House Resources and Conservation Committee on Thursday approved a hearing for the proposed law that would cost the Idaho Department of Fish and Game about $150,000 annually. Republican Rep. Fred Wood of Burley brought the legislation forward and said farmers and ranchers will be able to get money for both parts and labor for damage to irrigation equipment. The legislation would also prevent farmers and ranchers from being doubly reimbursed by seeking compensation from more than one agency.” [Associated Press, 2/1/19 (=)]

 

Conservation Groups Air Louisiana Land Loss Super Bowl Ad. According to Associated Press, “A group of conservation organizations fighting Louisiana’s coastal erosion problems is taking their message to the Super Bowl. Restore the Mississippi River Delta is a coalition made up of five environmental groups — the Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. They’re showing a commercial during the Super Bowl that draws attention to coastal erosion. The 30-second spot features various children from across south Louisiana speaking about land loss. The ad will air Sunday in the New Orleans area during the game. But Saints fans boycotting the game over their anger at the no-call during the NFC championship can catch it for an additional six weeks on the CBS affiliate.” [Associated Press, 1/31/19 (=)]

 

 

 

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