It is nearly a one year since Japan suffered the 9.0 earthquake that caused the tsunami that claimed  nearly 16,000 lives, injuring many more, and damaging or destroyihg countless buildings. The threat from the tsunami may not be over. There is a very real possibility that debris dragged back into the sea by the receding tsunami could arrive on shores in Alaska, Hawaii, the West Coast and Canada over the next few years. The full impact the tsunami debris could have is unknown but it is important to be prepared.

So far, all the predictions are being created by computer modeling, and scientists agree they are in uncharted territory. In the announcement by NOAA, the organization said independent computer modeling by NOAA and the University of Hawaii seem to be coming up with the same results. If the models are correct, debris could pass near or wash ashore in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in spring 2012, approach the West Coast of the United States in 2013, and circle back to Hawaii in 2014 to 2016,

Some items should be left to the authorities. Do not to touch anything that appears hazardous or too large to move safely. Report it, and it will likely be dealt with by local emergency responders.

Courtesy: www.npr.org

Something that has been missing from San Francisco Bay since World War II appears to be making a comeback: Harbor porpoises are showing up in growing numbers, and researchers are trying to understand why they’re returning.

The walkway across the Golden Gate Bridge is almost always packed with people taking photos. But Bill Keener isn’t here for snapshots of the stunning views. He’s aiming his massive telephoto lens at a dark shape in the water 200 feet below.

“There’s a porpoise right there, coming very, very close,” he says. “Here’s a mother and calf coming straight at us.” Keener is with Golden Gate Cetacean Research, a nonprofit group focused on studying local porpoises, whales and dolphins.

Harbor porpoises have dark gray backs, and they’re about 5 feet long — smaller than most of their dolphin relatives. Keener spots one turned on its side and spinning.

The porpoises, feeding in the middle of a busy shipping lane, spin as they go after schools of herring and anchovies. Seeing this behavior is huge for Keener because harbor porpoises are notoriously shy in the open ocean. But the fact that they’re here at all is what’s most remarkable.

Keener and his colleagues have identified 250 porpoises with their photos by looking for unique scars on the animals. When the team first started working on the bridge, the patrol officers took notice.

“We’re staring down at the water for hours,” Keener says. “They start getting worried about us. But they know us now; they know what we’re doing.”

Porpoises In Decline

The big question, though, is why harbor porpoises disappeared in the first place. Keener says the bay has always been porpoise habitat. Sightings were common until the 1930s.

"We don't really have reports from around World War II, and there were a lot of things going on during World War II that could have caused [the decline]," he says.

San Francisco Bay became a wartime port. It was a major ship-building center. One newsreel reported that 14 warships at one time sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge. And the Navy strung a seven-mile-long net underwater across the opening of the bay to keep out Japanese submarines. Hundreds of mines were planted in the waters outside the Golden Gate.

Keener says all of this certainly would have disturbed the porpoises. But there's a bigger change that may have driven them away: water quality.

The bay waters today are a far cry from those of the 1950s and '60s. As the region boomed, so did water pollution. Keener says raw sewage used to flow right into the bay.

"I remember coming across the Bay Bridge when I was very young, and it would just smell," Keener says. "It would stink."

Rediscovering The Bay

After the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, the bay's water quality began to improve. But it took time for the food web to come back. San Francisco State University whale researcher Jonathan Stern says maybe the porpoises had to rediscover the bay.

"Over 60 years, we're talking about a number of generations of porpoises," Stern says. "So it's quite likely that San Francisco Bay as a habitat was out of the institutional memory."

Stern and Keener glide over the bay waters in a 22-foot boat, slowing down as they pass under the bridge.

"There's porpoises between us and the south tower at 200 yards," Stern says. Keener and Stern have a special permit to approach the porpoises. They wait, listening for them to surface.

"I just heard one here," Keener says. "Here's a cow-calf pair close to the boat, and we'll hear this puff. The old-time sailors used to call them puffing pigs. That's the exhalation."

The porpoises seem calm around boats in the bay, which Stern says will let researchers study their life cycle and social structure.

"It's one of those very few good-news environmental stories. And it's in our backyard. It gives one hope," Stern says.

It also gives researchers a chance to study how porpoises will react to the America's Cup race, which comes to the Bay Area in two years.

Second Mate Peter Brown launches the drone from the Steve Irwin.The Sea Shepherd crew has intercepted the Japanese whaling fleet on Christmas Day, a thousand miles north of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

The Sea Shepherd ship, Steve Irwin, deployed a drone to successfully locate and photograph the Japanese factory ship Nisshin Maru on December 24th. Once the pursuit began, three Japanese harpoon/security ships moved in on the Steve Irwin to shield the Nisshin Maru to allow it to escape.

This time however the Japanese tactic of tailing the Steve Irwin and the Bob Barker will not work because the drones, one on the Steve Irwin and the other on the Bob Barker, can track and follow the Nisshin Maru and can relay the positions back to the Sea Shepherd ships.

“We can cover hundreds of miles with these drones and they have proven to be valuable assets for this campaign,” said Captain Paul Watson on board the Steve Irwin.

The drone named Nicole Montecalvo was donated to the Steve Irwin by Bayshore Recycling of New Jersey, and Moran Office of Maritime and Port Security, also of New Jersey.

Captain Watson having received reports from fishermen when the Japanese ship passed through the Lombok Strait waited south of the strait at a distance of 500 miles off the southwest coast of Western Australia. Sea Shepherd caught the whalers at 37 degrees South, far above the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

Eleanor Lister – Quarter Master on the Steve Irwin – British Citizen from Jersey“The chase is on for the next 1000 miles,” said Quartermaster Eleanor Lister of Jersey (U.K.).

With the Steve Irwin taking up the resources of three of the Japanese ships the Bob Barker remains clear of a tail and the Brigitte Bardot is clear to scout out the factory ship, having superior speed to the harpoon vessels.

The Sea Shepherd crew have found the Japanese whaling fleet before a single whale has been killed.

“This is going to be a long hard pursuit from here to the coast of Antarctica,” said Captain Watson. “But thanks to these drones, we now have an advantage we have never had before – eyes in the sky.”

Background on the Steve Irwin Drone:
Bayshore Recycling striving to protect and conserve nature

Drone Nicole Montecalvo aids Sea Shepherd in preserving ocean wildlife worldwide.

Woodbridge NJ‐ Bayshore Recycling Corp (BRC) not only strives to protect the planet’s natural resources through recycling but also encourages everyone to help endangered wildlife. To promote and encourage this effort, BRC’s owners recently donated a long‐range drone fitted with cameras and detection equipment to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS). The SSCS is an international non‐profit, direct action marine wildlife conservation organization. SSCS necessitated an additional aerial vehicle that could add to their fleet and expand their capabilities in order to scan hundreds of miles more with each flight in order to assist in finding and documenting whaling ships and other illegal poaching operations. The drone will also assist in helping protect the fleet, her crew and alert them to potential dangers, when their helicopter may not be available for use. The drone was created and developed by the team at the Moran Office of Maritime and Port Security (MOMPS) who also developed and provided several other technologies that were utilized during the most recent campaign “Operation No Compromise” which has been the organizations most successful anti-whaling campaign to date.

A long‐range drone is defined as an unmanned aerial vehicle that does not require human operation and can fly independently or be operated remotely. The drone named Nicole Montecalvo has assisted in locating Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean previously has assisted in operations against blue fin tuna poaching operations off the coast of Libya. The drone Nicole Montecalvo was delivered on board the vessel Steve Irwin by the Vessel Security Officer during transit to Antarctica while in search of the Japanese flagship, Nisshin Maru. BRC stresses the importance of conserving our planet’s natural habitats. Whether it is saving natural resources, conserving energy, preserving endangered wildlife or recycling household debris—Bayshore rises to the challenge. Together, BRC and the SSCS will fight to save the ocean and its vulnerable inhabitants.

Bayshore Recycling Corp (BRC) believes in saving landfill space for future generations and advances the recovery of materials through recycling and sustainable operations. When build‐out is complete, Bayshore will operate 100% green businesses powered by 100% renewable energy. Bayshore currently operates five different recycling businesses in Woodbridge Township, NJ making the company one of the most innovative and vertically integrated in the Northeast. For more information, please visit www.bayshorerecycling.com.

Captain Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd pilot Chris Aultman and Sea Shepherd Security Officer Jeffrey Milstein with the drone in the hanger of the Steve Irwin. Photo: Barbara Veiga

The Nisshin Maru as seen from the drone on December 24th, 2011

Moran Office of Maritime and Port Security (MOMPS) is a private maritime security organization dedicated to help secure 361 US Ports. Their mission also includes assisting in compliance with international maritime regulations, fisheries enforcement and helping to prevent acts of terrorism and piracy worldwide. Their approach provides unique real time solutions from everyday working maritime experts with boots that are always on the ground and ready to act. For more information, please visit www.momps.com

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non‐profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Their mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct‐action tactics to investigate, document and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. For more information, please visit www.seashepherd.org.

More than 60 dead and 75 diseased seals have shown up mostly on Alaska’s Arctic beaches since this July, with symptoms that include oozing skin sores, patchy hair loss and damaged organs, prompting a wide-ranging investigation into the mysterious cause of their illness.

Photo courtesy North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management

Scientists are considering several possible causes. But much of the effort has been geared toward finding the bacteria or virus that’s causing the apparently unprecedented symptoms, with labs nationally and in other countries examining tissue from ringed seals and Alaska walrus, which appear to be suffering the same affliction.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently declared the ringed-seal deaths an unusual mortality event, a decision that should free up federal funds and more expertise to help with the analysis.

It’s not unusual for investigations into wildlife-deaths to continue for this long without an answer, said Terri Rowles, coordinator for National Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program.

The work so far has yielded at least one important clue: “Tests indicate a virus is not the cause,” said a recent press release from NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Some wonder if radiation could be causing the skin sores and related problems, including ulcers on internal organs and abnormal growths on brains.

John Kelley, with the Institute of Marine Sciences at UAF, said he’s just received a large batch of tissue from afflicted ringed seals and will soon begin the university’s hunt for radiation as a possible cause.

“The tissues just came down from Barrow,” he said on Friday. “They sent a large quantity through (state) public health in Anchorage. It’s quite a job. We have to freeze dry it, grind it, analyze it. This will take some time.”

The work will begin over the holidays, he said.

He believes it’s unlikely that Fukoshima had anything to do with the seals’ deaths, given that levels of detected radiation are quite low around Alaska, both in the air and water.

Is it possible that the ringed seals traveled to a contaminated area? They do, after all, have quite a range. Experts could not be reached the Friday before Christmas to explain migratory routes for Alaska’s estimated stock of 250,000 ringed seals.

Or did they eat prey contaminated by radiation? If there is a link to Fukoshima, the lab will find it, said Kelley.

They’ll be testing for radionuclide c134 and c137.

“This will give us or not give us a fingerprint that is out there,” he said. “If Fukoshima is there, this should give us some indication.”

Contact Alex DeMarban at alex(at)alaskadispatch.com

Courtesy: www.alaskadispatch.com

In a classic David vs. Goliath battle, a high school environmental club is taking on a national plastic bag manufacturer with its initiative on Tuesday’s ballot to ban disposable plastic grocery bags in Hailey, Idaho.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/11/plastic-bag-ban-pushed-by-hailey-idaho-students/1

“When you throw something away, where is away ?” Julia Butterfly

American Manufactures admit to releasing over 4 billion pounds of pollutants into our water, air and land, annually.  Mercury, one of these pollutants, is known to cause damage to the brain, kidney and lungs. Disturbingly, mercury is becoming so prevalent in our oceans and food that the American FDA and  EPA has issued a warning that women of child bearing age should not eat the following fish (http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/product-specificinformation/seafood/foodbornepathogenscontaminants/methylmercury/ucm115662.htm) updated in 2004. Why so along ?. These governing bodies are known for their lax regulatory rules and are some of the weakest regulatory agencies of all developed countries. As levels of toxins rise in our oceans and food, does the acceptable level of exposure rise?  This same paradox applies to many other situations.

2^nd . Means of making an impact is to consider your next purchase. Where was it made? It is best to keep jobs in the USA. Is it a green, Eco-minded company? Do you really need the latest techy gadget or new car? American Car manufacturers minimum MPG standards just went up with a mandate of 35.5 MPG by 2016*.  This is a standard that Europe and many other developed counties adopted many years ago. The Ford Model T got 25 MPG off the assembly line in 1908 **. Who has a vested interest in burning more fuel year after year? Big Oil companies, the same three who are responsible for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, who now have three new oil rigs in the place of one highly defective rig. In response to the New Horizon Oil Spill, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) fined British Petroleum for over 760 safety violations***.  Why does it take the largest environmental disaster in US history**** to uncover such blatant illegality?

3^rd. You are what you eat; is it organic ? Your family deserves to be healthy. The long term effects of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), such as wheat, corn, soybeans, etc. have not been tested. The United States is the only country in the world where GMO foods do not have to be labeled for human consumption. Why? It is a liability to the companies that experiment with our food. Pesticides, Fertilizers, Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals are entering our oceans, rivers and food chains. Many toxins are affecting amphibians, such as frogs. Amphibians are some of the most sensitive organisms and a clear indicator of the future of our species.

4^th. Does your seafood meet the Marine Stewardship Counsel’s (MSC) safe fishing practice standards? Ask at restaurants, meat departments and farmers markets if their products meet these qualifications. The fishing industry as a whole is the most wasteful, throwing back dead 20 to 50% of what they catch, as unintentional by-catch. Most importantly, buy local, because shipping food across the planet is very inefficient and if you buy it, you condone this practice.

5^th. Do you know where your drinking water comes from and what is in it? Water contained in plastic bottles absorbs the properties of the plastic as is sits in the bottle. Sunlight and heat degrade plastic faster, causing more chemical assimilation into the water. Americans purchase 2.5 million water bottles every hour *****.   Buy a reuse-able water bottle for everyone in your family. Buy a water filter for your home, office and business. These items will pay for themselves in less than a year.

6^th. You make the call. Your elected officials want to hear from you. Voice your concerns by calling your congressmen, governor, senators and president.

7^th.  Grow your own (organic of course) edible garden. Even a small window box can provide kale, lettuce, tomato’s, radishes and much more. Eating something you’ve grown yourself feels great; try it!

8^th. Bring no more chemicals into your house or business. Many homes have toxins in the laundry room or under the kitchen or bathroom sinks. Think about where your chemicals are going once they go down the drain. Imagine your sink draining straight into your vegetable garden. What would you put down the drain? If chemicals don’t enter your home, there is no chemical waste to dispose of.

9^th. Invest in alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, renewable, and sustainable systems for your home and business. There are many tax credit programs available for those alternative energies.

10^th. Donate your time to your favorite charity or non profit or pick a new one. Beyond just your money, charities need people power. The suggested minimum tithing of many philosophies is 10% of your income and 2% of your time, these are minimums.
11^th. Be prepared for a natural disaster; world wide they are increasing in frequency and intensity. Family and Individual emergency preparedness are key to survival.

With the empowerment of yourself and others, comes a level of security and a peace of mind. There is much in our world that is dysfunctional, broken or needs to be shifted. Pick one and focus. Educate yourself, educate others and take action.

Be prepared;
http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html
http://72hours.org/build_kit.html
http://www.lifesecure.com/
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11100551


*http://www.begreennow.com/2009/05/minimum-auto-mpg-raised-by-obama-administration/

** http://www.wanttoknow.info/050711carmileageaveragempg

*** http://www.businessinsider.com/bp-has-been-fined-by-osha-760-times-has-an-awful-track-record-for-safety-2010-6

**** http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10194335

*****http://www.recycling-revolution.com/recycling-facts.html