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Integrated management of Howe Sound, Canada
Volume24/Number 3/March 1992 protection in the countries bordering the Yellow and Japan Seas. By March 1992, a U N E P National Report will be prepared which will include information on the state of marine environmental, national policy measures and relevant activities on marine pollution problems in each country. The delegation of the Republic of Korea suggested the organization of an international expedition to study marine environmental pollution in the Yellow and Japan Seas. Russian participants agreed to carry out this joint survey in 1992 aboard a research vessel. If sufficient funding is available, scientists from China, Japan, Republic of Korea, and Russia will participate in this expedition. Next meeting of countries and experts will be identified later by UNEP in consultation with participants. Development of the NOWPAP will promote the international efforts to protect the marine environment of the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. A. V. T K A L I N
Florida's Coral in Decline There is growing evidence that America's only coral reefs, off the Florida Keys, are declining at an alarming rate. This has renewed calls for development of the coral keys to be halted and for the control of other potentially damaging activities. James Porter, of the University of Georgia, has monitored the same 6 fixed sites since 1976 by photographic assessment. During his last visit in 1991, some areas had deteriorated so much that he had difficulty recognizing areas containing his survey markers. All sites showed significantly reduced species diversity and five showed reduced coral cover of up to 50%. Study of the remaining corals indicates that bleaching and black band disease are the main causes of the damage. Bleaching occurs when the seawater temperature rises above normal, causing symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) to abandon the tissues of their coral hosts. Since the coral relies on these algae to provide photosynthetically produced nutrients, it soon dies. Black band disease may be caused by microorganisms which invade the coral's tissue, but the species in question are parasitic rather than symbiotic, and the result is generally a progressive death of the coral colony. Black band disease is sometimes thought to be an indicator of elevated nutrient levels, often caused by sewage discharges. This latest evidence of the continuing decline of the Florida Keys' coral reefs has increased pressure for protection. The area is statutorily protected under the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Act (1990), though no management plans have yet been formulated. There is an immediate call for further development of the Keys' coastline to be halted. The reefs are also one of the most popular dive sites in the world and damage caused by divers may also play a significant role in the reefs' decline. PETER JONES
Integrated Management of Howe Sound, Canada The Howe Sound Environmental Science Workshop was held on Bowen Island, at the entrance to Howe Sound, 30 September-3 October 1991. The Workshop was organized to review the scientific data on hand for management of Howe Sound and the watersheds of rivers draining into the fjord. The Workshop was supported by five scientific societies, five Federal agencies, and one Provincial Ministry and was chaired by Dr. Bob Turner of the Geological Survey of Canada. Approximately 50 scientists and environmental biologists attended. The talks and posters given were truly multidisciplinary, covering geology (9), biology (fisheries, wildlife, invertebrate biology) (8), meteorology/physical oceanography (3), chemistry (8), forestry (3), and industrial operations (2). An evening discussion period, chaired by Dr. Bill Rees from the University of British Columbia, dealt with environmentally sustainable economic development. Talks were also given aboard a chartered vessel on a tour of the Sound on 2 October. This field trip included students from local high schools. Five public meetings, reporting the scientific deliberations of the Workshop, were given in October and November at various communities around the Sound, ranging from Whistler at the headwaters to West Vancouver on the shores of the Sound. Plans were laid to set up a Science Advisory Committee, consisting of scientists working in the Sound area, for keeping the public informed of new research results as they are produced. A field guide and book of abstracts from the Workshop is available at present. Proceedings are now being prepared for publication in the Technical Report series of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. C O L I N L E VINGS
Round-the-World News Taiwan Over 100 hectares of shrimp and fish ponds were destroyed in southern Taiwan when a network of dikes collapsed. The collapse was thought to have been brought about by the pumping of ground water to fill ponds which resulted in the sinking of the ground beneath the dikes. The shrimp and fish growers of the area who suffered losses of more than $4 million as a result of the collapse, are claiming compensation from the government which, they say, had promised to rebuild the dikes which had fallen into disrepair.
South Korea Moji port was badly polluted by oil when the MV Marine Pusan~ a cargo vessel, was in collision with a log carrier, MV Atlas. Marine Pusan sustained severe damage and sank about 500 m off the wharf at Moji port spilling a large amount of oil into the water. 127
Florida's Coral in Decline There is growing evidence that America's only coral reefs, off the Florida Keys, are declining at an alarming rate. This has renewed calls for development of the coral keys to be halted and for the control of other potentially damaging activities. James Porter, of the University of Georgia, has monitored the same 6 fixed sites since 1976 by photographic assessment. During his last visit in 1991, some areas had deteriorated so much that he had difficulty recognizing areas containing his survey markers. All sites showed significantly reduced species diversity and five showed reduced coral cover of up to 50%. Study of the remaining corals indicates that bleaching and black band disease are the main causes of the damage. Bleaching occurs when the seawater temperature rises above normal, causing symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) to abandon the tissues of their coral hosts. Since the coral relies on these algae to provide photosynthetically produced nutrients, it soon dies. Black band disease may be caused by microorganisms which invade the coral's tissue, but the species in question are parasitic rather than symbiotic, and the result is generally a progressive death of the coral colony. Black band disease is sometimes thought to be an indicator of elevated nutrient levels, often caused by sewage discharges. This latest evidence of the continuing decline of the Florida Keys' coral reefs has increased pressure for protection. The area is statutorily protected under the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Act (1990), though no management plans have yet been formulated. There is an immediate call for further development of the Keys' coastline to be halted. The reefs are also one of the most popular dive sites in the world and damage caused by divers may also play a significant role in the reefs' decline. PETER JONES
Integrated Management of Howe Sound, Canada The Howe Sound Environmental Science Workshop was held on Bowen Island, at the entrance to Howe Sound, 30 September-3 October 1991. The Workshop was organized to review the scientific data on hand for management of Howe Sound and the watersheds of rivers draining into the fjord. The Workshop was supported by five scientific societies, five Federal agencies, and one Provincial Ministry and was chaired by Dr. Bob Turner of the Geological Survey of Canada. Approximately 50 scientists and environmental biologists attended. The talks and posters given were truly multidisciplinary, covering geology (9), biology (fisheries, wildlife, invertebrate biology) (8), meteorology/physical oceanography (3), chemistry (8), forestry (3), and industrial operations (2). An evening discussion period, chaired by Dr. Bill Rees from the University of British Columbia, dealt with environmentally sustainable economic development. Talks were also given aboard a chartered vessel on a tour of the Sound on 2 October. This field trip included students from local high schools. Five public meetings, reporting the scientific deliberations of the Workshop, were given in October and November at various communities around the Sound, ranging from Whistler at the headwaters to West Vancouver on the shores of the Sound. Plans were laid to set up a Science Advisory Committee, consisting of scientists working in the Sound area, for keeping the public informed of new research results as they are produced. A field guide and book of abstracts from the Workshop is available at present. Proceedings are now being prepared for publication in the Technical Report series of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. C O L I N L E VINGS
Round-the-World News Taiwan Over 100 hectares of shrimp and fish ponds were destroyed in southern Taiwan when a network of dikes collapsed. The collapse was thought to have been brought about by the pumping of ground water to fill ponds which resulted in the sinking of the ground beneath the dikes. The shrimp and fish growers of the area who suffered losses of more than $4 million as a result of the collapse, are claiming compensation from the government which, they say, had promised to rebuild the dikes which had fallen into disrepair.
South Korea Moji port was badly polluted by oil when the MV Marine Pusan~ a cargo vessel, was in collision with a log carrier, MV Atlas. Marine Pusan sustained severe damage and sank about 500 m off the wharf at Moji port spilling a large amount of oil into the water. 127