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Palm   Beach Post Staff Writer

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011

It is now a crime to kill tiger and hammerhead sharks in the waters offFlorida.

In a unanimous vote following two years of spirited public hearings, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to protect the tiger shark and three species of hammerhead from recreational and commercial anglers.

“Sometimes the appropriate measures of conservation are the problems we avoid, not the problems we have to fix,” said Commissioner Brian Yablonski.

The new measures, which take effect Jan. 1, also prohibit the possession, sale and exchange of the sharks in state waters. Fins from hammerhead sharks are among the most valued and used for shark fin soup.

Killing of one of the newly protected sharks is now a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. However, these sharks can still be caught and released in state waters and can be taken in adjacent federal waters.

Florida’s state waters, which extend 3 miles off the Atlantic coast and 9 miles off theGulfCoast, are home to several species of sharks. Tiger and hammerhead sharks use the coastal, state waters as nursery grounds for their pups.

Tiger and hammerhead sharks are especially vulnerable to exploitation, because of their lengthy reproductive cycle. Tiger sharks, which do not begin reproducing until they are at least 10 years old, have a gestation period of 15 months and only reproduce every three years.

“Any small level of exploitation can make a big difference,” said Neil Hammerschlag, a researcher at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at theUniversityofMiami. “Recent data shows that even killing a few locally can have a big impact.”

Sharks have been strictly regulated inFloridasince 1992, with a one-shark-per-person, two-shark-per-vessel daily bag limit for all recreational and commercial harvesters. About two dozen over-fished, vulnerable or rare shark species are designated for catch -and-release only inFloridawaters.

Read more.

CONTACT: Christopher Boykin, (305) 795-1222

Pamela King Phillips, (850) 245-2109

~Renowned Scientists Present Latest
Research on Coral Reefs at U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting in Fort
Lauderdale, FL~

Fort Lauderdale- Dr. Peter Mumby and David Wachenfeld
are two of many renowned scientists that will speak at the 2nd Reef Resilience
Conference in conjunction with the 26th meeting of the USCRTF on October 18-21,
2011, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
The theme of this USCRTF Meeting is “Integrating Management of the Florida
Reef Tract,” and it will specifically address coastal and marine spatial
planning, water management, and coral reef restoration.

Dr. Peter Mumby, from the Universityof Queensland,
Australia,
is the keynote speaker for the Reef Resilience Conference. His research
interests include managing coral reef resilience and understanding the benefits
and limitations of marine reserves for promoting healthy reefs. His work has
attempted to answer questions such as, ‘How important are mangrove nurseries
for reef fish?’, ‘How resilient are reefs in the face of climate change?’, ‘Can
marine reserves really benefit coral health?’ Peter is a Pew Fellow in Marine
Conservation, an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow, and winner of the
2011 Rosenstiel Award for marine science.

Dr. David Wachenfeld will speak on the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, where he serves as the Chief
Scientist, as well as the Director of the Science Coordination Group. In this
role, he has responsibility for coordinating the delivery, analysis, management
and presentation of all the information needed to manage the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park. He has lived in Australia and worked on the Great
Barrier Reef since 1992. During this time he has had seventeen
years experience in research, management and education relating to the Great Barrier Reef. David studied marine biology at the University of London, receiving his degree in 1988. He
went on to research the coral reefs of Egypt
and Zanzibar
for his PhD, which he received in 1993.

More than two dozen scientists will
present on coral reef management and research findings from Florida
and the Caribbean, as well as Australia’s
Great Barrier Reef. Topics will include Reef
Resilience Planning, Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning for Coral Reef
Ecosystems, the South Florida Geographic Initiative, and many others. Dr. Jane
Lubchenco, the Under Secretary, for Oceans and Atmosphere, U.S.
Department of Commerce, and Administrator for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration will also be in attendance.

Over 300 local scientists, students,
environmentalists, business leaders, and other stakeholders have registered to
attend this important conference. Staff and members of the seven U.S. coral
reef jurisdictions which include American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Marianna Islands, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands, will also be participating.Registration is free and pre
registration is encouraged. To view the agenda or learn more about this
meeting, visit http://www.coralreef.gov.

The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting in Fort Lauderdale is fast approaching. Registration is free and pre registration is requested. See recent media advisory below for details or register at http://www.coralreef.gov/meetings.html. The week at a glance schedule is available on the website to aid you in
selecting which portions you would like to attend.

U.S. CORAL REEF TASK FORCE MEETING TO BE HELD IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
Fort Lauderdale – For the first time since 2004 the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force will meet in Florida, providing an opportunity for local input on reef issues of importance to the region and the nation. The 26th meeting of the Task Force will be held on October 18‐21, 2011, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in conjunction with the 2nd Reef Resilience Conference. The theme of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting will be “Integrating Management of the Florida Reef Tract,” and it will specifically address coastal and marine spatial planning, water management and coral reef restoration.

The 2nd Reef Resilience Conference on October 18 and 19 will be the official workshop of the Task Force meeting. “Planning for Resilience” in the Florida, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico coral reef context will be the focus of the conference which will combine presentations on biological and social science research conducted in Florida, statements from fishermen and divers who depend upon coral reefs and small group discussions that will generate input for the Task Force meeting. The conference, and public portions of the Task Force meeting are open to all interested parties. .

The USCRTF was established in 1998 by Presidential Executive Order to lead U.S. efforts to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. The USCRTF includes leaders of 12 Federal agencies, seven U.S. States, Territories, Commonwealths, and three Freely Associated States. The purpose of the USCRTF and meetings is to help build partnerships, strategies, and support for on-the-ground action to conserve coral reefs.

It is anticipated that the meeting will be attended by local scientists, students, environmentalists and business leaders who depend upon coral reefs for their livelihoods. Staff and members of the seven jurisdictions which
include: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, will be participating as well. For more information on this meeting, visit http://www.coralreef.gov/meetings.html.

SAN FRANCISCO— In an agreement filed in federal court the U.S.government pledged to determine by April 15, 2012, whether Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections are needed for 82 species of coral. Seven of which are found in Florida waters.

Seven of the corals under consideration are found in Palm Beach County waters and along the entire Florida reef tract which stretchs from the Dry Tortugas to Martin County. They are: Mountainous Star Coral, Rough Cactus Coral, Lamarck’s Sheet Coral, Pillar Coral, Elliptical Star Coral, Boulder Star Coral and Montastraea franksi. Florida Elkhorn and Staghorn coral populations already receive ESA protection.

The settlement is the result of a 2009 petition from the Center for Biological Diversity asking the federal government to list the corals as threatened or endangered; that decision is now overdue. The corals, which occur in U.S. waters ranging from Florida and Hawaii to American territories in the Caribbean and Pacific, have all declined by more than 30 percent over a 30-year period. Coral reefs around the world are facing extinction due to overfishing, pollution and the overarching threats of global warming and ocean acidification.

“Unless we protect them right now, coral reefs will be lost within decades, and our grandchildren will never see these colorful underwater forests teeming with life,” said Miyoko Sakashita, director of the Center for Biological Diversity oceans program. “The settlement is a victory for corals because it will speed efforts to reduce threats and protect coral habitat.”

See press release: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2011/corals-09-27-2011.html

Video link: Reef Rescue divers monitor Palm Beach County Pillar Coral: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVWEtiHu2mA

Also see: http://reefrescue.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/more-florida-corals-in-danger-of-extinction/

The killing continues in Ft. Lauderdale. Also see: http://reefrescue.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/ft-lauderdale-city-lights-killing-baby-sea-turtles/

URGENT

We regretfully must show what STOP volunteers try so hard to prevent. They
missed this nest FT 688 yesterday morning 9/6/2011. A1A and NE 9TH st. Ft. Lauderdale FL
(Primanti Bros. Pizza area) Only two made it to water unassisted.

WATCH the Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySHxt0jPbvA

It is with a very heavy heart we must show you this. Their volunteers work
tirelessly to prevent this from happening, but they failed this time to protect
these hatchlings from the City of Ft. Lauderdale’s decision to not enforce it’s
own 8 year old lighting ordinances.

They worked long into the night to bring this video to the
world. Please don’t let these deaths be for nothing.

PLEASE email the following and ask they begin to enforce the ordinance from
2003. To take a single turtle is a federal and state felony. So why is this
being allowed to happen every night?

CODE OFFICE: code@fortlauderdale.gov

CODE MANAGER: MichaelM@fortlauderdale.gov

CODE OFFICER: MSotolongo@fortlauderdale.gov

MAYOR: jack.seiler@fortlauderdale.gov

CITY MANAGER: LFeldman@fortlauderdale.gov

JuRichards@fortlauderdale.gov

DHernandez@fortlauderdale.gov

CRodstrom@fortlauderdale.gov

MSingh@fortlauderdale.gov

Here is a letter from code “enforcement” to the mayor
you will find interesting. The very first line under HISTORY tells the whole
story.

Why are yard maintenance, parking, watering and other code violations not given
the “educational approach” as well? Code “Enforcement” is
not called “Selective Code Education”. Who is making the decision of
which laws to “enforce” and which to “educate”, which to
fine and which to let slide? Could this be because the city itself is one of
the biggest offenders of it’s own ordinance?

FACTS:

We are not asking for the city to spend extra money…

TRUTH: what we ask will SAVE millions in wasted energy from overpowered lights
being directed into space for which tax payers are currently overpaying.

We are not asking to “turn off” any lights or
reduce public safety.

TRUTH: It will increase safety by reducing unsafe, blinding glare and direct
light to the ground where it is needed.

We are not asking for any new laws.

TRUTH: Harming a sea turtle is already a third degree felony. The Federal,
State and local laws in place are more than enough. Enforce them.

The South
Beach parking lot remodel
project lights the city claims cost “millions of dollars” were never
turned on this season and are not part of the current problem.

TRUTH: The new, overpriced lights will be IN ADDITION to the lights which are
causing the problems and are only a tiny fraction of a much larger, city wide
issue. Any new lights must meet lighting code. This does not make the money
spent on a remodel project “for the turtles”… The lights must also
meet hurricane code etc. Millions of dollars the city spent on 125 new lights
for a parking lot remodel is a math problem, and not related to the turtles
unless the parking lot was remodeled “for the turtles”, which it was
not. The above video took place in an area NOT affected by any current lighting
or remodel project. In fact, it took place next to brand new, non-complaint
construction that has already taken hundreds of turtles this season.

STOP is a non-profit, sea turtle conservation organization
which rescues hatchlings, documents hatchling disorientations and records and
publishes hatch data for research and educational purposes in accordance with
the Freedom of Information Act. STOP has already documented over 11,000
hatchling disorientations year to date in Broward County
in the first 3 months of the 2011 season.

We work with the law and for the law. All we ask that the city also OBEY and
ENFORCE the laws and STOP the psychological torture the caring rescue
volunteers endure every night.

Read the full ordinance

STATE LAW REGARDING SEA TURTLES

Florida
State Statute 379 Sec. 5

5. Any person, firm, or corporation that illegally takes, disturbs, mutilates,
destroys, CAUSES TO BE DESTROYED, transfers, sells, offers to sell, molests, or
harasses any marine turtle species, or the eggs or nest of any marine turtle
species as described in this subsection, commits a third degree felony,
punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

LOCAL – Ft.
Lauderdale

Ft.
Lauderdale Sea
Turtle Lighting Ordinance Sec. 6-51

“It is the policy of the City of Fort
Lauderdale that no artificial light shall illuminate any area of
the incorporated beaches of Fort
Lauderdale,Florida.”

Read the full ordinance

The plan would reduce the amount of treated sewage flowing into the ocean, conserve water and save millions. But a local water district’s proposal to build a high-tech sewage treatment plant on the edge of the Everglades faces a difficult road.

That’s because the North Springs Improvement District is locked into a perpetual contract to send its water and money to the Broward County treatment plant that dumps the partially treated sewage into the ocean. That plant treats wastewater to a lower level of cleanliness than the proposed plant and discharges it through a pipeline into the ocean.

The county’s ocean discharge pipe is one of five required to be shut down by 2025 under a state mandate to stop the waste of fresh water and end what many say is an egregious source of ocean pollution. North Springs says the proposed plant, which would treat about 2.5 million gallons a day, or more than 10 percent of what goes into the ocean, deserves the county’s support.

“Instead of dumping the water in the ocean, we can recharge our wetlands with good water,” said Rod Colon, district director of operations. “We want to take all that wastewater and do something environmentally sound.”

Alan Garcia Broward County’s water and sewage director, said there’s no hard scientific evidence that sewage discharges harm coral reefs. Broward’s Mayor Sue Gunzburger has said in the past, “If there’s anything we can do to avoid meeting that standard by 2025 Broward wants to do it. It’s a very expensive, unfunded mandate that I don’t think would make much difference when it comes to the ocean.”

Maybe they should read: Disease from human sewage is killing Caribbean corals.

This is the same Broward County that will host the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting in Fort Lauderdale, October 18-21.  See: “National Attention Focused on Florida’s Coral Reefs”

Read Sun Sentinel news article: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/fl-sewage-pollution-20110827,0,4960178.story

Also see: Broward sewage must somehow be different than the poop in the Keys