National Geographic Ocean Views piece on artificial reefs

(S)ome environmentalists, as well as federal and independent scientists, question whether an artificial reef program provides ecological benefits. Some view the creation of artificial reefs as a dumping ground for unwanted industrial trash and claim it to be an economic shortcut opportunity for recycling. Others note that although most artificial reefs offer potential habitat for certain kinds of marine life, these are not always environmentally harmonious homes. Artificial reefs can cause damage to natural habitats during their construction and can displace naturally occurring species and habitats. Also, because they tend to concentrate fish unnaturally, they can become more vulnerable to overfishing.

read more at http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/11/06/artificial-reefing-the-blue-solution-to-americas-aging-infrastructure/

Group against sinking ship to create artificial reef off Sunshine Coast files petition in court

"In January, the federal government tested the ship for hazardous materials and an Environment Canada report found it contained toxins known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at almost eight times the legal limit. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act sets the acceptable limits as 50 parts per million. The report shows that in some areas of the ship, the PCBs were as high as 377 parts per million.
In response to the findings, the federal government in June paid contractor Jenkins Marine Ltd. $865,000 to remove PCBs from the Annapolis, but results of the ship's final inspection were not released to the public."

Group against sinking ship to create artificial reef off Sunshine Coast files petition in court:



'via Blog this'

PCBs found on ship destined for artificial reef | Local News | Coast Reporter, Sunshine Coast, BC

"Dangerous levels of PCBs have been found onboard the HMCS Annapolis. Environment Canada is looking for contractors to remove the contaminant before sinking the ship to create an artificial reef."

PCBs found on ship destined for artificial reef | Local News | Coast Reporter, Sunshine Coast, BC:


'via Blog this'

Sandbox at bottom of ocean is an ecological playground - Outdoors - MiamiHerald.com

A great deal of research has been done on coral reef ecosystems, but there have been few studies on the sandy bottoms they cover — until now.

Read more here: 
Sandbox at bottom of ocean is an ecological playground - Outdoors - MiamiHerald.com:

'via Blog this'

Legal action prompted cleanup but tons of hazardous material still end up in Australian waters

No Ship Action Group newsletter outlines how legal action prompted environmental clean-up but tons of hazardous material remained on board sunken ship.

Items removed from HMAS Adelaide after the first scuttle attempt on 27 March 2010 following NSAG legal action:
23 000 square metres of fibreglass insulation that tested positive for PCBs. Download PCB test results 48/61 items tested positive for PCBs. 28 items tested at 10 mg/kg or higher 23 000 square metres of painted canvas covering
Over two tonnes of electrical cable that tested positive for PCBs
All polyurethane insulation foam from coolrooms
Over 200 junction boxes
Only ‘exfoliating’ lead paint. Download lead paint test results.
'The additional works to comply with the Tribunal orders were completed in March 2011...Over 44 tonnes of insulation was removed, which took 25 truckloads to take away for safe disposal.'
Excerpt from State governtment Environment Fact sheet about HMAS Adelaide

Items remaining on the vessel when it was dumped on 13 April 2011:
• 4 tonnes anti fouling paint
• 9 tonnes lead based paint containing up to 2.3 tonnes pure lead (lead content averages 28%)
• Paint on the aluminium superstructure contains Hexavalent Chromium
• Large amount of plastics in fittings and furniture that is destined to become marine debris
• Linoleum floorings
• Asbestos cladding on walls, ceilings and fixtures

read the complete newsletter here

http://noshipactiongroupincorporated.cmail1.com/t/ViewEmail/r/1AFF97D7CF60F9CE/B638F73161BC39A9D9767B6002735221

Australian government scraps plans to create new dive sites

Australian government chooses to scrap naval ships rather than take on new environmental fight

The government has decided a minimal return to taxpayers for scrap is a better outcome than spending $4 million to make each ship safe for use as a dive wreck. The 8000-tonne hulks have a scrap metal value of about $2.5 million each.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/dive-wreck-hopes-sunk-as-ships-head-to-scrapyard/story-e6freuy9-1226546770740

Gambier Island residents fight plans for new artificial reef

Global BC | Gambier Island residents fight plans for new artificial reef: "“It’s the size of three football fields and when it goes down on that fine sediment sea bed, it is going to destroy it,’ says Andrew Strang with savehalkettbay.com. “The Department of Fisheries and Oceans was very clear, and said that this was unacceptable.”
"

'via Blog this'