The Online Magazine for Sustainable
Seas
May 2002, Vol.5 No. 5
May 2002, Vol.5 No. 5
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The Online Magazine for Sustainable
Seas
May 2002, Vol.5 No. 5 |
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Coastal Alert |
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Philippines BFAR
Director finally expresses support for municipal waters guidelines World
The
state of the planet is getting worse but for many it's still "business
as usual"
Philippines BFAR Director finally expresses support for municipal
waters guidelines Deliberations during the drafting of DAO17 saw the DENR and BFAR at loggerheads over the interpretation of the definition of municipal waters provided for in Republic Act. No. 8550 or Fisheries Code of the Philippines. The DENR’s National Mapping Resource and Information Authority (NAMRIA) pushed for the use of the archipelagic principle in the determination of the extent of municipal waters, which Sarmiento, as BFAR director, opposed. The debate between the two agencies reached the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the Lower House. The Appropriations Committee declared that the DAO was legally infirm, while the Committee on Agriculture has so far been silent on the issue. Speaking before provincial officials, mayors, vice mayors, SB members, planning officers, NGOs and commercial fishers of the four provinces participating in the cross-validation workshop of delineated municipal waters, Sarmiento explained that the Bureau's previous opposition merely reflected the healthy relationship between the DENR and DA-BFAR but stressed that BFAR and DENR shared a common objective of resolving their differences to the best interest of marginal fishers. Surprised at the sudden declaration of support, municipal officials praised Sarmiento for his long-awaited public support for DAO-17. Sarmiento further announced he is proposing a P100M allocation in next year’s BFAR budget to support the products of the delineation of municipal waters, such as coastal resource and social assessment, coastal resource management planning, municipal waters zoning, and monitoring, control and surveillance. Director Sarmiento, together with DENR Secretary Heherson T. Alvarez, was invited by Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado to the cross validation workshop of the delineated municipal waters of Bohol, Cebu, Southern Leyte, Leyte and Siquijor which was sponsored by the provincial government of Bohol, the Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP) and the LMP- Bohol Chapter. Close to 130 LGU representatives attended the workshop. Alvarez said he hopes that the DENR and BFAR will have a more fruitful and meaningful collaboration in promoting and providing services to LGUs in the coastal resource management. By Jingjing Marino-Farrarons, Media Specialist, CRMP, and Mar Guidote, Local Government Coordinator, CRMP Cebu Province delineates municipal waters Governor Pablo Garcia together with Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong welcomed the participants consisting of mayors, vice mayors, municipal councilors and municipal planning and development coordinators representing all coastal LGUs of the province. The conference was facilitated by Cebu Provincial Planning and Development Office, with the assistance of the Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP), Tambuyog Development Center, UP-Visayas and German Development Agency and BFAR Regional Office 7. Under the law, municipalities must establish their local territorial waters called municipal waters for purposes of jurisdiction over taxation and revenue generating powers, management of coastal resources and effective enforcement of fishery and maritime laws. Cebu municipalities, grouped into congressional districts, mapped their municipal waters under the technical guidance of NAMRIA geodetic engineers. Group outputs were compared with digitized maps and adjusted accordingly. In areas where adjustments in boundaries were necessary, negotiations were undertaken by the LGUs with the assistance of NGO and NGA representatives who facilitated and documented the agreements. Some disputes were amicably settled; others would have to be resolved through site visits. Most of the problems encountered were related to inconsistencies of NAMRIA's maps with the province's administrative maps. Discrepancies in base maps affect the locations of terminal points. Since the time of President Marcos, cities and municipalities have been required to establish their municipal water jurisdiction, which at that time was set at 7 kilometers from the shoreline. Because of the country's irregular coastlines and outlying islands, however, it was not clear how the delineation could be done equitably. Commodore Renator Feir, who has been with NAMRIA for the last 36 years, said that since NAMRIA was then under the Department of National Defense and was therefore preoccupied with helping the military organization in all its tactical and mapping needs, the matter was not given much attention. In 1992, when the Local Government Code was passed, the issue of municipal waters -- this time defined as extending to 15 kilometers from the shoreline – was again discussed, but it was not until 1998, when the Fisheries Code was passed and NAMRIA was transferred to the DENR, that it became mandatory to study possible formulas for delineating municipal waters. In 2001, after 2 years of intensive studies and pilot testing in the provinces of Bohol, Davao del Sur and Masbate, and through technical assistance from CRMP, guidelines for the delineation of municipal waters based on the best available hydrographic and geodetic instruments were finally completed. These guidelines are now contained in DAO 17, which DENR Secretary Heherson Alvarez signed in June 2001. So far, 21 of the 65 coastal provinces, covering 200 of the 912 coastal cities and municipalities in the Philippines, have delineated their municipal waters. BFAR to open new ‘rich’ tuna fishing grounds BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. said migratory tuna that breed within the Celebes Sea and Moro Gulf travel along these Eastern grounds about four months in a year. During this time, commercial and local fishing vessels could catch them in bulk, process them, or send them directly to Japan. “BFAR will blaze the trail for local operations for tuna. The first concern is to show that the resource is there. The second thing is – using a special arrangement no matter how small initially, if we can swing the export of sashimi-grade tuna, we can tell operators, “If you can bring tuna at a certain time, a plane will be waiting to bring the tuna to Manila and from Manila, they will be sent to Japan,” he said. Tuna sold at only Php40 per kilo in Guiaian, Samar, but can fetch as much as Php500 per kilo in Japan. Sarmiento said that while infrastructure is important to make the program successful, existing ports in Infanta and Tacloban may be used to start new fishing operations since BFAR had already bought several fishing companies in the area, including RBL Fishing and fishing entrepreneurs Rudy Rivera and Marvin Tan. He said this venture will revive fish ports and airports including an airport in Guian built by the Americans. “We have not yet fully appreciated the potential of these areas as tuna fishing ground. We can export sashimi-grade tuna to Japan. We’re not even filling up 15 percent of the tuna market there,” he added. Local fishermen, he said, can begin exploring the fishing potential there while traders may initially be used to sell their goods. Over the long term, local fishers themselves can market their own goods in order to gain a higher mark-up for their produce. Sarmiento said fish operators have to be organized first so that the volume of export can be accumulated to a minimum of 10 metric tons per shipment. BFAR has conducted actual fishing operations in the area using long line (a fishing device with several hooks that catch large pelagic species like tuna), handline and purse seine or nets that catch small pelagic species like skipjack, round scad, and sardines. The opening of these non-traditional tuna fishing grounds has been prompted by prohibitions on the Philippines to fish in Indonesian waters. Sarmiento said that while the government has entered into a bilateral agreement with Indonesia to enable Filipino-owned vessels to fish in Indonesian waters, actual fishing operations have to wait for regulations on licensing and permitting fees to be finalized. The Philippines also has bilateral agreements with Papua New Guinea and Palau. Manila Bulletin, 05.08.02 Consider long-term impacts of mariculture – Legarda
admonishes BFAR Legarda said improper handling of fish culture projects have led to numerous incidence of fish kills and coastal pollution in the country due to the high density of fish stocks in an area and improper feeding. She cited the high concentration of fish pens and cages in Pangasinan and Laguna de Bay, which had been hit by recurring fish kills. “While the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) claims that the three mariculture parks would be a showcase of good farm management practices in the mold of the much-ballyhooed Samal Island project, we should not give in to overly optimistic forecasts,” Legarda said. BFAR says the 224-hectare Samal Island farm, started last July with an initial capitalization of only Php5 million, was a rousing success, encouraging them to look for 1,500 hectares more of coastal space on which to replicate it. The bureau vowed to oversee the creation of three new marine parks proposed in Subic and Masinloc in Zambales, and Puerto Princesa in Palawan, to ensure the protection of the environment. Total investment cost for the projects would be roughly Php45 million, said BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento. “It may be true that the Samal project was a big hit among private investors, but the BFAR should not rest on initial successes. They should look at the long-term consequences of the a project, which could easily slip into unsafe aquaculture practices,” Legarda said. Manila Bulletin, 04.07.02 Philippines to experience El Niño in last
quarter There has been no indication that the El Niño phenomenon, expected to hit Pacific basin countries this year, is underway in the Philippines, said Vicente Manalo, climatologist of the government’s weather service. “It is expected to affect us in the last quarter,” he told AFP. The last appearance of El Niño in 1997-1998 wrought havoc on the agriculture sector, which accounts for about 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. El Niño, characterized by the appearance of unusually warm, nutrient-poor water off Ecuador and northern Peru, occurs every few years and usually induces rains and floods on coastlines there, and brings severe drought to the western rim of the Pacific. AFP in The Freeman, 05.07.02 New wildlife law to cause jurisdictional problem
in coastal areas, says expert Lawyer Jay Batongbacal noted that although the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture have tried to resolve functional overlaps and conflicts in relation to the new law by coming up with a joint order, the question of jurisdiction over coastal areas has not been adequately resolved. He also pointed out that the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Conservation Act will revert the responsibility of managing municipal waters to the national government. The Fisheries Code of 1998, in support of the Local Government Code, gives this function to local governments. In a paper reviewing the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Batongbacal noted that the implementing rules of the law do not describe the procedure on how the DENR and DA will go about identifying endangered species and critical habitats. Apart from the existing international list of endangered wildlife, DENR is supposed to identify other species, as well as critical habitats, to be protected under the law. The DA is supposed to identify endangered aquatic wildlife. “All coral reefs would probably be considered critical habitat,” said one environmentalist. “If this happens, the DA or the BFAR will have jurisdiction over them, and not the local government. The DA and BFAR cannot even implement the Fisheries Code effectively. How can we expect them to [effectively manage coral reefs]?” LAP in Sun.Star Cebu, 05.09.02 Text messaging combats illegal fishing In April, a local fisher who used dynamite to catch fish was arrested by local fish wardens when they were tipped off about the illegal activity through SMS. Residents of Bago-isi island, a small fishing village north of Concepcion, alerted their village chief when they heard an explosion from the sea. The village chief then sent a text message to Concepcion Mayor Raul Banias, who instructed his private secretary, also through his cellphone, to take charge of the matter. Within 18 minutes, the fisher was caught and sent to jail. “With cellphones, it is now easy for us to patrol our islands and coastal waters,” said Mayor Banias. A considerable portion of the municipality of Concepcion includes 17 islands. Its waters, considered among the widest in the country, covers a major portion of the Visayan Sea. Because of its vast territorial waters, the municipality employs sea patrols to guard its waters against illegal commercial fishing and overexploitation of marine resources. “Our Bantay Dagat is definitely one of the factors of success of our coastal resource management, and mobile telephony is helping enhance our campaign for sustainable seas,” said Banias. Manila Bulletin, 05.08.02 Batangas fishers protest construction projects The coastal activities – dredging and reclamation work – have been “slowly killing them”, the fishermen said. In the newly reclaimed foreshore of the controversial project owned by one Raymond Moreno, they planted at least 30 white bamboo crosses, which they said symbolize their doom if the government would continue to ignore their warnings. A couple of kilometers along the coast, fishers are also protesting the clearing of mangroves, allegedly to give way to a fishpond project owned by a Lorenzo Vergara. Facing Balayan Bay, yet another project – an upscale resort reportedly owned by a certain Camilo Ortiz – is being opposed by the fishers. A concrete seawall made from corals encloses the construction site. “These environmentally destructive projects should be classified as heinous crimes,” Ruperto Alerosa, Sammaca president, told journalists. “What those rich people are constructing are like burial grounds and we, the small fishermen (who) live and depend on the resources of the bays, are the ones to be buried. They are slowly killing us.” Sammaca members pointed out that Moreno’s construction site has been declared a tourist zone and marine reserve, and their primary source of livelihood. The bay, with an area of about 30 sq km, ishome to a variety of corals, mangroves, fish and endangered species, such as the now elusive sea turtles, they said. A study conducted by Selina Stoute, an Australian marine biologist and volunteer for the Center for Empowerment and Resource Development, warned of the potentially destructive effects of dredging activities on the fragile environment. Among the problems cited by Stoute are the possible loss of productivity and the death of marine organisms. “The reclamation activities could restrict the flow of water from a natural waterway, which could affect the natural chain of marine ecosystem,” the study said. The fisherfolk claimed local government officials have turned a deaf ear to their case. “Our slippers are already worn out going back and forth to the town hall. Our mayor has ignored us,” said Emmy Hernandez, Samahang Anak president. Municipal engineer Miguel Duman said all the construction activities questioned by the Sammaca did not have permits from his office. But he sad the problem lies with the DENR, “because the projects don’t have environmental clearance certificates or environmental impact assessments.” D.T. Mallari Jr. in Philippine Daily Inquirer, 05.02.02 Malapascua, Bantayan to remain “wilderness area” Environment Secretary Heherson T. Alvarez said he found no basis to lift the proclamation because he wants the areas protected from becoming urban settlements. Town officials said they want the proclamation lifted to correct misconceptions about Bantayan being a “wilderness” island. Such misconceptions, they claimed, have discouraged capitalists from investing in the town. G.M. Rubio, The Freeman, 05.16.02 Fish tocino brings money to island folks The tiny speck of island at the tail of the Bicol Region, some 30 minutes’ ride by pumpboat off the southern municipality of Masbate, is home to some of the better-tasting commercial fishes and other aquatic resources, especially the baknit. The baknit, also known as saguksok in Cebuano, is one of the most sought-after fish varieties by people who have developed a taste for fish tocino. Rogelio Magbalon Jr., 28, a native of Cawayan, said Naro Island villagers of Ponta Batasan and Talisay were some of the few people who have only recently found good use for the baknit, which other fishermen used to throw back into the sea once caught. He said fish tocino making was introduced locally a few years ago by some Cebuano businessmen. Today, over 70 families in Ponta Batasan and Talisay villages are engaged full-time in the thriving industry. Magbalon said that given enough protection against dynamite fishing and poaching by trawl fishers, the windfall will continue at least during his lifetime. Among the long-term plans of the Masbate provincial government for the community is the establishment of fish sanctuaries and the opening of the area to sustainable ecotourism. Jose Lalo Zafra, provincial tourism officer, said the southwestern part of the main Masbate island is best for wind surfing and other marine sports. He added that given the right direction and management, ecotourism would not only augment the income of the people in the locality but also ensure the protection of the environment. R. Embile in Philippine Daily Inquirer, 05.12.02 BFAR warns Bolinao residents against eating seaweed Last April, three teenagers from Santiago Island in Bolinao died while six others fell ill after eating colet. Officials of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) said toxins from the harmful blue-green algae (dinoflagellates) that settled on the seaweed caused the death of the three teenagers. UP-MSI conducted an initial test on the seaweed. “Different kinds of algae produce different toxins. Whatever caused the death of the three residents was highly toxic because the (laboratory) mouse fed with the seaweed died minutes after eating it,” said UP-MSI deputy director Nemesio Montaño. “The toxin from the algae is not absorbed by the seaweed but this settles on the seaweed’s surface and is not easily washed off.” The institute wants to identify what algae caused the poisoning, and is sending samples of the seaweed to the United States for further analysis. Y. Fuertes in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, 05.11.02 Batangueños await return of tawilis Tawilisan in Barangay Bihis in Sta. Teresita town in Batangas used to be the central buying station of tawilis from the fishing village of Saimsim and nearby Agoncillo town. Now it is just a landmark. Rogelio Bathan, 55, Saimsim barangay chair (village chief), said he and other fishers used to haul as much as two tons of tawilis from the lake in 1965. But since then First Lady Imelda Marcos and the then Bureau of Fisheries dumped thousands of carp fingerlings into the lake in 1970, the tawilis population has slowly diminished. Fisher Eddie Medina believed the carp started eating the tawilis. “The carps of Imelda grew as much as 10 kilos each, (but) our tawilis catch became less and less.” Ironically, what remained of the giant carp are small carp called karpita, which grow up to only six inches long. May is the month of the tawilis in Saimsim, when the fish is abundant in the lake. But up to now, Bathan said he had seen only a few fish. “Last week, a fisherman caught eight tawilis,” Bathan said. “That has so far been the biggest catch these days.” Last year, the biggest haul was only 20 kilos. Tawilisan is now a buying center for tilapia and bangus (milkfish). Vilma Mortel, assistant provincial agriculturist based in the capitol in Batangas City, said the vanishing tawilis has been a long-time problem of the province. “The unconsumed and decomposing fish feeds that settle at the bottom of the lake might have caused the decrease in population. But we’re still studying it,” Mortel said. “We have started regulating (fishing activities) and we have already minimized the construction of fish cages in Taal Lake.” Since the fish culture trend in the early 1990s, more fish cages have been constructed in the lake, contributing to the gradual disappearance of tawilis, he added. Gov. Hermilando Mandanas said they have formed “Sagip Tawilis Movement” involving provincial and local government units. Mandanas has ordered the revocation of business permits of big fish cages operators and financiers to protect the small fish cage owners, and the strict implementation of the campaign against illegal fishing. M. Magsino in Philippine Daily Inquirer, 05.16.02 World The state of the planet is getting worse but for
many it's still "business as usual" This gap, says UNEP, is due to the fact that in most industry sectors, only a small number of companies are actively striving for sustainability, i.e. actively integrating social and environmental factors into business decisions. And, secondly, because improvements are being overtaken by economic growth and increasing demand for goods and services: a phenomenon known as the "rebound effect". The new findings appear in the UNEP overview report "10 years after Rio: the UNEP assessment". This overview report assesses progress to date by industry on sustainability issues. It draws on 22 global sustainability reports written by different industry sectors ranging from accounting and advertising to waste and water management. This collection of reports is known as the Industry as a Partner for Sustainable Development series. "Today, we are still confronted with worsening global trends related to environmental problems like global warming, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, air and water pollution", said Klaus Toepfer, UNEP's Executive Director. "Some companies have risen to the challenge. Such efforts need to be acknowledged and applauded." "However", Toepfer continued, "the new reports clearly show that progress since Rio has been uneven within and amongst industry sectors and countries. Despite many good examples of how industries are reducing waste and emissions, becoming more energy efficient, and helping poor communities to meet their basic needs, we have found that the majority of companies are still doing business as usual." Each report, written by industry representatives in an unprecedented cooperation with the UN, labor and non-governmental organizations, looks at achievements, unfinished business and future challenges with respect to implementing Agenda 21 - the global action plan to save the planet that was agreed to at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. In response to the findings, UNEP has identified priority areas for business and industry and suggests a number of recommendations. These include: spreading the use of "best practices" that bring "triple dividends" -- economic, environmental and social -- greater integration of environmental and social criteria into mainstream business decision-making; and improving the implementation and monitoring of voluntary initiatives and industry self-regulation. All the sector reports highlight the crucial role of Governments, combining regulatory, economic and voluntary instruments, in spurring social and technological innovation, and in ensuring that laggard or negligent companies do not benefit at the expense of those investing in best practices. The UNEP overview report and the 22 individual sector reports are available on the web at http://www.uneptie.org/outreach/wssd/sectors/reports.htm WTO director-general stresses development role
of trade Said Moore, “At Doha, governments committed themselves to negotiations between Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEA) and the WTO Agreements to ensure that there are no legal contradictions. The aim of the WTO negotiations is to enhance the mutual supportiveness of trade and the environment. That is why negotiations will also cover trade barriers to environmental goods and services.” Moore observed that many developing countries are “suspicious of developed countries because they fear protectionist motives and point out that agricultural subsidies in OECD countries cost USD1 billion a day and result in job losses for poor countries, as well as pollution in rich countries due to intensive, subsidized farming inputs. Fish subsidies by rich countries have a similar impact on the environment, another area of deep differences between governments that will be addressed in the negotiations.” Many developing countries are deeply suspicious of developed countries because they fear protectionist motives and point out that agricultural subsidies in OECD countries cost $1 billion a day and result in job losses for poor countries, as well as pollution in rich countries due to intensive, subsidised farming inputs. Fish subsidies by rich countries have a similar impact on the environment, another area of deep differences between governments that will be addressed in the negotiations. Calling poverty and sustainable development as “two sides of the same coin,” Moore pointed to a “direct connection with rising living standards and better environmental outcomes.” He said, “Higher education and living standards reduce birth rates. The same is true for the environment. Rich cities are cleaner than poor cities. Every time we lift people from poverty, we lift environmental outcomes… History shows that the most polluted places and poorest people are those that have suffered from governments that tried to plan outcomes by central and government control. The best environmental outcomes have come as a result of democracy, open markets, an active civil society and a free media to keep politicians and businesspeople honest, accountable and responsive.” New "life-cycle initiative" launched
to help combat environmental impact of rising consumption patterns The "Life-Cycle Initiative," a collaboration between UNEP and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), will help governments, businesses and consumers to adopt more environment-friendly policies, practices and lifestyles. It will develop and disseminate practical tools for evaluating the opportunities, risks and trade-offs, associated with products and services over their whole life cycle. "As the world population grows -- and it is poised to expand 50 percent by 2050 -- it will be accompanied by an extraordinary growth in consumption," said Klaus Toepfer, UNEP Executive Director. "Meeting the growing consumption demands of all people while at the same time preserving Earth's natural resources requires new ways of thinking, innovation of new technology and new business models," he said. "Based on the 'from cradle to grave' or even better, 'from cradle to cradle' approach the Life-Cycle Initiative will help address problems such as finding alternatives to hazardous substances in products like lead, as well as better systems of eco-labeling and product design," Toepfer continued. "With its focus on sharing of information and closing the knowledge gap between developed and developing countries, the initiative will critically help translate life-cycle thinking into practice," he said. For more information about the Life-Cycle Initiative see http://www.uneptie.org/pc/sustain/lca/lca.htm World Ecotourism Summit opens Throughout the world, tourism is on the path to becoming a major industry, and ecotourism is already a strongly emerging segment for which demand is ever increasing. Ecotourism is a very special kind of tourism that values respect, sustainability and sharing. The Summit, an initiative of the World Tourism Organisation and the United Nations Environment Programme, has been realized in partnership with Tourisme Québec and the Canadian Toruism Commission (CTC). The year 2002 has been designated as the International Year of Ecotourism by the United Nations. "The Québec Summit represents the culminating point of the International Year of Ecotourism,” declared Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of the WTO. Four principal themes were the subject of discussion:
Summit conclusions and recommendations will be included in the "Québec City Declaration on Ecotourism", which will be presented at the Earth Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa, in September 2002. Summit stresses need to clarify “ecotourism” At the start of the day, representatives from the two principal Summit partners, the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), presented their respective visions of ecotourism, the realizations of one or the other international organization, and what they plan to do to ensure the harmonious development of this emerging industry. "In spite of a 1.3% drop in tourism in 2001, the WTO maintains its forecast for growth," said WTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli. "Ecotourism and its sustainable development are at the crossroads of a three-pronged preoccupation: economic - by stimulating activity and reducing poverty; social - by creating jobs for the most disadvantaged; and environmental - by providing the financial resources needed to protect natural and cultural resources. All stakeholders must work in collaboration in relation to these three important areas." Ecotourism can be tool in fight against poverty,
UNEP head tells Quebec summit "Sustainable ecotourism must be recognized as an important tool for alleviating poverty and promoting environmental protection", Toepfer remarked. He told the 1,200 participants that the Ecotourism Summit would contribute to the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) by raising awareness of ecotourism's capacity to contribute to the conservation of the natural environment and cultural heritage in remote areas, and to the improvement of standards of living in those areas, especially through the creation of employment opportunities. "The environment is the major asset of the developing world", he said. "It must be preserved and used responsibly for sustainable development. Ecotourism can play a role in ensuring the preservation and use of these natural assets. But responsibility to act now, rests with all stakeholders -- Governments, local communities, tourists, the tourism industry, NGOs and international organizations, including UNEP." Toepfer noted that ecotourism cannot exist and grow in a vacuum, it had to be integrated into sustainable development plans and land use plans, especially those for natural protected areas. Although Governments will take a leading role, he said local communities had to be involved in policy development and planning. "They are the guardians of natural assets at present, and they should retain responsibility for these assets." Two new publications offer advise and guidance in the area of ecotourism policy and planning: "Ecotourism: Practices and Policies for Sustainability", by UNEP and the International Ecotourism Society; is a basic resource and reference book for Governments and practitioners who want to develop environmentally and socially sound ecotourism practices. "Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas" is a manual developed by UNEP, the World Conservation Union-IUCN and the World Tourism Organisation for planning and management of some of the world's most environmentally fragile areas. One of the problems which ecotourism has encountered is the lack of internationally recognized standards. Toepfer said "it is therefore imperative, and in the interest of all stakeholders, to ensure that there are guidelines, certification and codes of conduct, which are agreed and accepted as binding. 'Greenwashing' has occurred all to often, devaluing the whole concept of ecotourism." In the area of product development and promotion of ecotourism, Mr. Toepfer said there was a need to balance the demands of the tourists, the needs and concerns of the local community, and the interests of the tourism industry, with care for the environment. He also said "it must also be recognized that some places are just too fragile for shoe leather, mountain bikes or motor vehicles -- or indeed any kind of tourism -- these places therefore must remain out of bounds." Among UNEP activities in this area is the Tour Operators Initiative and aspects of its various conservation initiatives, such as the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN), the Mountain Commons project, and the Great Apes Survival Project (GRASP) (see below). Information on the World Ecotourism Summit is available at www.ecotourism.org World's largest whale still under threat As the largest of the great whales, blue whales were the most profitable species for Antarctic whalers to catch and consequently their population of about 250,000 was reduced to around 1,000 within 60 years. Despite intensive surveys of the Antarctic, only 75 blue whales have been sighted in the past 20 years, according to the IWC Scientific Committee report. "Whales don't recover quickly from overexploitation and it's particularly worrying that the blue whale is failing to recover because they've been protected for so long,” said Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner Richard Page. "There are also less Southern and Northern hemisphere minkes than previously thought,” Page added. The report estimates Southern Hemisphere minke populations in all Antarctic areas surveyed are less than half of that previously estimated. Most of the Antarctic has now been surveyed for the third time, although the whole survey will not be completed until 2004. On average, the minke population in all the areas surveyed was only 46% of the estimate from the previous survey. "IWC scientists haven't agreed on an explanation for this drastic reduction. One possibility is climate change, which is known to be having an increasing impact on the Antarctic ecosystem,” Page says. Although this decline was found in the areas in which the Fisheries Agency of Japan (FAJ) conducts its ‘scientific research’ whaling, it was never reported by the ‘scientific’ whalers. In fact after their Southern Ocean expedition this year, they reported seeing large numbers of minkes. The report also contains new surveys submitted to the IWC by Norway showing there are not as many North Atlantic minkes as previously thought and an increased level of uncertainty about the population estimate. This should decrease the number of whales Norway takes in the future. But when it was revealed their catch was predominantly female in 2000, Norway simply changed the way it calculated its catch limits (by lowering the tuning level for the Revised Management Procedure agreed to by the IWC) in order to keep catching the same number of whales. "Given this history, Norway will just bend the rules again to catch as many whales as it can,” said Page. "The number of whales caught by Norway is driven by the whaling industry, not by sound science and the need to protect whales.” The report also reveals:
"All the scientific evidence from the IWC points to the need to adopt a truly precautionary approach and to stop Japanese "scientific” whaling and Norwegian commercial whaling,” Page said. Scientists urge Japan to suspend scientific whale hunt SHIMONOSEKI, JAPAN, May 20, 2002 - On the opening day of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting here, 21 prominent scientists from around the world -- among them three Nobel Prize winners -- challenged the scientific credibility of Japan's "scientific" whaling program and called on the Japanese government to halt it. A letter from the scientists was delivered to top officials in Tokyo, including the prime minister. Although Japan's "scientific whaling" program has long been criticized within the whaling commission itself, Monday's letter is the first definitive scientific judgment from outside the IWC. The scientists criticized the country's whaling program, ostensibly done as scientific research, as failing to meet "minimum standards for credible science." The letter also ran as a full-page ad in the western edition of The New York Times. The open letter to the Japanese government was signed by marine biologists and distinguished scientists such as David Suzuki, Jared Diamond, Jane Lubchenco, Sylvia Earle, E.O. Wilson and Nobel laureates Sir Aaron Klug and Roger Guillemin. "The letter serves as an independent critique of Japan's 'scientific whaling' program outside the IWC and it comes from world-recognized scientific authorities," said Richard Mott, vice president for international policy at World Wildlife Fund, which sponsored the newspaper ad. "We are pleased to see so many luminaries in the science world defending science so forcefully." Despite a global moratorium imposed by the IWC in 1986, Japan has continued to hunt whales, using a loophole in the moratorium that allows the killing of whales for scientific research. But Japan has never allowed outside experts to review its results. And the country distributes its whale quota among commercial whaling interests, which sell the whale meat to upscale stores and restaurants in Japan. "The commercial nature of Japan's whaling program conflicts with its scientific independence," the scientists' letter says. "Most of the data being gathered by Japan's 'scientific whaling' are obtainable by non-lethal means. Yet Japan's whale research program kills hundreds of whales each year in the absence of a compelling scientific need." US fisheries on a path toward recovery -- report "While there is still progress to be made in some fisheries, overall fish populations are more plentiful than last year, proof that our rebuilding programs are working," said Bill Hogarth, director of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries). The agency is responsible for managing the nation's 2 million square miles of federal fishing waters, equivalent to approximately two-thirds of the continental landmass. These resources contributed over $50 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product from commercial and recreational fishing activities in 2001. Many fish species - like Georges Bank haddock and yellowtail flounder - that were heavily over-harvested five years ago are either healthy today or headed toward recovery, thanks to responsible management by NOAA Fisheries and the regional fishery management councils. Since 1994, haddock and yellowtail flounder stocks have multiplied from under 10,000 metric tons to about 60,000 due to area fishing closures within the bank that were identified as spawning grounds. A new management regime that limited the number of days per year fishermen could target these species, along with catch limits and restrictions on the mesh size of fishing nets to protect the smaller fish, has helped haddock and yellowtail flounder rebound from record low numbers. NOAA Fisheries and the councils have developed fishery programs that are reversing the depletion of many species primarily caused by decades of overfishing. Fishery programs are designed to allow fishing to continue under strict regulations while the stocks grow to stable levels. The number of stocks with sustainable harvest rates rose by 45 percent between 1999 and 2001 (from 159 to 230), while those with sustainable stocks sizes increased by a third. At the same time, the number of stocks being over-harvested has been reduced by 15 percent (from 77 stocks to 65), and the number of stocks deemed as overfished declined by 12 percent in 2001. Last year, two species - Georges Bank and mid-Atlantic sea scallops - were fully rebuilt, and eleven more were taken off the overfished species list (down from 92 stocks to 81). One of these species - summer flounder - is doing so well that regulations were relaxed last year, allowing fishermen to harvest 36 percent more while the stock continues to rebuild. The total stock size of summer flounder almost doubled to 80 million pounds between 1992 and 1999. Of the 81 species that are still classified as overfished, 67 are steadily growing under rebuilding programs. An additional nine rebuilding programs are currently under development by the regional fishery management councils in efforts to meet the Sustainable Fisheries Act mandate to rebuild all overfished species. The councils are directed by Congress to work with local fishing constituents to formulate and recommend fishery management programs to the U.S. government through the Secretary of Commerce. The councils created other measures in 2001 to protect and conserve marine resources. For example, a springtime shrimping closure in the South Atlantic ensured the preservation of the spawning population of white shrimp after an unusually cold and long winter wiped out a large portion of the species. In the North Pacific, regulations were developed to further reduce seabird bycatch and minimize fishing interactions with marine mammals. In the Gulf of Mexico, a new permit requirement on shrimp trawls will help to better calculate the amount of shrimping effort and bycatch in that fishery. The councils in the Caribbean and Hawaii developed regulations to further protect the coral reef fish habitats in those regions of the country. The new Coral Reef Ecosystem Plan in Hawaii includes an innovative, holistic approach to conserving the entire marine ecosystem in federal waters in the Western Pacific. For the first time under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, marine resources will be managed based on the inter-relationships of species and their surroundings. A NOAA Fisheries' goal is to determine the abundance of species whose stock status is unknown, and so the agency is seeking an additional $9.9 million in funding for 2003 to expand fishery stock assessments. Most of these species have a lower assessment priority because they are not targeted by fisherman, and are therefore at less risk of becoming overfished. Out of 959 federally managed fish stocks, there is enough data to determine the abundance of 304 species. The collective landings of the 655 species whose status is unknown represent less than one percent of all fishery landings in the United States. However, the report classifies 120 of these species as "major" stocks since fishermen landed at least 200,000 pounds of them last year. These "major" species whose stock abundance is unknown will take priority in future data collection programs. NOAA Fisheries and the councils have to curtail overfishing of the 65 fish stocks for which harvest amounts still exceed allowable harvest levels as outlined in fishery management plans. Improvements have been made in this area. For example, 20 more stocks had sustainable harvest rates in 2001 than in 2000. Efforts also are being increased to lower fishery bycatch of endangered and non-targeted species and marine mammals. The agency has pledged to improve the public accessibility and timeliness of the decision-making process in meeting these challenges. "The improvements recorded are evidence of the effectiveness of the agency's fishery management approach and its rebuilding programs this year," Hogarth said. "Now we have to fix problems in the remaining fisheries, strengthen our data for those species whose stock status is unknown, and target limited resources on activities that will most benefit fish stocks." Depending on the fishery, rebuilding programs may consist of a variety of management regulations that limit fishing effort, set restrictions on allowable gear, or impose minimum size limits to ensure protection of young fish that have not yet contributed to the population. These regulations may also include fishery closures during spawning seasons and in areas that are important havens for juvenile fish. Some fisheries are managed under long-term rebuilding programs because they are long-lived species and do not mature and spawn for a decade or more. The timeframes of these long-term rebuilding programs are directly tied to the biology of the fish in question and allow the fisheries to remain viable while the numbers of fish grow to stable stock levels. NOAA Fisheries also will focus its resources on reducing harmful fishing activities to fish habitats and continue providing recommendations to other agencies for reducing harmful non-fishing activities that can lead to a decline in fish stocks. "Success in achieving fully recovered fish stocks by reducing bycatch and overfishing will contribute substantially to the U.S. economy," Hogarth said. "It will ensure a long-term, plentiful supply of domestic seafood for American citizens, recreational opportunities for anglers and support for American fishing communities." Copies of the report are available at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/reports.html. Wildlife-related recreation boosts US economy --
survey In 2001, more than 82 million Americans engaged in wildlife-related recreation in the United States, an increase of five million in comparison with the last survey conducted in 1996. These recreationists spent more than $110 billion pursuing their activities. These expenditures accounted for for 1.1% of the gross domestic product, a considerable contribution to the U.S. economy. "Wildlife is an American icon," said Service Director Steve Williams. "Wildlife-related recreationists have always been staunch supporters of wildlife conservation in America. Wildlife recreation significantly benefits our economy, creates jobs, and enhances our standard of living." Fishing is one of the Nation's favorite pastimes, with 34 million anglers age 16 or older, each spending an average of 16 days fishing in 2001. Anglers spent more than $35 billion on trips, equipment, and other items for their sport, averaging more than $1,046 apiece. More than 28 million people went freshwater fishing, while nine million people went saltwater fishing. The Great Lakes, one of the most widely fished freshwater areas, attracted 2 million anglers. From 1991 to 1996, the number of people observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife increased by five percent, while their expenditures remained constant at $510 apiece. The U.S. Bureau of Census interviewed 80,000 households in the United States to determine participants in wildlife-associated activities. From this initial phase, 30,000 sportsmen and sportswomen and 15,000 wildlife watchers were selected for detailed interviews about their participation and expenditures in 2001. WWF, Swedish Ecotourism Association appeal: Support
plans for ecotourism certification The LINKS program, short for Linking Tourism and Conservation in the Arctic, will certify arctic tourism businesses that operate in a socially and environmentally responsible way and will assist in marketing these businesses to travelers. Initially a joint initiative of WWF, the State of Alaska, and the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association, LINKS is now an official project of the Arctic Council, the high level inter-governmental forum consisting of all eight arctic countries and indigenous peoples' organizations. The Swedish Ecotourism Association launched its own ecotourism quality label in February this year and is backing the call for an Arctic-wide certification program. Sweden's scheme, called Nature's Best, is Europe's first, and the world's second, clearly defined national ecotourism label. The certification program would mean businesses which adhere to WWF's Principles and Codes of Conduct for arctic tourism would be able to carry a special logo to market their tours. The program would be marketed to travelers through an interactive website that will help them choose more sustainable businesses and provide further information about the Arctic, its environment and cultures. Leaked Scottish government report reveals fish
farm damage Disturbingly, the report also reveals how the research has been hampered by a lack of cooperation by fish farmers. A combination of problems accessing sites, lack of chemical data and repeated lack of notice of time and quantities of chemicals used is described by one of the lead scientists as "threatening this project." Friends of the Earth Scotland's Chief Executive, Kevin Dunion, said: "In recent years licences for the use of toxic chemicals have been extensively handed out despite widespread concerns as to the environmental consequences yet only now is a long-term study underway to examine the potential effects. These worrying findings suggest that the impact of salmon farming may not be localized, as the industry and authorities have so far claimed. Despite being withheld from the public these findings must be passed to the current Parliamentary inquiry into the aquaculture industry." "We are disturbed to read in this report what appears to be examples of non-cooperation with the research program by fish farmers. This is an expensive, overdue and protracted piece of research. Deficiencies regarding the collection of data which are only coming to light in this secret document must be rectified so as not to undermine what the research will ultimately be able to reveal." Production of wild Baltic salmon increases Over one million more wild Baltic salmon have been produced in 2001 than in 1995, raising the annual yield of juvenile wild salmon from 0.3 to over 1.3 million, according to the latest data of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Last year's wild salmon production equals about 70% of the potential production capacity estimated in the 27 Baltic salmon rivers which are free of hydro-electric power production plants. Eight rivers have reached the long term 50% production objective for each salmon river set by HELCOM and IBSFC. A few of the larger rivers have even surpassed their estimated potential production levels. Most of the larger salmon populations in the Bothnian Bay are in a promising status, but the uncertain knowledge about the potential production level in each river indicates the need for further scientific review of their maximum production capacity. The stock status in the smallest forest rivers in the Bothnian Bay and in the small Estonian rivers, however is still in an alarming situation and a lot of rehabilitation of spawning areas is needed in many Baltic salmon rivers. First Baltic-wide forecast of blue-green algal
blooms released The risk of toxic blue-green algal blooms is very high in the entire Gulf of Finland, in the southern waters of the Archipelago Sea and the Åland Archipelago, and in the northern Baltic Proper. The risk is considerably lower in the northern waters of the Archipelago Sea and the Åland Archipelago, and in the Gulf of Bothnia. The Finnish scientists believe the first mats of blue-green algae will appear in late June or early July if the summer is warm, and peak in late July. Cold and windy summer weather conditions would probably postpone the climax to August, and blooms would be less intense. The blue-green algae assessed in the report belong to the genera Aphanizomenon and Nodularia. Blooms of Nodularia can be poisonous to humans and animals. Blooms of other species of blue-green algae might occur in certain inshore waters and bays. The forecasts are based on samples taken at 360 locations by the Finnish Institute of Marine Research, the Finnish environmental administration, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute and the City of Helsinki. Meat from endangered sei, humpback, and fin whales
found for sale in Japan Japan is pushing for an end to the 15-year international moratorium on commercial whaling. The country currently operates a "scientific" whaling program. Scientific whaling is allowed under IWC rules; however, due to its questionable scientific merit and the resulting whale meat ending up for commercial sale, the Commission has issued resolutions condemning Japan's program as an abuse of the provision. Each year Japan hunts and kills 540 minke, 50 Bryde's and 10 sperm whales in the name of science, claiming that the killing is necessary to collect information about the whales. This year they seek to expand this program to include 50 endangered sei whales. Meat and blubber from the hunts are sold in Japanese restaurants and supermarkets, leading many to insist that the program is a screen for commercial whaling. Dr. Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist for The Humane Society of the United States, says, "The DNA test results demonstrate that a 'legal' market for whale meat can be a shield for illegal kills of endangered species. If the moratorium on commercial whaling is lifted, more endangered whales will be killed." The HSUS is also praising the IWC member-countries that voted to uphold a ruling rejecting Iceland's application for membership with a reservation against the moratorium and maintaining that nation's observer status in the meeting. Rose stated, "Not allowing Iceland to rejoin the IWC with a reservation is a victory for everyone concerned, not just for the IWC treaty but for all treaties. Allowing Iceland to rejoin with a reservation against the moratorium would have set a terrible precedent. If you don't like a provision in a treaty, even if you accepted it initially, quit! Then after a few years have passed, rejoin and exempt yourself from the provision you didn't like!" Rose points out that there are very few reliable statistics on whale populations. There is a large discrepancy between current population estimates for the Antarctic population of minke whales and the last estimate generated in the late 1980's, for example. Originally believed to number 760,000, the latest Antarctic minke whale estimate now stands at 312,000. The reasons for this discrepancy aren't clear. But, says Rose, "it certainly indicates that we aren't sure of their numbers and that trying to put in place a quota for the purposes of commercial whaling could do irreparable harm to this and other species." The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than six million members and constituents. Japan’s pearl industry dying, growers cry for help The growers are grappling with viral infections and “red tides” of algae that have killed large portions of their treasured oysters in the past couple of years, a weak economy, and unusually low water temperatures in the first few months this year that wiped out more than half of their oysters. Their oysters, mostly of the Akoya variation prized for creating pearls with satin-like texture and iridescence, normally prefer cooler waters to protect themselves from viral infections and oxygen-depriving red tides, both believed to be caused by a combination of factors such as water pollution and climate change. But they also die when temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius. Particularly vulnerable are baby oysters being bred for future pearl cultivation. Data collected by the local pearl growers’ cooperative showed water temperatures in the Ago Bay fall repeatedly below that threshold in January to March due to an unusual pattern of sea currents that scientists are still trying to figure out. The red tide and viruses, however, may not be entirely unrelated to this year’s damage. Growers say the red tides and viral infections have made their oysters weaker and easily spoiled by colder waters. Annual production in the Ise-Shima area is likely to be cut to half the 4.3 billion yen (USD33.81 million) earned in the last fiscal year to end-March, already a fraction of the 15 billion yen earned a decade ago, said an official of the national growers’ association. Reuters in Philippine Daily Inquirer, 05.05.02 Monterey Bay Aquarium issues West Coast seafood
guide The West Coast wallet card, produced by the aquarium's Seafood Watch program, identifies 58 of the most popular seafood items found in restaurants and markets throughout the region. It gives each a "Best Choice" rating, a "Proceed With Caution" alert or a spot on the "Avoid" list. The card will be distributed by the non-profit Monterey Bay Aquarium, three partner aquariums -- the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California; the Seattle Aquarium; and the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre in British Columbia -- and other organizations that use Seafood Watch: Choices for Healthy Oceans to raise consumer awareness about ocean conservation issues. It can also be downloaded at www.montereybayaquarium.org. "Through their buying decisions, consumers can have a powerful voice in protecting ocean wildlife," said Seafood Watch program manager Jennifer Dianto. "We're excited to offer a wallet card that covers the most popular seafood items on the West Coast." The aquarium will produce other regional cards as it partners with aquariums and science centers across North America. The aquarium has already distributed more than 250,000 Seafood Watch wallet cards. Another 55,000 cards have been downloaded from the Seafood Watch section of the web site. The expanded Seafood Watch: Choices for Healthy Oceans web section offers tips on using the card to make the right choices; background information and animations illustrating some of the most critical issues facing the world's fisheries; a "Fish Quick" search feature to let individuals find the status of their favorite fish; and one-stop access to other regional cards as they come available. The Seafood Information Center will be an impartial database reflecting the best understanding about the status of fisheries and describing the conservation issues surrounding each fishery, Dianto said. The new Seafood Watch card, on the other hand, contains specific and comprehensive recommendations from the aquarium about different types of seafood found most widely in West Coast restaurants and markets. Key recommendations on the new card include:
Delaware horseshoe crab count underway Delaware Sea Grant organized the first census in 1990 in an effort to learn more about the important animal's population status. Horseshoe crabs fill a critical niche in both the ecology of the Delaware Bay and in human pharmacology. Newly spawned eggs provide food for shorebirds on their way from South America to the Arctic. In the pharmaceutical industry, horseshoe crabs are bled to obtain a compound that can test intravenous drugs for dangerous bacteria. They are used in prosthetics like heart valves and artificial teeth as well. The horseshoe crab is also commercially fished and used as a baitfish. Delaware Sea Grant researcher Nancy M. Targett has been working on development of an artificial bait to reduce fishing pressures on this species which predates the dinosaurs but whose numbers have been declining in recent years. Volunteers can learn more about the census at www.ocean.udel.edu/mas/bhall/hsccensus/ Joint UNEP-UNICEF-WHO book on environmental impact
on children's health This alarming figure, from Children in the New Millennium: Environmental Impact on Health, shows that children the world over are the greatest victims of environmental degradation, despite the great strides made over the past ten years in improving both children's well-being and the environment. The diseases largely influenced by this degradation, most notably diarrhea and acute respiratory infections, are two of the leading causes of child mortality. "We have made great strides over the last decade. Children are healthier today. There is more access to clean water. But these disturbing figures show we have barely started to address some of the main problems," said Carol Bellamy, the Executive Director of UNICEF. "Far too many children are dying from diseases that can be prevented through access to clean water and sanitation." The 140-page report, jointly produced by UNICEF, the UN Environment Programme and the World Health Organization (WHO), was released as part of the May 8-10 UN General Assembly Special Session on Children. This landmark conference, attended by more than 60 heads of state or government and 170 national delegations, aims to place children back at the top of the world's agenda and foster more investment in essential social services for them. One of its main goals is to increase household access to hygienic sanitation facilities and affordable and safe drinking water. According to WHO, almost one-third of the global disease burden can be attributed to environmental risk factors. Over 40 per cent of this burden falls on children under five years of age, who account for only 10 per cent of the world's population. A major contributing factor to these diseases is malnutrition, which affects around 150 million and undermines their immune systems. Malnutrition and diarrhea form a vicious cycle. The organisms that cause diarrhea harm the walls of children's guts, which prevents them digesting and absorbing their food adequately, causing even greater malnutrition -- and vulnerability to disease. The report also identifies other major environmental problems directly affecting children, such as high levels of toxic chemicals and the degradation and depletion of natural resources. Lead in the environment -- much of it from leaded gasoline -- causes permanent neurological and developmental disorders in children. Millions of children work in agriculture, putting them at high risk of pesticide poisoning. Children are also disproportionately vulnerable to global environmental problems, such as the impact of climate change, the depletion of the ozone layer and the loss of the planet's biological diversity. Through the report, the three UN agencies hope to raise the awareness of governments and non-government organizations on these problems during the UN Special Session itself, and at August's World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa. Wildlife conservation photos on the Net The pictures include a comprehensive collection of waterfowl and wildlife species, as well as shots of wildlife habitats. The library also includes unique images of wildlife management and scientific field activities involving a wide variety of species. For a number of years the Service has made prints and slides of photos available to the news media, publishers, and teachers and students in order to assist with news stories and projects dealing with wildlife. "Making these collections available via the Internet will provide better public service and will be more economical and efficient than distributing hard copies of photos," said Robyn Thorson, Assistant Director of External Affairs for the Service. The site is searchable by subject, location, photographer, and the results appear in a grouping of low-resolution thumbnail shots linked to higher resolution files suitable for high quality printing in nominal sizes. The lower resolution is scanned at 150 dots per inch (dpi) suitable for a 5x7 print, and the bigger file is around 400 dpi and capable delivering up to an 8x10 format. Sustainable packaging alternative introduced Developed by Cargill Dow LLC, NatureWorks PLA is the first commercially viable, renewable resource-based polymer to be used in large-scale commercial applications, such as the packaging application IPER is using in stores throughout Italy. Made from 100 percent annually renewable resources, such as corn, NatureWorks PLA performs equal to or better than traditional polymers and is fully compostable in municipal and industrial compost facilities. "Our goal is to offer quality products to consumers without causing a negative impact on the environment," said Mario Spezia, sales director, IPER. "NatureWorks PLA is a versatile material that allows us to provide our customers with a natural food product protected by a natural package, an important combination that allows us to differentiate ourselves from the competition." For more company information, please visit the Cargill Dow Web site at. Training courses for environmental port management
offered Further information: http://www.coastalguide.org/news/port.pdf. Coastal Guide |
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