proposed coal ship anchorages off gabriola

[agentaqua]

Biol Invasions (2012) 14:1843–1850
DOI 10.1007/s10530-012-0194-0
Invasion risk posed by macroinvertebrates transported in ships’ ballast tanks
Elizabeta Briski • Sara Ghabooli • Sarah A. Bailey • Hugh J. MacIsaac

Received: 23 September 2011 / Accepted: 11 February 2012 / Published online: 25 February 2012 _ Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Abstract Invasions by non-indigenous macroinvertebrates often cause ecological and economic problems, and commercial ships have been implicated as a principal mechanism for their dispersal. We explored the presence and species diversity of adult macroinvertebrates transported by transoceanic and coastal vessels arriving to ports on the Atlantic coast of Canada. We sampled 67 ballast tanks from 62 ships operating along discrete geographic pathways and tested whether mid-ocean exchange or voyage length affects the probability for translocation of macroinvertebrates. Additionally, we assessed the relationship between macroinvertebrate presence and the amount of sediment in ballast tanks.We document the presence of highly invasive European green crab (Carcinus maenas), mud crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii), common periwinkle (Littorina littorea), soft shell clam (Mya arenaria) and blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) in ballast tanks of surveyed ships. Mid-ocean exchange did not affect macroinvertebrate occurrence, suggesting that current ballast water management regulations are ineffective for this taxonomic group. Viable individuals were recorded in vessels undertaking shorter voyages (average and maximum of 4.5 and 15 days, respectively) and presence was not related to the amount of sediment in tanks. While presence and densities of macroinvertebrates were low, invasion risk may nonetheless be significant during reproductive seasons owing to high fecundity of some taxa. The highest risk may be posed by decapods since gravid females may carry thousands to several million eggs per clutch, and after several weeks of brooding, two or more subsequent clutches may be fertilized by retained sperm from an earlier mating.
Keywords Ballast tanks _ Crab _ High fecundity _ Mollusc _ Non-indigenous species _ Propagule pressure

 

[agentaqua]

http://www.mypugetsound.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=30&Itemid=238
An Exotic Species Detection Program for Puget Sound May 2004 Andrew N. Cohen
San Francisco Estuary Institute
Oakland, California
prepared for the
Puget Sound Action Team
Olympia, Washington
with funding from the
National Estuary Program,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Executive Summary
Objective and Benefits

The goal of an Exotic Species Detection Program (ESDP) is to detect and identify previously undetected exotic species. This is distinct from the goals of other components of exotic species monitoring—such as monitoring the spread or abundance of known exotics or monitoring the activities that transport exotic organisms—though there may be some elements in common.

An effective ESDP provides both research and management benefits.

Research benefits include the opportunity to study successful introductions from their earliest stages and to study introductions that fail; the development of better data on where and under what conditions new arrivals become established; and the development of better data on the numbers, types, source regions, vectors and rates of introduction of exotic species in the ecosystem.

Management benefits include the potential to initiate control or to begin mitigating impacts early in an invasion; and an improved understanding of vectors, source regions, rates of introduction, and factors controlling the success or failure of introductions, which should allow for improved designs and better-informed decisions in managing the problem of exotic species.

 

[searun]

All this sounds like not in my back yard. These ships are going to anchor on our coast. The real question is where. Everyone wants a strong economy, but no one wants to have that economic activity in eye sight of their back yard. Everyone wants the convenience of going to the grocery store or costco to pick up their shopping, just as long as the activity that brings this stuff happens in someone else's yard out of my sight. The inconvenient truth is this stuff is going to happen, its just a matter of where. And before someone rips me a new one, think about would you be prepared to stop shopping for stuff at your local grocery store??? Sorry if I ruffle some feathers, but seriously some things in life are about making choices understanding there will be some consequences...this is one of them in my opinion.

 

[GLG]

All this sounds like not in my back yard. These ships are going to anchor on our coast. The real question is where. Everyone wants a strong economy, but no one wants to have that economic activity in eye sight of their back yard. Everyone wants the convenience of going to the grocery store or costco to pick up their shopping, just as long as the activity that brings this stuff happens in someone else's yard out of my sight. The inconvenient truth is this stuff is going to happen, its just a matter of where. And before someone rips me a new one, think about would you be prepared to stop shopping for stuff at your local grocery store??? Sorry if I ruffle some feathers, but seriously some things in life are about making choices understanding there will be some consequences...this is one of them in my opinion.

Yes there will be consequences but the question is, can future generations live with those consequences. These parking spots are for the planed expansion from the Port Metro Vancouver (Fraser Surrey Docks) for US thermal coal export to China. Remember that the train traffic and coal dust it brings will increase also. That's another reason that the locals are more then just a little upset. The US coal companies involved have been having a very hard time getting expansion plans going in ports in the US. Seems that our friends down south don't like the consequences for their kids future and that's why it's important that the US coal companies are trying to pass their problems through Vancouver. They know they have friends here that will look the other way and even change the laws here in Canada to help them proceed. Hell we will even kick in some money to expand our facilitates to help them out. Seems that the people that pull the levers are of the opinion that CO2 is plant food.... so more is better. After all those US Coal Companies have been spending millions each year to convince us that it's true.... Lucky for us this industry is in a death spiral as it's stocks are sinking faster then a 20lb downrigger ball on a broken cable. Only problem with that is we will be on the hook for the costs of our coal port expansion when they go belly up.

I'm of the opinion that we need to leave this US thermal coal in the ground and move to clean energy as fast as possible and investing in the worst of the dirty energy projects is not helpful and a profoundly bad idea.

 

[KV1]

I personally have already given up a lot and would appreciate the chance to give up more if necessary without having "good for jobs" excuses rammed down my throat by people in power that think everyone is stupid but them. Where are all these jobs? In Alberta? I sure as hell don't see any great jobs here unless it's part time, on call peasant wages.

So how long does it take exactly to create these jobs? How about to create the illusion of this bustling economy? Seems to me that it's been a while now since 08 where's the progress? Sorry I don't fall for any of it you have to look after your backyard just as you would your house if it indeed leads to all these dire consequences of global failure does anyone know what it would bring? Greece is the latest casualty but I am pretty sure they still eat, drink and have the bare necessities no? The hell will global think local like we used to when we were not brainwashed everyday!

 

[Tugcapitan]

I personally have already given up a lot and would appreciate the chance to give up more if necessary without having "good for jobs" excuses rammed down my throat by people in power that think everyone is stupid but them. Where are all these jobs? In Alberta? I sure as hell don't see any great jobs here unless it's part time, on call peasant wages.

So how long does it take exactly to create these jobs? How about to create the illusion of this bustling economy? Seems to me that it's been a while now since 08 where's the progress? Sorry I don't fall for any of it you have to look after your backyard just as you would your house if it indeed leads to all these dire consequences of global failure does anyone know what it would bring? Greece is the latest casualty but I am pretty sure they still eat, drink and have the bare necessities no? The hell will global think local like we used to when we were not brainwashed everyday!

First paragraph reads like you don't understand how this Port is run.

Second paragraph reads like fiction.

 

[KV1]

First paragraph reads like you don't understand how this Port is run.

Second paragraph reads like fiction.

Please enlighten me. I am all ears.

 

[Whole in the Water]

Yes there will be consequences but the question is, can future generations live with those consequences. These parking spots are for the planed expansion from the Port Metro Vancouver (Fraser Surrey Docks) for US thermal coal export to China. Remember that the train traffic and coal dust it brings will increase also. That's another reason that the locals are more then just a little upset. The US coal companies involved have been having a very hard time getting expansion plans going in ports in the US. Seems that our friends down south don't like the consequences for their kids future and that's why it's important that the US coal companies are trying to pass their problems through Vancouver. They know they have friends here that will look the other way and even change the laws here in Canada to help them proceed. Hell we will even kick in some money to expand our facilitates to help them out. Seems that the people that pull the levers are of the opinion that CO2 is plant food.... so more is better. After all those US Coal Companies have been spending millions each year to convince us that it's true.... Lucky for us this industry is in a death spiral as it's stocks are sinking faster then a 20lb downrigger ball on a broken cable. Only problem with that is we will be on the hook for the costs of our coal port expansion when they go belly up.

I'm of the opinion that we need to leave this US thermal coal in the ground and move to clean energy as fast as possible and investing in the worst of the dirty energy projects is not helpful and a profoundly bad idea.

You make some great points, too bad many don't get the bigger picture of what is going on here in the long run.

 

[dougthefisher]

hmmm seems we produce a little thermal coal ourselves.....Canada produced 60 million close to 67 million tonnes (Mt) of coal in 2012 36 million tonnes (Mt) was thermal coal. 2.9% of world share compared to Australia @ 26.5% and USA @ 5.5%

 

[ziggy]

No one seems to be talking much about the ships dropping off all the must have imported goods we all complain about ( anyone using a Canadian device to access the net? )but still use, in fact are becoming more and more reliant on. Maybe if we quit importing so much we wouldn't need the additional anchorages for our exports.

Be honest where did your computer come from, your TV, car, boat motor,rods reels etc. Where did the vessels that brought them anchor?

 

[Whole in the Water]

You make some great points, too bad many don't get the bigger picture of what is going on here in the long run.

Still people don't get the big picture you are making about coal exports

 

[ziggy]

Still people don't get the big picture you are making about coal exports

I guess the" bilge water/balast" hijack may have contributed to the thread getting off topic

 

[Gunsmith]

Canada becomes "the mule" for US coal and takes the flak for it.

 

[GLG]

Yes DTF that's true and if you would like the updated numbers you can find them in here.
http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyCoalTrends.pdf

It does not change the fact that we need to be ramping down on thermal coal not expanding it's supply. We have made commitments at the last G7 or G20 meeting and with the UN to reduce our fossil fuel use. In fact the whole world is making these commitments and if the coal companies think they can expand and use nefarious ways to convince people that this a good thing then.... well.... It's up to us to put up every road block we can. Too much is riding on this not to take action. If I can't have an effect on the demand side of "supply and demand" then I'll do what I can on the supply side.

 

[Whole in the Water]

Canada becomes "the mule" for US coal and takes the flak for it.

Bingo - you got it!

 

[OldBlackDog]

Well as China and India will not be ramping down on coal and in fact will be ramping up. We need to still make a living in Canada. Selling coal is one of the things we do along with selling wood, oil, minerals. Etc..

Yes DTF that's true and if you would like the updated numbers you can find them in here.
http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyCoalTrends.pdf

It does not change the fact that we need to be ramping down on thermal coal not expanding it's supply. We have made commitments at the last G7 or G20 meeting and with the UN to reduce our fossil fuel use. In fact the whole world is making these commitments and if the coal companies think they can expand and use nefarious ways to convince people that this a good thing then.... well.... It's up to us to put up every road block we can. Too much is riding on this not to take action. If I can't have an effect on the demand side of "supply and demand" then I'll do what I can on the supply side.

 

[triplenickel]

Soon there will be jobs galore in renewables. On calm days we can all line up and blow on wind mills and on cloudy days we can clean solar panels. It'll be perfect all the raw materials can come from someone else's back yard if we play our cards right. Then we can listen to the people that complain about a lack of jobs road block any opportunities that comes along. All the while they happily consume consume consume the products produced in third world countries at third world environmental standards. Let's shut down all mining, forestry, and energy in this country. That should what produce a .005% drop in global emissions considering Canada's total is less than 2%? Oh wait no it won't because y'all still want to consume so a third world producer will make up the slack. Don't forget the reasons these industries exist, it's to supply YOU with what you're not willing to go without. Blaming big corps is denial pure and simple, everyone in opposition on here owns a piece.

An economy is based on what we can do better, faster, cheaper than other nations. In Canada that's resources. Forget a knowledge economy there's more phd's in China than there are Canadians.

 

[triplenickel]

Still people don't get the big picture you are making about coal exports

Also people don't get the big picture about where the basics for their lifestyles come from and have zero willingness to go without. Can't have it both ways, plain and simple.

 

[triplenickel]

Yes DTF that's true and if you would like the updated numbers you can find them in here.
http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyCoalTrends.pdf

It does not change the fact that we need to be ramping down on thermal coal not expanding it's supply. We have made commitments at the last G7 or G20 meeting and with the UN to reduce our fossil fuel use. In fact the whole world is making these commitments and if the coal companies think they can expand and use nefarious ways to convince people that this a good thing then.... well.... It's up to us to put up every road block we can. Too much is riding on this not to take action. If I can't have an effect on the demand side of "supply and demand" then I'll do what I can on the supply side.

If only there were a cleaner cheap alternative that is actually CURRENTLY VIABLE and abundant in BC that could provide thousands of good paying jobs and bring a global net reduction at the same time. If only there were.....

Edit; we can all have an impact on the demand side but despite what people say and rally against most don't/won't. That coal might make a pitstop in China but it'll come full circle and end up back here as the crap we gobble up from Walmart and the like.

 

[dougthefisher]

im just happy im close to 65 and have no kids. mankind wants to **** up. go for it im going to be fish food and wont have to witness it. good luck to the next generation