Coastguard SOS

From the Coastguard SOS website:

In December 2010 the UK Government announced modernisation consultation proposals for HM Coastguard. At that time the intention was to reduce the UK's eighteen Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres to just two centres which would operate 24hrs per day. These centres (MOC's) would be supported by only five sub centres that would only be operational throughout "daylight hours only" (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12007031).

UK Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC's) are responsible for the coordination of Search and Rescue (SAR) along the UK coastline, as well as providing shipping information and a number of other essential services along the UK coastline.

The proposals were overwhelmingly rejected by EVERY Coastguard station, campaigners and by the Transport Select Committee who conducted a full investigation and concluded that the modernisation proposals were "seriously flawed".

On 14th July 2011, the then Secretary of State for Transport; Rt.Hon Philip Hammond MP announced that the Government had looked at the responses to the original consultation and had examined the evidence. He then announced new consultation proposals which indicated that eleven named Coastguard stations would to be retained on a 24/7 basis but that eight remaining named stations would close. Those stations are:

Brixham, Portland, Swansea, Liverpool, Thames, Yarmouth, Clyde and Forth

The Coastguard SOS campaign group is open to anyone who understands and agrees with our belief that the issue should not be used as a political football. It is supported by concerned members of the public, Coastguard rescue officers (CRO's), serving and former Coastguard officers, Politicians and also by some famous names too.

We are committed to continuing the effort to seek safer modernisation proposals and we will continue to campaign in a reasoned, dignified and balanced way in order to achieve our aim of securing the long term future of every Coastguard MRCC.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE SAVES LIVES

With your help, we may be able to save these Coastguard stations. Please sign the petition, and check the Coastguard SOS website for more ways you can help. You can adopt your local Coastguard station to support, get involved with a local campaign group, share the petition on Twitter, "like" the Facebook group, add an SOS twibbon to your Facebook and Twitter profile, embed the "Save Our Coastguard Stations" image onto your website, take part in a quick poll, download the flyer and email your MP. Don't forget to check the blog for all the latest news and campaign updates, and the links to discussion boards, local campaign web pages and reports.

Please help spread the word as much as you can, and encourage others to sign the petition. Together, we may be able to Save Our Coastguard Stations!

Marine News Roundup

Welcome to the first of our Marine News Roundups. Below you will find some hand-picked stories that we hope will be of interest to you.

Please feel free to share this blog with others!

"Behind the Speed - The Fastest Fish in the Sea"
The BBC Earth's Life Is Team has created a new blog to share some of nature's most amazing stories, images and videos. Their latest blog post concerns the Atlantic Sailfish, "one of nature's greatest speed demons". The post also features a rather amazing photograph by Hugh Miller.

Captain Morgan's Shipwreck Discovered?
A dive team near Panama City may have discovered a wreck belonging to the famous pirate Sir Henry Morgan. They have discovered the hull of a 17th Century ship, 52-foot long by 22-foot wide, and are trying to piece together the case that this, "was once part of the legendary pirate's fleet". The hull was found near the recent discovery of cannon's believed to have come from Captain Morgan's fleet (see the Our Amazing Planet post).

"Another beluga hunting area shuts down to Nunavik hunters"
Beluga whale hunters in Nunavik will have to wait until next year to land more belugas along the eastern Hudson Bay because they have already reached their total allowable take for 2011 of nine.

"Fish Masquerades as Coral to Hide in Plain Sight"
The harlequin filefish (Oxymonacanthus longirostris) has evolved polka-dot marking to match it's coral home in an ingenious move to avoid being eaten by predators.

"Arctic sea ice in free fall: new record low for July"
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) have shown that the average Arctic sea ice extent hit a new record low for July. If the melt continues at it's current rate, the sea ice extent could hit it's lowest point since record-keeping began 32 years ago.

"Balloon dangers to wildlife"
You may not realise, but balloons can be dangerous to marine wildlife. When let go, they may drift into the ocean and can cause problems through ingestion as animals, especially turtles, may mistake them for food. Balloon strings can also entangle marine life, including birds, and cause further problems. The Marine Conservation Society's "Don't Let Go" campaign is already working to encourage organisations not to hold balloon release events and aims to get every council to ban balloon releases on their land.

"Beachgoers urged to report endangered leatherback turtle sightings"
The Marine Conservation Society is asking all beachgoers to be on the lookout for endangered Leatherback turtles, which are visiting our waters to feed on huge numbers of jellyfish. You can report sightings of Leatherbacks, jellyfish and more, direct to the MCS.

Fish Fight Campaign
"Half of all fish caught in the north sea are thrown back overboard dead." Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's highly influential campaign continues and supporters can now download a free iPhone application, which contains contains MCS' easy-to-use lists of Fish to Eat and Fish to Avoid with illustrations, tips and videos. Also included is Fish2Fork's restaurant guide, making it easier for you to eat out sustainably, and fish recipes from Hugh and other chefs involved in the Selfridges Project Ocean Campaign. At the time of writing, there are currently 739,850 signatures on the Fish Fight petition - have you signed up yet?

"Offshore wind farms are good for biodiversity"
A Dutch study has found that birds avoid offshore wind turbines, whilst marine life find shelter and new habitats. Professor Han Lindeboom, from the Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies at Wageningen University and Research Centre, said that this new study has revealed little evidence of negative effects on local wildlife.

"Lost baby whale stranded on Australia beach is reunited with mother after dramatic rescue"
A 1.5 tons baby humpback whale has been reunited with it's mother after taking a wrong turn at an Australian beach. Rescuers from Sea World on Queensland's Gold Coast fought for 12 hours to save the baby whale's life after it became beached but mother and baby have now found each other again.

That's all for now - check back soon for more updates!