Deep Sea News

This week I have found that my cup runneth over with work. Several things around the web have caught my eye which deserve substantial commentary. That's what you pay for, right? Unfortunately, today they get a link.

1. First, here is a specific example of push into the deep as shallow fisheries collapse. In this case, the dwindling numbers of blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay is providing incentive for companies like Benthic Fishing Corp. to fish for the vaguely named "deep sea red crab", Chaceon quinquedens


2. Rick at MBSL&S gives us an update of Nautilus Mining's activities in PNG. Rick reminds us all that

   Nautilus "owns" their seafloor mining sites. And resource owners in coastal villages adjacent to the seafloor mining operation in Madang Province have apparently received absolutely nothing, diddly, squat, zip, zilch, nada, bupkis to have their traditionally owned seafloor stripped. Why this disparity between terrestrial and seafloor extraction practices? Because Nautilus' operations are invisible in 1,600 meters of water. Out of sight, out of mind.



3. The identity of the Black Swan is finally revealed. You can read about the saga here, here, and here. Apparently, Spain does have rights to it as it is most likely the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes a Spanish warship sunk by the British navy southwest of Portugal in 1804. Dare I say there has been deception by Odyssey Marine Exploration?


4. Hank R. points me to this post about whale conservation, economics, and the current strife between the White House and NOAA. Make sure you read the comments for some U.S.A. citizens who likely voted for Bush. My favorites...

   Last time I checked, Vice President Cheney was elected by the will of the people. The bureaucrats at the NOAA were not yet they are demanding that the elected representative bow to their opinion. Seems like a legitimate difference of position where the VP trumps NOAA

   and

   There will always be the old maids who will want to meddle in everyone's business and tell everyone what to do. In this case it is a bunch of scientists. Most scientific evidence can be used to support any number of contradictory positions so in essence this is a political issue clothed in psuedo-science.

   That's good stuff manard.