TAIPEI (AFP) – Taiwan, one of the world’s major shark catchers, announced plans on Sunday to tighten measures against hunting the ocean predator for its fin, the island’s top fisheries official said Sunday. Taiwan fishermen are already barred from tossing sharks back into the water to die after slicing off the fin — a delicacy…
JUNEAU, Alaska – The recent suspension of Alaska wildlife biologist Charles Monnett is unrelated both to an article that he wrote about presumably drowned Arctic polar bears and to his scientific work, a federal official said Friday. The director of the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Enforcement and Regulation, told agency staff in Alaska…
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A jumping mouse with a tail longer than its body has returned to the threatened species list in Wyoming after a court ruling. A federal judge in Denver last month ruled against a two-state classification for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the mouse as threatened…
SAINT HELIER, Jersey (AFP) – Watching and hunting whales “work perfectly together” in a look-and-cook combo of tourism and gastronomy, Iceland’s Whale Commissioner said Thursday at the global whaling forum. “Many of the tourists that go on whale watching tours go to restaurants afterwards to taste whale meat,” said Tomas Heider, speaking on the sidelines…
JUNO BEACH, Fla. – A badly injured sea turtle that underwent a year of rehabilitation and innovative surgeries was released Wednesday by caretakers hoping he finds a mate and helps his endangered species prosper. Andre, as the 177-pound green sea turtle is known, crawled into the water and swam out of sight before a crowd…
WASHINGTON – Threatened with a series of state laws cracking down on cramped cages, the egg industry on Thursday said it would agree to seek federal regulation to improve conditions for egg-laying hens. In an unusual move, the United Egg Producers announced the effort in a joint appearance with the Humane Society of the United…
The suspension of a wildlife biologist known for his research on drowned polar bears is causing confusion and alarm in scientific circles. Charles Monnett, a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, (BOEMRE) was placed on administrative leave on July 18 pending the conclusion of an Inspector General investigation…
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Anti-whaling organization Sea Shepherd said one of its boats chasing the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean had issued a distress call after its hull was cracked by a rogue wave. Sea Shepherd flagship the Steve Irwin was fighting heavy seas to help rescue the damaged Brigitte Bardot chase boat and…
SAN FRANCISCO – Conservation groups and federal fisheries managers have settled a lawsuit seeking to spur the government to finalize its plan for creating a large protection zone for endangered leatherback sea turtles off the U.S. Pacific coast. The settlement filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court requires the National Marine Fisheries Service to finalize its…
Get ready for a showdown! The Puppy Bowl faces new competition with the Kitten Bowl, as both compete for your heart and promote pet adoption this Super Bowl Sunday.