Environmental news from the Asian region
30 Dec 2008
“Marine turtle bycatch and longline Observer Programme” project: Towards more sustainable tuna fisheries in Vietnam
Observing tuna longline fishing for the bycatch of marine turtles, sharks and other fish species, while testing the application of new hook technology (circle hooks) in order to reduce bycatch will be the focus of the “Marine turtle bycatch and longline observer program” project – Phase II. The project is implemented by WWF with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Dutch company IbroMar B.V which, as one of the leading buyers of long line caught yellow fin tuna in Vietnam, is co-funding the circle hook program as part of their sustainable tuna fisheries program. » Read more
15 Dec 2008
Greater Mekong a biological treasure trove: more than 1000 new species discovered in a decade
Over a thousand new species have been discovered in the Greater Mekong Region of Southeast Asia in just the last decade, according to a new report launched by WWF.
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12 Dec 2008
Another fisheries commission throws the science overboard
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) today over-rode the advice of its science committee and rejected the recommendations of its chair in choosing only minor reductions in catch for bigeye and yellowfin tuna and watering down or deferring most measures for achieving reduced catches.
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05 Dec 2008
Battered sharks get critical listing
Four of the most commercially valuable sharks - one a staple of fish and chips - have just been listed as being of conservation concern by the International Convention on Migratory Species. WWF has actively lobbied for this recognition » Read more
27 Nov 2008
Pacific tuna face risky fisheries meeting
Yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna fisheries in the western and central Pacific also face collapse if a forthcoming management meeting doesn't dramatically change the way they are harvested, WWF warned today.
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27 Nov 2008
Pacific tuna face risky fisheries meeting
Yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna fisheries in the western and central Pacific also face collapse if a forthcoming management meeting doesn't dramatically change the way they are harvested, WWF warned today.
» Read more
09 Oct 2008
Ministers, governors commit to saving Sumatra
New hope was extended to some of the world's most diverse and endangered forests today as WWF, four Indonesian ministers and ten provincial governors announced a bold commitment to protect the remaining forests and critical ecosystems of Sumatra.
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06 Oct 2008
connect2earth Prize Awarded
Sofia Mateus, a 29-year-old Swiss/Portuguese, is the grand prize winner of an international youth competition running on connect2earth, the green on-line community where young people can have their say about the environment by uploading videos, pictures and comments.
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27 Sep 2008
Climate Witness: Dilip Hazra, India
Dilip Hazra has lived on Mousuni Island for 15 years, and over that time has purchased land and developed an agricultural business. Now flooding has eroded a third of his land and changing weather patterns have forced him to rely on chemical fertilizers to develop his crops. » Read more
25 Sep 2008
Climate Witness: Hamid Bander, India
Hamid Bander and his siblings are all farmers and their family land has gradually declined in recent years as embankments have given way and the sea has come in. He says they are also witnessing an increase of severe weather events such as storms and cyclones. » Read more
