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Page added on April 17, 2015
Emergency Shut Down Of West Coast Fisheries: “Populations Have Crashed 91 Percent”
Earlier this week Michael Snyder warned that the bottom of our food chain is going through a catastrophic collapse with sea creatures dying in absolutely massive numbers. The cause of the problem is a mystery to scientists who claim that they can’t pinpoint how or why it’s happening.
What’s worse, the collapse of sea life in the Pacific Ocean isn’t something that will affect us several decades into the future. The implications are being seen right now, as evidenced by an emergency closure of fisheries along the West coast this week.
On Wednesday federal regulators announced the early closure of sardine fisheries in California, Oregon and Washington. According to the most recent data, the sardine populations has been wiped out with populations seeing a decline of 91% in just the last eight years.
Meeting outside Santa Rosa, California, the Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to direct NOAA Fisheries Service to halt the current season as early as possible, affecting about 100 fishing boats with sardine permits…
…
The action was taken based on revised estimates of sardine populations, which found the fish were declining in numbers faster than earlier believed…
The council did not take Wednesday’s decision lightly and understood the pain the closure would impose on the fishing industry, said council member Michele Culver, representing the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. She added that it was necessary because a new assessment of sardine stocks showed they were much lower than estimated last year, when harvest quotas were set.
Source: New York Times via Steve Quayle / ENEnews
Sardines, like honey bees, don’t seem important to the casual observer. But just like honey bees, which are experiencing their own colony collapse, they are critical to the propagation of the global food chain. The immediate effects can be seen on the creatures next in line:
… 90 percent of this year’s class of sea lion pups were starving for lack of sardines to eat.
“The sardine populations have crashed 91 percent since 2007,” he said after the vote. “We would have liked to see this happen much sooner, but now we can start to rebuild this sardine population that is so important to the health of the ocean.”
(Courtesy: The Seattle Times)
But even closing of commercial fisheries may not be the solution. As Snyder points out in the aforementioned report, there are some unexplained phenomena occurring in the Pacific ocean and either scientists don’t have a clue what is happening, or someone is keeping a gag order on researchers.
According to two University of Washington scientific research papers that were recently released, a 1,000 mile stretch of the Pacific Ocean has warmed up by several degrees, and nobody seems to know why this is happening. This giant “blob” of warm water was first observed in late 2013, and it is playing havoc with our climate. And since this giant “blob” first showed up, fish and other sea creatures have been dying in absolutely massive numbers.
The issue could potentially be one of climate change – but not the kind of climate change we hear from politicians who just want to put carbon tax credits in their pocket. Rather, we could be talking about cyclical climate shifts that have occurred regularly throughout the course of earth’s history. And with those shifts come massive migrations and species die-offs.
Or, as one contributor at ENEnews.com suggested, the answer to why this is happening should be obvious:
We have three cores melted out of their reactor buildings, lost in the mudrock and sandstone, which we have failed to locate and mitigate.
We have an underground river running under the ruins, which we have failed to divert around the reactors.
We have three empty reactors, containing nothing but corium splatter left when they blew up and melted out.
We have the Pacific Ocean Ecosystem, which we have stressed beyond endurance, through ocean dumping, over fishing, agricultural runoff, and now unrestricted radiation.
We have the sudden collapse of the Pacific Ocean Ecosystem, with a threatened collapse of the biosphere.
We continue to allow corporate and governmental inaction.
What in hell did you think was going to happen?
Something is wrong with world’s food chain and one Harvard Professor suggested last year that recent signs, namely with the die-off of honey bee populations, are a prelude of things to come:
But he now warns that a pollinator drop could be the least our worries at this point.
That it may be a sign of things to come – bees acting as the canary in the coalmine. That not only are we connected to bees through our food supply, but that the plight that so afflicts them may very well soon be our own.
Could it be that the collapse of honey bee colonies, mass sea life die-offs, and changing climates in once lush growing regions are all the result of the same underlying phenomena?
If so, then we can soon expect not just higher food prices, but a breakdown in the food chain itself.
And though none of us can truly prepare for a decades’ long (or longer) food disaster and the complexities that would come along with it (like mass migrations and resource wars), we can take steps to make ourselves as self sustainable as possible, while also preparing emergency plans to respond to the initial brunt of the force should it hit.
34 Comments on "Emergency Shut Down Of West Coast Fisheries: “Populations Have Crashed 91 Percent”"
Davy on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 9:10 am
This is a global phenomenon. I recommend “Planet Ocean” documentary for a great outline of the coming ocean food chain collapse and Jeremy Jackson’s talk at the Naval College. 3BIL people rely on fish protein for their primary protein sources. 300MIL use the ocean for their livelihood. The farm raised fish that seem so abundant are only abundant because of wild fish caught to feed them. Now even the wild fish used for feed are in decline and for multiple reasons.
Reading what I just said how could someone still feel the hopium the BAUtopian cornucopians feel? What justification for this denial and delusional thinking do they have? Denial and delusional thinking are easy when one is comfortable and too lazy to make sacrifices. It is always someone else’s problem. The tragedy of the commons pervades society at every level.
Adamc18 on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 9:47 am
Deeply is turning indeed. But why does the author of this article politicise this catastrophe by trying to divert its cause away from the obvious one; man-made climate change? Any connection between radiation leakage from Japan’s reactors and the heating of vast areas of the ocean is extremely unlikely. In contrast it is perfectly in line with the fact that over 90% of man-made global wArming is currently taking place within the deep ocean. as Davy says! this event is entirely consistent with the horrors forecast by Jeremy Jackson at the naval college; it should be required viewing for all those why are burying their heads in the sand over global warming.
Plantagenet on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 10:42 am
Adamc18 is right. The crash in the west coast fisheries is caused by global warming. The waters are dramatically warmer off the west coast, and the ecosystem changes have destroyed the fish stocks. Globa warming is also causing drought and record warm temps across the entire western USA.
BobInget on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 11:22 am
On this, I have to agree with HRH.
What does that prove, if anything?
People with varying opinions find areas
of agreement. In doing so, inspire others to come up with viable solutions. (or strategies)
How about record snow and rain storms
“Back East”? Economic indicators actually
showed real drag because of excessive
snow and rain.
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/21/polar-vortex-american-south-tennessee
You know AGW is real when FOX calls
‘Polar Vortex’ a “liberal plot”.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2014/01/07/limbaugh-solves-weather-mystery-polar-vortex-is-a-liberal-mainstream-media-hoax-designed-to-sell-global-climate-change/
Doubtless, some day, sincere Right Wingers will rue the years of politicized Climate Changes.
apneaman on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 11:23 am
We are so disconnected from the reality of our dire situation it’s absurd. We blew any chance of preventing a horrific collapse. Even now when it is painfully obvious that the hour is very late, no real mitigation is being done even when suffering could be prevented and/or reduced. We must all continually make sacrifices to feed our one true global god – The Economy.
”””””””””””””””””””””””’
Why Brazil’s megadrought is a Wall Street failure
“It’s hard to overestimate the appalling environmental and economic crisis that’s brewing in Brazil right now. The country is in the grip of a crippling megadrought – the result of pollution, deforestation and climate change – that deeply threatens its economy, society and environment. And the damage may be permanent: São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city and industrial center, has begun rationing water and is discussing whether or not it will need to depopulate in the near future.”
http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/apr/10/brazil-megadrought-wall-st-investors-finance-drought-water?CMP=share_btn_tw
Perk Earl on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 11:28 am
Post Monterey canneries of yesteryear, I thought sardine populations off CA were no more. So they have been making a small comeback, but now are dying off again and nobody knows the reason for the warm water blob? I sure hope they investigate this and follow up to explain exactly what is happening. My guess is GW, but I’ll hold off until the gavel comes down.
apneaman on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 11:37 am
No matter where you live you can rest assured that your duly elected representatives are looking out – for themselves and their owners. And people in both Canada and the US are already getting worked up about up coming federal elections.
Pick your poison.
””””””””””””””””””””
Newly Released Documents Provide Further Indication That Florida Officials Were Directed Not To Talk About Climate Change
http://www.desmogblog.com/2015/04/15/newly-released-documents-provide-further-indication-florida-officials-were-directed-not-talk-about-climate-change
apneaman on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 11:41 am
Self inflicted environmental emergencies all over the place – new normal? No it will get worse.
””””””””””””””””””’
Thousands evacuated from flood areas in Kazakhstan
“A sharp rise in temperature to 20 degrees Centigrade between March 23 to 29 intensified the melting of snow and caused flooding of villages in Semey and Ayagoz districts in East Kazakhstan Oblast and of four districts in Karaganda Oblast.”
http://en.tengrinews.kz/disasters/Thousands-evacuated-from-flood-areas-in-Kazakhstan-259812/
apneaman on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 11:47 am
Priorities priorities – Rio 2016 Olympic Games – that’s what Brazil’s rulers worry about.
”””””””””””””””””’
37 tons of dead fish removed from Rio Olympic rowing venue
“Rio’s Comlurb waste management company said that as of Wednesday night, it had collected more than 37 tons of dead fish from the Rodrigo de Freitas lake since the die-off started late last week.”
http://phys.org/news/2015-04-tons-dead-fish-rio-olympic.html#jCp
apneaman on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 12:10 pm
Brazilian teams on alert because of dengue fever outbreak
“Players have been forced to use insect repellent during practice sessions and clubs have asked health officials to check their training centers for mosquito breeding sites.”
OMG! Millionaire jocks are being inconvenienced with having to apply insect repellent – THE HORROR!
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/04/15/3741426_brazilian-teams-on-alert-because.html?rh=1
It’s been going on for a while, but mostly affecting the common folk. Whenever the water is available they fill up whatever containers they have and many leave them uncovered – breeding ground.
Highlights:
One in ten cities in Brazil have declared epidemic-level rates of dengue fever.
At least 76 people in Brazil have died of the disease since the beginning of 2015.
There is a direct link between how densely people live together in mega cities like Rio de Janeiro and how quickly dengue outbreaks spread.
http://www.cctv-america.com/2015/04/10/brazil-on-alert-over-epidemic-rates-of-dengue-fever
Dredd on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 12:55 pm
Garbage in, garbage out (New Continent Found – Garbage Gyre II – 9).
apneaman on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 1:10 pm
California almond growers to expand orchards, despite drought
http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article18716937.html
Davy on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 1:17 pm
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2015-04-17/rio-races-to-clean-up-this-sea-of-trash-before-the-olympics
dave thompson on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 2:26 pm
A well known fact is that 40% of the phytoplankton has gone missing. The bottom of the food chain, Duhhhh?
yogi on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 2:42 pm
I think this is a quote from Spoke on Star Trek:
(Sacrifice the many to save a few)
hiruitnguyse on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 2:50 pm
Not Quite…..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhcR-w-56tA
yogi on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 3:09 pm
Oops my bad.
hiruitnguyse on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 3:33 pm
My favorite Spock quote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wtYGZt7aI4
ffkling on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 5:13 pm
AND White Nose Syndrome has resulted in the deaths of millions and millions of bats- Mother Nature’s most critical insectivore, and which originated in the NE a couple of years ago and has spread to the South and Midwest. Why are the bats immune systems crashing? AND Chytrid a mysterious fungal disease that originated in Israel and has now spread worldwide is causing the extinction of innumerable amphibian species. THE SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE.
Repent on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 6:12 pm
They should stop ALL fishing for 100 years and give the natural ecosystems time to reestablish themselves to preindustrial norms.
What would a 100 year moratorium mean, vs the extinction of the marine food web which if allowed to happen could take millions of years to rebound.
Bob Owens on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 7:12 pm
So what can individuals do? They can stop eating fish, reduce their meat eating, increase their eating of vegetables, don’t buy high water content food such as almond milk, get a bit more exercise and lose some weight. We will be better off for it. Personal habit adjustments can help us understand the world’s problems better as we do a little bit to help solve them. (Also, better to adjust your life before you are forced to).
Annapurna on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 7:32 pm
> The cause of the problem is a mystery to scientists who claim that they can’t pinpoint how or why it’s happening.
It’s Fuckushima stupid.
welch on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 9:07 pm
Ape, I hop you’re joking by if not I suggest reading no on radiation, and not on the internet.
apneaman on Fri, 17th Apr 2015 9:36 pm
This is an interesting piece from some California farmers perspective.
………………………………..
Why the California drought is all your fault
The drought is now killing off century-old California farms. People here don’t blame the weather gods for not bringing rain — they blame the rest of us for not giving a damn.
https://medium.com/matter/why-the-california-drought-is-all-your-fault-55f81a947ce2
PrestonSturges on Sat, 18th Apr 2015 12:56 am
>>This is an interesting piece from some California farmers perspective.
It’s tragic that they are being crushed by drought. And it’s sad that they are focused on environmentalists and conspiracy theories, just as it’s sad that the environmental movement has come to be dominated by hateful hysterical people. but the dirty hippies didn’t steal this year’s snow pack either.
Kenz300 on Sat, 18th Apr 2015 5:53 am
Climate Change is real….. we can deal with the cause or we will deal with the impact.
Pope Francis’s edict on climate change will anger deniers and US churches | World news | The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/27/pope-francis-edict-climate-change-us-rightwing
Head Of The Episcopal Church Says It’s ‘Sinful’ To Ignore Climate Change
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/26/katherine-jefferts-schori-climate-change_n_6949532.html?utm_hp_ref=green&ir=Green
apneaman on Sat, 18th Apr 2015 1:54 pm
Preston, I should have capitalized SOME, because while some farmers are ripping out water intensive fruit and nut trees, others are planting new ones. It all depends on their access to water. It is a extremely complicated multifaceted problem going back at least a hundred years. Climate change is the 500lb cherry on top.
apneaman on Sat, 18th Apr 2015 1:54 pm
5 years after Deepwater Horizon: How the secrets were spilled
http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/04/gulf_oil_spill_5_years_later_s.html
dubya on Sat, 18th Apr 2015 7:37 pm
They should stop ALL human reproduction for 100 years and give the natural ecosystems time to reestablish themselves to preindustrial norms.
There Repent, fixed that for you.
Kenz300 on Sun, 19th Apr 2015 9:06 am
Too many people and too few resources…..
Endless population growth is not sustainable…..
Wrap it up……. snip it…………
rollin on Sun, 19th Apr 2015 8:34 pm
The Arctic melted, the Blob was released and so it’s eating all the fish. Have to freeze it but the next glaciation has been put off. Where is Steve McQueen when we need him?
Joking aside, this is the best fear mongering I have heard lately, better than the nightly newscast by far. Sad part is some of it may be true.
apneaman on Sun, 19th Apr 2015 8:48 pm
Albedo (/ælˈbiːdoʊ/), or reflection coefficient, derived from Latin albedo “whiteness” (or reflected sunlight) in turn from albus “white”, is the diffuse reflectivity or reflecting power of a surface.
http://darksnowproject.org/
Bandits on Sun, 19th Apr 2015 10:03 pm
Rollin is trollin’…..just another whack job, who’s next original idea will be their first.
rollin on Tue, 21st Apr 2015 9:23 am
Just trying to see if anyone is actually thinking out there. So far generally negative.
Never accept grandiose conclusions from few observations without it being fully sourced and reviewed. Otherwise it is just someone’s agenda.