Posts on this blog may be something the blogger has read and posted here. On the other hand, posts may have been sent in by other people. The posts contained on this blog may or may not be the opinion of the blogger. No posts are meant to attack an individual personally, or the business they happen to be running. Although there may be posts with with concerns about environmental concerns about big business endeavours and with political ethics and democratic process, the posts are never meant to attack or to harm individuals. The overriding intent of posts here is to educate about care and concern for our world and the diversity of nature that sustains it and gives it value, and provides us with the quality of life that is deeper than dollars in the bank. Indeed the environment and nature is like dollars in the bank, as that is what will save us in the end, from destroying the bed we sleep in.
All posts on this blog can be considered "opinions". Differing opinions are welcomed. *Positive* posts about our world and how we are doing good in it, as opposed to destroying it, are especially welcomed. Please send posts to kathleen1954@auracom.com
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Blogger's note: I canvassed Digby downtown shops about painting the storefronts with bright colours, considering the attraction Lunenburg has with its colourful waterfront buildings. The photos of that colourful waterfront are in almost every magazine and draw tourists from all over the world to that town. Look at the acclaim that Lunenburg has! That town draws visitors from all over the world to see it's colourful waterfront. People love colour!
NS: Nova Scotia destinations voted tops by Trip Advisor
The Daily Business Buzz
[HALIFAX, NS] — Halifax and Lunenburg are among the top destinations in the country in the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards for 2010.
Halifax was listed in the top 10 of the Top 25 Destinations in Canada. Halifax and Lunenburg were also voted among the Top 10 Culture and Sightseeing Destinations.
"We are very proud that Lunenburg and Halifax have been chosen for these prestigious awards by real travellers from around the globe," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "These visitor reviews prove that Nova Scotia is creating amazing experiences across the province that are considered among the best in the country."
Reviewers on TripAdvisor remarked on the rich history in Halifax, best seen on foot. They noted the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the view from the 18th-century Citadel National Historic Site and the Halifax Public Gardens as "don't miss" highlights. The site also mentions Halifax's great bars, restaurants and live music.
The Town of Lunenburg is noted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and featured for its "colourful galleries and shops, arranged on a tidy grid of walkable streets."
TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards are based on millions of real reviews and opinions from travellers on TripAdvisor.com. The winners were determined by a combination of travellers' destination comments, favourite places and overall destination popularity on the site.
TripAdvisor.com is the world's largest travel website. It attracts 40 million monthly visitors and has become a trusted source for travellers.
The department is working with tourism operators to integrate TripAdvisor into novascotia.com.
NS: Nova Scotia destinations voted tops by Trip Advisor
The Daily Business Buzz
[HALIFAX, NS] — Halifax and Lunenburg are among the top destinations in the country in the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards for 2010.
Halifax was listed in the top 10 of the Top 25 Destinations in Canada. Halifax and Lunenburg were also voted among the Top 10 Culture and Sightseeing Destinations.
"We are very proud that Lunenburg and Halifax have been chosen for these prestigious awards by real travellers from around the globe," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "These visitor reviews prove that Nova Scotia is creating amazing experiences across the province that are considered among the best in the country."
Reviewers on TripAdvisor remarked on the rich history in Halifax, best seen on foot. They noted the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the view from the 18th-century Citadel National Historic Site and the Halifax Public Gardens as "don't miss" highlights. The site also mentions Halifax's great bars, restaurants and live music.
The Town of Lunenburg is noted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and featured for its "colourful galleries and shops, arranged on a tidy grid of walkable streets."
TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards are based on millions of real reviews and opinions from travellers on TripAdvisor.com. The winners were determined by a combination of travellers' destination comments, favourite places and overall destination popularity on the site.
TripAdvisor.com is the world's largest travel website. It attracts 40 million monthly visitors and has become a trusted source for travellers.
The department is working with tourism operators to integrate TripAdvisor into novascotia.com.
SW Nova Scotia: Cranberry dreams
NS: Climate study could boost Southwest Nova's marketability
Information such as frost free dates, light intensity and frequency of fog would be included in a proposed climate data study for Southwest Nova. — Carla Allen photo
Published on February 7, 2011
Published on February 7, 2011
Carla Allen Latest News
08-02 - Canada's housing market could prove more resilient in 2011 than predicted
08-02 - NS: School boards warned of two per cent funding cut
08-02 - Federal regulator to seek public views on how Internet should be priced
08-02 - NS: Gov't doubling co-op education positions to 450 per year
08-02 - NS: Federal election will not impact dredging project, says ECBC
08-02 - NS: Taxi bylaw changes introduced in Truro
08-02 - NS: CBRM and ECBC pursue land for wharfage, boardwalk extension
08-02 - NS: Groupe Savoie exploring partnerships to keep mill busy
See All Articles
Regional News
08-02 - : NL: Businesswomen inspired by premier’s speech
08-02 - : NL: Head of Canadian Imperial Venture Corp. to retire
08-02 - : NL: Wood pellet potential heating up
See All Articles
The Vanguard
Topics : College of Geographical Sciences , Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture , Southwest Nova.Recognizing , Shelburne , Lunenburg
[YARMOUTH, NS] — Show us the numbers. Businesses considering major agricultural investment want cold, hard facts before they plunk upwards of $30,000 per acre to develop crops like cranberries in Southwest Nova.
Recognizing the need, CBDCs in Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens and Lunenburg are trying to get a three-year climate data project off the ground.
“One of our biggest issues of trying to attract developers from outside the region is that agriculture is very much a science nowadays and climate plays a critical role with regard to production,” said Yarmouth CBCD executive director Chris Atwood. “Every time we had developers come down, they’d ask specific questions regarding specific areas. Apart from very general climate information we couldn’t give them the information they needed — frost free dates, light intensity — we are noted to be a foggy region but it varies the further inland you go,” he said.
The $225,000 project will incorporate 42 climate data loggers set up in the region.
Some municipal units have stepped forward, and Economic Rural Development, Agrifutures, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and ACOA are also contributing.
Atwood says CBDC is still working with letters of offers from some funding partners.
The project would be based on a similar one that engaged the College of Geographical Sciences for the grape growers association.
“We’re looking at what they did and tailoring it for this end of the province. Once you’ve got the climate data study, you can market the region to potential developers,” said Atwood. “Our desire as a community economic development agency is to see business grow here. We see certain types of agriculture, like specialty crops, as holding potential for this region.”
Information such as frost free dates, light intensity and frequency of fog would be included in a proposed climate data study for Southwest Nova. — Carla Allen photo
Published on February 7, 2011
Published on February 7, 2011
Carla Allen Latest News
08-02 - Canada's housing market could prove more resilient in 2011 than predicted
08-02 - NS: School boards warned of two per cent funding cut
08-02 - Federal regulator to seek public views on how Internet should be priced
08-02 - NS: Gov't doubling co-op education positions to 450 per year
08-02 - NS: Federal election will not impact dredging project, says ECBC
08-02 - NS: Taxi bylaw changes introduced in Truro
08-02 - NS: CBRM and ECBC pursue land for wharfage, boardwalk extension
08-02 - NS: Groupe Savoie exploring partnerships to keep mill busy
See All Articles
Regional News
08-02 - : NL: Businesswomen inspired by premier’s speech
08-02 - : NL: Head of Canadian Imperial Venture Corp. to retire
08-02 - : NL: Wood pellet potential heating up
See All Articles
The Vanguard
Topics : College of Geographical Sciences , Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture , Southwest Nova.Recognizing , Shelburne , Lunenburg
[YARMOUTH, NS] — Show us the numbers. Businesses considering major agricultural investment want cold, hard facts before they plunk upwards of $30,000 per acre to develop crops like cranberries in Southwest Nova.
Recognizing the need, CBDCs in Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens and Lunenburg are trying to get a three-year climate data project off the ground.
“One of our biggest issues of trying to attract developers from outside the region is that agriculture is very much a science nowadays and climate plays a critical role with regard to production,” said Yarmouth CBCD executive director Chris Atwood. “Every time we had developers come down, they’d ask specific questions regarding specific areas. Apart from very general climate information we couldn’t give them the information they needed — frost free dates, light intensity — we are noted to be a foggy region but it varies the further inland you go,” he said.
The $225,000 project will incorporate 42 climate data loggers set up in the region.
Some municipal units have stepped forward, and Economic Rural Development, Agrifutures, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and ACOA are also contributing.
Atwood says CBDC is still working with letters of offers from some funding partners.
The project would be based on a similar one that engaged the College of Geographical Sciences for the grape growers association.
“We’re looking at what they did and tailoring it for this end of the province. Once you’ve got the climate data study, you can market the region to potential developers,” said Atwood. “Our desire as a community economic development agency is to see business grow here. We see certain types of agriculture, like specialty crops, as holding potential for this region.”
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Digby has a Title Rival
Victoria deemed Canada's most 'romantic' city
By Derek Abma, Postmedia News February 8, 2011 Comments (10)
StoryPhotos ( 1 )
Love Michael Buble? Romance novels, too? Amazon.ca says Victoria may be the city for you.Photograph by: Lucas Jackson, ReutersA new list of the Top 20 romantic cities in Canada makes no mention of the honeymoon capital of the world, Niagara Falls, nor any place where French, "the language of love," is the native tongue.
Instead, Victoria has been named by online retailer Amazon.ca as the most romantic city in Canada. And by "romantic," Amazon means this is the city with at least 100,000 residents that has the highest per-capita rate so far this year of purchasing items such as romance novels, sex or relationship books, romantic-comedy DVDs and Michael Buble CDs.
"Victoria proves brains are sexy, too, not only earning the honour of all-around Most Romantic City 2011, but also as the biggest consumer of romantic books," Amazon said of the British Columbia capital in a statement.
None of the country's three biggest cities — Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver —made the list. And there was no representation from any provinces east of Ontario, including Quebec.
Niagara Falls is technically out of the running, because its population is less than 100,000. Other Ontario cities, however, dominate the Top 20 list, with 11 of the spots.
Rounding out the Top 5 were Guelph, Ont., Calgary, Saskatoon (last year's most romantic) and the Toronto suburb of Oakville, Ont.
National capital Ottawa barely made the cut at No. 20. It was upstaged by its suburb, Nepean at No. 9, which technically has been part of the municipality of Ottawa since 2001.
Looking at how some of the other major Canadian cities fared, Regina was sixth, Winnipeg was 11th and Edmonton was 13th.
Places such as Nepean, Calgary and Kingston, Ont. (seventh), were noted for their love of romantic-comedy DVDs. Calgary had a Top 3 ranking in all categories.
Amazon said Brantford, Ont. — hometown of Wayne Gretzky — was the top purchaser of Michael Buble CDs, but that was not enough to put it among the Top 20 overall in terms of romantic cities.
Asked for her opinion on the rankings, Stacey Espino, a Barrie, Ont., writer whose erotica books are carried by Amazon, said by email: "I've been to many of the cities listed. Being an erotic romance author living in Ontario, Canada, I'd like to think it's accurate."
Espino said crime, pollution and economic issues perhaps make Canada's bigger cities less romantic.
Eve Langlais, another Ontario-based writer of erotica — whose work is not available though Amazon — wrote: "In my opinion, the most romantic city happens to be whatever one you find yourself happiest with your partner. For me, it's Bowmanville, Ont., with my husband of over 11 years. I'm not the adventurous type in real life, even if my writing is. LOL."
dabma@postmedia.com
By Derek Abma, Postmedia News February 8, 2011 Comments (10)
StoryPhotos ( 1 )
Love Michael Buble? Romance novels, too? Amazon.ca says Victoria may be the city for you.Photograph by: Lucas Jackson, ReutersA new list of the Top 20 romantic cities in Canada makes no mention of the honeymoon capital of the world, Niagara Falls, nor any place where French, "the language of love," is the native tongue.
Instead, Victoria has been named by online retailer Amazon.ca as the most romantic city in Canada. And by "romantic," Amazon means this is the city with at least 100,000 residents that has the highest per-capita rate so far this year of purchasing items such as romance novels, sex or relationship books, romantic-comedy DVDs and Michael Buble CDs.
"Victoria proves brains are sexy, too, not only earning the honour of all-around Most Romantic City 2011, but also as the biggest consumer of romantic books," Amazon said of the British Columbia capital in a statement.
None of the country's three biggest cities — Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver —made the list. And there was no representation from any provinces east of Ontario, including Quebec.
Niagara Falls is technically out of the running, because its population is less than 100,000. Other Ontario cities, however, dominate the Top 20 list, with 11 of the spots.
Rounding out the Top 5 were Guelph, Ont., Calgary, Saskatoon (last year's most romantic) and the Toronto suburb of Oakville, Ont.
National capital Ottawa barely made the cut at No. 20. It was upstaged by its suburb, Nepean at No. 9, which technically has been part of the municipality of Ottawa since 2001.
Looking at how some of the other major Canadian cities fared, Regina was sixth, Winnipeg was 11th and Edmonton was 13th.
Places such as Nepean, Calgary and Kingston, Ont. (seventh), were noted for their love of romantic-comedy DVDs. Calgary had a Top 3 ranking in all categories.
Amazon said Brantford, Ont. — hometown of Wayne Gretzky — was the top purchaser of Michael Buble CDs, but that was not enough to put it among the Top 20 overall in terms of romantic cities.
Asked for her opinion on the rankings, Stacey Espino, a Barrie, Ont., writer whose erotica books are carried by Amazon, said by email: "I've been to many of the cities listed. Being an erotic romance author living in Ontario, Canada, I'd like to think it's accurate."
Espino said crime, pollution and economic issues perhaps make Canada's bigger cities less romantic.
Eve Langlais, another Ontario-based writer of erotica — whose work is not available though Amazon — wrote: "In my opinion, the most romantic city happens to be whatever one you find yourself happiest with your partner. For me, it's Bowmanville, Ont., with my husband of over 11 years. I'm not the adventurous type in real life, even if my writing is. LOL."
dabma@postmedia.com
Monday, February 7, 2011
A Food Policy for Nova Scotia?
From the Valley-Lois
NOVA SCOTIA FARMLAND REZONED FOR DEVELOPMENT – February 1, 2011
On February 1st, Kings County Councillors voted 6 to 5 in favour of destroying 380 acres of farmland in Greenwich of the Annapolis Valley. Media attention is indicating that our Provincially-elected leaders "will likely not be intervening" in this vitally important rezoning Issue!
WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!
The loss of farmland in the Valley is not only a local matter. It is a Provincial issue. All Nova Scotians should have the option of buying locally-produced food. We must demand that the Province, who will be making a final decision within the next 30 -60 days on this rezoning, reject it and, instead, establish a strong policy to protect our farmland and our food security. Now is your chance to make a real difference or these rezoning requests for destroying our farmland will never end.
The Province needs to hear from lots of citizens on this issue. Send a strong message and please do it soon.
Here are some key points to make:
Ask that your government establish a Food Policy for Nova Scotians so that your food security is protected.
Demand that locally-grown foods be more readily available to all citizens, rural and urban.
Demand the rejection of the Greenwich rezoning amendments because this loss to our irreplaceable rural infrastructure- needed to produce healthful, local foods - is not acceptable.
Demand that your government adopt the recommendations of the Agricultural Land Review Committee and establish a Farmland Preservation Policy for Nova Scotia immediately.
Remind the Province that sustainable rural communities provide opportunities for long-term "green jobs" for a new generation of farmers.
WHO YOU CAN WRITE TO: (Please send a copy of your letter to each contact listed below including your own area MLA). Consider sending us a copy.
Premier Darrell Dexter
(email) premier@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) Office of the Premier, P.O. Box 726, Halifax N.S. B3J 2T3
Minister John MacDonell, Dept of Agriculture and Municipal Affairs
(email) MIN_DAG@gov.ns.ca and SNSMRMIN@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) P.O. Box 2223, Halifax, N.S. B3J 3C4
Deputy Minister Richard Williams, Office of Policy & Priorities
(email) williarm@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) 1700 Granville Street, 3rd Floor, One Government Place, Halifax,
N.S. B3J 1X5
Minister Stirling Belliveau, Department of Environment
(email) min_env@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) P.O. Box 442, Halifax, N.S. B3J 2P8
Minister Percy Paris, Dept. of Economic & Rural Development and Tourism
(email) econmin@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) Centennial Building, 1660 Hollis Street, P.O. Box 2311, Halifax,
N.S. B3J 3C8
Minister Charlie Parker, Department of Natural Resources
(email) min_dnr@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) 3rd Floor, Founder's Square, 1701 Hollis Street, Halifax, N.S.
B3J 2T9
Beth Densmore, President of N.S. Federation of Agriculture
(email) bdensmore@nsfa-fane.ca
(mailing) 332 Willow Street, Truro, N.S. B2N 5A5
Contact for your MLA:
See: http://nslegislature.ca/index.php/people/members/
What Councillors voted in favour of supporting:
Ø The removal of 380 acres of farmland in Greenwich for comprehensive residential and commercial development;
Ø The creation of another unnecessary "growth centre" in Kings County.
They did so despite:
v Never proving that any demand for such growth and development in Greenwich exists;
v Greenwich being one of the most successful agri-tourism destinations in the Province;
v There being thousands of available lots elsewhere in the county that are better suited for development without destroying farmland;
v Young farmers telling them that it is virtually impossible to locate fertile, affordable land to farm in Kings County;
v Noggins Corner Farm and Cosman & Whidden Honey expressing deep concerns that their businesses may be seriously jeopardized should development occur next to them in Greenwich;
v Overwhelming opposition to this rezoning proposal and demand for protection of farmland.
For more information: www.nofarmsnofood.ca
Contact us at: nofarmsnofood@gmail.com
NOVA SCOTIA FARMLAND REZONED FOR DEVELOPMENT – February 1, 2011
On February 1st, Kings County Councillors voted 6 to 5 in favour of destroying 380 acres of farmland in Greenwich of the Annapolis Valley. Media attention is indicating that our Provincially-elected leaders "will likely not be intervening" in this vitally important rezoning Issue!
WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!
The loss of farmland in the Valley is not only a local matter. It is a Provincial issue. All Nova Scotians should have the option of buying locally-produced food. We must demand that the Province, who will be making a final decision within the next 30 -60 days on this rezoning, reject it and, instead, establish a strong policy to protect our farmland and our food security. Now is your chance to make a real difference or these rezoning requests for destroying our farmland will never end.
The Province needs to hear from lots of citizens on this issue. Send a strong message and please do it soon.
Here are some key points to make:
Ask that your government establish a Food Policy for Nova Scotians so that your food security is protected.
Demand that locally-grown foods be more readily available to all citizens, rural and urban.
Demand the rejection of the Greenwich rezoning amendments because this loss to our irreplaceable rural infrastructure- needed to produce healthful, local foods - is not acceptable.
Demand that your government adopt the recommendations of the Agricultural Land Review Committee and establish a Farmland Preservation Policy for Nova Scotia immediately.
Remind the Province that sustainable rural communities provide opportunities for long-term "green jobs" for a new generation of farmers.
WHO YOU CAN WRITE TO: (Please send a copy of your letter to each contact listed below including your own area MLA). Consider sending us a copy.
Premier Darrell Dexter
(email) premier@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) Office of the Premier, P.O. Box 726, Halifax N.S. B3J 2T3
Minister John MacDonell, Dept of Agriculture and Municipal Affairs
(email) MIN_DAG@gov.ns.ca and SNSMRMIN@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) P.O. Box 2223, Halifax, N.S. B3J 3C4
Deputy Minister Richard Williams, Office of Policy & Priorities
(email) williarm@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) 1700 Granville Street, 3rd Floor, One Government Place, Halifax,
N.S. B3J 1X5
Minister Stirling Belliveau, Department of Environment
(email) min_env@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) P.O. Box 442, Halifax, N.S. B3J 2P8
Minister Percy Paris, Dept. of Economic & Rural Development and Tourism
(email) econmin@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) Centennial Building, 1660 Hollis Street, P.O. Box 2311, Halifax,
N.S. B3J 3C8
Minister Charlie Parker, Department of Natural Resources
(email) min_dnr@gov.ns.ca
(mailing) 3rd Floor, Founder's Square, 1701 Hollis Street, Halifax, N.S.
B3J 2T9
Beth Densmore, President of N.S. Federation of Agriculture
(email) bdensmore@nsfa-fane.ca
(mailing) 332 Willow Street, Truro, N.S. B2N 5A5
Contact for your MLA:
See: http://nslegislature.ca/index.php/people/members/
What Councillors voted in favour of supporting:
Ø The removal of 380 acres of farmland in Greenwich for comprehensive residential and commercial development;
Ø The creation of another unnecessary "growth centre" in Kings County.
They did so despite:
v Never proving that any demand for such growth and development in Greenwich exists;
v Greenwich being one of the most successful agri-tourism destinations in the Province;
v There being thousands of available lots elsewhere in the county that are better suited for development without destroying farmland;
v Young farmers telling them that it is virtually impossible to locate fertile, affordable land to farm in Kings County;
v Noggins Corner Farm and Cosman & Whidden Honey expressing deep concerns that their businesses may be seriously jeopardized should development occur next to them in Greenwich;
v Overwhelming opposition to this rezoning proposal and demand for protection of farmland.
For more information: www.nofarmsnofood.ca
Contact us at: nofarmsnofood@gmail.com
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Tidal Power
Castine
Castine Patriot, February 3, 2011
Tidal power: Cobscook Bay study bodes well for fish
by Colin Powell
The Maine coast provides some of the best spots for tidal power generation in the country, experts agree.
But while engineers test turbines to exploit that potential, those who work on the coast have major questions about their environmental impact.
That’s where the Maine Tidal Power Initiative comes in.
The goal of the initiative is to evaluate and develop Maine’s tidal energy resources responsibly, according to fish ecologist Gayle Zydlewski.
Zydlewski spoke on Monday, January 31, as the first lecturer in this year’s Ocean Studies Lecture series at Maine Maritime Academy.
She explained that MTPI comprises staff and faculty from the University of Maine and MMA, from fields as diverse as mechanical and civil engineering to marine science and sociology. Zydlewski herself is an assistant professor at the University of Maine.
Over the next seven to 10 years, Zydlewski said, Maine is expected to produce 250 to 400 megawatts of power from tidal sources.
While there are a number of individuals and companies working on turbines that produce consistent and high quality electricity, recent problems with wind farms, both off-shore and land-based, have exposed a need to do extensive environmental and social studies.
Zydlewski described how one of her MTPI colleagues, Teresa Johnson, conducted a survey of people in the Cobscook Bay area. That’s where the Ocean Renewable Power Company is close to deploying a production-ready turbine.
Johnson, an assistant professor of marine policy, is a social scientist who specializes in fishing communities.
In Johnson’s survey, the majority of respondents said environmental impacts are the most important area of research that’s needed before a tidal generator is installed.
Given the interest, Zydlewski and her colleagues at MTPI set about to create experiments to determine the type, quantity and behavior of marine life at the proposed site for the ORPC device.
While there was some past data for the marine life in the general area, Zydlewski said much of it was from research papers nearly 30 years old, and not even from Cobscook Bay, but nearby Passamaquoddy Bay.
With limited studies to draw on, Zydlewski and her partners had to create their own experiments.
They designed a dual-sonar system that was mounted to a moored boat over the proposed site. One sonar provided images to a depth of 10 meters, with the other providing images from the sea floor.
There was also a second rig set up to monitor a “control site,” picked for having similar characteristics to the proposed site, and that could be monitored after the device is installed to measure changes in marine life at the installation point.
What her group discovered was surprising, Zydlewski said.
Data gathered in the spring and fall, during both the day and night, showed the bulk of fish were located about 20 to 25 meters off the sea floor.
The ORPC device is designed to be installed only 10 meters off the sea floor, so this means the number of fish affected by the installation would be minimal.
Besides testing for the presence of fish in the water column, the group performed another experiment using a test turbine anchored below a barge.
The group mounted the device in front of and behind the turbine, which looks like a large reel lawnmower.
While all the data from that test has not yet been analyzed, Zydlewski said preliminary results are interesting.
After the schools pass through the device, she said, they seem to experience a moment of confusion, but then usually reorient themselves after a moment and move on. The scientists also watched a large species of fish approach the intake end of the device, stop, turn and move upstream.
While the MTPI data has so far been good news for the tidal power industry, Zydlewski was careful to point out that the data was only for two small locations in Cobscook Bay.
She said there is still a need to perform similar tests elsewhere on the Maine coast. There is also a need to make such studies easier to perform with fewer people, she said, as there is interest in private tidal generators operated by small groups or individuals.
While her group’s data on fish populations in the water column have been very well received, she said state and federal natural resource agencies still need data for summer and winter.
“We’ve been collecting data that is relative to the time of year when fish are known to be there,” Zydlewski said.
But without official data for the other times of the year, she said, the natural resource departments have to use the only data they have—namely for spring and fall— for other times of the year.
These are the agencies that are striving to define license requirements even as devices are being prepared for installation.
“So now we’ve been collecting some data this past January and will be collecting more this February,” Zydlewski said.
Castine Patriot, February 3, 2011
Tidal power: Cobscook Bay study bodes well for fish
by Colin Powell
The Maine coast provides some of the best spots for tidal power generation in the country, experts agree.
But while engineers test turbines to exploit that potential, those who work on the coast have major questions about their environmental impact.
That’s where the Maine Tidal Power Initiative comes in.
The goal of the initiative is to evaluate and develop Maine’s tidal energy resources responsibly, according to fish ecologist Gayle Zydlewski.
Zydlewski spoke on Monday, January 31, as the first lecturer in this year’s Ocean Studies Lecture series at Maine Maritime Academy.
She explained that MTPI comprises staff and faculty from the University of Maine and MMA, from fields as diverse as mechanical and civil engineering to marine science and sociology. Zydlewski herself is an assistant professor at the University of Maine.
Over the next seven to 10 years, Zydlewski said, Maine is expected to produce 250 to 400 megawatts of power from tidal sources.
While there are a number of individuals and companies working on turbines that produce consistent and high quality electricity, recent problems with wind farms, both off-shore and land-based, have exposed a need to do extensive environmental and social studies.
Zydlewski described how one of her MTPI colleagues, Teresa Johnson, conducted a survey of people in the Cobscook Bay area. That’s where the Ocean Renewable Power Company is close to deploying a production-ready turbine.
Johnson, an assistant professor of marine policy, is a social scientist who specializes in fishing communities.
In Johnson’s survey, the majority of respondents said environmental impacts are the most important area of research that’s needed before a tidal generator is installed.
Given the interest, Zydlewski and her colleagues at MTPI set about to create experiments to determine the type, quantity and behavior of marine life at the proposed site for the ORPC device.
While there was some past data for the marine life in the general area, Zydlewski said much of it was from research papers nearly 30 years old, and not even from Cobscook Bay, but nearby Passamaquoddy Bay.
With limited studies to draw on, Zydlewski and her partners had to create their own experiments.
They designed a dual-sonar system that was mounted to a moored boat over the proposed site. One sonar provided images to a depth of 10 meters, with the other providing images from the sea floor.
There was also a second rig set up to monitor a “control site,” picked for having similar characteristics to the proposed site, and that could be monitored after the device is installed to measure changes in marine life at the installation point.
What her group discovered was surprising, Zydlewski said.
Data gathered in the spring and fall, during both the day and night, showed the bulk of fish were located about 20 to 25 meters off the sea floor.
The ORPC device is designed to be installed only 10 meters off the sea floor, so this means the number of fish affected by the installation would be minimal.
Besides testing for the presence of fish in the water column, the group performed another experiment using a test turbine anchored below a barge.
The group mounted the device in front of and behind the turbine, which looks like a large reel lawnmower.
While all the data from that test has not yet been analyzed, Zydlewski said preliminary results are interesting.
After the schools pass through the device, she said, they seem to experience a moment of confusion, but then usually reorient themselves after a moment and move on. The scientists also watched a large species of fish approach the intake end of the device, stop, turn and move upstream.
While the MTPI data has so far been good news for the tidal power industry, Zydlewski was careful to point out that the data was only for two small locations in Cobscook Bay.
She said there is still a need to perform similar tests elsewhere on the Maine coast. There is also a need to make such studies easier to perform with fewer people, she said, as there is interest in private tidal generators operated by small groups or individuals.
While her group’s data on fish populations in the water column have been very well received, she said state and federal natural resource agencies still need data for summer and winter.
“We’ve been collecting data that is relative to the time of year when fish are known to be there,” Zydlewski said.
But without official data for the other times of the year, she said, the natural resource departments have to use the only data they have—namely for spring and fall— for other times of the year.
These are the agencies that are striving to define license requirements even as devices are being prepared for installation.
“So now we’ve been collecting some data this past January and will be collecting more this February,” Zydlewski said.
Labels:
tidal power renewable energy
Aquaculture-Dan Mills
dan mills
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 2:49 PM
Subject: Aquaculture in Nova Scotia
Dear Editor:
In the edition of the Chronicle Herald of Feb.2nd., both Pamela Parker and Bruce Hancock take Silver
Donald Cameron to task for standing up and out for values which his opponents seem not to embrace. By the tone of their response, it appears he struck a very raw nerve.
Why are these people so defensive if there is nothing at all to fear? Why is Mr. Hancock so annoyed with activists such as Mr.Cameron for going the extra mile to help people to understand and to determine the truth?
I wrote a letter to Mr. Hancock in my own pursuit, and he told me to go to people much like himself and Ms. Parker: "existing fish farmers, government regulators,and ordinary people (not activists) that live and work in such areas...."
I took that as a sign of fear and cowardice, and wondered why he would ask me to consult only those who seem to be in the same bed? By title and profession, are they then to be taken as holders of the absolute truth beyond which there is no other? I think not!
Activists are not evil people, or liars as perhaps these leaders think. They are ordinary Joes and Janes who wish to know, and have honest answers, to their questions. Remember not all that long ago,we listened to DFO, but in not too long a time, the North Atlantic Cod all but disappeared. Why should we trust them now and those who make the snowballs for them to throw?
Mr. Cameron may not have all the answers; nor do I. But we need people like him to pick up the gauntlet so that all sides may be bared, and informed people will have a say, and a choice in the future of their waters. Not everyone trusts the politicians or Cookes Aquaculture in this venture. I don't! Why should we in the face of their dictatorial defense?
Daniel Mills
Digby Neck
902-245-5171
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 2:49 PM
Subject: Aquaculture in Nova Scotia
Dear Editor:
In the edition of the Chronicle Herald of Feb.2nd., both Pamela Parker and Bruce Hancock take Silver
Donald Cameron to task for standing up and out for values which his opponents seem not to embrace. By the tone of their response, it appears he struck a very raw nerve.
Why are these people so defensive if there is nothing at all to fear? Why is Mr. Hancock so annoyed with activists such as Mr.Cameron for going the extra mile to help people to understand and to determine the truth?
I wrote a letter to Mr. Hancock in my own pursuit, and he told me to go to people much like himself and Ms. Parker: "existing fish farmers, government regulators,and ordinary people (not activists) that live and work in such areas...."
I took that as a sign of fear and cowardice, and wondered why he would ask me to consult only those who seem to be in the same bed? By title and profession, are they then to be taken as holders of the absolute truth beyond which there is no other? I think not!
Activists are not evil people, or liars as perhaps these leaders think. They are ordinary Joes and Janes who wish to know, and have honest answers, to their questions. Remember not all that long ago,we listened to DFO, but in not too long a time, the North Atlantic Cod all but disappeared. Why should we trust them now and those who make the snowballs for them to throw?
Mr. Cameron may not have all the answers; nor do I. But we need people like him to pick up the gauntlet so that all sides may be bared, and informed people will have a say, and a choice in the future of their waters. Not everyone trusts the politicians or Cookes Aquaculture in this venture. I don't! Why should we in the face of their dictatorial defense?
Daniel Mills
Digby Neck
902-245-5171
Labels:
aquaculture fish farming
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