'Dead zones' are blamed for rise in shark attacks (Where is EPA?)

[papau]

Bushes EPA "relaxes"/"improves"/"makes more flexible"/ "uses the power of the market place" so as to not stop the over-use of fertilisers, the discharge of untreated sewage and the ever-rising emissions from vehicles and factories - maybe shark attacks will get the attention of the media.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/waste/story/0,12188,1278198,00.html

John Vidal Saturday August 7, 2004 The Guardian

Increasing numbers of unprovoked shark attacks on swimmers could be linked to the formation of immense oxygen-starved dead zones in the world's oceans, according to American scientists. Three people have been bitten by sharks off the Texas coast this year, compared to only 18 attacks in the past 24 years, leading researchers to believe they may be linked to a dead zone which this year has spread across 5,800 square miles (15,020 sq km) of the Gulf of Mexico .

The zone, caused by the runoff of sewage and nitrate-based fertilisers from intensive farming, is deprived of oxygen and kills all fish within it. It also forces marine life near it to seek better water and come closer inshore. The one in the Gulf of Mexico this year is much closer to shore.

Terry Stelly, an ecosystem biologist with the Texas parks and wildlife department, said increasing numbers of sharks had been recorded in recent years in the waters along the Texas-Louisiana border, near the edge of the dead zone. "The chances are good they are looking for higher dissolved oxygen in the water", he said.

Nancy Rabalais, of Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium said: "The higher number of sharks in shallow waters may very likely be due to the low oxygen being close to the shore at the time of the attacks. The available habitat for the sharks is definitely less when the low oxygen is so widespread."

According to the UN environment programme (Unep), there could now be more than 150 dead zones around the world: more than twice as many as 15 years ago. The largest are off the coasts of South America, China, Japan, south-east Australia and New Zealand. <snip>

[burrowowl]

1. EPA

is being strangled by Bu$h and Co.

[fudge stripe cookays]

2. One of them was right outside our hotel in Galveston

week before last.

We saw them loading the girl into the ambulance, and just figured she'd slipped on the jetty and cut her leg up or something.

But next day, we read that she'd been attacked at 53rd and Seawall, right where we were.

This is so frightening. Meanwhile everyone buys bigger and bigger SUVs, and companies get more tax breaks for throwing crap into our rivers and oceans.

I REALLY hate that bastard and all his greedy, grubby scumbag friends.

FSC

[Webster Green]

3. EPA is stuffed into Cheney's back pocket.....

Suffocating.

[Enigma]

4. Denial: the American conservative antidote

Science and knowledge be damned; to an American republican, you're a dirty hippie, a new-age pantheist or politically correct wuss if you show the slightest concern for the enviroment.

Species extinction, deforestation and desertification, the toxic effect on ALL lifeforms caused by pollution....Just sit and deny it's importance.

[kestrel91316]

5. The bitter truth made plain for all to see.......

Ths Bush administration doesn't give a rat's a-- what happens to the environment because they are all working overtime to bring on a biblical armageddon or the rapture or whatever the hell it is they want so bad to happen. You are watching the logical outcome of theocracy (of course, some of us believe in the concept of good stewardship, but not BushCo). Oh and how can they make huge profits if they are not allowed to rape and pillage the earth?? We all know that short-term financial gain is the next-biggest driving force with these clowns.