The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft
Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/73196
WATERFRONT BUSINESS In brief… Rising Sea Levels The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric research's principal scientist Dr Rob Bell said at the New Zealand Climate Change Centre conference, that surge flooding on king tides is the first sign of rising sea levels. With 65 percent of Kiwis living within 5km of the sea, including twelve of our fifteen largest towns and cities, present-day 100-year flood events could occur every year when sea levels rise by 0.5 metre. Dr Bell says rises of more than a metre by 2100 can't be ruled out and that new subdivisions and developments should have sufficient capacity to absorb even higher rises in sea levels. Illegal fishing crackdown Two panel sessions at the World Fisheries Congress in May examined the impact of illegal fishing after the Sierra Leone government's crackdown on illegal fishing in the country's inshore exclusion zone, and the tracing and fining several vessels that had fled before being held accountable. Pirate fishing threatens global fisheries, and one in four fisheries worldwide has collapsed in the past 50 years because of unsustainable fishing practices. Financial losses are estimated to run to in the region of US$10 billion and US$23.5 billion per year representing between 11 and 26 million tonnes of fish. Spokesman Steve Trent said: "We are witnessing a potentially transformative moment in fisheries enforcement in West Africa. If this pressure is maintained, we are confident that the profit can be taken out of illegal fishing once and for all." Plenty of life left in 2-strokes Boat owners shouldn't hesitate to buy a 2-stroke engine if it suits their needs, says Lindsay Grenfell, Executive Officer of the Outboard Engine Distributors Association. "Contrary to what some people believe, 2-stroke outboards are not about to be outlawed by the Australian Government. Any decision is effectively a number of years away. Even then, the new rules will be focused on the sale of new engines. No-one is suggesting people will go around confiscating existing 2-strokes." OEDA strongly supports the move to low emission technology and its members, Mercury, Yamaha and Tohatsu, have introduced more than 64 new generation 3 Star Ultra Low emission engines into the Australian market over the last few years. 44 Professional Skipper July/August 2012 TSS Earnslaw's 100th birthday celebrations REAL JOURNEYS, WHO took over the operation of the vintage steamer from New Zealand Railways in December 1969, is planning a week of centenary celebrations from October 14–22 highlighting the TSS Earnslaw's significance as the oldest remaining passenger steamship in the Southern Hemisphere, marking one hundred years of her commissioning and debut passenger excursion from Kingston to Queenstown. Real Journeys have put together an extensive programme to reflect the diverse roles the TSS Earnslaw has played during her century of service on Lake Wakatipu. There is the re-enactment of the TREES FOR LIFE THE GOVERNMENT OF New Caledonia hosted delegations from the Pacific islands in April with a view to drafting the "joint position" bringing the states of Oceania together at the RIO+28 Earth Summit. Of the 22 States and Territories of Oceania, 11 have agreed to join the "One tree one day a life" initiative. Discussions took place over the repercussions of climate change on the islands of the Pacific and ways the region's voice can be heard in the international community. The "One tree one life a day" programme hopes to promote life in the face of the risks of climate change and climatic disruption. At a time when some parts of the world are slipping from being net capturers of CO2 to net emitters, the Pacific is now the leading producer of oxygen on the planet, a veritable oxygen lung for the world. The "joint position" achieved at the conference on Saturday 28 April in Nouméa, was the signing of an initiative committing to plant one tree per inhabitant each year, i.e. 250,000 in New Caledonia and 10 million per year for the 22 countries of Oceania. first sailing, a special high country station cruise on October 21 tracing the mail and freight routes taken by the steamer for almost 70 years, and a cruise that will stop over at Glenorchy where there will be a special Glenorchy residents' excursion highlighting the steamers' part in the lives of Glenorchy people over the years. Frankton Arm cruises, including a seniors' cruise with music, entertainment, and historians on board are planned. A woolshed party at Mount Nicholas Station on the far shores of Lake Wakatipu, a family fun day at Walter Peak, and a TSS Earnslaw staff reunion are also expected to attract widespread interest.