Free Sammy: Captive shark inspires unlikely uprising

Anne Marie McQueen, The Globe and Mail 31 Oct 08;

DUBAI — A four-metre-long whale shark nicknamed Sammy remains the star attraction at the posh new Atlantis Hotel, even as many who visit believe she would be better off in the ocean.

In a real-life, United Arab Emirates twist on the 1993 film Free Willy, the whale shark was captured off the coast of Dubai in late August and brought to the Lost Chambers aquarium. Management at the $1.87-billion, 1,539-room hotel on Palm Jumeirah, one of Dubai's man-made land extensions, have said the marine animal was rescued floundering in warm, shallow Gulf waters, and is being cared for, fed and monitored by a staff of marine specialists.

Yet since the whale shark went on display to the public in late September, a grassroots campaign for her release – the sort of social movement uncommon to this small Middle Eastern nation – has turned into a public outcry.

A local newspaper started things off by publishing “Free Sammy” badges and bumper stickers. DJs at a radio station composed a Free Sammy song and several community groups sprouted up, dedicated to the cause. In recent weeks Emirates Wildlife Society and the World Wide Fund for Nature made a plea for the whale shark's release. The Emirates Marine Environmental Group issued a statement, Peta Asia-Pacific got on board and organizations from the Seychelles to Britain joined the call. In addition to online petitions and shops selling Free Sammy T-shirts and hoodies, the whale shark's plight also has been explored through poetry and cartoon.

As pressure mounted by the middle of October, Dubai's Minister for the Environment and Water, Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, told local media the animal would be freed, but did not say when. Weeks later, the hotel has yet to indicate its plans, and Sammy remains captive.

When viewed recently, the whale shark swam in slow circles around the hotel's 11-million-litre Ambassador Lagoon, dwarfing hundreds of other fish below. Her slightly shredded tail fin was the only sign something might be amiss. In the gift shop, sizable plush replicas – with the species' distinctive white spots and wide, flat snout – sold for $61.

Vincent Nibbering, a 20-year-old university student from the Netherlands, was visiting with some school friends.

“I think this aquarium is way too small for her,” he said, peering through the glass. “She deserves to be free.”

The largest Free Sammy group has almost 13,000 members on its Facebook page – a mix of different nationalities, including Emiratis and far-flung sympathizers from Australia to Thailand.

Donna Ralph, a 45-year-old British expatriate who started the group, has been spending hours every day on the cause. She cornered a manager at the aquarium, presenting him with a petition bearing more than 2,000 names. She will remain vigilant until the hotel responds to her complaints.

“We want to know what's wrong with her,” she said. “How is she being treated? Why are they keeping her? How long are they keeping her? That's what we need to know.”

The group has been debating some sort of demonstration, most likely a silent one, although public protests are extremely rare in the non-democratic UAE.

James Defronzo, a political sociologist and professor emeritus with the University of Connecticut, said the way different cross-sections have mobilized behind this effort could indicate more than just a common desire to see a marine animal set free.

“Participants in this type of protest could possibly come to feel more confident about participating in a social movement,” he said. “Perhaps not just the environmental or animal-rights movements, but a broader social movement to further democratize the UAE.”

Thousands of people have written to the hotel to complain about the Sammy situation through PetaAsia-Pacific's website, said Ashley Fruno, a senior campaigner with the organization in Hong Kong.

And even if the whale shark is eventually released, she said there are other new aquatic-themed attractions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to be concerned about.

“As the UAE has developed, unfortunately, there has been an explosion of exotic animals being brought in,” she said.

Staff at the Atlantis did not return calls for comment. The hotel is prepping for a grand opening bash Nov. 20 featuring a performance by pop star Kylie Minogue. Rumoured star attendees include David and Victoria Beckham.

Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea, plankton feeders that can grow up to 20 metres in length. They are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Environmental groups say every day the whale shark is kept captive and fed by humans diminishes its chances of surviving if it is returned to the sea.

Read more!

Best of our wild blogs: 1 Nov 08

Wetland Alive
upcoming exhibition on the art in the wetlands blog

Sentosa Surprises
on the wild shores of singapore blog

Falcons, eagles and a kite all in one morning
on the Bird Ecology Study Group blog

Marina Barrage is Opened!
on the Manta Blog

Read more!

Indonesia plans mass relocation as seas rise

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Bintan, Riau Islands 1 Nov 08;

The government is preparing to relocate people living on islands considered vulnerable to rising sea levels over the next three decades.

Sea levels are expected to surge drastically between 2030 and 2040 because of global warming. Experts and the government fear that about 2,000 islands across the country will sink.

"We have formed a technical team who will identify the islands which could sink," Maritime and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi told the International Roundtable Meeting of World Ocean Conference here Thursday.

"The government has prepared a contingency plan, which includes relocation of residents off the islands."

Freddy said the islands were located in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua.

He asked the regional governments to keep an eye on the islands.

Indonesia, Freddy said, called on the international community to join forces in anticipating the disaster that would affect the whole world.

"Indonesia will only see small islands disappear, but there will be a country that is at risk of completely sinking due to the rising sea levels. Therefore, all countries must take this issue seriously."

Indonesia has lost about 60 islands in the western part of Sumatra following the tsunami in December 2004, not to mention several others due to mining activities.

Riau Governor Ismeth Abdullah said the sea level increases were the result of global warming and would affect uninhabited islands in the province in the long run. Local fisherman are already feeling the pinch from climate change, he added.

"Climate change has cut the fishermen's income because many fish are now gone," Ismeth said. His administration has promoted mangrove reforestation to deal with the increasing sea levels.

Experts, representatives of regional governments and maritime and fisheries institutes from 13 countries, including from Europe and Southeast Asia, attended the roundtable meeting.

The forum is expected to help formulate the Manado Declaration, which will cap the World Ocean Conference on May 11-15, 2009 in the North Sulawesi capital. The declaration will provide a reference of global maritime development and conservation.

Read more!

Marina Barrage; First city reservoir opens

Marina Barrage to increase water supply and control flooding
Liaw Wy-Cin, Straits Times 1 Nov 08;

A DREAM 20 years in the making unfolds today with the opening of the Marina Barrage to the public.

This dam has created Marina Reservoir, the 15th reservoir here and the first one in the heart of the city - the most densely built-up part of the island.

This reservoir and two other new ones will raise the portion of the country's land area used for water catchment from half to two-thirds.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who officially opened the facility at sundown yesterday, hailed it as an engineering feat.

He also noted that, increasing the nation's water supply aside, the barrage will also control floods and become a key venue for activities by and on the water.

The idea of damming the mouth of the Marina Channel to create a freshwater lake came from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in 1987, when he was prime minister. That was the year the massive clean-up of the Singapore River was completed, and fish had returned to it.

Building the barrage was the next challenge he gave the nation.

With its opening, it will control flooding in the low-lying areas of Chinatown, Boat Quay and Jalan Besar.

And as it will ensure a constant water level in the reservoir, the barrage will be ideal for water sports and activities, which are fast becoming popular here.

Those who intend to stay dry may visit its food and beverage outlets, have picnics on its grassy rooftop or catch an exhibition on the pro-environment developments here.

Singapore's largest solar park, at 1,200 sq m or about a third the size of a football field, is also there - with 405 solar panels generating 'green' power for the facility.

The nearby park, christened Gardens by the Bay, will also be a magnet for visitors.

The barrage and park, together with the Marina Sands integrated resort and the new Marina downtown area, 'will add to the vibrancy and attractiveness of the city', said Mr Lee.

Ensuring an adequate and secure supply of water has long been a national priority.

'Through the concerted efforts and ingenuity of government agencies, and the full support and cooperation of the population, we have become more self-sufficient in water, and can become completely self-sufficient should we need to. We have also turned our vulnerability into a capability,' he said.

The country is now known for its expertise in water management; its water engineering companies have bagged contracts to build water facilities the world over, he told his audience of 4,000 government officials, industry players and ordinary Singaporeans.

He said: 'Besides access to clean water, we have ensured that Singaporeans can breathe clean air and enjoy green spaces. Singaporeans may take this for granted, but those who have visited or lived in other cities, especially in Asia, will appreciate how exceptional and precious this is.'

Yesterday, he also launched the year-long Clean And Green Singapore drive, which will promote recycling, cycling, tree planting and nature treks.

But Mr Lee also had a reminder for Singaporeans to be custodians of the cleanliness of their public spaces.

He said: 'It is certainly possible for people to litter at will and to deploy an army of cleaners to clean up after us.

'But this is neither desirable nor sustainable. Instead, every citizen must feel responsible for our estates, parks and other public places, to take care of them and not litter or damage them.'

THE Marina Barrage serves more than just to create a reservoir.

# It also controls flooding in low-lying areas such as Chinatown, Boat Quay and Jalan Besar.

# It is expected to draw in the crowds for leisure activities. Apart from water activities, there are also food and beverage outlets, rooftop grassy areas for picnics and an exhibition gallery.

# Singapore's largest solar park covering 1,200 sq m, about a third the size of a football field, is also sited there.

Singapore realises 20-year dream with its first reservoir in the city
Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia 31 Oct 08;

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore has become more self-sufficient in water and the country's effective water management has turned a vulnerability into a capability.

Mr Lee was speaking at the opening of Singapore's 15th reservoir, with the completion of the Marina Barrage, on Friday.

Today, he said Singapore is not only known for its water expertise, but also its beautiful environment.

When seen from above, the sprawling reservoir in the city is Singapore's very own "water piazza".

It was a culmination of a vision Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew had some 20 years ago, which was to dam up the Marina Channel and create a freshwater lake.

At the launch of the project, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said ensuring Singapore has an adequate and secure water supply is an example of how the country has achieved strong economic growth while protecting the environment.

Mr Lee said: "Effective water management is just one example of how Singapore has achieved strong economic growth while protecting and even enhancing the environment. Besides access to clean water, we have ensured that Singaporeans can breathe clean air and enjoy green spaces.

"Singaporeans may take this for granted, but those who have visited or lived in other cities, especially in Asia, you will appreciate how exceptional and precious this is."

Mr Lee, who also launched this year's Clean and Green programme at the event, encouraged Singaporeans to be inspired by the award winning individuals in creating a green and sustainable environment.

For the first time, the Clean and Green Singapore Awards were given out to six community groups. Six individuals were also recognised in the inaugural Community-in-Bloom Ambassador Awards for their promotion of gardening.

The Marina Barrage is also designed to prevent flooding in the low-lying areas of the city.

The prime minister also toured the Clean and Green carnival. The event at the latest lifestyle attraction runs till Sunday. - CNA/vm

From creative vision to reality
Marina Barrage will help boost water supply & alleviate flooding
Teh Jen Lee, The New Paper 2 Nov 08;

STARTING today, you can enjoy this magnificent view of the Singapore skyline and colourful fountains at the newly opened Marina Barrage.

The barrage takes on a whole new persona when night falls. Families can have a picnic there, then enjoy the view. Its stylish curves and romantic lights also make it an ideal place to bring your special someone.

Yesterday, national water agency PUB unveiled the Marina Barrage which creates the Marina Reservoir, Singapore's first reservoir in the city.

Built at a cost of $226 million, the iconic barrage boosts Singapore's water supply, alleviates flooding in the low-lying city areas and is set to become a hot spot for recreational activities.

At the opening ceremony attended by over 4,000 people, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: 'What you see here today is the culmination of creative, visionary thinking as well as decades of planning and hard work.'

First, the Singapore River had to be cleaned up, a 'massive task' spanning 10 years where farms, squatters and polluting industries were resettled.

'With the strong commitment of the Government, by 1987 the river was clean enough for fish to return. In the same year, then-PM Lee issued another challenge - to dam up the mouth of the Marina channel to create a freshwater lake and this we have done today,' he said.

PUB's chief executive Khoo Teng Chye said: 'We are really excited about the Marina Barrage's completion as it exemplifies PUB's holistic approach in water management. The three benefits it brings will transform the waterscape of Singapore and be something all Singaporeans can enjoy and be a part of.'

The barrage creates Singapore's 15th reservoir.

With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or one-sixth the size of Singapore, the Marina catchment is the island's largest and most densely built catchment.

Together with two other new reservoirs, the Marina Reservoir will increase Singapore's water catchment from half to two-third's of the country's land area.

Besides being an engineering marvel, the water body behind the barrage will remain at a constant level, making it suitable for water sports all year round.

The Marina Barrage is designed and built on green principles. Its iconic green roof serves as an insulation layer to lower indoor temperature, thereby reducing the building's air-conditioning requirements.

It also boasts the largest solar installation in Singapore - 405 panels in total which convert solar energy into electricity to supplement the daytime power requirements of the Marina Barrage.

The Sustainable Singapore Gallery housed within the Marina Barrage aims to educate the public on important environmental and water issues through interactive multi-media displays, exhibits and games.

Mr Francis Goo, assistant director of Simei Care Centre, is his 40s, who was at the barrage opening, described it as 'really grand'.

He said: 'The design of the place is quite cool and it has a great atmosphere.'

Over this weekend, the Clean and Green Singapore Carnival will be held at the Marina Barrage. Also, the much-awaited The New Paper Big Walk will see 20,000 participants walk from Suntec City to the barrage tomorrow.

Read more!

Singaporeans make a difference in society through gardening

Ali Smith, Channel NewsAsia 31 Oct 08;

SINGAPORE: Six of Singapore's most passionate gardeners were honoured at the first-ever Community in Bloom Ambassadors Award 2008 ceremony on Friday.

One of the winners, Kamisah Bte Atan, has created six gardens for her community to enjoy, using a grant from the Southwest Community Development Council.

She said all six gardens are maintained by getting women of all ages involved.

"Some of the elderly have aches here and there, and since they started gardening, they have felt much better and they look forward to every gardening activity that we have," Kamisah said, adding that her group aims to plant 100,000 plants in the next four years.

There are also others in Singapore who are using gardening to teach basic skills.

Less than a year ago, former chef Philip Li mobilised his students, who attend the Association for Persons with Special Needs, to create a garden using recycled plants and donated pots.

"Identification, observational skills and motor skills are involved because they need to identify what are the weeds, what are the plants and what are the things you are supposed to weed," said Li.

In addition, he said gardening has paved the way for employment opportunities for the students. So far, three special needs graduates have landed jobs with landscaping companies in Singapore.

Read more!

Fall in price of scrap affects recycling

Only just scraping by
As junk fetch lower prices, they struggle to stay in business
Teo Xuanwei, Today Online 1 Nov 08;

AS A karung guni man, he used to easily rake in around $4,000 every month.

But for the past two months, Mr Khoo Hong Piew’s income has been slashed by half as the global financial crisis has sent the prices of scrap materials tumbling.

Since July, fears over slowing growth have gradually crimped demand for raw materials in surging economies such as China and India. And the effect has spilled over and caused both demand and prices of scrap materials to slide.

Where recycling companies used to pay 30 cents and $9 respectively for every kilogramme of old newspapers and copper, Mr Khoo told Weekend Today that they fetch only 15 cents and $2 now.

“Despite working longer hours every day, I’m having trouble making half of what I used to,” the 52-year-old said.

“We are squeezed in between the recycling companies and the households we collect the junk from,” he added. “People don’t believe that prices can drop so much within such a short period of time; they think we’re trying to cheat them.”

And if the falling prices continue unabated, many rag-and-bone men may be out of jobs soon, said Mr Khoo.

He added that many households are also putting off selling their junk because of the low prices.

Metal prices around the world have been heading south for the last three months. On Friday, Reuters reported that copper prices had dived 35 per cent this month and was heading for its biggest monthly drop since at least 1977, despite a10-per-cent rise earlier this week.

Another karung guni man,Mr Chee Ah Peng, 56, said he had been scolded by old folks who collect drink cans. “The price has dropped from $2 to 60 cents for every kg. I don’t blame them for not believing me, but I’ve already tried to absorb some of the losses myself and there’s nothing more I can do,” he said.

Scrap metal dealers Boon Seng Metal & Disposal Services’ manager Bernard Chua said that manyrecycling companies may also have to fold if the situation doesn’timprove soon. “Many karung guni men are not bringing in scrapmetals anymore. Our profits have fallen almost 65 per cent and there’s hardly enough to pay our employees’ salaries now,” he said.

However, one positive effect of the sliding prices is the sharp fall in public property thefts. There was rampant pilfering of metal signs, prayer urns and copper wirings when metal prices started climbing in 2005 and 2006.

For the first six months of the year, police figures showed there were 366 cases of metal theft — a 40-per-cent drop compared to the same period last year.

Read more!

Paperless 'books' aid green cause

Lim Wei Chean, Straits Times 1 Nov 08;

A SET of children's textbooks about going green, published without paper, won 17-year-old Rebecca Yong Jiahui a trip to meet other like-minded environmentally aware teens.

Through the books, which will be available digitally, the Hwa Chong Institution student wants to introduce environmental issues to seven- to 12-year-olds.

She said: 'Many subjects are taught to children at a young age, important things like moral education, civic education...so why not environmental studies?'

Her entry was among 25 from Singapore this year for the Bayer Young Environmental Envoy awards that made it to a shortlist of 13 finalists.

Rebecca's idea impressed a panel of five judges so much that she was selected to be one of the top three from Singapore's final 13 to represent the country in Germany this month.

At the pharmaceutical giant's homebase, she will be among 50 young greenies from 18 countries getting together to brainstorm environmental sustainability issues.

Next year, Rebecca aims to run a mini-pilot programme in select schools and refine her books from feedback that she gets. Then, she hopes to launch the series with funds from Bayer.

Since 2001, Bayer has been recognising youth contributions as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, to which it commits about ¥1.2 billion (S$2.3 billion) annually.

Youngsters from 18 countries were selected to be its ambassadors at this eighth annual exchange, which is run in tandem with the United Nations Environment Programme.

Together, the programmes seek to empower youth for environmental activism.

Read more!

Kolam Ayer waterfront project refreshes community spirit

Tania Tan, Straits Times 1 Nov 08;

A YEAR ago, the Kallang River beside Kolam Ayer was a big, concrete, dirty storm drain.

Today, lush flora line the waterway, a spice garden sends its fragrance through the air, and a graceful floating platform on the river bank draws nearby residents to community celebrations.

They are giving two thumbs up to the $2.5 million makeover of the 200m stretch. Since its opening in March, it has been a centre of activity for residents, who gather to celebrate occasions such as National Day and the Mooncake Festival.

Community participation has gone up by about 30 per cent, compared to before the revamp, said the river's management committee head, Mr Chiang Heng Liang.

'The river gives residents something to rally around and call their own,' he said.

The waterfront was given a complete overhaul last year under the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waterways programme spearheaded by national water agency PUB.

Kolam Ayer and the Bedok and MacRitchie reservoirs are part of the project's first phase, costing $23 million in total.

'The river used to be an eyesore and dirty,' said Mrs Esther Lim, 50, who has been living in the area for more than 20 years.

'It's so pretty now,' said the childcare teaching assistant. 'It's like those private condo ads with expensive waterfronts.'

The success of the Kolam Ayer pilot, which is the first community-maintained water project, gives residents at Bedok and MacRitchie reservoirs something to look forward to when their own projects open early next year.

The waterfront, which was developed by PUB, is maintained by residents and volunteers. They prune the plants in the spice garden, keep the area tidy and organise community events.

Despite early 'teething problems' like stolen water wheels, Mr Chiang feels the community has grown from strength to strength.

He has enlisted the help of residents to keep a watch on quick-fingered passers-by from their apartments overlooking the river.

Mr Chiang is also in talks with several companies to sponsor kayaking activities for schoolchildren, like those in St Andrews Secondary School, along the waterfront. Bendemeer Primary and Bendemeer Secondary schools also conduct river patrols and clean-ups.

Volunteers like Madam Ho Gui Zhu feel the waterfront has breathed new life into the community.

'Many residents here are old and poor, so they don't always have television sets at home,' said the 60-year-old, who has been a volunteer with the committee for over a year.

'Activities are a good way for them to get out and have some fun.'

Read more!

New 7th Storey Hotel makes way for new Bugis MRT station

Serene Loo/Ryan Huang, Channel NewsAsia 31 Oct 08;

SINGAPORE: One of Singapore's oldest hotels has finally called it a day after 55 years. The New 7th Storey Hotel at Rochor Road is making way for the new Bugis MRT station.

The new Bugis station is one of the six that make up the 4.3-kilometre Downtown Line One, which is scheduled to open in 2013.

Authorities said demolition of the hotel is unavoidable due to engineering constraints.

The owners spent some S$100,000 renovating the budget hotel earlier this year.

Some people paid the hotel a final farewell visit on Friday.

Despite its name, the New 7th Storey Hotel actually has nine storeys comprising 38 rooms.

Many will remember its manually-operated lift and its spiral staircase.

However, there is some consolation as part of the hotel will still live on. Its charcoal steamboat restaurant will be moving to its new home at the Marina Barrage in December.

Parts of the hotel decor will be put up for sale. - CNA/vm

Read more!

Motorcycle championship in Singapore

More roar for Singapore
Hot on the wheels of Formula 1, motorcycle championship MotoGP is headed to town
Ian De Cotta, Today Online 31 Oct 08;

NOW that Singapore has established itself as a premier venue for Formula 1, get ready for the biggest and fastest thing on two wheels.

MotoGP, the motorbike equivalent of F1, is set to make its debut here as early as 2011 when Singapore’s first permanent race track is completed. Speaking from his Madridoffice in Spain, MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta told Today that his company Dorna Sports, which holds the commercial rights to MotoGP, has signed an agreement with a Singaporean company to stage a round of the 18-leg world championships here, when the planned track is completed.

The 61-year-old Spaniard, who is to Moto-GP what Bernie Ecclestone is to Formula 1, also said that Singapore is an important part of the sport’s growth plans, as it is a key financial centre in the middle of an important region of the world.

Although Today is unable to name the Singapore promoter, who sealed the deal in Madrid about two months ago, due to contractualsensitivities, Ezpeleta said: “Yes, I can confirm that we have signed an agreement with a promoter to stage a round of the motorbike world championships in Singapore.

“But it depends when the permanent track you are going to build will be completed. I understand it will be up in three years’ time, so you can have a race there as early as 2011, if not 2012.”



Matching Formula 1

MotoGP motorbikes can reach top speeds of about 340kmh, compared to 370kmh for F1 cars, and Dorna claim they have an average television audience of about 350 million viewers across 200 countries for each race.

In terms of economic impact, organisers of the MotoGP event at Laguna Seca, California, say the annual event there contributes about US$100 million ($146 milion) into the Monterey area surrounding the track, which is on par with spill-off revenues generated by F1 races.

But unlike F1 — with some Grands Prix held on street circuits, including Singapore — MotoGP hold all their races on purpose-built racing circuits.

Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, said at last month’s F1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix that the permanent circuit in Changi is on track to be completed in 2011. Although 20 hectares have been allocated for the project, he also said the Government is willing to consider releasing more land should there be a need.

And despite the difficult economic climate, Singapore Sports Council chief executive officer Oon Jin Teik said that plans for the track will go ahead. “The Changi racetrack is a major component of SSC’s overall motor sports industry development plan in Singapore and it is intended to be funded by the private sector,” said Oon.

“The current financial climate will have an impact on the types and number of bidders that we will be able to attract. Nonetheless, it can only serve to improve their quality and proposals. Weaker players are unlikely to participate while stronger ones will need to put together even better proposals that will enable them to secure financial backing. Based on the feedback we’re receiving, potential investors are still upbeat about the project.”

Friendlier ticket prices

In their regulations for 2008, the sport’s world governing body, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), has stipulated that tracks hosting MotoGP races must be at least 3.5km long.

But Ezpeleta would like to see them longer than that. “We prefer a race track with a length of at least 4km to 4.5km, but safety is our top priority,” he said.

“It would be good also if the track could hold at least 70,000 people, but I am leaving that to the promoter in Singapore to decide.

“Asia is important to MotoGP’s growth and Singapore is at the centre of it, that is why we want to hold a round there. But like I said, my agreement with the promoter in Singapore is subject to the track being built.”

There is an added attraction to MotoGP, as ticket prices are far more affordable. At the Malaysian MotoGP race earlier this month, a seat at the main grandstand cost about RM230 ($95), compared to about RM1,800 for the same seat at the Formula 1 race there in April this year.

But Ezpeleta, who has an “unwritten agreement” with Ecclestone to ensure their events don’t clash, said: “If Singapore’s F1 race is in September, we will have no choice but to plan a MotoGP race to be held there in early 2011.”

Read more!

Should Singapore begin to consider wind energy, too?

More than just hot air ...
Ong Dai Lin and Esther Ng, Today Online 31 Oct 08;

A SUNNY island, a built-up city — perfect for solar power, but not so for wind energy. That is the conventional belief about Singapore.

Indeed, the prospects are growing brighter for solar power here, with companies beaming in investments and research. But as the Republic goes into clean energy in a big way, should it begin to consider wind energy, too?

There is a long way to go but wind energy seems to be making its first inroads into Singapore. Vestas Wind Systems of Denmark, one of the biggest manufacturers of wind power systems in the world, is opening its research and development office for Asia in the new Fusionopolis at Buona Vista.

The Economic Development Board told Today it is “actively looking” at wind energy, along with biofuels, tidal energy, energy efficiency and carbon services as part of a clean energy push that centres on solar power.

The big question, though, is whether it is possible for Singapore to harness wind power not just for research but as an alternative source of energy.

That question will soon be tested.

A Taiwanese energy company is looking for a distributor for its wind turbine — one which it says is suited for urban use, as it has been designed to start spinning even at low wind speeds of less than 1m per second.

Unlike conventional turbines, which have blades like a fan and can turn only if there is a dominant wind direction, the company says its vertical axis design allows the turbine to collect wind from all directions to spin and generate electricity.

“We have made some breakthrough ... our vertical axis wind turbines are light and safe because the blades are made of composite polymer materials. The wind turbines also do not generate any noise when in use,” Cell Power chief executive officer Tony Lin told Today at the JEC Composites Asia Show held at Suntec Singapore last week.

According to Cell Power, its wind turbines are already in use along highways and in office and university buildings in Malaysia. Taiwan, France and South Africa. Depending on the size, the company’s turbines cost between US$2,000 and US$30,000.

But with Singapore’s space limitations and wind speeds of only 6-8m per second during the monsoon periods, most environmental experts Today spoke to say wind energy is not cost effective here.

Dr Jiang Fan, senior lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, where he also manages its Clean Energy Technology Centre, said: “Generally, small wind turbines are not an economic option compared to megawatt wind generators (WG). It’s difficult to say yes or no to Cell Power’s products unless we have their testing results certified by some authority or test them in Singapore.”

He added that vertical axis turbines would probably work better along the coastline or on tall buildings where wind speeds are higher. But even in the latter case, the results of early studies have been inconsistent.

“HDB has been exploring the use of renewable energy. We had conducted R&D studies on wind turbines and found the power generated to be inconsistent. Wind turbines require an intensity of wind speed that is lacking in most parts of Singapore,” an HDB spokeswoman told Today.

While it is clear that wind energy will not be a huge energy contributor, a point that Singapore Environment Council executive director Howard Shaw noted, he also believes that “it can play a part”.

He said: “Applications for wind turbines in Singapore should be explored further.”

As with all technology, improvements could offer new possibilities. And while even Cell Power does not envision large-scale use of wind energy here, its senior officer Henry Shan believes the point is to take small steps in using clean energy. He said: “Wind energy may not be necessarily for everyone to use. But it helps to provide a source of green energy to the city and helps to promote the image of the government by showing that Singapore pays attention to green energy.”

Read more!

Norwegian firm's solar cell plant on track

Yang Huiwen, Straits Times 1 Nov 08;

RENEWABLE Energy Corporation's (REC's) plans to build the world's largest solar cell plant in Singapore are on track, despite economic uncertainties.

The Norwegian energy giant held an official ground-breaking ceremony for the first of two phases of the estimated $6.3 billion complex at Tuas South yesterday.

The facility is on target to begin operations in early 2010 and will reach full production capacity by 2012, with annual turnover estimated at between $2.5 billion and $3 billion.

REC expects to employ 1,300 people at the plant, which will make solar wafers, cells and modules for use in generating solar power.

'We intend to continue rolling this project out at the current speed,' said REC chief executive officer Erik Thorsen yesterday.

REC has already committed $3 billion for the first phase, making it one of the largest foreign direct investments and the single biggest investment in the clean energy sector here.

Mr Thorsen said the financing for phase one was done with bank loans and internal funds and was tied up before the global financial turmoil flared up. But funding for phase two has not been finalised as 'we finance every new expansion separately', he said.

He said decision-making and planning for phase two will be done next year, so details about the scale, amount of investment and financing 'still remain to be looked at'.

'When we are making decisions in 2009, we have to look at all aspects of such future investments, including whether demand is being potentially impacted by the financial crisis. We don't know yet,' he said.

Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang, the ceremony's guest of honour, said REC's investment is a sign of the sort of long-term planning that Singapore is banking on.

'Despite the near-term challenges caused by the financial crisis, the long-term prospects for the global clean energy industry remain bright.'

The Government has provided $350 million in funding to develop research and manpower capabilities in the clean energy industry.

Sun still shining for solar plant Hedged by $15b order backlog all the way to 2015
Esther Ng, Today Online 1 Nov 08;

THE economic outlook is far from sunny but that hasn’t stopped a Norwegian company’s plans to build the world’s largest solar manufacturing plant in Singapore.

Work on the $6.3-billion plant officially started on Friday. When completed, it will occupy some 97 hectares of flat reclaimed land — about the size of 132 football fields — on the southernmost tip of Tuas.

Renewable Energy Corporation (REC), a leading solar power company from Norway, will use the plant to build solar wafer, cell and module production for solar panels in two stages by 2012.

Addressing concerns about the current financial uncertainty, REC’s chief executive officer, Mr Erik Thorsen, said $3 billion of bank loans and operating cash flow had already been secured for Phase One of the project, and that the company’s “reasonably robust business model” would see it through.

“We’ve an order backlog of $15 billion from major solar companies worldwide. These are long-term contracts at fixed prices and fixed volumes and we’ve some orders as far ahead as 2015,” he said.

Phase One is on target to begin operations in the first quarter of 2010 and will reach its full capacity by 2012.

About 1,300 jobs are expected to be created from this venture with key management positions to go to Singaporeans.

As for Phase Two, Mr Thorsen said it is too early to reveal production plans and that REC will wait until next year todecide how it will finance the remaining $3.3 billion.

“How much bank financing or equity financing and so on —that’s an issue we’ll look at when the time comes,” he added.

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Electricity price hike in Singapore: more explanations

SP Services: Don’t shoot the messenger
Neo Chai Chin, Today Online 1 Nov 08;

THE uproar began over a month ago, when SP Services announced that electricity tariffs would increase 21.5 per cent in the last quarter of this year.

Consumers already burdened by record inflation saw red, pointing to profits of $1.086 billion that SP’s parent company, Singapore Power, made last year.

How would the poor cope, and why couldn’t Singapore Power use some of its profits to absorb the cost, many asked in newspaper and Internet forums.

But the company remained largely silent, and it was market regulator, the Energy Market Authority (EMA), which mostly responded to news coverage and readers’ letters.

On Friday, Singapore Power broke its silence and launched a spirited defence against public anger.

At a media briefing, group chief executive officer Quek Poh Huat said it was high time that the company clarified its business and role in electricity supply.

“We have nothing to hide,” said Mr Quek.

The key message was this: Blaming SP Services for high tariffs is akin to shooting the messenger.

“If I’m the lorry driver (delivering) goods to your house, and you ask me how come the (price for) a bag of rice has doubled, I can’t explain to you,” said chief financial officer Yap Chee Keong.

SP Services does not generate electricity; it transports power from the generation companies (gencos) to end-users, selling to households without any price mark-up.

The transmission charge, together with the fee for billing and reading of meters, makes up 17 per cent of the tariff. Over the last six years, Singapore Power has reduced transmission charges by 24 per cent through higher efficiency.

The remaining 83 per cent of the tariff – or 25.13 cents out of the current 30.45 cents per kilowatt hour - is paid to gencos.

The EMA sets the formula for tariffs, which Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Sylvia Lim asked to be revealed in Parliament last month.

Singapore Power’s profit from the regulated electricity market here was $423 million last year, representing a 6 per cent return on total assets (Rota) – a “reasonable” rate compared to other countries.In Australia’s Victoria state, for example, the Rota is 9.6 per cent.

The rest of its profit was from sale of investments and its Australian operations.

In the briefing, Singapore Power also tackled other thorny questions: How far in advance can consumers know of next quarter’s electricity prices? Why can’t investments in infrastructure be postponed? Why not ask the Government for funding?

Tariffs for January to March next year will be based on October’s average forward fuel prices, said SP Services deputy managing director Jeanne Cheng. The gencos will convert the average forward price to Singapore dollars and use it to set the tariff’s fuel component.

“By the end of November, we would submit to EMA for approval (of) the tariffs for (next) quarter,” she said.

SP Services had announced this current quarter’s tariffs two days before they kicked in, but notice of up to a month is possible, said Mr Quek.

When contacted, the EMA said: “We are working with SP Services to shorten the turnaround time, but ultimately, due process is needed to compute, check and confirm the figures.”

Singapore Power will invest $5.1 billion in infrastructure over the next five years, with funds coming from operational cashflows and external borrowings. It has borrowed $9 billion from the international markets this year for further investment, said Mr Yap.

It would be unfair to ask the Government for funding because that would mean taking from taxpayers, he said.

“We can take the easy way out, but $10 billion from the Budget would mean $10 billion less for the rest.”

Mr Yap added: “Energy has a direct correlation with gross national product. If you believe Singapore will grow, then you need to plan forward.”

Singapore’s major industries like the banking and pharmaceutical sectors also require high quality power grids with minimal voltage fluctuations. “Just to maintain the same standard, you have to invest,” said Singapore Power’s chief operating officer Ong Boon Hwee.

Where does the buck stop?
LOOK at Singapore Power like a lorry driver employed by a company to transport goods to the consumers.
Desmond Ng, The New Paper 2 Nov 08;

LOOK at Singapore Power like a lorry driver employed by a company to transport goods to the consumers.

When the company decides to charge more because of higher fuel prices, is it right for the consumers to ask the driver to absorb the levy?

Singapore Power - the target of brickbats recently over the rise in electricity tariffs by 21 per cent - used the 'driver' analogy to explain its situation.

It didn't help that this commercial company had made more than $1 billion in profit in the last financial year.

CEO Quek Poh Huat explained that their profit was from their local, international operations and sales of assets here and overseas.

The company does not keep any of the tariff increase that has been levied on users.

Simply put, they buy electricity from the gencos at cost and sell it at the same price to consumers. And that is without any sales mark-up.

All the 21 per cent increase goes to paying the gencos for their higher fuel costs, said the company.

The 5 cents per kilowatt hour (kwh) that the company receives through their subsidiary is to recover transport costs, and other services such as billing and metering.

While their profits are huge by any measure, the company explained they need to secure the financing to invest $5 billion in the Singapore electricity grid over the next five years.

This is on top of maintaining their current infrastructure.

And they've also borrowed over $9 billion internationally to finance their operations and expansions.

The company is not funded or subsidised by the Government.

Their future plans include building tunnels and more cables in the future.

And if there are plans to build another power station in the east side of Singapore by another commercial entity, this genco would also need the necessary infrastructure too.

Now, all the gencos are located in the west.

Increase in population

The company said it anticipates demand to support the increase in population and the growth in our economy. If we do attract more companies here, they will need to tap on our infrastructure.

Said CFO Yap Chee Keong: 'Infrastructure takes a long time to construct. We need to plan ahead, acquire the land, order the equipment, and invest upfront.

'It's like building an airport to anticipate demand - we can't wait for the planes to arrive, then we build the airport.'

But Mr Leong Sze Hian, president of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, said in an earlier report: 'In most countries, such infrastructure funding is rarely borne by the operators. (It) is part of national development and, rightly, should come from the state's coffers.'

Singapore Power said that as a company, they can raise their money using their retained earnings, issuing bonds and borrowing from financial institutions.

PLAYERS IN POWER SAGA

CONSUMER:

# Electricity and gas users pay more because of higher fuel prices

SINGAPORE POWER:

# One of the largest corporations in Singapore with assets of $29 billion at end-March 2008.

# Owns and operates electricity and gas transmission and distribution businesses and provides energy market support services in Singapore and Australia.

# Collects money from consumers but said they don't benefit from increase.

# Profits of $1.09 billion, including $423 million locally from electricity business came from international and local operations, asset sales and investments.They need to be set aside for future investments in infrastructure.

GENCOS:

# Power generating companies which generate and sell electricity.

# The three biggest gencos here are Senoko Power, Tuas Power and PowerSeraya who supply Singapore Power with electricity.

# Gets more money to cover costs and maintain profitability.

EMA:

# Statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry that regulates the electricity and gas industry (among others).

# It approved price increase.

# But it does not fund future investments by Singapore Power.

COMMENTATOR:

# So, why not lower electricity and gas charges and fund power infrastructure investments using general taxes? - Mr Leong Sze Hian

Electricity prices: Why HK is cheaper
Straits Times 1 Nov 08;

IN HER letter on Thursday ('Consider tiered charge in electricity tariff'), Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim suggested adopting a tiered tariff system to make electricity more affordable, like Hong Kong.

Ms Lim acknowledged that electricity prices are lower in Hong Kong partly because it produces electricity from coal, whereas Singapore produces most of our electricity from natural gas. In fact, this is the main reason, rather than Hong Kong's tiered tariff system.

Singapore's approach is to charge everyone the full cost of electricity, and give targeted assistance, through U-Save rebates, to households that need it most. After taking U-Save into account, a three-room HDB household effectively pays an average of $50 a month for its electricity bill, comparable to what is payable in Hong Kong for the same amount of electricity consumed.

Charging below full cost in a tiered system would reduce the incentive for households to save electricity and lead to wasteful consumption. It is also not an efficient way to help the poor because well-off households would also enjoy the lower tariff rate in the first tier. If we need to do more to help the poor, it is better to increase the U-Save amount, as the Government has done.

Ms Lim pointed out that Singapore does have a tiered system of tariffs for water. However, water is a strategic resource for Singapore, and the water tariff is set so the first tier recovers the full cost of water production, and the next tier is set higher to encourage water conservation. Applying this principle to electricity tariffs would therefore raise prices for Singaporeans.

Ms Lim also asked for the details of the electricity tariff formula to be published. The Energy Market Authority has done so on its website.

Lim Bee Khim (Ms)
Director/Corporate Communications
For Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Trade and Industry

Fairer comparisons: Japan and Ireland
Straits Times Forum 1 Nov 08;

IN HIS letter on Monday, 'Electricity Prices: 82% higher here than in Hong Kong', Mr Paul Chan asks why Singapore has a higher electricity tariff than Hong Kong, when both places depend on imported fossil fuels and do not subsidise electricity.

Electricity is more expensive in Singapore because our fuel cost is much higher compared to Hong Kong. In particular, fuel charges account for 19 cents per kilowatt-hour of the overall tariff in Singapore, but just 5 cents per kilowatt-hour in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong enjoys this significant cost advantage in fuel largely because more than half of its electricity is generated from coal-fired power plants. Coal is cheaper than oil and natural gas, but it is also a dirtier fuel. Hence, the price of this heavy reliance on coal is felt in the impact on air pollution and quality of life. Another 10 per cent of Hong Kong's electricity comes from nuclear power plants in China which are unaffected by the high global oil price.

In contrast, Singapore's electricity is generated predominantly using imported natural gas, which is indexed to the fuel oil price by commercial contracts. We also do not have a ready source of low-cost energy supplies from our neighbours.

Any comparison of electricity prices across jurisdictions will have to take into account these variations in fuel mix and supply. In fact, our electricity tariff is lower than or comparable to that of countries such as Ireland and Japan, which, like Singapore, are highly dependent on imported oil and natural gas to meet their electricity needs.

Jenny Teo (Ms)
Director (Corporate Communications)
Energy Market Authority

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USA Coral Reef Alliance says not too late to save the reefs

BYM Marine Environment News 31 Oct 08;

The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) has responded to the release of a study in the journal Geophysical Research Letters that suggests it may be too late to save coral reefs. While CORAL—whose mission is to protect the world's coral reefs through ecosystem management, sustainable tourism, and community partnership—shares the researchers' concern that our reefs are in trouble, CORAL's Conservation Programs Director Rick MacPherson is less pessimistic.

Chemical oceanographers Long Cao and Ken Caldeira looked at the effect of global CO2 emissions on our oceans. As CO2 saturates in the ocean, the net effect is more acidic seawater and greater difficulty for corals to build and maintain their calcium-based exoskeletons. Caldeira said the affected reefs would not disappear straight away, but the change in water chemistry would leave them vulnerable to attack, bleaching, or disease. He further summarized that "the likelihood [coral reefs] will be able to persist is pretty small."

However, a consensus of the world's leading coral reef scientists at the recent International Coral Reef Symposium focused on possibilities rather than gloomy predictions. The scientific forum held every four years addressed not only the issue of acidification, but also the impacts that increased ocean temperatures and rising sea levels will have on reefs. "Those in attendance agreed that the demise of coral reefs is not a foregone conclusion," said MacPherson. "Though time is running out, building resilience through large networks of marine protected areas will be key in securing the future of coral reefs."

CORAL acknowledges that reefs are in for tough times as society grapples with the climate issue. Moreover, ongoing research is required to understand how climate will affect the complex processes that underlie reef ecosystems. "Our concern is the finality of the recent study," said Brian Huse, CORAL's Executive Director. "Cao and Caldeira have written the post mortem while the patient is still alive. There are currently a large number of conservation projects worldwide that get to the heart of building resilience to climate impacts—and many are already showing positive results."

CORAL is the only international organization working exclusively to save coral reefs. It builds grassroots partnerships among local communities, government leaders, marine recreation operators, and marine park managers to identify and solve conservation challenges through education, training, and effective management of marine protected areas. For more information, log on to www.coral.org.

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Great Barrier Reef could adapt to climate change, scientists say

Paul Maley, The Australian 1 Nov 08;

THE prediction of a prominent marine biologist that climate change could render the Great Barrier Reef extinct within 30 years has been labelled overly pessimistic for failing to account for the adaptive capabilities of coral reefs.

University of Queensland marine biologist Ove Hoegh-Guldberg said yesterday that sea temperatures were likely to rise 2C over the next three decades, which would undoubtedly kill the reef.

But several of Professor Hoegh-Guldberg's colleagues have taken issue with his prognosis.

Andrew Baird, principal research fellow at the Australian Research Council's Centre for Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, said there were "serious knowledge gaps" about the impact rising sea temperatures would have on coral.

"Ove is very dismissive of coral's ability to adapt, to respond in an evolutionary manner to climate change," Dr Baird said.

"I believe coral has an underappreciated capacity to evolve. It's one of the biological laws that, wherever you look, organisms have adapted to radical changes."

Dr Baird acknowledged that, if left unaddressed, climate change would result in major changes to the Great Barrier Reef.

"There will be sweeping changes in the relative abundance of species," he said. "There'll be changes in what species occur where.

"But wholesale destruction of reefs? I think that's overly pessimistic."

Dr Baird said the adaptive qualities of coral reefs would mitigate the effects of climate change.

His comments were backed by Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority chairman and marine scientist Russell Reichelt.

"I think that he's right," Dr Reichelt said. "The reef is more adaptable and research is coming out now to show adaptation is possible for the reef."

Dr Reichelt said the greatest threat facing the reef was poor water quality in the coastal regions, the result of excess sediment and fertiliser.

"If a reef's going to survive bleaching, you don't want to kill it with a dirty river," he said.

Professor Hoegh-Guldberg, who in 1999 won the prestigious Eureka science prize for his work on coral bleaching, said the view "that reefs somehow have some magical adaptation ability" was unfounded.

"The other thing is, are we willing to take the risk, given we've got a more than 50 per cent likelihood that these scenarios are going to come up?" Professor Hoegh-Guldberg said.

"If I asked (my colleagues) to get into my car and I told them it was more than 50 per cent likely to crash, I don't think they'd be very sensible getting in it."

He told the ABC's Lateline program on Thursday the threat posed by climate change to the Great Barrier Reef should be treated as a "global emergency".

"Why we aren't just panicking at thispoint and starting to really make some changes? Professor Hoegh-Guldberg said. "It just ... it blows my mind sometimes."

Read more!

Chemical released by trees can help cool planet, scientists find

Scientists discover cloud-thickening chemicals in trees that could offer a new weapon in the fight against global warming

David Adam, guardian.co.uk 31 Oct 08;

Trees could be more important to the Earth's climate than previously thought, according to a new study that reveals forests help to block out the sun.

Scientists in the UK and Germany have discovered that trees release a chemical that thickens clouds above them, which reflects more sunlight and so cools the Earth. The research suggests that chopping down forests could accelerate global warming more than was thought, and that protecting existing trees could be one of the best ways to tackle the problem.

Dominick Spracklen, of the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science at Leeds University, said: "We think this could have quite a significant effect. You can think of forests as climate air conditioners."

The scientists looked at chemicals called terpenes that are released from boreal forests across northern regions such as Canada, Scandinavia and Russia. The chemicals give pine forests their distinctive smell, but their function has puzzled experts for years. Some believe the trees release them to communicate, while others say they could offer protection from air pollution.

The team found the terpenes react in the air to form tiny particles called aerosols. The particles help turn water vapour in the atmosphere into clouds.

Spracklen said the team's computer models showed that the pine particles doubled the thickness of clouds some 1,000m above the forests, and would reflect an extra 5% sunlight back into space.

He said: "It might not sound a lot, but that is quite a strong cooling effect. The climate is such a finely balanced system that we think this effect is large enough to reduce temperatures over quite large areas. It gives us another reason to preserve forests."

The research, which will be published in a special edition of the Royal Society journal Philosophical Transactions A, is the first to quantify the cooling effect of the released chemicals. The scientists say the findings "must be included in climate models in order to make realistic predictions".

Because trees release more terpenes in warmer weather, the discovery suggests that forests could act as a negative feedback on climate, to dampen future temperature rise. The team looked at forests of mainly pine and spruce trees, but Spracklen said other trees also produce terpenes so the cooling effect should be found in other regions, including tropical rainforests.

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Quota system killing UK fishing industry and destroying marine environment

Unfair to small boats
The quota system is killing our fishing industry and destroying the marine environment. It's time for a change of policy
Comments (17)

Andrew Saunders, guardian.co.uk 30 Oct 08;

Every dawn, as the day's first light filters into the sky over the English Channel, small convoys of fishing boats leave the ports of the south coast. To most inhabitants of the region's bustling towns, the fishing industry is practically invisible. Yet while less profitable than the fisheries of the North Sea, Cornwall, and Scotland, men still ply their trade in these waters as they have done for thousands of years. How much longer they'll be doing this however, is a moot point. Current fisheries policy is putting many fishermen's livelihoods under threat.

The fleet here is dominated by inshore boats. Less than 10 metres in length, these vessels rarely venture beyond 10 miles from the coast to catch species like sole, cuttlefish, plaice, cod, bass and lobster. The boats are constrained in what they can land by their size and the power of their engines, and their owners employ fishing methods such as set-nets, traps, and lines that according to the Marine Stewardship Council minimise impact on the marine habitat. Perversely however, it is these fishermen that are falling victim to an unfair quota system. The local cod fishery is a case in point.

Cod stocks have undergone an unexpected rise in British waters in the last two years. Yet along the entire coast from Kent to Dorset, boats of under 10m are not permitted to land a single cod. This is because by February of this year, the boats had reached their combined quota for 2008 of just 55 tons. While these fishermen can continue to target other fish, they are required by law to return every cod, usually the most abundant and profitable species in the colder months, to the water. Most are dead. The larger fishing vessels and trawlers meanwhile, are free to hunt cod with impunity, as their quota allocations have not been reached. It is a similar story around Britain.

Each year the major share of the fish and shellfish quota across the country is allocated to the powerful boats over 10 metres in length that make up just a quarter of the total fleet. And for some valuable fish just 3% of the quota is reserved for the 2,500 inshore fishing boats that make up the remaining 75% of the fleet. That the minority of boats are awarded the bulk of the permitted catch is bad enough. The fact that the fishing methods employed by the larger vessels are hugely destructive – chief among which are bottom trawling and dredging – makes it a scandal.

Bottom trawling takes many forms but invariably involves dragging often vast nets weighted down by rollers and thick chains along the sea-bed. Dredging is similar but uses metal cages to sieve bivalves such as scallops out of the sediment. The impact of these methods has parallels with the clear-cut felling of the world's forests, killing marine life indiscriminately and leaving huge scars in the sea-bed (http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/oceans/problems/bottom-trawling). It is hugely wasteful destruction.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature some trawlers in the North Sea kill 7kg of marine animals to produce just 450g of marketable Dover sole. That's a by-catch rate of over 90% and most of that surplus, which includes juvenile fish and unprofitable species, is returned dead to the water. Add to this the fact that these vessels consume on average more than 2,000 litres of fuel for every tonne of flatfish landed and it paints a picture of a practice that is outdated and unsustainable. Yet rather than phasing out such fishing methods the current quota system actually encourages them at the expense of the smaller boats.

The industrialisation of the fishing fleet has caused huge and possibly irreversible damage to our seas. It has benefited just a few wealthy trawler owners while forcing countless fishermen from the industry and leaving many coastal areas facing economic decline. The sea has always been one of Britain's greatest resources and if it is to remain so, this trend must be reversed. The solution to the problem is clear.

From 2009 inshore boats should be allocated a greater share of the overall quota, with this increasing on a year-on-year basis. Such a policy would benefit fishermen who by necessity utilise more ecologically sensitive fishing practices, and encourage those who don't to switch. Furthermore, the smallest of the inshore boats whose impact on fish stocks are negligible should be exempt from quotas entirely, making the whole system easier to police.

The positive news is that policy makers are beginning to think along these lines. Currently under consideration at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is a proposal to create a new class of vessel under 6m which could operate outside the quota system. If introduced, such legislation would do much to tempt fishermen away from their trawlers.

By encouraging the British fleet to downsize, the government will effectively phase out the use of the most destructive and wasteful fishing practices. Only this can guarantee the health of the marine environment while ensuring the long-term viability of the industry. In the meantime however, many inshore fishermen continue to struggle. Those on the south coast have been denied their principal seasonal income, and with living costs rising and wholesale fish prices falling, they face a long bleak winter while the sea they rely on continues to be blighted.

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