The interactive map, shown above, was released by the California State Water Resource Control Board and serves to inform the public by plotting the locations and details of any wastewater spills in California.  The State Water Resource Control Board tells us:

These interactive geographic information system (GIS) maps, updated nightly, plot all certified sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and Private Lateral Sewage Discharges from sanitary sewer collection systems (not including any spills from wastewater (sewage) treatment plants), reported by agencies into the state’s online California Integrated Water Quality System.  This includes the spill location, amount, source, and name of the responsible or reporting agency.

Thanks to gCaptain forum member Domer, for bringing this to gCaptain’s attention via the forum.  The map was accompanied by the following statement from Domer.

California now has a new google map that tracks spills in the San Francisco Bay. It’s mostly for wastewater but how long before this map starts plotting maritime oil spills worldwide? Considering the number of environmentalists out there maybe that should be included in the next version of gTrax ?

There’s a thought, Domer…

To view the SSO Incident Map go to: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/sso/sso_map/sso_pub.shtml.

Image above via Treehugger.com

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NOAA has announced today the issuance of a regulation that aims to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whales from collisions with large ships.  The regulation will require large vessels to slow to a speed of 10 knots or less when in designated areas along the east coast.  This measure is part of NOAA Fisheries Service’s ship strike reduction efforts that looks to protect this highly vulnerable and endangered species.  NOAA tells us:

With only 300 to 400 in existence, North Atlantic right whales are among the most endangered whales in the world. Slow moving right whales are highly vulnerable to ship collisions, since their migration route crosses major East Coast shipping lanes. Along with existing measures to prevent entanglement of right whales in fishing gear, the new ship strike reduction rule is the most comprehensive approach that NOAA has taken in its effort to help right whales recover.

The 10 knot speed restriction will go into effect in early December and will extend 20 nautical miles around major ports, where 83% of right whale sightings are reported.  The rule also states voluntary speed limits for vessels in areas where 3 or more right whales are known to be gathered.  [Continue Reading →]

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• NOAA’s Bell M. Shimada – Interesting Ship of The Week
• NOAA Commissions New Fisheries Survey Ship
• Slow Down! There Are Whales Present
• AIS for Right Whales? – UPDATE
• NOAA Increases Expectancy for Above-Normal 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Boing Boing and Cryptomundo bring us news of a new species of Killer Whale.

Revealing once again how little we know about our oceans’ inhabitants, researchers announced discovery of two new marine species, including a Dwarf Killer Whale in Antarctica and a new species of beaked whale in the tropical pacific. Loren Coleman has more over at Cryptomundo. From one of his posts about these animals:

The oceans hold many natural history treasures and wonders. New animals are being discovered at a faster rate from the seas than in freshwater or on land. But these finds from the marine environment often get little attention from Homo sapiens versus, say, a new giant peccary or a new monkey.

Overnight, famed marine biologist Bob Pitman shared with me breaking news about several new marine mammal species. The news will not get as much of a read as a fuzzy picture of a land mammal from the woods of Pennsylvania or of a rapid moving otter-like animal videotaped in Loch Ness. That’s a darn shame.

Link to “First Live Sightings of Shepherd’s Ziphiid,” Link to “New Species of Tropical Pacific Beaked Whale?,” Link to “Dwarf Killer Whale Discovered in Antarctica”

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• The Ocean’s Tyrannosaurus Rex
• WHO – Night Shift A Cause Of Cancer
• Interactive Map Plots Wastewater Spills
• Clipper Adventurer – Video From An Antarctic Adventure
• Time To Rethink SOLAS? Why a behavioral economist may have the answer.