Proposal extends rule reducing risk of whale ship strikes along U.S. East Coast

June 5, 2013

Right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) skim feeding with NOAA ship Delaware II in the background.

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NOAA Fisheries Service is seeking comments on its proposal to make permanent the rules it implemented five years ago to reduce the number of collisions between ships and North Atlantic right whales.

Right whales are among the most endangered species in the world, and are highly vulnerable to ship collisions. The rules, part of NOAA’s long-standing efforts to recover right whales, are currently scheduled to expire in December 2013. NOAA’s proposal to make them permanent, which includes a 60-day public comment period, was filed at the Federal Register today.

The existing rules, which reduce an ocean-going vessel’s speed to 10 knots or less during certain times and locations along the East Coast from Maine to Florida, have reduced the number of whales struck by ships since 2008, when the speed limits began. No right whale ship strike deaths have occurred in Seasonal Management Areas since the rule went into place. Modeling studies indicate the measures have reduced the probability of fatal ship strikes of right whales by 80 to 90 percent.

NOAA biologists believe there are approximately 450 right whales in the NW Atlantic population. The whales face a number of challenges, including ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.

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Also, NOAA’s revised estimates indicate that the restrictions cost the shipping industry and other maritime communities about one-third of original 2008 projections. NOAA scientists say that industry participation and compliance is high, and that in most cases vessels have incorporated speed restrictions into their standard operations and voyage planning.

"Reducing ship speeds in areas where there are endangered right whales works,” said NOAA Fisheries’ acting administrator Sam Rauch. “It is a proven method to reduce deaths and serious injury to these incredible creatures. Making these protections permanent will make U.S. East Coast waters safer for right whales, and will allow them to reach full maturity, which is critical to their long-term survival.”

North Atlantic right whales are among the most endangered species in the world. Historically depleted by commercial whaling, they suffers injury and death from ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.

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The rule proposes to continue existing speed restrictions during migration periods along three regions of the U.S. East Coast (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast). These measures are implemented during the time of year when right whales occur in each area. Speed restrictions apply to vessels that are 65 feet in length or greater, except federal agency vessels.

The proposed rule also seeks public input on ways to measure the effectiveness of the existing speed restrictions and whether they should be phased out in the future.

This proposed rule is part of a more comprehensive approach to conserve right whales, including consulting on operations of federal ships under the Endangered Species Act, developing an expanded outreach and education program, and modifying shipping routes in waters of Massachusetts, Georgia and Florida. NOAA has also developed a dynamic management program whereby vessel operators are asked to travel less than 10 knots or avoid areas where whales occur in times and places not covered by seasonal speed restriction zones. Scientists expect these actions to significantly reduce the risks to right whales from ships.

NOAA scientists and partners attempt to disentangle endangered right whale.

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The North Atlantic right whale primarily occurs in coastal or shelf waters. Its known range includes winter calving and nursery areas in coastal waters off the southeastern United States, and summer feeding grounds in New England waters and north to the Bay of Fundy and Scotian Shelf.

Historically depleted by commercial whaling, the North Atlantic right whale suffers injury and death from ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. These events may continue to contribute to the species decline and inability to recover. Biologists believe that there are approximately 450 right whales in the Northwest Atlantic population, and that the number is growing steadily.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 requires recovery plans to serve as guides to promote the conservation and recovery of listed species. In 2005, NOAA Fisheries released a revised North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Plan that provides an overall framework for promoting recovery of the whale. Measures to reduce risks posed by entanglement in fishing gear are contained in NOAA Fisheries’ Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.

NOAA scientists and partners attempt to disentangle endangered right whale.

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Written comments on the proposed regulations filed today must be sent to NOAA Fisheries no later than August 6.

After publishing a proposed rule, NOAA’s Fisheries Service considers the public comments and new information that may have been provided.

You may submit public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov or by visiting the comment page on the Office of Protected Resources website at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/comment.htm. NOAA’s Fisheries Service will also accept written comments mailed to: Office of Protected Resources, NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; or faxed to 301-713-4060.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.

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Strong earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea (AP)

SYDNEY – A strong earthquake struck the South Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea on Wednesday. There are no immediate reports of damage or injuries and no tsunami alert has been issued.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-7.3 quake struck on Wednesday 54 miles (87 kilometers) southwest of Lae, on the country's northern coast. The quake hit at a depth of 71 miles (115 kilometers).

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a tsunami alert.

People inside the country's Parliament building in the capital of Port Moresby saw windows rattling during the quake, but there was no apparent damage.

Strong earthquakes are relatively common in Papua New Guinea. The country lies on the "Ring of Fire" — an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim.

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Strong earthquake strikes off Papua New Guinea (AP)

SYDNEY – A strong earthquake has struck off the coast of the Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea. There are no immediate reports of damage or injuries and no tsunami alert has been issued.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-6.7 quake struck Friday about 62 miles (100 kilometers) east of Lae, on the country's northern coast. The quake struck at a depth of 28 miles (45 kilometers).

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a tsunami alert.

Papua New Guinea lies on the "Ring of Fire." The region is an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim and where about 90 percent of the world's quakes occur.

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Joplin Tornado Fungus Strikes Family of Nationally Known Artist (ContributorNetwork)

Linda Lindquist-Baldwin is known for her belsnickles. For more than 25 years her figurines have adorned Christmas decorations and Halloween displays. She also has spring designs for bunnies and chickens for Easter.

Her brother is recovering from the Joplin tornado in Columbia at University of Missouri hospital. As part of Mark Lindquist's treatment are anti-fungal drugs while he recovers from his injuries and from pneumonia. The Springfield News-Leader reports he remains sedated.

Lindquist was working at a home for the developmentally disabled. His family didn't even know he had survived. It has been six weeks since the tornado destroyed over a quarter of the city. The CDC counts Lindquist as one of 12 people who have suffered from a fungal infection after the twister.

At least three people have died from the tornado who also had a massive fungal infection. In many cases, the survival rate of the rare mucormcosis is only 50 percent. Treatment includes intravenous anti-fungal medications and surgically removing parts of the wound.

Lindquist-Baldwin is celebrating 25 years of her Belsnickles. They are award-winning pieces are unique and are limited editions each season. The artist resides in McDonald County and is known for her charitable work in the area. The Humane Society and Crowder College have been recipients of her time and donations.

Belsnickles originated in Germany from the late 1800s to World War I. Their unique property is that they are covered in white flecks of mica to simulate snow covering the figures. They were originally meant to be Christmas decorations, but Lindquist-Baldwin expanded them into other seasons.

Toy Collector Magazine reports original belsnickles are hard to find. They were made of a clay-paper mixture or papier-mache. Today they are made of harder materials that are strong yet lightweight.

Lindquist-Baldwin has made modern versions that are just as cute as the originals. She first got the idea in 1986 when she bought a book at a yard sale for a nickel. The rest was history. She won several awards for individual figures and also for her philanthropy.

In addition to her Belsnickles, other lines include more holidays in Lindquist-Baldwin's pieces. Snowsnickles are snowmen. Broomsnickles are for Halloween and include ghosts and witches. Samsnickles are American patriotic pieces. Harsnickles are for Easter and the springtime.

Lindquist-Baldwin created her own company and became her own businesswoman in 2003. She holds annual holiday events in her hometown of Joplin, the city where she grew up. The Lindquist family is well-known in southwest Missouri and we all pray for their safety and quick recovery in their time of need.

William Browning, a lifelong Missouri resident, writes about local and state issues for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Born in St. Louis, Browning earned his bachelor's degree in English from the University of Missouri. He currently resides in Branson.

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Tornado strikes Kentucky Derby's historic home (AP)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Susan Margolis rushed to Churchill Downs on a rescue mission as a tornado was pummeling stables full of horses at the home of the Kentucky Derby.

The first twister to strike at the 136-year-old track demolished parts of her husband Steve's barn and six others Wednesday night but left without inflicting any human or equine casualties.

Churchill Downs' famed twin spires, along with the stands and clubhouse, were untouched by the tornado's swirling winds. The historic track has survived flooding, ice storms and heavy winds over the years, and now, for the first time, a tornado.

When it hit, the trainer and his wife rushed to the track near downtown Louisville.

"When we came around that corner last night, my mouth was so dry because I thought, 'Oh God, that's our barn,'" Susan Margolis said. "I thought we were going to find bodies of people, never mind the horses."

The National Weather Service said the tornado was classified as an F1 with wind speeds of 100 mph. The twister intensified as it moved away from the track and smashed a nearby business.

Every available pair of hands scrambled to pull horses from stables as the storm caved in roofs and tossed debris. Seven of the 48 backside barns and the track's chapel were damaged.

Dale Romans, trainer of Preakness winner Shackleford, had to pull 20 horses out of one of his barns.

"Ours wasn't near as bad as some of them," said Romans, who had to move a total of 200 horses due to the storms. "It's a pretty amazing thing."

Other horses were moved to undamaged barns at Churchill, private farms and Keeneland racetrack in Lexington.

Thursday's racing was canceled but Friday's card was expected to go off as scheduled.

Trainer William "Jinks" Fires said it looked as if something "took a bite" out of his barn. His horses were spooked by the storm — kicking the wall and bumping into stall doors — and he had to tranquilize two to settle them down.

Jerry Brown, a groom for trainer James Baker, was watching a movie with his wife in their apartment above a barn when the storm hit.

"I shut the door, grabbed my wife, we got over there in the corner and huddled," Brown said. "I said we have to ride it out because there's no way we could make it down the steps."

Once it was over, Brown went to Margolis' barn to clear debris and make a path for the horses to get out. The roof was bowed to the ground and the winds left a gaping hole in it.

Plenty of people pitched in to help.

"It doesn't matter who they worked for. If they saw a horse in need, they immediately put themselves in danger to get that horse out," track chaplain Ken Boehm said. Even the track's chapel sustained some roof damage.

Churchill Downs underwent extensive renovations in 2002 and 2003 totaling more than $200 million. In August 2009, a flash flood heavily damaged the Kentucky Derby Museum, which closed for nine months while it was renovated.

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Dylan Lovan is on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dylanlovan

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Associated Press writer Brett Barrouquere and AP freelancer Josh Abner also contributed to this report.

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What Are the Odds of Someone Being in Multiple Tornado Strikes? (ContributorNetwork)

At least three residents of Joplin, Mo., have come forward and stated the 2011 EF5 tornado that killed 138 people was their second near-miss with a monster tornado. All three of them had the same, similar question: What are the odds of living through multiple killer tornadoes?

Emily Fuller told the Joplin Globe she was attending college in Tuscaloosa, Ala., when a killer EF4 swept through town. She was merely two blocks away from the destructive zone. When she moved back home to Joplin, Fuller missed the devastation by only two blocks yet again.

Enes Krasovec was living in Franklin, Kan., in 2003 when a strong tornado rated an F4 tore through town and killed 10 people when it finally lifted. The Globe reports Krasovec survived by hiding in a closet and was knocked out by a piece of flying debris. After suffering several broken bones, she eventually settled into a house behind the Rangeline Road Wal-Mart in 2009. That particular retail store is no longer standing, but the storm spared her house this time.

Thomas Cook has the most incredible story of survival. The Springfield News-Leader reports his wife was killed in the powerful EF4 tornado that ravaged Picher, Okla., and Racine, which is about four miles south of Joplin. He and his daughter moved to the center of Joplin and their house was on South Adell Street and was completely destroyed, except for the steel tornado shelter built into their home.

Cook's story is one of a hard lesson learned. He said the tornado room in his house cost an extra $4,000 to install. This time, it may have saved his life.

But these are still truly amazing stories; how come three separate people endured two killer tornadoes?

Bill Davis of the National Weather Service told the Globe the odds of someone being in two killer twisters was almost like being struck by lightning twice. However, it may not seem as unlikely in a contemporary sense. Tornadoes have been happening more frequently. Although the individual storms are small, as compared to a large state, thunderstorms happen all the time in the spring from coast to coast.

Other factors to consider are that humans are more mobile in modern society. With super highways, fast cars and jobs in many cities, there is a greater chance Americans will live in more than one locale in their lifetimes. Although the chances of a tornado striking once in the exact same spot are small because humans move around a lot, the chances of seeing a tornado more than once are high. Living in tornado-prone areas for a long time may also increase the chances of living through a huge storm.

The National Weather Service states only one-tenth of 1 percent of all tornadoes reach an EF3 or greater. Most twisters barely get more than a half-mile wide. Over a huge land area, a half mile isn't very big. It's not like a hurricane which, can be as large as the state of Texas.

Theses stories of survival are incredible no matter what the factors are regarding their location. Three people have done the unthinkable -- survive two powerful twisters and lived to tell the tales.

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