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Eating fatty fish warded off kidney cancer: study

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Swedish women who ate fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and herring at least once a week had a significantly lower risk of kidney cancer compared to consumers of lean fish, researchers said September 19.

In yet another study touting the benefits of eating fatty fish (salmon and trout) the 15-year study found those who regularly ate fish containing lots of fish oil that is rich in omega-3 acids and Vitamin D had a 74 % lower risk of getting kidney cancer compared to those who ate no fish at all.  Lean varieties such tuna, cod and fresh-water fish did not confer the same benefit.

Compared to lean fish, fatty fish have up to 30 times the amount of certain acids and up to five times the level of Vitamin D. The fatty acids have been reported to slow development of cancer and people with kidney cancer often have low levels of Vitamin D.

"The name fatty fish may frighten some people but this kind of fat is healthy so I would recommend to eat fatty fish, not lean, because you can get much more benefits," said Alicja Wolk of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. "Fatty fish per definition has also more calories but benefits are so overwhelming," she said.

The researchers, writing in the September 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, did not indicate whether fatty fish might prevent other types of cancer.

A large, 15-year Swedish study of women looked at fatty and lean fish consumption and the risk of kidney cancer. The finding: Those who ate high amounts of fatty fish -- more than one serving a week -- had 44 % less risk for developing renal cell carcinoma (the most common form of kidney cancer) than those who did not consume any fish.

"That's substantial," said Eugenia Calle, director of analytic epidemiology for the American Cancer Society. "There is very little published on this topic -- it may be the only study to look at fatty fish and kidney cancer."  Of more than 61,000 women in the study, ranging in age from 40 to 76, 150 developed kidney cancer.

In the United States, there is a one in 77 lifetime risk of kidney cancer, and 39,000 Americans expected to be diagnosed this year, according to the American Cancer Society. The disease is twice as common among men than women.

"You can't go wrong eating fish," Calle said.

Federal Judge orders EPA to regulate ballast water

San Francisco - - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been ordered by the United States District Court, Northern District of California, to regulate ballast water discharges within two years. 

The Court ruled in March 2005 that the EPA's refusal to regulate ballast water discharges under the Clean Water Act was inconsistent with the law.  Since July of last year, the Court had been considering arguments over appropriate remedies to impose against the EPA.  On September 18, 2006 the Court rejected the EPA's request to simply defer to the agency's internal rulemaking process, without the imposition of any deadline.  Instead the order requires that the EPA regulate ballast water discharges, and that it do so by September 2008.

"I am pleased that the Court has made it clear that the Environmental Protection Agency is indeed obligated to regulate ballast water discharges, and that a deadline has been set for such action to occur," Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox reacted.  "The State of Michigan will ensure that this deadline is met, and would urge the EPA to implement regulation of ballast water discharges as soon as possible." Michigan was one of six Great Lakes states that joined the lawsuit.

Under existing EPA regulations implementing the Clean Water Act (CWA), ships that discharge ballast water are not required to have National Pollution Discharge Elimination System

(NPDES) permits. Nine environmental and conservation groups including the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council formally petitioned the EPA in 1999 for the repeal of this rule, which is contrary to the express requirements of the CWA.  

The USEPA declared that ballast water in freighters was exempt from regulations under the Clean Water Act and in April, 2001 the petitioners filed suit against the EPA for refusal to withdraw its illegal interpretation of the Clean Water Act, and to force federal regulation of exotic species discharges by ships.  The plaintiffs alleged that the EPA�s denial of their January 13, 1999 petition requesting repeal of 40 C.F.R. � 122.3(a) (exempting the shipping industry from securing NPDES permits to dump contaminated ballast water) was �arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and not in accordance with the Clean Water Act.�  The Judge agreed.

After having been forced through an initial lawsuit to answer the groups' petition, EPA denied it on September 2, 2003, refusing to implement the permitting program and control a threat that has caused billions of dollars of damage. At the time, the agency admitted that the Clean Water Act "does not explicitly exclude such discharges from permitting requirements."

EPA also tried to weasel out of their responsibility by invoking the 6 year statute of limitations that normally might apply here, however U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illiston again ruled against the agency.

Ninth Coast Guard Dist to hold public meetings on Firing Zones

Weapons training exercises to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, says Crowley

Cleveland � The Ninth Coast Guard District, in a late breaking press release has announced it will hold four public meetings to discuss issues relating to the proposed permanent safety zones, used for weapons training exercises, located in the U.S. Great Lakes.

"I have withdrawn my approval to conduct two previously scheduled weapons training exercises on the Great Lakes" commented Ninth Dist Commander Rear Adm. John E. Crowley, Jr. "I made this decision with the intentions to focus our informational outreach efforts on the location of our proposed permanent safety zones, improving Coast Guard readiness and the merits of maritime homeland security."

"I remain committed to pursuing essential weapons training for our crews during the public comment period using temporary zones and will consider each request on a case-by-case basis" continued Crowley.  "Today's threats to national security come from nimble and innovative enemies.  I must assure the Great Lakes communities that the men and women of �their� U.S. Coast Guard are as prepared as they can possibly be to protect "our" Great Lakes.  Anything less is unacceptable."

Maps of the proposed firing zones - by lake - can be accessed at:  www.great-lakes.org/cg_firing_ranges.html

The meetings will be held in Duluth, Grand Haven, Port Huron and Cleveland.  Official notice of these public meetings is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register by the end of this week.  Specific times, locations and additional 

information will be published in a subsequent notice in the Federal Register.

Specific Dates are:

Duluth, MN. -- Oct. 16;

Grand Haven, MI. -- Oct. 18;

Port Huron/Marysville, MI. -- Oct. 19; and

Cleveland -- Oct. 23. 

The purpose of the public meetings is to gather information.  After brief opening remarks and a summary of the proposed rule, U.S. Coast Guard officials will listen to comments from the public.  Prior to the start of the public meeting, an open house will be conducted and Coast Guard officials will be available to answer questions from the public.

Members of the public that are unable to attend may still submit comments regarding the proposed permanent safety zones to the Docket Management Facility by one of the following means:

By mail to: Docket Mgmt Facility (USCG-2006-2567), US DOT, Room PL-401, 400 SW, Washington, D.C. 20590-0001.

By fax to: Docket Management Facility at (202) 493-2251.

By the web to: Docket Management System web site at http://dms.dot.gov.  Docket number 25767

Crowley added he appreciated the members of the Great Lakes communities, their representatives, and the media who have sought to learn more about the Guard's efforts and engage in serious dialogue.  He asserted, �Our input is welcomed and will be carefully considered prior to making any final decision on the permanent zones.�

Federal judge declares boating illegal in all US navigable waters

International Boating Industry reports in a rather bizarre ruling that has marine industry officials worried, Judge Robert G. James of the United States District Court, Western Division of Louisiana, has said that it is criminal trespass for the American boating public to boat, fish, or hunt on the Mississippi River and other navigable waters in the US.

In the case of Normal Parm v. Sheriff Mark Shumate, James ruled that federal law grants exclusive and private control over the waters of the river, outside the main shipping channel, to riparian landowners. The shallows of the navigable waters are no longer open to the public. That, in effect, makes boating illegal across most of the country.

"Even though this action seems like a horrible pre-April fools joke, it is very serious," said Phil Keeter, MRAA president, in a statement. "Because essentially all the waters and waterways of our country are considered navigable in the US law, this ruling declares recreational boating, water skiing, fishing,

waterfowl hunting, and fishing tournaments to be illegal and the public subject to jail sentences for recreating with their families."

Last month, James rejected the findings of the Magistrate judge who found earlier that the American public had the right under federal law and Louisiana law to navigate, boat, fish, and hunt on the waters of the Mississippi river up to the normal high water line of the river. Judge James Kirk relied on the long established federal principles of navigation that recognized the public navigational rights "�entitles the public to the reasonable use of navigable waters for all legitimate purposes of travel or transportation, for boating, sailing for pleasure, as well as for carrying persons or property for hire, and in any kind of watercraft the use of which is consistent with others also enjoying the right possessed in common."

"MRAA is working with the Coast Guard, state boating law administrators, and NMMA to fight this onerous ruling," said Glen Mazzella, MRAA chairman, in the statement.

National Wildlife Refuge Week Oct 8-14

Parades, kids� crafts and wildlife observation walks are among events many of the nation�s more than 540 National Wildlife Refuges will be holding during National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 8-14.

The annual event celebrates the Refuge System�s pivotal role in offering visitors outdoor recreational opportunities as well as showcasing the conservation and recovery of wildlife species on Refuges across the country.

Here is a sampling of events planned for the week:

In Georgia, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the town of Folkston will host a festival complete with a parade, crafts, pony rides and rock climbing. The Refuge also will host demonstrations of life in Southeast Georgia at the time the

Refuge System was established in the 1930s. Visitors can see how settlers made soap, brooms, butter and quilts, and how they washed clothes, smoked meat and survived in and around the Okefenokee Swamp.

North Dakota�s Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge will provide youngsters with precut lumber and instructions on building house wren nesting boxes. The kids will learn about house wrens, their preferred habitat and how to maintain the nesting box.

In Texas, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge will offer instruction in nature photography as well as teach about butterflies, birds, dragonflies, spiders and other creatures

For more info contact Martha Nudel: [email protected]

Lawyer will appeal Mississippi River floodwater fishing ruling 

A lawyer in Louisiana plans to appeal a federal court ruling that his clients do not have the right to fish and hunt on the floodwaters of the Mississippi River.  At issue is whether the flooded area along the banks of the Mississippi becomes part of the navigable river, or if the area belongs to the property owner who owns the muddy land beneath it.

Paul Hurd, who represents six anglers arrested for criminal trespassing, filed a civil suit against the sheriff, claiming the arrest was made without probable cause.  He says the Aug. 29 ruling in the case makes it criminal trespassing for the public to boat, fish or hunt on the river unless conducted within the main channel of the river, or with permission of riparian land owners.

He says the ruling, if upheld, should send shudders throughout the country because it opens the door to the possibility that recreational boating and fishing can be prohibited on navigable waterways outside of the channel.

Hurd even sent out an alert to marine industry leaders warning of the implications of the judge�s decision.

The ruling, however, does not go that far. In his Aug. 29 decision, Judge Robert James said federal law does not give the anglers a right to fish or hunt on navigable water, such as the Mississippi River, �when those waters periodically flood privately owned lands.�

The judge says the land, because it is on the banks of the

river, is subject to public use.  �Such public use, however, is limited to activities that are incidental to the navigable character of the Mississippi River and its enjoyment as an avenue of commerce. The court finds that fishing and hunting are not included in those rights,� James writes in his ruling.

He further ruled that Sheriff Mark Shumate had probable cause to arrest the anglers.  Attorneys for the sheriff declined to comment.

The issue has been debated for years in East Carroll Parish, a small district of some 10,000 people. Walker Cottonwood Farms, a company that owns land along the river bank, says the area where the fishermen were arrested is actually floodwater, and not part of the normal flow of the river. The company several years ago filed suit against the sheriff�s office, requesting that authorities arrest trespassers. A state court agreed that the area is dry for most of the year, and thus not navigable in law.

Hurd maintains the area should be considered the high-water mark as part of the natural ebb and flow of the river. Hurd, a one-man attorney practice, says the recent ruling will �shut down� the bass fishing and duck hunting industries in the state.

Another hearing with Judge James is slated for November. Hurd also plans to appeal to a higher federal court, the 5th District which encompasses Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Courtesy:  Trade Only Journal

Special Day Honors Hunters, Anglers

Each day there are millions of Americans working to conserve and improve our natural resources. In fact, these dedicated folks donate more than a billion dollars to wildlife conservation programs each year. Conserving natural and wildlife resources for future generations are two of the group's most

important responsibilities, and hundreds of wildlife species have benefited from the efforts.

For more info on National Hunting and Fishing Day go to:  http://www.nhfday.org/

52 New Species found in Indonesian Reefs

WASHINGTON, DC -- Scientists exploring waters off Indonesia's Papua province have discovered a remarkable array of new fish and coral species. The reefs off the coast of

the province's Bird's Head peninsula could comprise the world's most biologically diverse marine area, according to Conservation International researchers, and should be one of the planet's most urgent marine conservation priorities.

Great Lakes Water Levels for Sept. 22, 2006

Lake Level Conditions:

Lake Superior�s water level is currently 6 inches lower than it was a year ago, while Lake Michigan-Huron remains 2 inches below last year�s level.  Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are all even with or higher than their water levels last year.  At this time, all of the lakes are in their period of seasonal decline.  Over the next month, Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are expected to fall 1 to 3 inches.  During this period, the water levels in Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are projected to drop 5, 7, and 8 inches, respectively.  Over the next few months, Lake Superior is expected to remain below last year�s levels, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are predicted to remain near or slightly above the water levels of a year ago. 

Current Outflows/Channel Conditions:

The Lake Superior outflow through the St. Marys River into Lake Huron is expected to be below average in September.  Flows in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers are also expected to be below average during September.  Flow in the Niagara River is expected to be near average in September, while flow in the St. Lawrence River is expected to be above average in

September.

Alerts:

Users of the Great Lakes, connecting channels and St. Lawrence River should keep informed of current conditions before undertaking any activities that could be affected by changing water levels.  Mariners should utilize navigation charts and refer to current water level readings.

Railroad Safety Includes Hunters, Anglers and Outdoor Enthusiasts

RALEIGH, N.C.- - The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission joins with Operation Lifesaver, the nonprofit railroad safety organization, to remind those who enjoy outdoor recreation to stay off railroad tracks.

"Unauthorized use of railroad tracks is both dangerous and illegal," said Capt. Chris Huebner, who coordinates hunting and boating safety for the Commission. "That means you don't fish from trestles, hunt from the tracks or use them as an access or short cut, whether you're hunting, fishing or bird watching."

State law prohibits anyone without consent of the railroad company from entering and remaining on railroad right-of-way. The law (NCGS: 14-280.1) is posted on page 32 of the 2006-'07 North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest, published by the Wildlife Resources

Commission.

"North Carolina is, unfortunately, sixth in the nation with trains and trespassing injuries," said Vivian Speight-Bridges, the state director of Operation Lifesaver. "We think the way to help prevent these needless deaths and injuries, is education, education, education."

People need to know the potential hazards presented to trespassers, she said: Trains can't swerve or stop to miss you. Although trains are huge machines, environmental conditions can muffle sounds and they can approach you without your knowledge. Flying debris and banding and tie-down devices that have become unsecured can strike anyone within the right-of-way.

For more information on railroad safety and North Carolina's Operation Lifesaver, visit www.ncol.org

Fall Pheasant stocking plans announced

Agency posts more detailed information on website

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Game Commission has slated 101,800 ring-necked pheasants for release on public lands throughout the Commonwealth for the upcoming small game hunting seasons.   

Opening day of the general pheasant hunting season is Oct. 21, and closes on Nov. 25.  .  Preseason releases will consist of 50 percent of the fall allocation, and will be stocked in each region beginning Oct 18 followed by the first in-season stocking consisting of 25 percent.    The second in-season stocking will be held the week of Nov 6 consisting of another 25 percent.    Only male pheasants are legal game in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.  Male and female pheasants are legal game in all other WMUs.

A regional breakdown for the and regular season stocking is as follows:  Northwest Region, 5,260 males and 10,330 females; Southwest Region, 17,430 males and 5,550 females; Northcentral Region, 2,710 males and 5,160 females; Southcentral Region, 6,280 males and 3,880 females; Northeast Region, 5,660 males and 3,010 females; and Southeast Region 14,960 males.  Regional allocations

are based on the amount of suitable pheasant habitat open to public hunting and pheasant hunting pressure.

To offer hunters better information about the stocking schedule, the Game Commission has posted on its website charts for each of its six regions outlining the number or birds to be stocked in each county, the public properties slated to be stocked and a two- to three-day window in which stockings will take place within the counties.  To view the charts, go to the Game Commission's website www.pgc.state.pa.us , select "Hunting" in the left-hand column, clicking on the photograph of the pheasant and then choose "Pheasant Allocation" and click on the map for the county or region of interest.

This year, the late season is scheduled for Dec. 11-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 3, for Wildlife Management Units 1A, 1B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B and 4D.  Male and female pheasants are legal game in these WMUs.  All other WMUs are closed during these dates.  Although small game season comes back in following the close of deer, we are holding an allocation of 4,770 hen pheasants to be stocked Dec 21. 

For details on the pheasant seasons, please see pages 25-28 of the 2006-076 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations.