Ecobytes: War on the Oceans

December 1995 - January 1996

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

Chirac Bombs

France detonated the third in a series of nuclear tests at the South Pacific atoll of Mururoa on October 27. Polls carried out in a number of countries indicate that the public in general regards these tests as unnecessary and immoral. In France itself, well over half of the population are against their government's testing programme and 53% are in favour of abandoning the nuclear force altogether. President Chirac's response? "I did not over- or under-estimate the response [to France's nuclear tests] because I knew I was dealing with a question of national security. You don't consult the polls or consider the foreign response in that case." The popularity of a French President has never declined with such rapidity, while the country's social problems worsen. Recently all British Commonwealth nations meeting in New Zealand -- except Britain, which of course has its own nuclear vested interest -- voted to censure the French for these tests.

 

Canadian Connection

Did you know that Canada shipped 766 tonnes of Saskatchewan uranium to France in 1994, and that the French Atomic Energy Commission and Total Minatco (France) completely control one major uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan? Please fax the following leaders of the Saskatchewan government to ask that they stop the shipping of Saskatchewan uranium to France: Roy Romanow, Premier of Saskatchewan. Fax 306-787-0885. Bernie Wiens, Minister of Environment. Fax 306-787-0395. Pat Atkinson, Minister of Education. Fax 306 787 0237.

 

War on the Oceans

In November, US Vice President Al Gore urged delegates attending a UN Environment Program-sponsored meeting to adopt an international accord on ocean pollution by the conference's end. Gore stated, "Make no mistake, there is a war being waged on our coastal environment." The meeting, called the Intergovernmental Conference on Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities, is "expected to yield a global initiative to slow the spread of pollution into ocean waters" that could be similar in scope to the Montreal Protocol. At issue is how to control and reduce land-based sources of marine pollution, including waste water, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as PCBs, DDT and dioxin. Chemicals released on land account for 80% of ocean pollution, according to Magnus Johannesson, who heads the Ministry of Environment for Iceland. The draft program of action, which integrates watershed and coastal-zone management policies, addresses discharges from industry, agriculture, forestry, transport and urban areas. It also addresses marine habitat destruction. The accord could be the first step towards a binding treaty on ocean pollution, according to Greenpeace political advisor Clif Curtis. From the Sierra Club Legislative Office, 408 C Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002, Tel: (202) 547-1141, Fax: (202) 547-6009.

 

Greenpeace Terrorized

French commandos stormed and damaged the Greenpeace ship Altair in the Italian harbour of Brindisi. The assault came as a response to a non-violent action carried out by the international environmental organisation to protest French nuclear testing in the Pacific. The Altair entered the Mediterranean port of Brindisi along with four inflatables to block the French destroyer Dupleix. Activists on inflatables painted "Stop Nuclear Tests" on the sides of the destroyer and chained themselves along the dock to its mooring ropes until the crew of the Dupleix opened fire with water cannons and flooded the Altair's engine room. Shortly thereafter, French navy soldiers armed with axes stormed the Altair and overpowered the crew. Then the soldiers started the engines, put the gears into reverse and abandoned the vessel, which went full speed backwards into the harbour. The Altair almost collided with other vessels and then crashed several times against the dock. The fire brigade of Brindisi harbour intervened and managed to turn off the engine. For more information contact Greenpeace Italy, Tel. ++39-6-5781933.

 

Look out below!

The Nanoose Conversion Campaign has expressed outrage at the Canadian Transportation Safety Board report absolving a Chilean submarine of fault in sinking the liveaboard sailboat of a Canadian kayak operator, Jory Lord, last year. At the time of the sinking, the sub was travelling from the Nanoose Bay, BC weapons test range via Georgia Strait.

Groups from around the BC coast are banding together under the umbrella organization "Nuclear Free Nanoose Coalition" to press the federal governments of Canada and the United States to end the agreement which brings nuclear warships to Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island for 'Cold War' anti-submarine weapons testing.

For further information on the Coalition or to sign on to the Coalition Statement, contact the Nanoose Conversion Campaign at 604-741-1662 or write #2-85 Commercial St., Nanaimo, BC Canada V9R 5G3. E-mail: convert@nanaimo.ark.com

Help protect and restore BC's coastal waters

Since we formed five years ago, Georgia Strait Alliance has fought tirelessly to protect, preserve and restore the ecological well-being of Georgia Strait and its adjoining waters. We've made some inroads, but our job is far from over.

Dwindling wild salmon stocks and toxic wastes will be the focus of GSA work in 1996.

As wild salmon stocks struggle for survival, fish farms are being offered as the answer, ignoring the many negative impacts this industry has on the environment and on wild Pacific salmon. GSA is committed to raising awareness of this issue and ensuring there is a comprehensive, public environmental review of the salmon farming industry in BC to replace the limited review currently proposed by the government. We will be lobbying for a moratorium on new licenses and expansion of existing fish farms until a full review takes place. Farmed salmon also pose threats to human health and we will make sure both consumers and vendors are aware of these risks.

We will also be working to raise awareness of the threats posed to human and wildlife health by toxics. In addition to contributing to the growing cancer epidemic, some toxic chemicals have now been linked to reproductive, immune system and developmental malfunctions in humans and wildlife. In addition to co-sponsoring a major forum on women's health and the environment, we will offer speakers to schools or community groups. Our goal is to make BC a toxics-free zone.

Numbers count when we meet with government & industry. Add your voice. Become a member today.

Annual dues are $25 (or less for low income). Members receive the quarterly newsletter, Saving Georgia Strait. Donations over and above membership fees are tax deductible.

Contact GSA at:
#201-195 Commercial St.,
Nanaimo, BC V9R 5G5
Ph: 604-753-3459
In Vancouver, call 251-4953

WWW: http://www.georgiastrait.org/
e-mail: gsa@georgiastrait.org