1. Islands

Category Archives: Islands

Japan turns back Taiwan boat from islands

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Published: Jan. 25, 2013 at 6:37 AM

TOKYO, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Taiwan activists on a fishing boat were stopped from entering the waters of Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands, the Japanese coast guard said.

The coast guard said the fishing boat was escorted by four Taiwan coast guard vessels but was turned back Thursday before it could enter Japanese territorial waters, Kyodo News said.

The islands in the East China Sea are under Japanese control but are also claimed by China and Taiwan. The islands, which are about 120 miles northeast of Taiwan, are called Diaoyutai Islands by Taiwanese.

Tensions between China and Japan have risen sharply since Japan nationalized the islands last September. The islands are uninhabited but are reported to be rich in natural resources.

In the case of Taiwan, Japan is planning bilateral talks on fishing by Taiwanese boats in the islands' waters but Kyodo quoted Japanese diplomatic officials that the latest incident might negatively affect that effort.

Those aboard the fishing boat included four activists, a television cameraman from Hong Kong's Phoenix TV and an Indonesian worker, Kyodo said.

The Taipei Times carried a photograph of a Japanese coast guard patrol ship spraying water on the fishing boat.

Taiwanese Foreign Affairs Ministry official Su Chii-cherng said the activists' mission was voluntary and in no way should affect the official Taiwan-Japan fishery talks, the Times said.

The official also was quoted as saying the islands are part of Taiwanese territory and have been traditional Taiwanese fishing grounds.

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Japan turns back Taiwan boat from islands

Offshore Maven talks about Swiss Bankers and Cayman Islands – Video

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Offshore Maven talks about Swiss Bankers and Cayman Islands
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By: Invest Offshore

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Offshore Maven talks about Swiss Bankers and Cayman Islands - Video

Channel Islands Beach Fence call Shafran 805-421-4333 – Video

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Channel Islands Beach Fence call Shafran 805-421-4333
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Channel Islands Beach Fence call Shafran 805-421-4333 - Video

Check your gear, keep our islands pest clear

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25 January 2013

Check your gear, keep our islands pest clear

The Department of Conservation is appealing to people visiting islands in Wellington Harbour and Kapiti Coast this summer to do their bit to help keep them free of introduced pests.

David Moss, DOC Biodiversity Ranger said the most common way pests such as rodents can get to islands is by stowing away on boats.

Rats or mice can devastate an islands wildlife and have the potential to breed rapidly. It has been estimated that under ideal conditions, a source population of rats could produce 15,000 offspring in one year."

Mr Moss said making sure that rats and mice are not on board when people head out for a day on the water is the most important thing. If the boat is small then a quick scan is generally sufficient. However, with bigger vessels it is sensible to maintain rodent bait stations or traps on board.

By taking this simple step, fishers and boat owners can make all the difference in keeping pests off our precious off shore islands, he said.

It is also important to check boats, packs, clothing and boots for insects and weed seeds before going ashore, and to leave pets behind, including dogs, as they are not permitted on conservation islands. Private boats and kayaks cannot visit Kapiti Island and boats can only land in one place on both Mana and Matiu-Somes Islands. Travellers on commercial boats also need to check their gear.

Some of the most popular visitor destinations in the region, Matiu-Somes and Kapiti Islands are free of pests. These islands provide a safe haven for many of our rarest and most endangered animals such as kiwi, takahe, tuatara, giant weta, hihi (stitchbird) and tieke (saddleback).

At the end of the day it is up to all of us to ensure we dont transport unwanted pests to an island, he said. Checklist: Always check your boat for animal pests before leaving port if you are going to be landing on an offshore island. Always check the gear that is to go ashore for any animals that may be hiding amongst it. Set rat and mouse traps, or lay poison baits, on board boats. Do not leave food lying on board when in port, as animals attracted to your boat may stay on board and become stowaways. Place food in rodent proof containers like chillybins. Please ensure no plants or seeds are introduced onto these islands, as some are free of many weeds which are common on the mainland. Check cuffs and socks for seeds and burrs and remove mud from soles of shoes.

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Check your gear, keep our islands pest clear

Taiwan boat leaves islands after Japan water cannon duel

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A boat with Taiwanese activists headed for disputed Japanese-controlled islands turned back Thursday after coastguard vessels from the two sides converged and duelled with water cannon.

The boat, carrying seven people including four Taiwanese activists, gave up a plan to land on the East China Sea islands after being blocked by Japanese coastguard vessels as it sailed within 17 nautical miles of the archipelago.

"We fired water cannon at each other," Taiwanese coastguard spokesman Shih Yi-che said of the confrontation.

The disputed islands, in an area where the seabed is believed to harbour valuable mineral reserves, are known as Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese. Both China and Taiwan claim them.

As the standoff unfolded, three Chinese surveillance vessels were positioned a few nautical miles off, the Taiwanese coastguard said.

It added that it was the first time ships from China had been spotted near a Taiwanese-Japanese incident, and that it had sent a radio message to the three boats to keep their distance in order not to complicate matters.

The incident came at a time of growing regional concern over the intensified friction over the islands between China and Japan, with both Beijing and Tokyo recently scrambling fighter jets to assert their claims to the area.

The Japanese coastguard confirmed that it took action after encountering the Taiwanese vessel.

"Our patrol boat carried out restrictions on the vessel such as blocking its path and discharging water," it said in a statement.

"The vessel left our country's contiguous zone at around 1:30 pm (0430 GMT) and continued sailing west-southwest away from the Senkakus."

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Taiwan boat leaves islands after Japan water cannon duel

Taiwan activists in islands bid

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24 January 2013 Last updated at 03:05 ET

A small boat carrying Taiwanese activists trying to reach a group of East China Sea islands at the heart of a territorial dispute has been forced back by the Japanese coastguard.

The activists were sailing towards the islands, known as Senkaku in Japan, Diaoyutai in Taiwan and Diaoyu in China, to install an idol of a goddess.

China and Taiwan both claim the island chain, which is controlled by Japan.

The island row has left ties between Tokyo and Beijing severely strained.

The fishing boat is reported to have been carrying four activists as well as the Taiwanese captain, an Indonesian employee and a news cameraman. It was being escorted by four Taiwanese coastguard vessels.

They left Taiwan in the early hours and reportedly wanted to place the statue of a Taiwanese sea goddess who is traditionally believed to protect fishermen on one of the islands in the group, which lie south of Okinawa and north of Taiwan.

The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes says this was seen as placing a symbolic territorial claim on the islands. Video footage of the activists before they left Taiwan showed them chanting "Japan, get out of Diaoyutai" and "Return Diaoyutai".

But as the vessel approached the islands mid-morning the Japanese coastguard issued verbal warnings for it to stop, then used water cannon to force it to turn back.

"Our patrol boat carried out restrictions on the vessel such as blocking its path and discharging water," the coastguard said in a statement.

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Taiwan activists in islands bid

Japanese envoy in China to discuss islands

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A Japanese envoy has arrived in China to hold talks between the two sides over the dispute over an island that has raised fears of an armed confrontation.

Japans state media gave prominent coverage to Tuesdays arrival of Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of a junior party in the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Yamaguchi is not a member of the government so his meetings in Beijing represent a type of quiet diplomacy that could allow for a franker exchange of views than official talks might.

Yamaguchi's visit is part of China's normal relations and contact with friendly Japanese political parties and organisations,'' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters at a regularly scheduled briefing.

Yamaguchi made no comments upon his arrival but told reporters in Tokyo he hoped his four-day trip would help ease months of friction over the uninhabited East China Sea islands that are controlled by Japan but claimed by China.

However, he said Tokyo's assertion that the islands are Japanese territory is unchanged, rejecting Chinese demands that Japan acknowledge a dispute over their sovereignty.

Both nations have called for dialogue recently, and Chinese state broadcaster CCTV led its noon news broadcast with a live report on Yamaguchi's arrival.

Chinese media reported that Yamaguchi would deliver a letter from Abe addressed to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Tensions soared after Japan's government bought the uninhabited islands, known in Chinese as Diaoyu and Japanese as Senkaku, from their private Japanese owners in September. Trade and tourism between the countries have dropped off sharply and almost all bilateral meetings between their officials have been cancelled.

The islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and have a potential wealth of gas, oil and other undersea resources.

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Japanese envoy in China to discuss islands

Japanese Envoy in Beijing to Talk About Islands

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China welcomed a Japanese envoy Tuesday for talks as both sides took steps to cool tensions over an island dispute that has raised fears of an armed confrontation.

In a sign of the importance Beijing attached to the visit, state media gave prominent coverage to the arrival of Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of a junior party in the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Yamaguchi, whose schedule has not been announced, is not a member of the government so his meetings in Beijing represent a type of quiet diplomacy that could allow for a franker exchange of views than official talks might.

Yamaguchi's visit is part of China's "normal relations and contact with friendly Japanese political parties and organizations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters at a regularly scheduled briefing. "The dealings can help solve problems and move forward healthy relations," Hong said.

Yamaguchi made no comments upon his arrival but told reporters in Tokyo he hoped his four-day trip would help ease months of friction over the uninhabited East China Sea islands that are controlled by Japan but claimed by China.

"It is important for us to have consultations to normalize our relationship," Yamaguchi said.

However, he said Tokyo's assertion that the islands are Japanese territory is unchanged, rejecting Chinese demands that Japan acknowledge a dispute over their sovereignty. Both nations have called for dialogue recently, and Chinese state broadcaster CCTV led its noon news broadcast with a live report on Yamaguchi's arrival.

Chinese media reported that Yamaguchi would deliver a letter from Abe addressed to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Tensions soared after Japan's government bought the uninhabited islands, known in Chinese as Diaoyu and Japanese as Senkaku, from their private Japanese owners in September. Trade and tourism between the countries have dropped off sharply and almost all bilateral meetings between their officials have been canceled.

The islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and have a potential wealth of gas, oil and other undersea resources. For China, they also mark a strategic gateway to the Pacific Ocean and represent the deeply emotional legacy of Japan's conquest of Chinese territory beginning in 1895, as well as its brutal World War II occupation of much of the country.

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Japanese Envoy in Beijing to Talk About Islands

Islands opens pasalubong centers

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THE Islands Group launched over the Sinulog weekend three Islands Pasalubong branches on Archbishop Reyes in front of Ayala Center Cebu, Raintree Mall on Gen. Maxilom Ave. and at their flagship store on Magallanes St. in front of the Sto. Nio Church and Magellans Cross.

The Islands Group president and chief executive officer Jonathan Jay Aldeguer said that for more than five years, they had a pasalubong section in some of their Islands Souvenirs stores. He said the section has always done well but customers told them they wanted a one-stop-shop that would carry all Cebu delicacies for pasalubong.

Most travelers dont have the luxury of time and they get frustrated having to go to at least three to four places to fulfill their pasalubong checklist. Thats the main reason why we decided to put up Islands Pasalubong, Aldeguer said in an email interview.

Since the stores soft opening last Saturday, Aldeguer said customer feedback has been extremely encouraging, which prompted them to extend store hours.

Completeness

He said sales over the Sinulog weekend was at its highest. They had to overstock their initial inventory just for the celebration, he said.

There are two main compliments that weve been getting. First is that, they like the completeness of the store. We have several hard-to-find products that customers dont see around anymore. The second is our prices. They noticed that our prices are standard and cheaper than most pasalubong centers, he said.

Aldeguer emphasized that they had to implement a strong and standard pricing policy in all of their establishments, including their hotels, because customers nowadays are very price conscious and value-driven.

The Islands Pasalubong sells Cebuano delicacies like dried mangoes, otap, rosquillos, among others. At least 40 percent of their merchandise mix carry other items from the smaller delicacy makers and placed them under the home-made section of the store.

We go as far as Argao, Danao and even Camotes to try to track down some of these famous delicacies but have not gone mainstream yet. You will see us introduce these products little by little, he said.

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Islands opens pasalubong centers

[27 Sept, 2012] US back of from Diaoyu Islands NOW! – Video

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[27 Sept, 2012] US back of from Diaoyu Islands NOW!
#39;All territories Japan had stolen from the Chinese, shall be restored to china, it is illegal and irresponsible, #39; said William Cheung. NTAS demands that, firstly, The US Government to stop immediately supporting any acts by the Japanese Government to violate China #39;s territorial sovereignty. Secondly, The US Government has to urge Japan to get out of the Diaoyu Islands and stop the Invasion.

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[27 Sept, 2012] US back of from Diaoyu Islands NOW! - Video

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, West Virginia 2009 USFWS 7min CC – Video

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Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, West Virginia 2009 USFWS 7min CC
The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge (ORINWR) is a National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in non-contiguous sites consisting of islands along 362 miles (583 km) of the Ohio River, primarily (85% of acreage) in the US state of West Virginia. There are also a couple of islands upstream...

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Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, West Virginia 2009 USFWS 7min CC - Video


  1. Islands