Monthly Archives: July 2020

On May 21, the Neameh, a Panamanian ship exporting cattle from Colombia to Egypt, was intercepted by Spanish authorities near the Straits of Gibraltar to be raided for suspected cocaine smuggling.

The search, however, was never completed; called off when agents needed breathing devices and their sniffer dogs were useless due to the overpowering stench of neglected and suffering cows. As reported by Europa Sur, a news organization based in Algeciras where the port of interception was located, many of the animals lay dead on the ground for several days among urine, faeces and feed, in a state of decomposition.

Not only does this horrific finding re-emphasize the animal rights violations and malpractices of the live export industry, but it also highlights shortcomings of animal trade regulation when ships pass through the jurisdictions of different countries. Even though the state of the ship when intercepted in Spain clearly violated EU regulations, it was still allowed to continue on to Egypt.

The live export industry has been around for decades, and the growth of the global demand for meat has expanded it to transporting in excess of 5 million animals each day. The consolidation of the slaughterhouse industry has also necessitated animals traveling longer distances or into other countries to be processed.

Countries all over the world participate in the live trade of animals, and Europe dominates many of the lists for export numbers with most of their animals going to countries of the Middle East that are willing to pay a premium for freshly slaughtered meat.

However, it was Australia that initially made headlines after the Farid Fares disaster of 1980, when a transport ship caught fire and sank, drowning 40,605 of the sheep on board. The incident prompted a greater surveillance over the conditions of live export vessels, and precipitated the arrival of a powerful animal advocacy group called Animals Australia, which by 2012 had made live export a mainstream issue now recognized all over the world.

Other animal rights organizations like Animals Angels, Eyes on Animals, and the Animal Welfare Foundation have joined Animals Australia in conducting investigations and large-scale campaigns focused on the live export industry. Eyes on Animals has found abuses from cattle trapped in Russia in a snowed-in truck with a frozen water system, to chickens dying of heat stress while their trucks are stalled outside a slaughterhouse in the Netherlands.

They have uncovered legal violations of journey logs that claim the mandatory 24 hour rest at a fake control post, and water devices full of manure and straw that are either not cleaned or too inaccessible to be cleaned. More generally, they have documented the extreme overcrowding and poor ventilation for transported sheep, causing sick, injured, or dead animals to remain hidden within the masses, as well as pregnant sheep that were illegally brought on board and had given birth to lambs that will likely never step off the rancid ship.

Perhaps counterintuitively, animals are not the only victims of live export. According to livestock veterinarian Dr. Lynn Simpson, what shocked me most was the disregard for humanity and the poor conditions that many seafarers are forced to endure.

Some companies see seafarers as expendable, as confirmed by so many pirate hostages with no ransoms paid. Lesley Moffat, founder of Eyes on Animals, concurs with the mistreatment of workers, feeling sympathetic towards the drivers who are usually more than compliant during surprise inspections by her organization. Theyre not the bosses, she says, Theyre forced to drive really long hours, long distances alone, which is illegal, but saves the boss money.

The activist pushback is not without its successes: New Zealand banned live export in 2003; Austria and Germany followed the Netherlands recent example of suspending transports to non-EU countries that are at risk of violating EU regulations; and just this month the European Parliament voted to establish an inquiry committee to investigate live export.

Activism, however, comes with a paradox as well. As animal rights organizations gain more power and public support, many transport companies do not want their reputations stained, and are more likely to decline the shipment of live animals.

All too often, however, this simply puts the animals into the hands of cheaper and less reputable carriers, and they end up in even worse conditions that they would have previously. Whats more, some countries now ban traded animals to pass through their borders, forcing a need to circumvent existing routes and creating an even longer journey for the creatures.

Uncertainty and complication regarding legal responsibility is one of the greatest obstacles to improving or ending live export. Animal rights laws are different in each country, and transporting across borders confuses jurisdiction to the point where there doesnt seem to be any enforcement at all.

Although there is a World Organization for Animal Health that sets international standards, it has no power of enforcement, and up until fairly recently exporter countries have had no qualms in putting these animals at the mercy of destination countries in order to turn a profit.

This attitude continues even into the time of Covid-19, which becomes especially concerning given that research speculates animal consumption as the spark of the pandemic. According to the Ecologist, 75% of new infectious diseases in humans come from animals, and live animal export significantly increases the likelihood of these diseases arising and spreading.

Asia joins the Middle East in their status as common importers of live animals, and the notorious wet market in Wuhan, China is an example of where these suffering and sick animals often spend their last moments.

Unbeknownst to many consumers, the hamburgers and hot dogs grilled on hot summer days may very well come from a cow whose tongue was lolling and eyes were wide as it barely survived the heat exhaustion that claimed its decomposing neighbors, or a pig that had no choice but to lie in its own excrement for weeks at a time.

These realizations are at least enough for one to lose their appetite and at most enough for people to swear off eating meat for good. However, we do not all need to convert to vegetarianism in order to take a stand for both the welfare of these animals and our own. Something as simple as buying local or spreading awareness on various producers begins to cultivate the global responsibility necessary to impact, improve, or halt altogether the vast, unchecked industry that is live export.

For The Yucatan TimesRaquel Anais Smith

Raquel Anais Smith is a freelance writer specializing in environmental features, published across a variety of international online and print media.

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Horror on the High Seas: Animal Welfare & the Live Export Industry - The Yucatan Times

The pandemic will change the way we travel, but what can we expect when we finally pack our suitcases? Sarah Marshall asks the experts.

Several weeks ago, the idea of even stepping outside your local area felt like a fantasy. But slowly, as lockdown restrictions ease, the situation seems to be changing, and theres a glimmer of hope it might be possible to enjoy a holiday this year.

The situation, however, is far from normal. From beach breaks to escorted tours, the way we travel will look very different from now on.

Some hotels, tour operators and cruise lines have already published details hinting at how we might navigate a new world of socially-distanced sun-seeking and ethical escapism. These are some of the trends starting to emerge.

Caravans and cottages promise peace of mindAlthough the race is on to squeeze in a summer holiday, its likely, once government advice allows, that most people will choose to staycation. Along with self-catering cottages, demand for caravans and holiday parks is set to be high.According to Auto Trader, searches for caravans are up by 18 per cent compared to this time last year. Hardly surprising given The National Caravan Councils claim that caravans and motorhomes are socially distanced by design. There are no issues with shared facilities, they say, and camping lots are generally set five or six metres apart.Lloyd Figgins, chairman of the Travel Risk & Incident Prevention (TRIP) Group, says holiday parks are a low-risk option for similar reasons. With everything included within the four walls of your holiday park rental, your holiday can be as safe as being at home, he says. Theres also the advantage that many holiday parks are situated in stunning locations, allowing you to get outside and enjoy the countryside or nearby beach, while still being able to maintain social distancing.

Its hygiene on the high seas from now onThe return to normality is set to be tricky for cruise ships. The floating hotels have a history of upsets with virus outbreaks, and companies are having to work much harder to regain their customers trust. But many have already taken steps towards making their fleets as germ-free as possible.All passengers travelling on Norwegian Cruise Lines fleet will be given a touchless temperature screening every time they return to the ship and when entering dining areas. Capacity will also be limited to allow social distancing on board.Princess, meanwhile, have pledged to constantly monitor the global health map, cancelling stops and modifying itineraries if areas have been impacted by Covid-19 outbreaks. Self-service buffets will be heavily reduced and hand sanitiser will flow like water.River cruise company Uniworld has gone even further by discontinuing self-service snacks, removing all books and magazines, discontinuing buffets and introducing set mealtimes.

Tech will replace human contact in hotelsAs hotels across Europe plan to reopen, companies have adopted a range of new measures to make sure their guests feel safe.Although reputable hotels already have high hygiene standards, new levels of meticulous disinfecting and scrubbing are set to become the norm. Groups such as Wyndham, who have an international portfolio, are working with Ecolab products specialised to prevent the spread of infections on surfaces, and have promised supplies of PPE to staff.Even smaller, family-run resorts, like Elivi Skiathos in Greece, are upping their cleanliness game: public areas will be regularly disinfected and online check-in will reduce face-to-face contact.OYO, who have properties ranging from guesthouses and B&Bs, to city-centre hotels, are introducing a new system of sanitised stays. Their plans include: removing excess furniture from lobby areas to discourage guests from lounging; presenting disinfected room keys and TV remotes in zip-lock bags; and limiting lifts to one group of room occupants at a time.Ikos, who have luxury all-inclusive beach resorts in Greece and Spain, have designed a new Infinite Care Protocol. Staff will be regularly tested for Covid-19, and anyone staying at the properties given a free rapid antibody test upon arrival. An in-resort ambulance and 24-hour medical support are reassuring additions, while a mobile app will allow contactless room service, restaurant and spa bookings.

Group tours set to connect in new waysAn entrepreneur and philanthropist who started one of the worlds most successful group tour companies with nothing more than a vision and a credit card, Bruce Poon Tip is an agile thinker. Rather than dwell on the negatives of the pandemic, The G Adventures founder and CEO sees this as an opportunity to reflect upon and readjust the way we travel.Why fight so damn hard to return to normal when the opportunity to transform travel is on the other side of this mess? he says.Hes used his time in lockdown to write a free e-book, Unlearn: The Year The Earth Stood Still, detailing his thoughts. (Download it at unlearn.travel.) The future, he says, revolves around the power and privilege we have as travellers to make informed choices about where our money is invested.At the moment, people are being sold amenities the biggest ship, the biggest go track etc and they are forgetting about the destination. This is no longer travel in my mind, he writes. The travel industry has made us into tourists, consumers of culture, rather than contributors to it.From now on, he suggests we should take a different approach: Destination and local people are key.For that reason, G Adventures will continue to use local restaurants on their tours with options for grab and go boxes and al fresco dining. Affordable My Own Room rates will also make it easier for solo travellers to avoid sharing.

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Travel: Sun, sea and sanitisation - how will our holidays look in the future? - The Catholic Universe

Azteca News

Ireland.- Sometimes animals tend to become disoriented from where they are, so they can run to places that are somewhat dangerous for them, as recently happened with a horse, which was in the middle of the sea, so he had to be rescued.

In social networks, a video went viral that captured the moment in which the equine was helped by a team of rescue aquatic, which was surprised to find the animal in the middle of the sea.

The events occurred in Murvagh Beach, County Donegal, Ireland, where he horse began to run towards the coast and then was swept away by the current of the seaAs such, he was unable to return to the mainland.

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According to the team of rescue, Royan National Lifeboar Institution, equine swam approximately one mile sea inside, so the current prevented him from returning to the shoreline despite the animals greater efforts.

However, the maneuvers of rescue and, after a time, they managed to save the life of the animal, which was not injured. He was also examined by a specialist veterinarian, who assured that the animal was in excellent condition, although he was exhausted from the work of surviving on the high seas.

Finally the horse He was returned to his owner who took him to his field. The recording of the rescue went viral on social networks, so it was amazing to see this type of animal in the sea open.

In addition, they did not hesitate to applaud and praise the work of the rescuers, because if it had not been for them, possibly the horse would have died in the middle of the sea.

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They rescue a horse that was in the middle of the sea - Explica

China's military and economic ambitions are growing in Europe and the Arctic, where the rising communist power may be trying to gain control over important shipping lanes or seaports, according to a top U.S. admiral and Western analysts.

They're building the first nuclear icebreaker, The Arctic Institute founder Malte Humpert said. Thats going to be the test platform to build nuclear aircraft carriers. Its all linked together the Arctic is becoming a geopolitical space.

Such activities have caught the attention of U.S. diplomats and military leaders, who warn that Chinese Communist officials aspire to project military power in the region.

With China having its own precedent for making bogus claims over international waterways in the South China Sea, it's possible that China will also seek to bend the rules in their favor in the Arctic, said Adm. James Foggo, commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa and Joint Forces Command Naples, during a recent webinar hosted by the International Institute of Strategic Studies.

Most analysts doubt that China would try to claim territorial sovereignty in the Arctic, as it has in the South China Sea, yet thats not the only way to gain operational control over key territories.

I just don't think China is really at that spot yet in the Arctic to make territorial claims, but they're certainly trying to make other claims, the Heritage Foundations Luke Coffey said, referring to China's attempt to gain influence at the Arctic Council.

That intergovernmental organization, which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited last year, could have an important role in fencing China out of the region. If the Arctic Council falls apart, and it becomes more of a free-for-all for all the various Arctic states, then, of course, there's an opening for China, Humpert said.

That scenario would be conducive to Chinas desire to use the Belt and Road Initiative, a global overseas investment program, to gain military advantages against the United States and Western allies. Lithuanian officials, for instance, have been resisting China's attempts to secure a controlling stake in a port on the Baltic Sea.

The Chinese are offering financial relief and opportunities and then using that to influence governments in Europe, Foggo said. This type of influence is a security concern, and it could be used to restrict access to key seaports and airport facilities while providing access to sensitive government and military information through the technology of state-owned and state-controlled enterprises.

Such investments raise the specter of an Arctic nation inviting Chinas military to operate in its country, although U.S. influence and the relative wealth of the Arctic states augurs against such a development. Yet Beijing might not even need a territorial foothold, according to Humpert.

The center of the Arctic Ocean is high seas, so it would have to be some kind of floating military installation, he said. "It could be a seasonal installation on the ice.

Or they could try to project power through the kind of platform that has been a mainstay of the U.S. military for decades. When China will have multiple nuclear aircraft carriers, then it's not unrealistic that they will build one that is ice capable and could potentially be stationed in the Arctic, just as a show of force or to keep tabs on Alaska, Humpert said.

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China aims to control ports and shipping lanes in Europe and the Arctic - Washington Examiner

OPINION: A little over two years ago Environment Minister Eugenie Sage was celebrating.

New Zealand had declared victory in a bid to eradicate mice from the Antipodes Islands, a remote sub-Antarctic archipelago 760km southeast of Dunedin. The invasive pest, probably introduced on a shipwreck, preyed on rare bird chicks and eggs, invertebrates, and plants and competed with seabirds for food.

The success of the Million Dollar Mouse project gave the majestic, but critically endangered, Antipodean wandering albatross a fighting chance.

High death rates and slow breeding mean the species could die out within 20 years. Mice were a threat but experts believe the birds were also at risk from fishing trawlers, the birds become entangled in longlines and drown.

READ MORE:* Lost at Sea: Labour and Greens split over Campbell Island sanctuary* Fishing industry under fire for killing endangered albatrosses* More than 10,000 seabirds caught by commercial fishermen since 2013* Greater observations and cameras on fishing vessels is needed, report finds

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Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage.

But despite Sages best efforts to safeguard what is left of the dwindling population, the Greens were again forced to swallow a dead rodent.

Hook-shielding devices would help prevent the needless bycatch of seabirds. Around 90 per cent of our seabirds are threatened and last year commercial fishing boats killed an estimated 14,400.

But the Government failed to make use of the device mandatory in new fishing guidelines introduced in May.

Its just another surrender to NZ First, a party which is well compensated with campaign donations to champion the commercial fishing sector.

Silvia Scali

There are only an estimated 63 Maui dolphin left.

Since they joined the Government in 2017, the Greens have given up the fight for a marine sanctuary in the remote Kermadec Islands, and an extension to a reserve in the pristine Campbell Islands.

In 2018, Stuff revealed Foreign Minister Winston Peters caved into threats of legal action from the industry and hastily dumped a suite of conservation measures, six years in the making, to restrict bottom-trawling for orange roughy on the high seas.

The Government lobbied for a Talleys vessel to be taken off an international blacklist, after it was caught fishing in a Kaikura marine reserve. The skipper was later fined more than $15,000 for the breach.

In February, a report revealed the troubling state of the Hauraki Gulf. Despite being a marine park, the reported commercial catch of fish was 30 per cent greater than before it was established. Stocks of snapper, tarakihi are decimated. From this month, the catch will be reduced but experts agree the fishery needs a complete break to recover.

Scott Hammond/Stuff

Crayfish are functionally extinct in the Hauraki Gulf.

Most conspicuously, there has been glacial progress in a plan for compulsory cameras on commercial fishing vessels, due to be rolled out in 2018. The legislation was introduced after repeated scandals where the industry had illegally dumped nets of fish and dead dolphins.

The cameras would capture the haul and record any interaction with protected species. Industry heavyweights have successfully stalled the policy by arguing the transparency is too costly.

Blame for the delay has been laid at the door of NZ First a fact apparently confirmed (and then retracted) this week by Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash in a leaked telephone call.

Ross Giblin/Stuff

Stuart Nash referred to fishers as 'dodgy buggers' in a leaked phone call.

There have been a handful of wins for the Greens a plan to protect Hectors and Mui dolphins was slightly better than marine advocates expected. The Government will also create an enormous marine reserve off the east coast of the South Island, torpedoing fishing industry proposals for less-ambitious protection.

But it falls well short of international expectations to protect 30 per cent of marine areas only about 0.5 per cent of New Zealand's waters are in no take reserves.

It would be unrealistic for a party to join a coalition government without acknowledging the inevitability of compromise.

Stuff

Green Party co-leader James Shaw says NZ First are breaching its coalition agreement with Labour.

But the Greens must accept their share of responsibility for their capitulation and the weak progress on oceans and fisheries policy, both touchstones of the environmental movement.

Winston is as Winston does. His contumacy exploits James Shaws desire to appear constructive and collegial and undermines the Greens, who are less Government allies than rivals.

The 4000 species at risk of extinction in New Zealand will probably die out before Peters rewrites his playbook.

Its time for the Greens to draw a line in the sand. If they make bold environmental policies in their campaign, they must not be empty. Some must come with a guarantee of bottom lines.

Otherwise, there is little point in getting back into bed with NZ First, a party that stands for nothing but standing still.

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The Greens bear responsibility for capitulation to NZ First and Big Fish - Stuff.co.nz

International travel used to be such a pleasant activity to look forward to, maybe once or twice a year. Since were mostly staying put around Australia thats obviously not as easy at the moment, but its okay because we have games to give us that sense of adventure!

This period of working and studying from home gives some of us time to polish off that backlog of games, or if youre like me, to add more games to the backlog and hope to finish them at some vague point in time in the distant future. There are many great games that can help satisfy that wanderlust, such as Deliver Us The Moon, Disneyland Adventures and even Fishing Sim World Pro Tour.

Whats that on the horizon for me though? Its Sea of Thieves! This pirate life simulator has had a massive overhaul since its release in 2018, with the inclusion of more life-like elements such as cooking, fishing and more diverse animal and plant life than the game originally featured. These are welcome additions that allow for a bit of downtime between the otherwise frantic action and treasure hunting.

When it comes to action, Sea of Thieves is definitely enjoyable as a solo playthrough as long as you dont mind a challenge. For the full experience, though and to have the most fun make sure to grab a mate or two (who also have an Xbox to play along) to give you a hand digging up all that wondrous loot.

Sea of Thieves includes a degree of character customisation that reminds us of casual RPG games, allowing you to choose and express yourself through your avatars appearance however you see fit! Once thats sorted, its on to the high seas in your very own ship which, like your character, also allows you to customise it how youd like.

Dont forget that as you sail around it is up to you to keep your ship repaired; make sure you fix up all those cannon-shot holes in the hull! Sea of Thieves has some elements of realism repair and upgrade your ship with materials you will collect on your journey, and after a battle make sure to patch up those holes and dump that water back out to sea. If you dont, youll find out what the ocean floor looks like.

Sea of Thieves beauty really shines when you realise just what kind of a multiplayer game it is there is no correct way. Where some games will force you to play and act in certain ways, Sea of Thieves really gives you the freedom. Do you want to command a crew and rule like Blackbeard? go for it! Do you want to be the solo lone wolf, surviving on the fringes, hunting where you see fit? do it!

There really is a chest of treasure to be opened for every player in this game. If you want to give it a taste, you can enjoy it and many other travel adventures in the comfort of your home on Xbox Game Pass right now. If you dont happen to have a gaming console of your own yet, you can get an Xbox One and Xbox Game Pass subscription together as part of our Xbox All Access offer for one low monthly price, only with Telstra.

Telstra Game Reviewer - Telstra

As our Telstra Game Reviewer, Josh brings his lifetime love of gaming through in his reviews. He's played games since he was very young, and on just about every platform since the original Xbox - if you can name a game, he's probably heard of it and knows enough to talk your ear off. His favourite titles are linear, story-driven experiences, but his interest spans from AAA to indie. Outside of gaming, Josh has a keen interest in videography and photography.

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Looking for games to take you away? My pick is Sea of Thieves - Telstra Exchange