Monthly Archives: July 2021

On the surface, the international waters off the coasts of Peru and Chile are a seemingly barren expanse.

But beneath the waves, two underwater mountain chains known as the Salas y Gmez and Nazca ridges are bursting with life.

Using baited underwater cameras, a team of ocean experts, including Conservation International marine scientist Daniel Wagner, performed the first-ever comprehensive survey of the deep-sea species inhabiting both ends of the ridges. These underwater seamounts stretch nearly 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles) and reach depths exceeding 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) in the southeastern Pacific Ocean.

The scientists survey identified more than 120 unique species from sea sponges to sharks many of which are extremely fragile and live only in this remote region.

The Salas y Gmez and Nazca ridges are some of the most unique and biodiverse ocean areas on the planet and an extremely high priority for protection, Wagner said.

A vortex of life

The Salas y Gmez and Nazca ridges lie at the center of rotating currents, which carry cold waters from the south and warm waters from the north, creating what Wagner calls a vortex of life.

Due to the currents around these underwater mountains, the species that live there are extremely isolated, Wagner said. Just like plants and animals on a remote island, they have evolved in unique ways, becoming highly specialized to thrive in this region alone.

Wagners study identified 58 invertebrates and 65 fish species, including the neon-colored damselfish, the red splodge fish and the deep-dwelling moray eel, which are each found only in the waters surrounding these ridges.

Unfortunately, the currents that help make this ecosystem so unique could also be threatening it; large amounts of plastic are pulled from around the world into this region each year.

Even though this region is more than 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) from any major city, plastic waste travels and accumulates in massive piles on the waters surface similar to the infamous Great Pacific Garbage Patch between Hawaii and California, Wagner said. Many fish and seabirds confuse the plastic for food and ingest it, causing severe gastrointestinal issues and sometimes death.

According to Wagner, the remoteness of Salas y Gmez and Nazca ridges has sheltered them from many human impacts, but two threats loom on the horizon: deep-sea mining and overfishing.

Precious metals such as manganese, nickel and copper, as well as rare minerals, can be found on the deep seafloor of these ridges and many mining companies are eager to start exploiting these resources, he said.

Deep-sea mining and destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling would decimate this fragile ecosystem. Both activities require large machines or nets to scrape the seafloor, killing fish, coral and other creatures in their wake.

Protecting a high seas hotspot

While a portion of the Salas y Gmez and Nazca ridges are within the national waters of Chile and Peru, more than 70 percent of these underwater mountains lie in the high seas the waters outside of national jurisdiction.

So who, then, is responsible for protecting these international waters? According to Wagner, there is no simple answer.

There are organizations that regulate fishing, shipping and mining on the high seas, but when it comes to conservation no one is really in charge at the moment, he said. This piecemeal approach makes management less effective. It is going to take collective action from governments, the private sector and international governing bodies to protect an area of this size and importance.

Currently, negotiations are underway at the United Nations for a treaty to allow countries to establish marine protected areas on the high seas. If the treaty is approved, the Salas y Gmez and Nazca ridges could be among its first candidates for protection.

A recent report co-authored by 27 leading experts in ocean science, policy and law, including Wagner, found that other key strategies for protecting this unique region include restricting industrial fishing and closing these waters to seabed mining activities regulated by the International Seabed Authority.

To date, commercial fishing in the area has been limited and seabed mining exploration has not yet occurred, Wagner said. There is a rare window of opportunity to protect this biodiversity hotspot before any major damage is done. We must seize it now.

This research was conducted as part of the Coral Reefs on the High Seas Coalition, a global alliance of partners led by Conservation Internationalthat aims to generate the science, communication and support necessary to conserve coral reefs on the high seas. The study was led by a team of scientists from the National Geographic Society, Conservation International, Universidad Catlicadel Norte (Chile), University of Hawaii and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Daniel Wagner is an ocean science technical advisor for Conservation International's Center for Oceans. Kiley Price is a staff writer and news editor at Conservation International.

Want to read more stories like this?Sign up for email updates.Donate to Conservation International.

Cover image: Drop-camera & divers( National Geographic Pristine Seas & National Geographic Exploration Technology Lab)

Further reading:

Continue reading here:

In the high seas, scientists uncover a 'vortex of life' - Conservation International

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL Yesterday, July 4, there was another fire on the high seas, this time in the Caspian Sea, near Azerbaijan. The images were not taken from a privileged angle like those of the Gulf of Mexico, but they are no less amazing because of it.

The fires occurred in just two days, and the pictures made many people question whether the end of the world is near. As apocalyptic as it sounds, there are explanations for the fires on the high seas even if they are still uncertain.

GULF OF MEXICO

On Friday morning (2), a fire broke out on the ocean near a drilling platform owned by Pemex, the state-owned oil company in Mexico. In the video shown below, you can see boats on the scene trying to control the fire with nitrogen spray.

According to a statement from the company, the cause of the fire was a gas leak in a pipeline. The valves connected to the pipeline have already been closed, and it took 5 hours to extinguish the fire. The causes of the accident and the impact on the surrounding area are not yet clear.

ngel Carrizales, safety chief of Asea (Mexicos Agency for Safety, Energy, and Environment), said on Twitter that the Pemex incident did not cause oil to spill into the sea. However, he did not explain what was burning on the surface of the water.

Environmental groups pointed to the fire as an example of the risks that oil facilities and their poor maintenance pose to the environment and human safety. Just remember the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

CASPIAN SEA

On Sunday night (July 4th), a large explosion and fire occurred near an oil platform in the Caspian Sea. The incident occurred south of the coast of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, and flames could be seen throughout the region.

At first, residents thought it was an explosion on an oil platform or a ship. But the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) said there was none, and ships were not affected by the explosion.

What appears to have caused the large column of fire on the inland sea is the eruption of a mud volcano according to Gurban Yetirmishli, director of the countrys seismological service. But what is a mud volcano?

Azerbaijan is known to have many of them. They are cone-shaped structures that form when mud is ejected from the seafloor. This happens due to factors such as bottom sedimentation, gas pressure, and seismic activity.

When a mud volcano erupts, it releases a large amount of methane (a flammable gas) and, to a lesser extent, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and helium. Water vapor and mud are also released so the eruptions keep rebuilding the volcanic cone.

According to Mark Tingay, an expert on mud volcanoes and professor at the University of Adelaide (Australia), the explosion site matches a mud volcano called Makarov Bank. In 1958, this volcano erupted and produced a column of fire 500 meters high and 150 meters wide.

The phenomenon is not well understood by scientists, but it is believed that mud volcanoes are ignited by colliding rocks that produce sparks during the eruption. According to this theory, contact of the sparks with flammable gases would cause a fire.

A SOCAR spokesman said that a ship with experts had been sent to the scene to investigate the incident and that the public would be informed as soon as they obtained more information.

Link:

Fires on open water: What explains the fires in Mexico and Azerbaijan? - The Rio Times

UTAH (ABC4) As it turns out, the $10,000 treasure found by Andy Swanger near Heughs Canyon Trail on Monday afternoon wont quite be as big as advertised.

According to the Utah State Tax Commission, Swangers discovery qualifies as additional taxable income, and as such, he will have to pay both state and federal taxes on it, depending on which tax bracket he falls in.

At most, he could be paying 37% in federal income taxes and 4.95% in state taxes.

John Valentine, the states tax commissioner, tells ABC4.com his guess is that Swanger, who works as a police officer for West Valley City, will likely fall into the average federal tax range for Utahns, which is somewhere between 12 to 22%.

While it may seem odd to impose taxes on a buried treasure, Valentine explains there is precedence for such actions all around the world. Even in the days of swashbuckling on the high seas, privateers were expected to pay taxes to the government that had outfitted them for treasure-finding, be it the Spanish, English, or Portuguese crown.

Even modern finds have been subject to taxation.

In 2013, an anonymous couple discovered more than 1,400 gold coins with an estimated value of $10 million on their rural property in the Sierra Nevada area. After a strict reading of the Internal Revenue Code, it was found that the income made from the sale of the coins would be taxed, Valentine recalls.

Finding $10,000 in the Utah wilderness is no different, says Valentine. The income will be taxed.

Naturally, the taxation on the treasure can be done both ways. Its possible that the buriers of the treasure, John Maxim and David Cline, could use the experience as a possible tax write-off, should it be categorized as a business expense. Such a venture could also be classified as a charitable donation if the proper conditions are met, although Valentine states he doesnt know the entirety of the project founded by Maxim and Cline.

The buriers themselves, however, say they will not be seeking a tax benefit or write-off, even though they say they have considered creating future treasure hunts as a possible business of sorts.

Cline explains that he has no interest in learning about the complicated nature of the tax code and is considering the money that he and Maxim buried this year, as well as the $5,000 from last year, as nothing more than a gesture meant to spark excitement in the community.

I dont know anything about taxes so maybe I do it as a business write-up for next year, but it was definitely a gift the last two years, Cline tells ABC4.com.

Regardless of how much the state and federal government will demand as a result of Swangers findings, Valentine still considers the Draper father, who wore a t-shirt emblazoned DAD when he found the treasure chest, to be a very lucky man.

Still a good payday, Valentine says. No matter how you look at it.

When asked on Monday what he planned to do with the money, Swanger replied to ABC4.com that after paying a few bills off, he and his wife are hoping to take their family on a vacation, likely to Disneyland in Southern California.

To Cline who had never met Swanger prior to congratulating him for finding the treasure and has since had to juggle his own demands by the national media in addition to requests for Swangers contact information the money couldnt have ended up in better hands on July 5.

I couldnt imagine a better person finding it, he says. Hes a father of three, hes a veteran, which just worked out so perfectly with the Fourth of July, and Im just so stoked for him.

See the original post:

Will the $10K from the Utah Treasure Hunt get taxed? - ABC 4

Please join us for the all-ages puppet show, The Amazing Cowboat! Open Eye Theatre will be bringing the puppet show to our driveway to share with our neighborhood! The event is free of charge, but a hat for donations will be passed around to cover the costs of the bringing the event to White Bear Lake. Please bring lawn chairs and blankets!

It's time for Binh to take a bath! Binh's imagination comes alive as he pretends he is the captain of a boat that is part cow, part boat, and totally amazing! Together Bihn and his Cow Boat set sail on a high seas adventure to search for the lost crown of Lac Long Qun, the Dragon Lord of Vietnam, making friends as they go, all before sailing home to his bathtub before bed time!

See the rest here:

The Amazing Cowboat Puppet Show | Arts And Entertainment - Press

By Norman Cloete Jul 3, 2021

Share this article:

Johannesburg - Its been a week of high drama for about 100 crew members on board the Desert Diamond fishing vessel after seven of their colleagues tested positive for Covid-19, including the cook.

The drama started on June 25 when a Russian crew member tested positive and four days later, another three members were struck down as well.

The vessel, which belongs to the Oceana group, had been fishing in international waters between Gqeberha and St Francis but despite the seven positive cases, crew members claim they had to continue working.

The Saturday Star was inundated with messages from crew and concerned family members this past week highlighting concerns for their safety and what they say is Oceanas lax approach to the situation on board the vessel.

Crew members claim they wrote a letter (in possession of the Saturday Star) to Oceana management on June 29 asking for them to be offloaded and for the vessel to be cleaned thoroughly. They claim their pleas fell on deaf ears and that the captain of the Desert Diamond refused to share their letter with management at Oceana.

We have all been in contact with the people who tested positive, especially the cook, said a crew member who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Crew members also claim that a National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) vessel sailed out to collect a Russian and South African crew member who had tested positive. Attempts by this newspaper to confirm this with the South African Ports Authority went unanswered.

By Friday, the vessel, with 97 crew members on board, made its way to Cape Town to offload and place in quarantine some of the crew while others remained on board and continued working.

The Food and Allied Workers Union, in a letter to Oceana, expressed serious concern and dissatisfaction regarding workers at sea who have been quarantined on board the Desert Diamond.

Fawu spokesperson, Zolani Mbanjwa said their concerns also went unanswered.

When we wrote to management of Desert Diamond on June 5, we did so in the interest of our members because we were unclear about Oceana Group Covid-19 protocol. And today, we find ourselves even more confused after three employees of Desert Diamond contracted the virus and operations simply continue seemingly unaffected by the requirement to isolate and return to port for sanitisation, he said.

Mbanjwa went on to say: It must be noted that quarantine is a restriction on the movement of people, which is intended to prevent the spread of disease. This is not quarantine and we therefore respectfully request that you urgently release these employees to go home up until you get a proper quarantine in place where there is no movement of contractors from outside.

Fawu said it believes that the current Covid-19 protocols in place on board the vessel is inadequate and called upon the leadership of the Oceana Group to immediately ensure that the infected workers are discharged from the vessel and placed in quarantine and that the Desert Diamond is returned to port and temporarily shut down for sanitisation until its declared safe.

Oceana Group executive: Corporate Affairs, Zodwa Velleman said the company ensures that stringent health and safety remain in place. The Covid-19 protocols are well established as per international guidelines subscribed to and supported by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and regulatory authorities.

Despite the company saying it has a 14-day on board protocol in place, crew said the infected members were whisked off while they were forced to remain on board.

The Group has pro-actively managed the three positive cases reported aboard the Desert Diamond. The asymptomatic crew members who have tested positive have been medically evacuated and are in quarantine on-shore, said Velleman.

Oceana did not respond to questions about the NSRIs involvement and when, where and by whom the vessel was cleaned, as it claimed.

Velleman said all crew members on board the vessel were tested on June 28 and 29 and all tested negative. The Saturday Star has since learnt that another crew member tested positive.

This is also the same vessel that was stuck in international waters just outside Cape Town when the pandemic first struck in 2020. Back then, South African crew members claimed their international colleagues were given preferential treatment. Oceana denied that claim.

The South African Maritime Safety Authoritys (Samsa) Tebogo Ramatjie said: Samsa is aware of the situation on board the Desert Diamond and is in constant communication with the owners and other affected parties. Arrangements are being made to allow the vessel to come into the port in Cape Town taking into consideration appropriate Covid-19 protocols.

Samsa also could not confirm if the company broke any rules by allowing the crew to remain on the boat.

The Saturday Star

See the rest here:

Covid-19 drama on the high seas as Oceana fishing vessel crew members test positive for coronavirus - Independent Online

Norwegian emigration, part 4

Although the Norwegian emigrant voyages to North America, as covered last week, were rife with misery, there were also pleasant and even celebratory experiences on board in the mid-to-late 1800s. When weather permitted, the passengers were usually up on deck for routine duties while there were might also be games and dancing. Some skippers allowed and maybe also encouraged all sorts of entertainment. Other ship captains forbid them. When the seas were too calm, the sailing captain of the Tegner thought dancing might bring favorable winds. So out came the fiddles for polkas, waltzes and Norwegian country dances,

The first few days of sailing were often pleasant, but the rolling and tossing on the high seas soon brought seasickness to those not accustomed to ocean travel. But when the weather allowed, there could be games, races, wrestling and dancing up on deck as well as routine cooking, cleaning and laundry.

Voyages often began in the spring, and the Norwegian national holiday of Syttende Mai (May 17) was celebrated at sea. Out in the Atlantic, we had a jolly encounter one time, said an old seaman on a cargo ship. We had a couple of rounds of brandy, and the flag was hoisted, and then we see a big frigate ship sailin handsome on a northwest course. The Norwegian flag was flyin, they was singin on board, and the skipper swung the wheel around so we come real near. And Ill be jiggered if it wasnt the frigate ship Norway that was carryin emigrants to Quebec There was a big jubilee goin on aboard, we could see they was walkin in a procession on the deck, a-wearin their national costumes Ill tell you our signal flags went up in a hurry, we shouted and roared hurrah, while all the emigrants come over to the rail of the Norway.

The Storting (supreme legislature of Norway) took its time but eventually did seek to improve conditions on emigrant vessels. In 1845, it rejected a bill guaranteeing emigrant passengers a minimum amount of space on board as well as a number of other health regulations. Instead, it was the destination nations, the United States and Canada, that took the legislative lead in limiting the number of passengers. But Norwegian skippers were not often cooperative, since it was more profitable to crowd paying passengers on board. The number of overcrowded ships may have actually increased as the demand for space was growing. The death rate increased on Norwegian ships in the late 1850s.

In the early 1860s, Canadian authorities threatened to impound Norwegian ships that arrived with too many passengers, and they demanded that Norwegian authorities provide a medical examination of emigrants before they were allowed to board in Norway. This pressure led the Norwegian Ministry of the Interior to propose a bill in 1863 to regulate passenger traffic to other continents. This time, the law was adopted as the government of Norway finally assumed the obligation to protect vulnerable emigrants.

Only one part of a life-changing journey ended when emigrant ships docked in the cities of New York and Quebec. Before Ellis Island was opened in 1892, the first immigration department in New York (initiated in 1855) was Castle Garden at the end of Staten Island. Immigration doctors would board the ship to determine whether you appeared to be sufficiently healthy in body and sound in mind. If either was questioned, one might be sent to Ward Island in the East River for further examination.

Once on their own back on land, the immigrants were often vigorously approached by runners who might grab their baggage and promise to take the newcomers to a lodging house. However, some would spend the first night or few on the streets, sleeping under carts or whatever structural recess they could locate.

The perilous, unpredictable ocean voyage was just one portion of the emigration journey. Hopefully, this port-city interlude would be brief, since the intended destination most often the agricultural land in the upper midwest might be a thousand miles or more away. Arrangements had to be made for transportation over land or more water or both. That will be the subject next week.

Here is the original post:

Peering at the Past Dancing on deck, legislation and their first night in America - Fillmore County Journal

11 a.m. Tuesday advisory on Tropical Storm Elsa. Graphic: National Weather Service

Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to weaken to a depression Thursday when it approaches and moves across central and eastern North Carolina, according to a 6 a.m. briefing from the National Weather Service office in Morehead City.

Despite weakening, impacts are expected to be felt across the eastern part of the state Thursday into Thursday evening. No warnings or watches are in effect for North Carolina but that may change soon, according to the National Weather Service.

Gov. Roy Cooper and state emergency management officials alerted the public Tuesday morning that Tropical Storm Elsa is being monitored and advises residents in eastern and central North Carolina to be prepared for significant rains and possible flooding.

Residents and visitors to North Carolina should keep a close watch on the forecast for this storm, said Cooper in a statement. Its important that everyone be aware and prepared for rains, and its also important to avoid driving through floodwaters.

Tropical Storm Elsa is about 65 miles west-northwest of Key West, Florida, and about 215 miles south of Tampa, Florida. Maximum sustained winds are 60 miles per hour and is moving north-northwest at 10 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Centers 11 a.m. Tuesday update.

Elsa is expected to move northward Tuesday and Tuesday night, with a turn toward the north-northeast Wednesday, followed by a faster northeastward by late Thursday. On the forecast track, Elsa will continue to pass near the Florida Keys Tuesday morning, and move near or over portions of the west coast of Florida later Tuesday through Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning, Elsa is forecast to make landfall along the north Florida Gulf coast and then move across the southeastern United States through Thursday.

The State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh activated Thursday to monitor the storm.

Small changes in the forecast track of a tropical system can mean big changes in storm impacts and rainfall amounts, said state Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry. Thats why close attention to the forecast for your area is important.

There could be 1 to 3 inches of rain, with isolated totals up to 5 inches across the eastern half of the state Wednesday evening through Thursday night that can lead to areas of flash flooding. Elsa is expected to quickly progress through the state at around 20 mph, which should limit the threat of prolonged heavy rainfall, according to Coopers office.

Gusty winds and isolated tornadoes will be possible Wednesday night through Thursday night. While Elsa is currently forecast to be a strong tropical depression with sustained winds of 35 mph as it tracks across North Carolina, a risk of tropical storm conditions remains across the eastern half of the state late Wednesday night through Thursday evening, especially along the coast.

Strong winds could also lead to large seas, dangerous rip currents, and hazardous marine conditions late Wednesday through Thursday night. While significant storm surge is not expected, minor coastal flooding will be possible depending on the exact track and intensity of Elsa, according to Coopers office.

The staff of the National Weather Service office in Morehead City warns residents and visitors that heavy rain with localized flash flooding, gusty winds up to tropical storm strength, isolated severe storms including tornadoes, and high surf and strong rip currents are all threats.

The NWS also urges those in the path of the storm to be sure their information is from reputable sources such as the National Weather Service, state and local government officials, and local broadcast media.

The Cooper administration urges North Carolina residents to:

For more information on how to ensure your family is disaster ready, go toReadyNC.org, which features traffic, power outage and shelter information.Also, check to see ifyour local community offers an emergency alert service for its residents.

More here:

Elsa expected to weaken before crossing central, eastern NC - Coastal Review Online

Often, we see organizations like the Roy L. Boyce VFW Post #650 (Veterans of Foreign Wars) at events such as parades and as sponsors of Little League teams and have no idea of the day to day work it requires to keep an organization like that running. Quartermaster Ron Ferguson and member Alan Bowers and Florence Copeland have now made sure the VFW history, and meeting minutes from 1921 to the present day have been preserved. Alan Bowers edited the book, titled The VFW 100 Year History, Ferguson served as researcher and proofreader for the book and Florence Copeland was assistant proofreader for the book.

The post was chartered on Jan. 6, 1921, celebrating its 100th anniversary on June 6 this year, in a ceremony where Athol VFW Commander Leo Barber and Post Quartermaster Ron Ferguson received a citation celebrating the Athol Post milestone from the National Chapter presented by the Massachusetts VFW Officers including Massachusetts VFW State Commander Russell Jobe, and VFW State Surgeon, Jody Freitas. The post also received a congratulatory certificate from the state of Massachusetts provided through State Rep. Susannah Whipps office.

The Athol VFW was started by World War I veterans who wanted to maintain their American Legion membership while also becoming a member of a VFW Post. These soldiers, he said, had served in a variety of locations including France, the Philippines, Siberia and on the high seas near Cuba. Over the years, Ferguson said, As the wars came along, we had other veterans join the organization, Ferguson said. The first commander of the post was Everett L. Thomas.

The Athol VFW post is named for Roy L. Boyce, who received the Silver Star for gallantry in action in Seichetrey, France. After declining to take shelter during heavy shell fire, Boyce was mortally wounded on April 13, 1918. Boyces Gold Star parents also became honorary members of the VFW.

In the early days, The VFW held meetings in the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Hall at 466 Main St. and then the post met at the Lithuanian Club. Currently, they meet at the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Hall on Pine Street.

Bowers said he became involved in the book at a planning discussion of the 100th anniversary at a previous VFW meeting. When they were discussing what should be done to mark the anniversary, Bowers asked to review the meeting minutes from previous years and it was then decided to put the minutes together in a book, according to Bowers.

Along with meeting minutes, the book also includes included lists of commanders from the 1921 to the present day as well as the posts early history. In between the recordings of the local meeting minutes, Bowers also noted what was happening nationally at the time. As on April 12, 1921, when nationally Warren Harding rejected an invitation to join the League of Nations, Ferguson said. The book also has two pages at the end, according to Bowers, which documents the 100th anniversary ceremony held on June 6. The minutes of the VFW are not complete with the minutes from the 1948-1982 meetings missing. The VFW is always willing to accept any notes or other items associated with the VFW.

Among the community projects the VFW is involved in include participating in Memorial and Veterans Day events and parades with other local Veterans organizations. These veterans also participate in the annual River Rat parade. The VFW also support the VFW Little League team in Athol and provides funding for one of the canoe trophies during the annual River Rat Race, Ferguson said.

The post always welcomes Veterans of Foreign Wars from Athol, Orange and other North Quabbin towns without a post. One time in our heyday in the early 90s we had over 300 members. We now have about 35 members, said Ferguson. Membership is open to all veterans who have served in war zones or, in the case of the Navy and Coast Guard, within 300 miles of a war zone for more than 30 days.

Of the 10 books published, one has been donated to the Orange Historical Society, another is planned to be donated to the Athol Historical Society and several will be kept at the VFW Meeting Hall and can be viewed there. A copy of the book is also housed at the VFW office at the State House in Boston. More information about joining VFW Post #650 can be found by contacting Ferguson at 978-798-8035.

Carla Charter is a freelance writer from Phillipston. Her writing focuses on history with a particular interest in the history of the North Quabbin area.

Excerpt from:

A Page from North Quabbin History: Documenting the history of the Roy Boyce VFW Post #650 - Athol Daily News

Southern Water discharged enormous volumes of raw sewage into protected coastal waters for nearly six years causing very considerable environmental damage because it was cheaper than treating it, a court has heard.

This was the worst case brought by the Environment Agency in its history, the court was told. Southern Water had acted deliberately and had reaped considerable financial advantage by allowing the discharges.

The Environment Agencys biggest ever investigation uncovered how the privately owned company dumped untreated sewage into seas that were home to shellfish beds and were supposed to be some of the most protected marine environments in the country.

Andrew Marshall, appearing at the sentencing hearing for the regulator, told Canterbury crown court that Southern Water, which is ultimately under the control of Greensands Holdings, opened storm tanks to release raw sewage into coastal waters in north Kent and the Solent to increase its own financial benefits. The company, also allowed storm tanks to be kept full and to turn septic, instead of putting millions of litres of raw sewage through the treatment process as required by law.

In one wastewater treatment plant, Millbrook, outside Southampton, the equivalent of 371 Olympic-sized swimming pools of sewage or 746m litres, were released into Southampton water in four years and eight months.

The company charges its customers for treating wastewater and they are required by legislation to properly treat that wastewater, said Andrew Marshall.

But at 17 wastewater treatment plants the company chose to discharge raw sewage to the environment, mainly coastal waters, and it was doing that because it was a far cheaper alternative than to properly treat it.

The companys illegal dumping of raw sewage into waters that were home to shellfish beds was discovered after the quality of shellfish on the north Kent and south coast plummeted because of high levels of faecal contamination and failed to meet quality standards.

What was happening, Marshall said, took place between 2010 and 2015, was deliberate and was known about at corporate level.

It was known about and permitted at at a high level in the company, was brought about deliberately, by a deliberate lack of control and investment and ... has caused very considerable environmental damage by the release of raw sewage into coastal waters, he said.

Southern Water, whose operating profit in the year 2019/20, the court heard, was 213m, has pleaded guilty to 51 counts of knowingly permittingentry to coastal waters of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter and/or waste matter and/or sewage effluent, namely untreated sewage otherwise than as authorised by an environmental permit.

The investigation was the largest in the 25-year history of the agency. It was the result of long-running inquiries into environmental damage in the seas off north Kent and Southampton, particularly the contamination of shellfish with faecal bacteria.

The dumping of sewage took place along the north Kent coast, which includes Whitstable and Herne Bay, where multiple environmental protections are in place covering the marine environment. It stretched along the Solent, between Southampton and Chichester, waters which are also covered by protected water status. Both areas were home to shellfish beds, which as a result of the contamination were slapped with bans or made unviable because of the faecal bacteria levels, the court heard.

As well as dumping sewage into the sea, Southern Water failed to report its illegal discharges to the agency, leaving investigators searching for other sources before their criminal inquiry led them to 17 wastewater treatment plants. There was a degree of puzzlement because there was nothing reported from Southern Water, Marshall said.

Marshall said: Clear themes of corporate offending were revealed ... known faults not being addressed, lack of funding to maintain and improve infrastructure at sites

The facts reveal long-term corporate knowledge of the situation. It was not some site worker who was making a decision by themselves ... this was company held knowledge that has revealed the worst case brought by the Environment Agency in its history.

The result of the long period of pollution of coastal waters was very considerable environmental damage, and financial harm to the community and an industry attempting to provide sustainable food for the future, the court heard.

For Southern Water the criminal activity reaped them considerable financial benefit, the court heard.

Marshall said: It (Southern Water) is paid for treating sewage ... every consumer has to pay. What it was doing was avoiding the cost of these operations that it was being paid to carry out ...

It did not pay for the maintenance and repair of its equipment or the improvements necessary. It under-reported its performance. There has been considerable financial advantage to the company ... It was being paid for something it was not doing.

The investigation found that at the 17 sites there were 10,741 discharges of raw sewage, 78% of which (8,400) were illegal.

The prosecution is focusing on 6,971 unpermitted discharges of raw sewage to the environment, which amounted to 61,704 hours of releases, or a duration of seven years.

At the Eastchurch wastewater treatment works investigators found a sheet of board had been put into the system to stop wastewater flowing into the treatment section of the plant. Instead raw sewage was collected in storm tanks and dumped into the environment.

Storm tanks that were supposed to be emptied after high flow through the system were kept full, which meant they released more toxins into the sea when they were discharged. The treatment works were being deliberately run at less than half their proper capacity of treating waste water, the court heard.

Southern Water was in court for the sentencing hearing, which is expected to last several days.

Here is the original post:

Southern Water dumped raw sewage into sea for years - The Guardian