SGC Admin News and views

Bulefin Tuna: Numbers are dwindling: David Suzuki

FYI From Science Matters by David Suzuki:

Visit The David Suzuki Foundation  for all things planet friendly. Find out what you can do. ☺

“The bluefin tuna is large, fast, tasty, and rare. For those reasons, it’s highly prized by both commercial and sports fishers. The Atlantic bluefin often sells for more than $1,000 a kilogram. That’s pushed the fish even closer to the brink of extinction.

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada recently recommended that the western Atlantic population of bluefin tuna be listed as endangered. The bluefin joins salmon, rockfish, sharks, loggerhead sea turtles, Atlantic cod, and many others on the list of at-risk marine species in Canada. Fishing was identified as a key factor in the decline of all these species. Sadly, government and industry appear to be in denial. “Our Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery is the best-managed fishery of its kind in the world today,” a Department of Fisheries and Oceans official said in response to the recommendation.

An industry representative claimed that listing bluefin tuna under Canada’s Species at Risk Act would be “just another nail in the coffin” for Atlantic fishermen. DFO opinion regarding the bluefin tuna fishery is featured on its “Sustainable Fish and Seafood” web page, with links to a series of government-funded promotional videos on the tuna. The bluefin that visit Canadian waters during summer are primarily large, mature fish that spawn in the Gulf of Mexico in May. They are caught mostly around Prince Edward Island and southwest Nova Scotia. Recent estimates show the population of spawning bluefin at around 66,000, the lowest on record, down from more than 265,000 in the 1970s.

The U.S. also targets these fish, but the government there at least admits on its website that bluefin is overfished. The U.S. is considering listing it as endangered under its Endangered Species Act. The Americans have also made other moves to protect the fish. A fishery that targets other species but that hooks bluefin tuna incidentally as bycatch must use “weak hooks” that straighten when a large bluefin is caught, allowing it to escape. Ironically, while the U.S. government is trying to figure out ways to let large bluefins escape and survive, the Canadian government is creating videos that promote capturing them.”

For the rest of this article please visit David’s Blog.

SGC Admin News and views

Outdoor Potting Soil A Fire Hazard??

Gosh who would have thought it?? Potting soil, yep the dirt we use to plant our flowers and veg with can be dangerous.

According to Whitby Fire and Emergency Services, certain types of potting soil combined with dry planters can ignite catching on fire. The risk is increased for deck and patio (balcony?) fires during July and August, as these are generally the hottest and driest times of summer. Planters in these locations can dry out quickly becoming a potential fire hazard.

Remember to have someone check and water your outdoor plants and planters when you go away during the summer months… ☺

Whitby fire prevention officer Terry VonZuben educates us with his statement.

“Today’s potting soil and fertilizers contain less dirt and more organic matter like shredded wood, bark, peat moss, styrofoam and vermiculite. These Substances are combustible if allowed to dry out. Ensure this soil type is kept hydrated. For plants requiring direct sunlight, choose an alternative soil such as triple mix”

Mr VonZuben also advises NOT to use planters as ashtrays, cigarettes can cause the combustibles to ignite. 

For safety tips please visit www.whitby.ca/fire

Source: Whitby This Week May 12th Edition.

SGC Admin Product for sale

Button: Out of Mind….!!!

 

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wear it on those days when life is just too much and you honestly feel as though at any moment you really could go out of your mind… ☺

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Please email us if you are interested in this product.

SGC Admin Recipes and Tips

Natural Wellness Solutions: Recipe :)

Lemons and Limes are good for us they are full of vitamin C and here are a couple of fabulous ways to get them into your diet, thanks to Natural Wellness Solutions.

As of  this posting, Serenity’s Gift Cove personnel haven’t tried either one, but the summer on its way and we are thinking that both would do well at bbq’s. :) Enjoy

 

Lemon/Lime Recipes

 
 

 
10 Minute Lime Coconut Cooler
This creamy refreshing beverage is wonderful with any of your favorite Asian recipes.
1 cup canned coconut milk (not fat)
1/4 cup lime juice
1/3 cup mint leaves
4 tbsp. honey
2 cups crushed ice
 
Place all ingredients, except the ice in a blender and run on medium speed until the honey dissolves, about 1 minute. Add ice and blend on medium speed until it has the consistency of shaved ice. Pour into two chilled glasses and serve garnished with mint.
 

Quick Lemon Sauce
A versatile sauce that is quick and easy to prepare and complements many types of fruits!
3 tbsp. creamy honey
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon zest
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl, then spoon over fresh fruit or low-fat yogurt.
Use organic products when possible.

SGC Admin Eco News, Events: Present and Upcoming

Eco Friendly ideas for Earth day and everyday…..

April 22 is fast approaching. This is Earth Day, celebrated by many by cleaning up parks and neighbourhoods from the debris left over after the winter.

Spring is a fabulous time of year, with sprouts coming up and buds popping out on the trees, but it is also an untidy time of the year as we see the garbage that has been blown about and left unattended over the winter months, being buried and forgotten by the snow.

At this time of the year our behaviour and the way we treat our planet (our home) is more evident to me, as I see the coffee cups, cigarette packs, plastic bags and garbage strewn all over the place. I realize just how much many of us take for granted our blessed way of life. Why is it o.k. to chuck our garbage out of the car window or drop it on the streets as we walk? It’s not o.k. in my book, it’s lazy, shows bad manners and is rude, a complete lack of consideration for anyone else or for the wildlife that gets caught up in it all.

Plastic bags are really bad because they don’t break down like paper products do, and they can pose a threat to wildlife as they explore the bags and get caught up in them, sometimes causing suffocation. I applaud the church groups and all those who get out on Earth day and or the week during and pick up other people’s garbage and help make our streets clean again. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if people just learnt to take their garbage home with them and dispose of it properly?

And so as we celebrate this year, perhaps we should remind one another and our children that our neighbourhoods aren’t land fill sites, as I am reminded of the old saying “one should not sh–, where one eats”  ☺ it’s as simple as that.

The following information is from ivillage, please click on the link for each article and it will “transport” you to the ivillagewebsite where you can read the article in its entirety. Thanks for caring … ☺

Have a fabulous Earth Day… and as always we welcome your comments on this and all of our posts, simple click on the comment button at the top of this post and send us in your thoughts.Your email address remains confidential.

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