PCO News Articles

Folder with the actual articles. Site displays a smart folder with the contents of this folder...

PCO Website live!!! — by admin — last modified 2008-03-15 17:44

The PCO's website is now online. Feel free to register (free) in order to take full advantage of the site.

Chile to create Antarctic Museum — by admin — last modified 2008-03-15 18:18

It will be the first Antarctic Museum in the world. According to local media, Chile plans to build the museum in the southern city of Punta Arenas facing the Strait of Magellan.

Russian first deputy premier in Antarctica — by admin — last modified 2008-03-15 18:24

It is the first high-profile Russian visit to Antarctica. He and his party will inspect the runway at Russia's Novolazarevskya polar station. He will also inspect the Global Navigation Satellite System.

Arctic Winter Games closes in Yellowknife — by admin — last modified 2008-03-16 14:28

On the 10th of March 2000 young people from all over the Arctic gathered to the 20th Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife Canada.

Massive iceberg split — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-03-17 11:15

The Envisat's Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) sensor captured the splitting of the massive A53A iceberg, just east of the South Georgia Island in the southern Atlantic Ocean.

Sabotage prevents whaling quota — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-03-17 11:15

With the whaling season drawing to a close, Japanese whalers are trying to make the most of it by catching as many whales as possible. They have barely achieved half their quota.

Iceberg in rainbow colours — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-03-19 12:40

Icebergs are white, or at least some shades of white and grey right ?! Wrong ! A Norwegian sailor did not believe his eyes when he spotted this "rainbow" iceberg.

Baby whale sounds — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-03-20 16:25

Humpback whales are known for their beautiful singing. Now, researchers from the Cetos Research Organization have evidence that it not only the adult whales that chant.

Call to respect the international global moratorium — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-03-20 16:26

Australia's Environment Minister Peter Garrett is urging whaling countries, such as Iceland and norway, to respect the international global moratorium on whaling.

Cargo airlifted to the Arctic — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-03-20 16:26

An Russian Il-76 Candid military transport aircraft has completed delivering personnel and equipment to a drifting polar station in the North Pole.

Antarctic Sun Articles, Week March 17th, 2008 — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-03-21 10:04

News articles from the Antarctic Sun, week commencing March 17th February 2008

Paul Watson honoured — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-03-21 10:04

The Conservation Organisation Sea Shepherd's founder, Paul Watson, was honoured for his work protecting whales yesterday in Queensland Australia

Seal hunters drown in accident — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-01 10:22

Three seal hunters were killed and one hunter is still missing. The accident happened last Saturday when their boad capsized in the ice-covered Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Chopper crash in Arctic claims three — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-01 10:21

Three people died and two were seriously injured when a Russian helicopter crashed in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard in the Arctic today. There were nine people on board.

Polar Bear alert in north Newfoundland — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-01 10:21

The 600 pound polar bear was spotted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police helicopter patrol about 15 km outside the town of St. Anthony on Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula.

"Doc" Thurston dies, age 70 — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-01 10:21

He was one of 12 crewmembers on the original Greenpeace campaign. Lyle Thurston died of pneumonia last week at the age of 70 in Victoria, BC, Canada.

Seeking answers to Gondwanaland mystery — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-01 10:16

There once was a supercontinent called Gondwanaland. The present continents of South America, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica and the subcontinent of India were once part of it.

Activist's conflict in Gulf of St Lawrence — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-05 12:30

After a successful anti-whaling campaign in the Antarctic waters, the militant Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has declared war on the Canadian seal hunters.

Icebreaker to study seals — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-05 12:30

An icebreaker that is based in Seattle, the “Polar Sea” will be studying seals in the Arctic for a period of two months. The ship is on its way now.

Law is on Australia's side — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-05 12:29

Australia is not doing anything illegal when they are enforcing the ban on whaling in its Antarctic waters. They are not threatening any international co-operation in the region.

Polar Bear VS global warming — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-05 12:28

Barbara Boxer, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, accusses the Bush administration of putting the polar bear population at risk because of oil lease sales.

Legendary plane flying to the North Pole — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-05 12:28

It is a historical Czechoslovak-made plane, the L-200 Morava, built in the 1950s. The two pilots, also Czech, want to fly the plane to the North Pole.

Seal fur for £5 — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-08 09:45

The International Fund for Animal Welfare said that thousands of seal pups are being clubbed to death so their fur can be sold for as little as £5 each. There also seems to be little interest in the meat.

Beached whale rescued — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-08 09:46

One Pygmy Sperm whale was saved, but another one had to be shot. Rescue workers of Himatangi Beach on New Zealand's North Island's west coast battled heavy surf for seven hours.

Indian Navy team close to North Pole — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-09 16:57

The Indian Navy team, consisting of 10 members, are in the process to become the first Indians to have skied to both the North Pole and Antarctica.

Two Makah tribal members convicted — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-09 16:57

The two Makah tribal members that were involved in the unsanctioned kill of a Gray whale last September have been convicted of conspiracy to violate the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Nordic clash over whaling — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-10 14:01

The Nordic, Swedish and Baltic government leaders have been meeting in Northern Sweden for top-level discussions. Sweden openly criticized Iceland and Norway for refusing to sign the global ban on whaling.

Whale sanctuary of Chilean coast a possibility — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-11 14:43

In June, Chile is hosting this year's annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission. It is very likely that President Bachelet will endorse the proposal to declare Chile's coastline a whale sactuary.

15- Year old skied to the North Pole — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-14 12:21

Camilla Hempleman-Adams, a 15 year old schoolgirl, became the youngest British woman to ski to the North Pole. Although she is proud of her achievement, she can't wait to get home - to a pizza.

More interest in Artic Council — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-14 12:22

Various countries, even those outside the circumpolar North have been showing an interest in northern issues. Now China has become the first non-Arctic observer nation from outside Europe.

Japanese Whalers return home — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-15 11:51

The Japanese whaling fleet is reaching their home port again today after catching only about half their quota of whales. It is the end of a five month voyage for the mother ship Nisshin Maru.

Tibetan flag at the North Pole — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-16 13:16

Norwegian skier Inge Solheim, who arranges polar trips with the "Borderland" organization, skied to the North Pole to raise the Tibetan flag.

Japan to consider legal action — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-16 13:17

The Japanese are planning to probe the attacks by the Sea Shepherd during their whaling season, and will decide whether to take legal action.

End of whaling or raising meat price — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-16 13:17

This hunting season, the Japanese whalers did not meet their quota, which is costing them lots of money. This is giving environmentalists the hope that an end of whaling is in sight.

Winter descends on Antarctica — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-17 22:46

Two scientists from New Zealand had enough of the cold. They spent the last eight weeks in temperatures of minus-40 degree in Antarctica in make shift camps. Now they are returning home.

Arctic is being plundered of fish — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-17 22:46

Illegal fishing has always been a problem in the oceans and seas. It is a pervasive and hugely profitable thing. Especially the illegal fishing for Atlantic cod and Alaska pollock is becoming a huge problem.

Wind farms in Antarctica — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-18 13:43

After Australia, who already operate a wind farm at its Antarctic science station, New Zealand is planning to build a small wind farm at its Scott Base science station.

More time needed to decide on Polar Bear status — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-21 10:53

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said it needs more time to decide whether polar bears should be listed as threatened or endangered species.

Dogs to help with hunting down rabbits — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-22 14:50

There has been a rabbit plague on Macquarie Island, which is supposed to be a sanctuary for penguins, seals and rare sea birds. Now, dogs will be brought in to solve this problem.

Norway tops polar research articles — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-22 14:50

Although it is not the biggest country that does polar research, it surely has one of the world’s best competence in that area. They are even topping Russia.

Square off over polar bear quotas — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-22 14:50

It is government wildlife scientists against Inuit hunters this week as the decision will be made on how many polar bears the Inuit will be allowed to kill.

Decision on Beluga whales delayed — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-23 11:40

The decision on listing the Cook Inlet beluga whales has been delayed for another 6 months as it will give the Agency time to do another population estimate on the whales that swim off Anchorage.

Canada draws territorial claim — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-28 14:30

Canada sent a team of 25 scientists into the arctic regions to help the country set its boundaries in the North. They are looking for scientific evidence for a claim.

Conservation talks in Nunavut — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-28 14:30

Two meetings are being held this week in Canada's North. The focus of the meetings will be the consideration for protection for several species, amongst them the Polar bear.

Graphic images to secure an EU ban — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-28 14:30

Graphic images were used by a coalition of animal rights groups to stir up emotions. They try to secure a European Union ban on seal products.

Polar bear not endangered — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-28 14:30

A Canadian advisory panel decided: The Polar bear might be in trouble, but it is not endangered or threatened with extinction. It got the classification "special concern".

Arctic Nations To Meet On Territorial Claims — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-04-28 14:31

The five Arctic nations are set to meet in May in Greenland to discuss territorial claims in the Arctic. The officials will be the foreign ministers.

Russia and USA agree on Arctic LNG — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-01 05:46

The Russian and USA Authorities have agreed to jointly elaborate classification rules for tankers shipping Liquified Natural Gas in Arctic waters.

New sponge species discovered — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-01 05:46

With the use of state-of-the-art manned submarines it was possible to explore the world's deepest underwater canyons on the Bering Sea floor resulting in an interesting discovery

Scouting Seals — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-01 05:47

Australian scientists have tagged Weddell seals and used them to explore the deep ocean around Antarctica. They were able to reveal important new data such as the changing of the world's oceans.

Defrosting a giant squid — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-01 05:47

In New Zealand, the scientists are defrosting a 500 kg giant squid that was hauled from Antarctica's icy waters in February last year by fishermen. It is the largest squid ever found.

Seal tries to mate with penguin — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-05 19:43

The scientists who witnessed this bizarre incident had never seen something like this before ! A Fur seal was trying to have sex with a King penguin ! They were able to catch it on camera.

All Antarctic ship operators belong to IAATO — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-05 19:43

The latest International Association of Antarctic Operators general assembly was a great success A more agile membership structure is in place and now, all Antarctic ship operators belong to IAATO.

White house blocked plans to protect whales — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-05 19:43

Documents were leaked that indicate that the White House blocked plans to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The documents came from vice president Dick Cheney's office.

The decline of the caribou — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-06 16:26

Another victim of the climate change is the Peary caribou. The animals having a hard time finding food in the frozen tundra of the north.

Polar Bear ultimatum for Bush — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-12 10:07

The Bush government was ordered by a federal judge to decide by the 15. May whether polar bears should be listed as a threatened species because of global warming.

Giant squid was starving — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-12 10:07

Scientists that defrosted the world's largest known colossal squid last week are examining the creature and the first find is that the animal was starving as it had nothing in its stomach.

No decline in DDT levels in Adelie penguin — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-12 10:07

Although reports have claimed the opposite, new measurements have shown that DDT levels in Antarctic Adelie penguins have remained constant since the 1970's.

Busy Arctic season for Nunavut centre — by Kris Molle — last modified 2008-05-12 10:08

The International Polar Year research will make it one of the busiest years for Canada's North. More than 1,000 researchers from around the world plan to come to Nunavut.

Migaloo and his kind starte