By Mera McGrew
Roz Savage and Andrew Morris, two British ocean rowers, were planning to set off on a record-setting voyage across the Northern Atlantic this week. However, fragmented icebergs and unusual amounts of ice have forced the ocean-rowing duo to cancel their expedition.
Savage released a statement saying, “The chances of hitting ice — and the serious consequences of a punctured hull in freezing North Atlantic waters — meant that the risk to our safety was simply unacceptable.“ Morris commented, “we came here to do something inspiring, not something stupid.”
Savage, 44, and Morris, 47, had teamed up to become the first male-female team to cross the North Atlantic, test themselves physically and mentally, arrive in London for the beginning of the 2012 Olympic games, and also to raise awareness for environmental issues.…

In November 2011, the Australian government proposed the establishment of the world’s largest marine protected area in the waters of the Coral Sea, off the Eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. The proposed Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve will cover approximately 385,000 square miles (989,842 square kilometers).
The proposal would forbid oil and gas extraction as well as ban fishing equipment that destroys seafloor habitats. The proposal represents an important step towards proper protection. However, protections need to be stronger. The government’s plan is for a multi-use marine reserve, with only two reefs out of 25 in the Coral Sea set to receive full protection. Higher-level protection is needed to ensure the current levels of biodiversity persist and the fragile ecosystems remain intact long-term.…