Tristan Holds Annual Sheep Shearing Day 2009
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass)
22.12.2009

The weather has been exceptionally bad this year with very few sunny days, so
the first break in the weather the opportunity was taken. Sheep Shearing is
normally held around the breakup for Christmas, which this year was on the 18th
December.



Tristan Enjoys St Mary's School Concert
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass)
22.12.2009

The annual school concert finally manage to be shown on Tuesday 15th December,
after being delayed by a fishing day the previous day, at which time the whole
community was involved in some way or another.

The concert "Beauty and the Beast" was witty and well accepted by all who
attended, there was also a number of songs by various children such as
"Alley-Alley -O" "Wealthy Merchant", "Home for Good", "The Yawning Man",
"Nothing", "Lets all have a Party", then ending with the whole school singing
"Lets have a Party".

After the concert had ended, the Education Adviser Jim Kerr gave a few words, as
is the island custom, where he congratulated the children and all those involved
for making the evening special.  He also expressed special thanks to Caroline
Rogers who would be retiring as a teacher in May 2010, for all she had
contributed to the school in the last +-30 years, as this concert would be her
last.  He also wished Maria Swain a trainee teacher for 9 years, who would be
moving to the PWD as a secretary in the New Year.

The evening ended by the school and those attending singing the national anthem

For all you coastal structure engineers out there, here is the survey done a few
years ago that resulted in the recent harbour repairs by the Royal Engineers:

http://ebooks.worldscinet.com/ISBN/9789814282024/9789814282024_0009.html

I'd like to wish members a very Happy New Year and encourage others to
participate more.  This is a discussion group, not a lecture.

Bob Conrich
In sunny Anguilla, British West Indies

Gough Island Eradication Project Report
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass)
24.12.2009
John Cooper, CORE Initiatives, South Africa tells us more.


Eradication of the introduced Procumbent Pearlwort Sagina procumbensat Gough
Island during September-October 2009 John Cooper, CORE Initiatives, South Africa
Eradication of alien Sagina continued on the coastal cliffs atTransvaal Bay,
Gough Island during the annual relief of the SouthAfrican weather station in
September-October 2009.

Activities wereundertaken under the auspices of the Tristan Conservation
Departmentwith funding and management provided by the Royal Society for
theProtection of Birds from the United Kingdom's Overseas Territories
Environment Programme. The 2009 Sagina relief team was led by John Cooper (CORE
Initiatives),assisted by Donovan Willis (Level-3 Rope Access
technician/trainer),and Dalton Gibbs (Biodiversity Management Branch, City of
Cape Town,asked to audit the eradication effort), Norman Glass (Tristan
Conservation Department) and the four RSPB field assistants, Henk Louwand Paul
Visser (Gough 54, 2008/09) and Graham Parker and KalinkaRexer-Huber (Gough 55,
2009/10), all six of whom have Level-1 Rope Access qualifications. A total of
114 rope-assisted descents was made over 13 working days,covering all sections
of the cliffs within and immediately outside thealien's known distribution.
Especial attention was given to surveyingcliffs never previously checked.

No further spread of Sagina wasfound outside its known distribution. Inspection
of areas previously stripped to bed rock suggested that thetechnique was working
in that no plants were found growing in areasactually stripped, nor in
accumulated piles of stripped material. Small numbers of young plants were found
in all previously-infestedareas, but not beyond them. Importantly, no plants
were seen duringexcursions to the island' interior. No flowering plants were
seen, but the few larger plants (up to palmsize) found at cryptic localities
(and thus overlooked) had likely setseed the previous summer. In the last two
days ashore, seedlings were noticed adjacent to the crane platform next to the
food store. The cracks and edges of the crane platform were then sprayed
withherbicide the day before departure.

As in recent annual reliefs, all plants found were removed mechanically using
paint scrapers or spades and the sites treated witha herbicide mixture (5% each
of Glyphosate and Outpace Flowable),using 1.5-l hand-held pressure sprayers.
Some areas at Snoekgat were experimentally treated with handfuls of coarse salt,
resulting in browning of the surrounding vegetation within a few days. Following
placement of a portable water pump and salt-water storage tank next to the
Snoekgat Pond approximately one-fifth of the infested area at Snoekgat was
stripped to bed rock using spades, mattocks and a high-pressure hose, with
stripped material being dumped into gullies.The stripped area was then treated
with salted water to reduce theremaining seed load and to kill the remaining
vegetation.

Fourteen 55-l "tote" boxes were filled with bagged Sagina and adhering soil
during the year and relief. These boxes were back-loaded to the ship and dumped
overboard three day's sailing from the island on the return voyage to South
Africa. Eradication efforts will continue throughout the year by the two RSPB
field workers who have remained on the island.

Tristan Science - Research and conservation activities at Inaccessible Island
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 19.12.2009

Peter Ryan & Rob Ronconi tell us about valuable research on Inaccessible Island.


We visited Inaccessible Island for two months in October-December 2009 to tackle
a number of conservation, monitoring and research questions. For Peter Ryan, it
was his tenth visit to the island, while for Rob Ronconi it was his first chance
to see where the Great Shearwaters he studies off the Canadian east coast breed.
After spending three weeks on Gough Island, we were landed at Blenden Hall by
the helicopter from the SA Agulhas. The hut was in fine shape, and with new
batteries installed for the two solar panels we were soon settled in and ready
to work. Our first task was to check the litter on the beaches, repeating
surveys dating back to 1984. Not surprisingly the amount of litter washing up
has increased, with some types of litter (such as plastic bottles and shoes)
increasing faster than others. As before, most comes from South America,
followed by oriental countries (presumably from their large fishing fleets
operating in the South Atlantic). We also checked the amount of plastic eaten by
seabirds by examining the pellets regurgitated by Skuas (Seahens). Compared to
previous years, there was a marked increase in plastic.


Our next job was to tackle the flax on Pig Beach Hill, which was missed when the
flax team in 2007 was stranded on Nightingale. This turned out to be a bigger
job than anticipated. On our first visit we killed 20 or so plants, but found
several more we didn't have time to deal with. Then when we returned, we found
some more, so what should have been an easy day became another epic. And then,
when we thought we'd got them all, we spotted a few more plants further up
Waterfall Valley, which necessitated another visit, and the discovery of yet
more plants, including one on the south side of Pig Beach Hill, overlooking
Harold's Plain. In the end we spent 4 days flaxing (not counting commuting days
to the camp at Denstone Hill), but we are now confident that few if any remain
on the plateau.


We also repeated surveys of alien plants around the island to check whether
their ranges are increasing. If nothing else, this is a great excuse to explore
the island. We found few changes in alien plants, although two new species were
discovered. Both were localised, and so measures were taken to eradicate them
from the island. The alien plant surveys also improved our knowledge of some of
the native species. For example, Pepper Trees Peperomia beteroana and the scarce
grass Agrostis trachylaena were found along the Twin Falls river above Cove
Rock. Both species previously were thought to be confined to the Waterfall
Valley. The Nightingale Brassbuttons Cotula moseleyi is now common along the
scarp edge between North Point and the East Road, suggesting it is a relatively
recent arrival from Nightingale Island.


The other big task started in October was the census of Spectacled Petrels or
Ringeyes. This repeated surveys made in 1999 and 2004, and showed that Ringeye
numbers continue to increase. We estimate at least 15,000 pairs now breed on the
island, compared to perhaps 10,000 pairs five years ago. Unfortunately, repeat
counts of Mollies and Sooties were less encouraging, with both species of
albatross having decreased by about 10% since 2004. In November, the Great
Shearwaters returned and Rob got stuck into monitoring a series of burrows
around the hut at Blenden Hall, while Peter spent most of his time chasing
buntings around Denstone Hill. At times we felt like the Stoltenhoff brothers,
with one on top of the island and the other at the bottom! However, we did get
together to deploy satellite tags onto Sooty Albatrosses, Ringeyes and Great
Shearwaters as part of a project funded by BirdLife International to better
understand the at-sea movements of seabirds threatened by longlining and other
fishing activities. Rob also put small depth recorders onto a few Great
Shearwaters. Although on most days they seldom dive to more than 10 metres, the
record dive was to 17 metres! We also checked the diet of breeding Skuas around
the island, and were able to confirm breeding by Great-winged Petrels when we
found a large chick in a Skua midden on Harold's Plain.


Despite the discovery of a few new alien plants on the island (which we
immediately attempted to eradicate), Inaccessible remains in good condition from
a conservation perspective. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and thank the
Island Council and Administrator for approving it. We are especially grateful to
the captain and crew of the Edinburgh and Tristan Conservation's Norman Glass
for getting us safely off the island on 1 December, and for our subsequent
visits to Nightingale, Alex and Stoltenhoff, where we were able to do some more
alien plant control work.


Peter Ryan & Rob Ronconi


----- ends -----


"Alex" refers to Alex Island, sometimes called Middle Island, located just north
of Nightingale.

Bob

"Last year I promised to visit Tristan early in 2009, but the demise
of HMS Endurance has forced me to delay that by a year
when I can come at last. I realise that the reintroduction of the
RMS visit in January 2011 means a great deal to the folk on
Tristan and I do hope that we can ensure that for the longer
term future.

"For Tristan there is the prospect of a new Administrator and
hopefully a recovery in the price of lobster. I must pay tribute
to David Morley. He has been a reforming Administrator who
has managed to work with his Council to carry out many wise
moves in a very sensitive situation. I will miss my telephone
conversations with him and I know that all who worked with
him will wish him well."

   --From St. Helena Governor Andrew Gurr's Christmas Message

And from Bishop John, who is displeased that some in London wish to remove the
reference to "Christian family values" from the Constitution of St. Helena,
Ascension and Tristan:

"The forces of the secular world and neocolonialism
seem to control us and we seem helpless and
unable to resist them. Our colonial masters have no regard
for our culture and even want to undermine our belief in "Christian
family values". We have a plethora of experts, advisors
or consultants who want to solve our problems using a culture
which is not ours. They seem to fail to see that although we
are British we are also St Helenian with a unique culture which
is part of our identity."

Tristan da Cunha in the News
Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 12.12.2009

Scientists have long recognized marine transport as a vector for exotic species
invasions. But relatively little attention has been given to the transport of
semi-submersible rigs - the installations that are used for oil drilling.

from Conservation Maven
an online hub for the conservation community

Ocean rigs as vectors for entire communities of invasive species
in Research Briefs | Dec 9, 2009




We present two studies* today evaluating boats as unintentional transporters for
invasive species. One study offers good news, the other bad. We start with the
bad...



Scientists have long recognized marine transport as a vector for exotic species
invasions. But relatively little attention has been given to the transport of
semi-submersible rigs - the installations that are used for oil drilling.



A case study from the remote island of Tristan de Cunha of the South Atlantic
shows that when these rigs are being hauled, they can carry virtually intact
reef communities with them from one place to another. This is what happened when
a decommissioned rig being transported from Brazil to Singapore had to be
abandoned at sea. Fisherman from the Tristan de Cunha found the structure washed
up on the island.



Ross Wanless and fellow scientists conducted an inventory and risk analysis of
the species transported with the rig. Tristan de Cunha like other remote islands
contains many endemic species and its ecological characteristics make it
particularly at risk to exotic species invasions. Invasive species and pathogens
they might carry could threaten the island's main source of income - fishing for
the Tristan rock lobster (Jasus tristani).



The scientists identified at total of 62 non-native taxa including corals,
barnacles, sponges, crustaceans, and the first records of free-swimming marine
finfish populations becoming established after unintentional movement. They also
searched for terrestrial organisms - the rig had dormitories and a kitchen with
half-eaten plates of food left out - and found live insects but no rodents.



Ultimately the rig was salvaged and disposed at a cost of $20 million. Most
frustrating is that this problem could have been avoided at much less cost to
the insurance company that had to food the bill. The authors write,





"It is recommended that as a basic precaution to prevent (or minimise) the
spread of invasive alien species associated with the movement of rigs
encrusting/biofouling organisms should be physically removed or otherwise killed
(e.g. by prolonged immersion in freshwater or exposure to air) immediately prior
to towing…This should be made standard practice for all pretowing contracts and,
given the extreme expenses demonstrated by this study, we expect that the
maritime insurance industry should become proactive in regulating this."




--Reviewed by Rob Goldstein

Wanless, R., Scott, S., Sauer, W., Andrew, T., Glass, J., Godfrey, B.,
Griffiths, C., & Yeld, E. (2009). Semi-submersible rigs: a vector transporting
entire marine communities around the world Biological Invasions DOI:
10.1007/s10530-009-9666-2

[The second study is not mentioned again in this Tristan Times article.  Bob]

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com [mailto:tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com]Im Auftrag von bobconrich
Gesendet: Sonntag, 6. Dezember 2009 00:32
An: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com
Betreff: [TdC] Volcanologist ends 3 month say on Tristan

 

Tristan Times
Volcanologist Visits Tristan da Cunha
December 5, 2009
by Sarah Glass [That's what it says]

Visit of Volcanologist to Tristan

Tristan da Cunha is an active volcano and a future eruption is inevitable. Knowing when, where and how large the next eruption will be is the aspiration of any volcanologist and is important for those living close to active volcanoes. Unfortunately, the complexities of nature often triumph over scientific knowledge, so volcanologists can only gather clues and use their training, modern scientific techniques and equipment to make a best estimate. In order to ensure estimates are based on the best available knowledge, volcanologists must conduct thorough geological studies on volcanoes. Since the Royal Society Expedition in 1962, there has been little geological fieldwork conducted on Tristan, so the opportunity to spend three months gathering data was an exciting and scientifically valuable prospect.

My arrival on the island was well-timed with the creation of the Tristan disaster preparedness plan. Preparing for a volcanic eruption encompasses a small element of the plan, which also takes into consideration the risk of and response to harbour damage, fire and storms. One of the major objectives of my project is to make a volcanic hazard assessment of the island. To complete this, I needed to collect rock samples and make observations from each of the old eruptive centres (e.g. Hillpiece, Frank's Hill, Stony Hill). I also felt it was imperative to understand the working practices on the island, so that the recommendations resulting from the hazard assessment will be appropriate and workable.

During my time on Tristan, I wanted to increase awareness of volcanic hazards and discuss what we know about Tristan's geology. As volcanology is currently taught at Class 3 and 4 for the Tristan Studies course, I thought it would be a great idea to talk to the children about my work and organise some field trips to bring the concepts to life. Tristan is a natural playground and offers excellent opportunities to study geology. Following my first presentation to the children, we took the whole class out in the barge for a tour around the island. Volcanic features such as Hillpiece and Burntwood are more instructional when viewed from the sea, so the tour gave the children the opportunity to see the features at close range and ask questions about the processes that gave rise to them. As we travelled around the island, the children counted lava flows at Stony Hill and pointed out the many routes that magma had taken as it travelled vertically through the island. Unfortunately, over half of the class could only enjoy the view for a short time as they quickly succumbed to sea sickness....

Fortunately, the next field trip did not require good sea legs – a hike up the 1961 lava dome! Since many of the children had never visited the dome before, it was a fantastic opportunity to allow them access to a feature that has loomed over them for their whole lives. Upon reaching the edge of the peripheral crater, I showed the children the digital thermometer I had been using to measure the temperature of the fumaroles. One by one, each child measured the temperatures of the fumaroles and noted the colourful encrustations and staining around the vents. The children went around to the pinnacle and recorded a maximum temperature of 44.3°C from a vent near the top. A short scramble later, we reached the summit of the dome and I pointed out the various features that we could see from this lofty vantage point. It was also an opportunity for the children to get a birds-eye view of the Settlement and they all scratched their names into the summit geyser (old wood-burning heater) as a reminder of the day.

Thanks to the generosity of the British Geological Survey (BGS), a simple seismometer has been left in the school which will allow the children to monitor earthquakes from around the world by watching the traces appearing on the accompanying computer. The children will be able to calculate the magnitude and location of each earthquake, and perhaps even locate some close to Tristan. The School Seismology Project was set up by the BGS and encourages children to understand the concepts of seismology and earthquakes. The project also involves St Mary's sharing their data with other schools from the UK, Cyprus, Turkey and Indonesia who are also participating in the project.

As for my continuing project, I have now collected several kilograms of rock samples from Tristan, which will hopefully reach the UK safely! Over the next year, I will be analysing the samples to discover the age of many of the eruptions around the island. Constraining the age of the eruptions will expand our knowledge of the eruptive history of Tristan and most importantly, note the trends in activity and the periods of dormancy or low activity. Incorporating this empirical data into long term forecasts helps to predict the likelihood of another eruption and the probable modes of activity. I intend to return to Tristan early in 2011 to share my findings and arrange a meeting with the Island Council to discuss possible eruptive scenarios and mitigation measures. Should an eruption occur, it is imperative that islanders, their livelihoods and working practices are minimally affected, so preparation is critical. Even though the likelihood of an eruption is small, it is my hope that, upon completion of the planned evacuation site in the Patches, a full evacuation drill will be conducted. Undoubtedly many lessons will be learned from such an exercise and will only help to increase awareness and improve the disaster plan.

As my three months on Tristan draws to a close, I would like to thank everyone on the island for their kindness and generosity. In particular, special thanks to Leon and Gracie who have become a surrogate family and whose lasting friendship have made my trip both a thoroughly enjoyable one and undoubtedly helped the project to succeed. Fond memories of my time on the island will stay with me forever and I look forward in anticipation to my return early in 2011.

Anna Hicks (née Coulbeck), PhD Researcher, University of East Anglia, UK.

© 2002 Falkland Islands News Network

Tristan Times
Volcanologist Visits Tristan da Cunha
December 5, 2009
by Sarah Glass [That's what it says]

Visit of Volcanologist to Tristan

Tristan da Cunha is an active volcano and a future eruption is inevitable.
Knowing when, where and how large the next eruption will be is the aspiration of
any volcanologist and is important for those living close to active volcanoes.
Unfortunately, the complexities of nature often triumph over scientific
knowledge, so volcanologists can only gather clues and use their training,
modern scientific techniques and equipment to make a best estimate. In order to
ensure estimates are based on the best available knowledge, volcanologists must
conduct thorough geological studies on volcanoes. Since the Royal Society
Expedition in 1962, there has been little geological fieldwork conducted on
Tristan, so the opportunity to spend three months gathering data was an exciting
and scientifically valuable prospect.

My arrival on the island was well-timed with the creation of the Tristan
disaster preparedness plan. Preparing for a volcanic eruption encompasses a
small element of the plan, which also takes into consideration the risk of and
response to harbour damage, fire and storms. One of the major objectives of my
project is to make a volcanic hazard assessment of the island. To complete this,
I needed to collect rock samples and make observations from each of the old
eruptive centres (e.g. Hillpiece, Frank's Hill, Stony Hill). I also felt it was
imperative to understand the working practices on the island, so that the
recommendations resulting from the hazard assessment will be appropriate and
workable.

During my time on Tristan, I wanted to increase awareness of volcanic hazards
and discuss what we know about Tristan's geology. As volcanology is currently
taught at Class 3 and 4 for the Tristan Studies course, I thought it would be a
great idea to talk to the children about my work and organise some field trips
to bring the concepts to life. Tristan is a natural playground and offers
excellent opportunities to study geology. Following my first presentation to the
children, we took the whole class out in the barge for a tour around the island.
Volcanic features such as Hillpiece and Burntwood are more instructional when
viewed from the sea, so the tour gave the children the opportunity to see the
features at close range and ask questions about the processes that gave rise to
them. As we travelled around the island, the children counted lava flows at
Stony Hill and pointed out the many routes that magma had taken as it travelled
vertically through the island. Unfortunately, over half of the class could only
enjoy the view for a short time as they quickly succumbed to sea sickness....

Fortunately, the next field trip did not require good sea legs – a hike up the
1961 lava dome! Since many of the children had never visited the dome before, it
was a fantastic opportunity to allow them access to a feature that has loomed
over them for their whole lives. Upon reaching the edge of the peripheral
crater, I showed the children the digital thermometer I had been using to
measure the temperature of the fumaroles. One by one, each child measured the
temperatures of the fumaroles and noted the colourful encrustations and staining
around the vents. The children went around to the pinnacle and recorded a
maximum temperature of 44.3°C from a vent near the top. A short scramble later,
we reached the summit of the dome and I pointed out the various features that we
could see from this lofty vantage point. It was also an opportunity for the
children to get a birds-eye view of the Settlement and they all scratched their
names into the summit geyser (old wood-burning heater) as a reminder of the day.

Thanks to the generosity of the British Geological Survey (BGS), a simple
seismometer has been left in the school which will allow the children to monitor
earthquakes from around the world by watching the traces appearing on the
accompanying computer. The children will be able to calculate the magnitude and
location of each earthquake, and perhaps even locate some close to Tristan. The
School Seismology Project was set up by the BGS and encourages children to
understand the concepts of seismology and earthquakes. The project also involves
St Mary's sharing their data with other schools from the UK, Cyprus, Turkey and
Indonesia who are also participating in the project.

As for my continuing project, I have now collected several kilograms of rock
samples from Tristan, which will hopefully reach the UK safely! Over the next
year, I will be analysing the samples to discover the age of many of the
eruptions around the island. Constraining the age of the eruptions will expand
our knowledge of the eruptive history of Tristan and most importantly, note the
trends in activity and the periods of dormancy or low activity. Incorporating
this empirical data into long term forecasts helps to predict the likelihood of
another eruption and the probable modes of activity. I intend to return to
Tristan early in 2011 to share my findings and arrange a meeting with the Island
Council to discuss possible eruptive scenarios and mitigation measures. Should
an eruption occur, it is imperative that islanders, their livelihoods and
working practices are minimally affected, so preparation is critical. Even
though the likelihood of an eruption is small, it is my hope that, upon
completion of the planned evacuation site in the Patches, a full evacuation
drill will be conducted. Undoubtedly many lessons will be learned from such an
exercise and will only help to increase awareness and improve the disaster plan.

As my three months on Tristan draws to a close, I would like to thank everyone
on the island for their kindness and generosity. In particular, special thanks
to Leon and Gracie who have become a surrogate family and whose lasting
friendship have made my trip both a thoroughly enjoyable one and undoubtedly
helped the project to succeed. Fond memories of my time on the island will stay
with me forever and I look forward in anticipation to my return early in 2011.


Anna Hicks (née Coulbeck), PhD Researcher, University of East Anglia, UK.


© 2002 Falkland Islands News Network

http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/11/iccat_albatross_failure.html

Birdlife International
ICCAT leaves albatross conservation dead in the water
27-11-2009

After a 3-year seabird risk assessment that found tuna and swordfish longline
fishing has significant impacts on Atlantic seabird populations, the
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) failed
to act at a recent meeting in Recife, Brazil.

“Albatrosses and petrel populations in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean
Sea are undergoing some of the most severe decreases anywhere in the world�,
said Dr Cleo Small - Senior Policy Officer for the BirdLife Global Seabird
Programme, based at the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK).

More than 40 fishing nations are members of ICCAT, and they gathered recently in
Recife, Brazil for the annual meeting of the commission. Collectively they
control longline fishing effort in the Atlantic Ocean that is conducted on a
massive scale.

“In Recife we recommended that fishers use a few simple, cheap but effective
measures to reduce the rate at which seabirds get caught and drown�, added Dr
Small. “However, ICCAT refused to endorse our recommendation which is a big
blow for Globally Threatened seabirds�.

Each year hundreds of millions of longline hooks are set in the Atlantic. The
impact of longline fishing on albatrosses and other seabirds has been a source
of concern for scientists and conservationists for decades. Globally, 18 of 22
albatross species are threatened with extinction, and longline fishing is known
to be the leading cause of decreases for many species.

ICCAT has recently completed a three year assessment of the impacts of
controlled longline fishing on seabirds, concluding that there was an impact and
it needed to be addressed.

During the Commission meeting, proposals were put forward that would reduce the
number of seabirds being killed. Japan was one of the countries that supported
action, but a major stumbling block was the insistence from Japan to include
mitigation measures for which no scientific information exists to indicate
whether they work to protect seabirds or not.

Other countries which have already made great efforts to reduce their seabird
bycatch problem could not accept such unproven measures, which would disregard
the advice by ICCAT’s scientists, and could result in no reduction in impact
on seabirds

Andrew Carroll from DEFRA's Sea Fish Conservation Division who attended the
meeting on behalf of the UK Overseas Territories said: “To put it politely, I
am immensely disappointed and frustrated that ICCAT has failed to make
progress�. The UK Overseas Territories are home to around one third of the
total breeding pairs of albatrosses. The declines of some of these populations
are among the fastest in the world.

“Many parties worked hard to take effective action to reduce the bycatch of
these declining species, but ICCAT is plagued by the necessity to gain consensus
of all parties, and the work of many can be blocked by a very few�, said Dr
Ross Wanless, Africa Coordinator for BirdLife's Global Seabird Programme and the
head of BirdLife South Africa’s (BirdLife Partner) Seabird Division. “This
is a major problem not only for tuna populations but also associated species
such as seabirds, sharks and sea turtles�.

BirdLife’s Global Seabird Programme are tackling seabirds deaths around the
world by working at the regional, national and international levels to influence
the development and adoption of agreements and measures to reduce seabird
bycatch.

On the ground we have established the Albatross Task Force, whose members spend
weeks at a time onboard fishing vessels, braving some of the harshest conditions
on earth, to help save the albatross from extinction. “We’re doing some
great work, and urgently need to reach out to more fisheries and the crews of
fishing vessels to prevent these majestic birds being killed from indiscriminate
longline fishingâ€�, said Oli Yates â€" ATF Coordinator.


“By donating to BirdLife’s Albatross Task Force, you will be helping fund
our global campaign to save the albatross - helping pay for tori lines, up to
the minute data recording equipment and sea safety gear such as water-proof
suits, life vests and sea boots that will keep the men and women of the Task
Force safe and able to do their job�, appealed Oli Yates. Please click here to
donate.

© 2009 BirdLife International. Working together for birds and people.

http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2009/11/mega-of-megas-blackbellied-st\
orm-petrel.html

Thursday, 26 November 2009
A mega of megas - BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL in the Severn Estuary

Well my heart-felt condolescences [sic] go out to Keith Vinicombe, one of my
closest life-long birding friends. Keith was on the phone to me kindly keeping
me updated all yesterday morning but despite being on site, frustratingly just
could not get himself on to this mega of megas whilst it was in view. Here are
the details of this incredible occurrence which took place at Severn Beach on 25
November 2009 -:

Bristol birder John Martin was birding Severn Beach for the third day running
due to the storm-like conditions of recent days in the Bristol Channel. He was
also joined by four birders from the Wolverhampton area who were keen to see a
Leach's Petrel. At around 0820 hours in a fierce Force 6-7 SW gale, an odd
petrel was picked up hugging closely the east shore of the Severn, 150 yards
south of the southernmost Severn bridge crossing. It was Leach's Petrel-sized
but significantly, had striking white underparts and axillaries and
underwing-coverts. There was little forking in the tail and its flight was
gliding, erratic and low to the sea. It was blackish above, with an obvious
white rump, and generally all-white below but with some hint of a thin blackish
stripe from the black upper breast to the blackish undertail-coverts. The
upperparts were similar in pattern to a typical Leach's, with whitish fringes
and tips appearing as a pale diagonal bar on the inner wing from the carpal
joint to the trailing edge. However, at long range, the pattern was not visible
and it appeared all dark on the upperparts. When flying away, the white rump was
very obvious. There was perhaps a slight projection of the feet beyond the tail
but this feature was hard to see in the blustery conditions. It was either a
BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL Fregatta tropica or a WHITE-BELLIED STORM PETREL
Fregetta grallaria.

It remained on view at very close range for about 15 minutes, gradually getting
further and further away and being pushed with the incoming tide towards the
bridge parapets. It was lost from view at about 0835 hours, just five people
witnessing the unique event.

John quickly got the news out as widely as he could and with the knowledge that
the tide still had three more hours to come in and this was generally the
optimum period for petrel displacement in high winds, birders from the local
area quickly descended on the site. The South Atlantic waif must have been sat
on the sea for some time as at 0934 hours, it was glimpsed in line with bridge
parapet 43 flying back out and battling its way with the wind south. It
continued in a line just east of the two marker buoys mid-river being attended
by four Herring Gulls which were taking an interest in it. By this time, a crowd
had gathered and although very distant by now, a further 14 observers
successfully managed to divert their scope lenses on the storm-tossed waif,
keeping on it for just over four minutes before it dropped down on the sea at
0939 hours. The Herring Gulls were still surrounding it at this time and with
the knowledge that at least 3 of the morning's Leach's Petrels were killed and
eaten by gulls, it is not known if this is what happened to it. Despite a
constant vigil at the exact area in which it was seen to drop down, it was not
seen again, and whether or not the strong tidal surge swept it upriver is
unknown. In addition to the original five observers, the later 14 included Mark
Ponsford, Gary Thoburn, Chris Craig, Rupert Higgins, Dick Reader, Brian
Lancastle and David Gibbs.

Sadly, not one image or video was obtained during the two sequences of
observation.

A total of 140 observers eventually arrived at the scene, from as far afield as
Lancashire, Kent and Norfolk, but despite an all-day vigil until dusk, no more
was to be seen of the bird. A total of 14 Leach's Petrels was seen, along with
93 displaced Kittiwakes, a sub-adult Pomarine Skua, a Little Auk and a Grey
Phalarope.

Black-bellied Storm Petrel breeds in the South Shetlands, Elephant Island, South
Orkneys, South Georgia, the Tristan de Cunha group and Gough Island, Prince
Edwards, Crozets, Kerguelen, Antipodes and Auckland, with a total population of
some 150,000 pairs. It is nowhere abundant but disperses in winter north to
subtropical and tropical waters of all the three oceans and reaches the Northern
Hemisphere in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. There are four records for example
off Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.

There has been one previous record in Britain - a Black or White-bellied Storm
Petrel seen off Sheringham (Norfolk) on 10 December 2007 (Kevin Shepherd).

Posted by Lee G R Evans at 14:33

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com [mailto:tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com]Im Auftrag von bobconrich
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 25. November 2009 09:59
An: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com
Betreff: [TdC] Magnetic field station in operation

 

Spelling is as found. Three photos may be seen at
http://www.falklandnews.com/public/story.cfm?get=5558&source=17
One is an unidentified man sitting at a desk, and the others are unidentified round things.

Bob

Tristan Times
Magnetometer Station on Tristan da Cunha in Operation
November 24, 2009
by Sarah Glass

Photo (c) James Glass (Tristan Times)

During the 2009 visit of the SA Agulhas, Jürgen Matzka from Denmark, Alan Berarducci from the US and Bjorn Ove Husoy from Norway visited Tristan to finalize the magnetometer station on Tristan da Cunha.

The station was started in 2008 by Leo Gening from Enviroconsult and now, in its final setup, measures the magnetic field of the Earth every second. To deliver data according to the highest standards, Robin Repetto (who is also station manager) and Jason Green were trained to perform weekly calibration measurements with a theodolite. The other two instruments of the station are a Danish FGE magnetometer, located in a pyramide shaped shelter and sending online data to the oiutside world, as well as a Candian GSM magnetometer that measures the magnetic field strength. The project is a cooperation of several institutes and mainly funded by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation.

In the South Atlanic, the magnetic field is too steep and too much easterly directed, too weak and still decreasing, says Jürgen Matzka. We want to learn more about the processes in the core of the Earth that are responsible for the weakening magnetic field, but also study the consequences this has for the interaction between planet Earth and space. Similar stations are on Ascension, St. Helena, the Falklands, Hernamus and Sao Paulo. In 2011, three satellites will be sent into space in ESAâ?Ts Swarm mission to measure the magnetic field, and the magnetometer station on Tristan da Cunha will be one of the ground stations for this.

We would like to say thank you to all of you for helping making the Magnetometer Station work successfully. Thanks to the Tristan da Cunha administration, Island Council and the whole community for their permission and support. Thanks to our station manager Robin and operator Jason and all people involved offloading and building the station. Thanks for electrical support, carpentry, internet and bringing the stones away from the field around the station and all the other things. Very imprtantly, thanks for all the advice we got on how to proceed with the station to make it fit into the Tristan community. And finally thanks to James and Felicity, for their great hospitality throughout our stay.

© 2002 Falkland Islands News Network

Spelling is as found.  Three photos may be seen at
http://www.falklandnews.com/public/story.cfm?get=5558&source=17
One is an unidentified man sitting at a desk, and the others are unidentified
round things.

Bob




Tristan Times
Magnetometer Station on Tristan da Cunha in Operation
November 24, 2009
by Sarah Glass

Photo (c) James Glass (Tristan Times)


During the 2009 visit of the SA Agulhas, Jürgen Matzka from Denmark, Alan
Berarducci from the US and Bjorn Ove Husoy from Norway visited Tristan to
finalize the magnetometer station on Tristan da Cunha.

The station was started in 2008 by Leo Gening from Enviroconsult and now, in its
final setup, measures the magnetic field of the Earth every second. To deliver
data according to the highest standards, Robin Repetto (who is also station
manager) and Jason Green were trained to perform weekly calibration measurements
with a theodolite. The other two instruments of the station are a Danish FGE
magnetometer, located in a pyramide shaped shelter and sending online data to
the oiutside world, as well as a Candian GSM magnetometer that measures the
magnetic field strength. The project is a cooperation of several institutes and
mainly funded by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation.

In the South Atlanic, the magnetic field is too steep and too much easterly
directed, too weak and still decreasing, says Jürgen Matzka. We want to learn
more about the processes in the core of the Earth that are responsible for the
weakening magnetic field, but also study the consequences this has for the
interaction between planet Earth and space. Similar stations are on Ascension,
St. Helena, the Falklands, Hernamus and Sao Paulo. In 2011, three satellites
will be sent into space in ESAâ?Ts Swarm mission to measure the magnetic field,
and the magnetometer station on Tristan da Cunha will be one of the ground
stations for this.

We would like to say thank you to all of you for helping making the Magnetometer
Station work successfully. Thanks to the Tristan da Cunha administration, Island
Council and the whole community for their permission and support. Thanks to our
station manager Robin and operator Jason and all people involved offloading and
building the station. Thanks for electrical support, carpentry, internet and
bringing the stones away from the field around the station and all the other
things. Very imprtantly, thanks for all the advice we got on how to proceed with
the station to make it fit into the Tristan community. And finally thanks to
James and Felicity, for their great hospitality throughout our stay.


© 2002 Falkland Islands News Network

Do any of these men survive today ?  I wonder what stories they told and what
their view was ?

Best Hopes,

Alan
-----------
An excerpt from Chapter 13

There were not in the Union [of South Africa] men who could qualify for
membership of the expedition in the essentials - single, healthy, and of equable
temperament - who were also experienced in boat-handling. Boats would be
essential for communication between the islands as well as for fishing. Mr.
Gibson therefore asked Crawford to try to obtain six volunteers from among the
Islanders to go with him on the expedition. The task thus given him was not an
easy one to fulfil. All the Islanders had been born and bred there in a
self-contained community, and only one or two had ever seen anything of the
outside world. Their knowledge of other peoples and places was confined to what
they had seen from the crews of passing ships and the few visitors they had from
time to time been hosts to ashore. The suggestion Crawford now put to them, that
they should leave their island home and go out into the world, was therefore a
startling one.

What made it all the more surprising was that he frankly confessed that he did
not know where he would be taking them, nor anything else about the region they
would go to, except that it would be very cold. But nobody else had ever proved
his understanding and appreciation of the Islanders by withdrawing from
civilisation three times in order to live with them as Crawford had done. Their
confidence in Crawford, therefore, was such that he was able to report within a
few hours that he had found six volunteers who might be suitable, but that they
were all married.

It was then decided in Pretoria to waive the restriction on married men joining
the expedition, as far as the Tristan Islanders were concerned. Arrangements
were made with the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, which administers
Tristan, to reimburse the Islanders in cash and kind (the humble but much-used
potato is the principal medium of exchange on the island). Suitable provision
would also be made for the families of the volunteers while they were away.
Besides serving as boatmen and fishermen the Tristan volunteers would be general
handymen while with the expedition. It was felt that their experience under
conditions that were as nearly as possible similar to what they would face at
the Prince Edward Islands would be valuable.

Crawford was told to be ready, with his Islanders, in the next two or three
weeks when the frigate Good Hope would arrive to fetch them. She would bring
with her reliefs for the meteorological staff and supplies. Crawford was to
endeavour to obtain two of the famous Tristan canvas boats, which were specially
designed for operating from surf-swept beaches. The Islanders built them
themselves almost entirely out of material bartered from visiting ships. They
had only a few, and they were their most prized possessions. They had no use for
money, and would not sell any of their boats, but Crawford was able to arrange a
barter deal, under which they agreed to dispose of two of their boats in return
for the material for building four others.

____________________________________________________________
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An on-line history book "No Pathway Here" by John Marsh.

The most relevant chapter (it is mainly about the South Africans).

http://www.rapidttp.co.za/pathway/chap22.html

And an index to the entire book.

http://www.rapidttp.co.za/pathway/

Best Hopes,

Alan



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http://www.skipsfarts-forum.net/read.php?TID=8253

I have been considering this for some time.

Tristan already pays a significant premium for oil landed at the dock, the
source of electricity, heat (AFAIK), hot water and transportation.

As the price of oil climbs, Tristan's economic self sufficiency is threatened,
and a prolonged delay in new oil shipments, for any reason, threatens their way
of life.

My suggestions, in brief, are two (for redundancy) small hydroelectric projects
that work off stored water.  A good source of design expertise is MHyLab of
Switzerland that has designed hydroelectric generators from 100 to 1 million
watts.

An unusual power plant of theirs was delivered by helicopter to a bottom of a
ravine in the Swiss Alps and generates up to 200,000 watts (from my memory) from
the treated sewage outfall from a Swiss village.  The power plant is covered by
snow for almost half the year and is serviced once a year.

http://www.mhylab.com/En/index_en.html

These two hydropower plants would allow generation to follow demand, and can
absorb "shocks" to the grid. Once this base was built, additional power can come
from wind turbines (I would suggest looking at those used in Antarctica, see
links below), hydroelectric that simply takes water as it comes and/or
geothermal with an oil back-up.

Hydroelectric is the longest lasting (overhaul every 50-60 years), lowest
maintenance and most reliable option to generate electricity.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea//news/article/2007/01/wind-to-power-rese\
arch-base-in-antarctica-47268

Solar water heating (with renewable electric back-up) MIGHT make sense despite
the cloudy days and latitude.

For some (not all) land transportation, an electric car and truck could be used.
Perhaps from the docks to the village and to the Potato Patches.

*IF* a cheap surplus of renewable electricity can be generated (say from
geothermal), synthesizing methanol (or ammonia) is possible on a small scale and
either can be used for the fishing boats and the more difficult land
transportation.

The most difficult (IMHO) part of building a hydroelectric project would be the
penstock (the tube that carries water under pressure to the turbine &
generator).

An example.  There is, say, a small pond on the side of the mountain.  Either a
pipe is drilled into it or a small pump lifts water over the edge to the start
of the penstock.  The Penstock at the top is, say, 20 cm thick walled plastic
pipe.  After a drop of 25 m, the water pressure exceeds what plastic can handle
and either a power plant is built there or the penstock switches to steel (using
used oil field drilling pipe) for a power plant lower down (the higher the head
the more power that is generated for a given volume of water).

Man handling even short sections of steel pipe up a mountain will be difficult.
The best site should have 4WD access to the top and a winch or truck mounted
crane can help lower sections of pipe into place.
Other civil engineering options exist.

Does anyone know the peak electrical demand and the annual demand on Tristan ?

Best Hopes,

Alan Drake


____________________________________________________________
Car Accident Attorney
Accident Case? Free Case Evaluation with an Accident Attorney.
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The wind turbine that failed was a very, very early design and was simply not
designed for the peak wind conditions on Tristan.

Many Antarctic bases have winds more extreme than on Tristan, and they must also
be low maintenance and durable.  Wind turbines today have hundreds of thousands
of times more experience, and better engineering, than the one that failed on
Tristan a couple of decades ago.

One comparable example is that a 1916 Ford Model T was tried on the German
autobahn and it failed miserably.  So no Ford car should ever be driven on the
autobahn ?

To quote the article I linked:

"They have also produced electricity in the highest wind speeds -- 150mph in the
Shetland Islands -- a useful pedigree given Antarctica's average 53 mph wind
speeds in winter with gusts up to 200 mph".

No average or "normal" wind turbine will work on Tristan, but speciality
designed and built units should work well.  An AVERAGE wind speed of 53 mph !

Best Hopes,

Alan


---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Paul & Mel Young" <paul.young@...>
To: <tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [TdC] Renewable Energy
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:02:59 -0000

Please don't anybody suggest Wind Power for Tristan

It was tried and the wind mill blew away

All that was left was a stump and some cables

I have a photo I think

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bobconrich
Sent: 12 November 2009 15:31
To: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [TdC] Renewable Energy

Climate Change
House of Lords
Written answers and statements, 10 November 2009



Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat)

To ask Her Majesty's Government what research, plans or projects (a) have
been completed, (b) are ongoing, or (c) are planned to mitigate the impact
of climate change in (1) St Helena, (2) Ascension Island, (3) Tristan da
Cunha, and (4) the Falkland Islands.

     * Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 10 November 2009, c131W)



Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office; Labour)

Responsibility for mitigating climate change lies with the Territories'
Governments.

(1) St Helena is taking steps towards reducing their carbon footprint
through introducing wind power programmes.

(2) In 2010 Ascension Island will be looking to reduce their carbon
footprint through wind power and gradually installing solar units in its
housing. It also plans to install a carbon emission-monitoring facility.

(3) Tristan da Cunha plans to investigate renewable energy as an option for
the island.

(4) There are a number of projects in the Falkland Islands looking at the
impacts of climate change, focusing on sea level, vegetation and
biodiversity. Plans are in place to continue such work. The Falkland Islands
will continue their ambitious work on wind power programmes.




------------------------------------

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For information about Tristan da Cunha, please see the official Tristan web
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Yahoo! Groups Links



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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19:41:00



------------------------------------

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http://www.st-helena.org

For information about Tristan da Cunha, please see the official Tristan web page
at http://www.tristan-da-cunha.com
Yahoo! Groups Links




____________________________________________________________
Top Career Training
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http://www.tristantimes.com/art_7081.html
Tristan Notes Remembrance Sunday 2009
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 09.11.2009


This year a combined service for Remembrance Day was held in St Joseph Catholic
Church at 9am by Dereck Rogers, supported by Anne and James the Catholic Lay
Ministers. The following is brief of what was said on behalf of those who died
serving their country.

The Photo Shows Left, Anne Green, Centre, Dereck Rogers and Right, James Glass
at the Remembrance Sunday service.  Photo (C) James Glass (Tristan Times)


This year a combined service for Remembrance Day was held in St Joseph Catholic
Church at 9am by Dereck Rogers, supported by Anne and James the Catholic Lay
Ministers.  The following is brief of what was said on behalf of those who died
serving their country.

This prayer written by Gord for a service back in 2007, it is profound and
thought-provoking, so I thought it would be good to share it again.  Although, 
it was amended to stipulate the present day (James Glass).

God of peace and love, on this 11th day of the 11th month we once again gather
to remember. We remember that in Jesus of Nazareth you have called us to be
people of peace saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers� and reminding us that
we are to love our neighbour and our enemy as we love ourselves.  But we also
acknowledge that there are times when we as a global community fail to live out
those words, times when young men and women hear the call to don the uniforms of
their country and serve under their flag.

Today we give thanks for all who have chosen to serve their country. We give
thanks for their bravery, their commitment, and their love.
But we know that when armies meet on the field there are always some who don’t
come home.  And so we pause in the memory of those who went and did not return
to mothers and wives and children left behind.

We remember battles at Passchendale, and Vimy Ridge in the 1st world war.  The
war we were told would end all wars, battles where the blood of enemies mingled
in the mud and water of France and Belgium.  And we remember those who fell in
the 2nd world war that came a scarce generation later. And again young men died
in places like the Far East, North Africa and Normandy.

We remember all who fell and were buried far from home, or who sank to a watery
grave in the cold Atlantic and Pacific.

And now, in these last few years we find that many of our young servicemen and
women have returned to the battlefield, in Iraq and Afghanistan only to have
many of them return in a coffin carried solemnly to a waiting aircraft.

God, whose hope for the world is peace, on this day we remember the fallen of
many wars that lie buried under a military tombstone. This day we honour all who
die as a result of humanity’s common failing to live in the peace you have
hoped for all these millennia.

God, we pray too for those who returned from battle forever changed by what they
had seen. For those who bore, and still bear, wounds of body and soul. In
particular we remember those who have died since the last time we gathered to
celebrate this day.

And now, God of love, as we have remembered and honoured, we prepare to go back
into our everyday lives. May the remembering we have done here today reawaken
and strengthen our commitment to work for peace, true peace. Help us to remember
that peace will never truly come from a gun barrel but from the depths of our
hearts. Help us remember our calling to be peacemakers at home and abroad, in
the big things and in the small. And may we never forget the cost that has
already been paid.

Amen

After the sermon there was a TWO-minute silence ending with the words:
‘ They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning;
We will remember them.

The island Administrator and Deputy Chief Islander carried wreaths to the altar,
and during the service each read a eulogy, on behalf of the British Government
and the Island Community.

This year because the weather was very bad no ceremony took place at the
Flagpole. Although after the service the wreaths were placed to rest in the
sanctuary of St. Mary’s. This was to enable each place of worship to be
involved in the ceremony.  Next year the service will be held in St Mary’s.

Sarah Glass

Tristan : Tristan Fishing News 11.11.09
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 11.11.2009

The 2009/10 fishing season has not started very well due to excessive
bad weather. No one can remember November weather being so bad,
usually the swimming pool is filled at this time, with several sunny
days as we move to summer. Instead we are experiencing strong winds
and heavy rain, and currently no fishing days yet in November.

Last year due to the factory being rebuilt the fishing vessel M.V.
Kelso had to come in and catch the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) using
Tristanian fishermen and their powerboats, rotating different groups
of fishermen every week

The TAC for Tristan last year was 185mt and it was not completed until
the M.V Edinburgh caught the remained of the TAC (17,498kgs) early in the year.

This year the TAC is the same as last year, although to compare with
fishing from the Factory the season before last has been taken.

Season 2007-2008

July â€" End of October 19 days fished


Season 2009-2010

July â€" End of October 10 days fished.

The quota this year was also set at 185mt and the fishermen were
hoping that the majority would be caught by the end of the year.
However with two vessels coming in with cargo and the breakup for
Christmas due around the 18th December this does not look promising.
The remaining tonnage left to be caught for this season is 146.9mt,
and to date we are approximately 56.9mt behind of where we would like
to be at this time of year. Lets hope the weather gives us a break
this month, which is the peak of the season, when both sexes are on
the bite.


Sarah Glass

I'm not discouraged, more disinclined to subscribe

A few years ago I would have happily invested in renewable energy on TdC!

I've now learned that ANY investment in renewable energy is a significant
risk to the investor.

I know that they probably put the Wind Turbine in the wrong location
And with hindsight that's easy to point out (as in it blew away)

I'd like to see an investigation into wind turbine energy supply on the
island, but not my money hungry investors, I think it should be a UK FCO
project, or else it will be a ruined by another private sector finance
initiative.

Paul

My Disclaimer
I might sound as if I know things, but I don't, or maybe I did a few years
ago when certain projects were killed off in favour of PFI's
I was told to shut up about them in 2005




-----Original Message-----
From: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of woodard214
Sent: 13 November 2009 07:10
To: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [TdC] Renewable Energy

Paul, don't get too discouraged about the failure of one wind turbine. There
are lots of different makes of wind turbine, optimized for different
windspeeds. What was the windspeed that did in the Tristan failure, do you
know? What is the maximum gust recorded for Tristan?

If wind power can work in the Falklands I expect it can work on Tristan.

A late 1930s 6 KW Jacobs wind turbine is said to have lasted 20 years
running unattended in Antarctica, when the base it served was abandoned.
They weren't called "the Cadillac of wind turbines" for nothing.

In any case from what I have read it sounds as if microhydro might be an
option and would have a higher capacity factor.

Wave power is getting to the point where an installation distant from the
manufactrer might be justified, especially if a good EU subsidy can be
obtained. Installations on Scottish islands have been going for some years.

Unless you have *really* cloudy weather, solar water heating would likely be
profitable, and maybe space heating as well. I presume you need some winter
space heating?

Efficient use of energy (insulation, weatherstripping, heat-conserving
windows) is usually cheaper than any form of energy, and I wouldn't be
surprised if help from the EU could be obtained.

Doug Woodard
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada



--- In tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com, "Paul & Mel Young" <paul.young@...>
wrote:
>
> Please don't anybody suggest Wind Power for Tristan
>
> It was tried and the wind mill blew away
>
> All that was left was a stump and some cables
>
> I have a photo I think
>
> Paul

[snip]



------------------------------------

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at http://www.st-helena.org

For information about Tristan da Cunha, please see the official Tristan web
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Yahoo! Groups Links



No virus found in this incoming message.
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07:54:00

Paul, don't get too discouraged about the failure of one wind turbine. There are
lots of different makes of wind turbine, optimized for different windspeeds.
What was the windspeed that did in the Tristan failure, do you know? What is the
maximum gust recorded for Tristan?

If wind power can work in the Falklands I expect it can work on Tristan.

A late 1930s 6 KW Jacobs wind turbine is said to have lasted 20 years running
unattended in Antarctica, when the base it served was abandoned. They weren't
called "the Cadillac of wind turbines" for nothing.

In any case from what I have read it sounds as if microhydro might be an option
and would have a higher capacity factor.

Wave power is getting to the point where an installation distant from the
manufactrer might be justified, especially if a good EU subsidy can be obtained.
Installations on Scottish islands have been going for some years.

Unless you have *really* cloudy weather, solar water heating would likely be
profitable, and maybe space heating as well. I presume you need some winter
space heating?

Efficient use of energy (insulation, weatherstripping, heat-conserving windows)
is usually cheaper than any form of energy, and I wouldn't be surprised if help
from the EU could be obtained.

Doug Woodard
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada



--- In tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com, "Paul & Mel Young" <paul.young@...>
wrote:
>
> Please don't anybody suggest Wind Power for Tristan
>
> It was tried and the wind mill blew away
>
> All that was left was a stump and some cables
>
> I have a photo I think
>
> Paul

[snip]

Bob, I get the impression there's lots of air and not much egg in that
journalistic souffle.

Doug Woodard
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada


--- In tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com, "bobconrich" <bob@...> wrote:
>
> Apparently Tristan was given first place in the top ten, not least because of
its women.  I spent some time there with a group of three young women, who were
quite pleasant, but failed to "flock around" me.  I thought they were quite
normal.
>
> Bob
>
>
> http://www.askmen.com/fine_living/travel/46c_travel_tips.html
>
> Fine Living Top 10: Paradises On Earth
> Paradises On Earth
> Top 10 List
> By Nick Clarke
>
> Everyone likes a little slice of paradise, whether it's miles of desolate
white sand beaches or acres of rolling, untouched countryside. Free from the
hustle and bustle of stressful city life, we shed some light on the paradises on
Earth that have long been forgotten. In fact, we feel a little guilty telling
you about them.
>
> Nevertheless, here are our top 10 paradises on Earth for you to enjoy.
>
> 1. Tristan da Cunha
>
> Officially the world's remotest island, Tristan da Cunha rises out from the
South Atlantic Ocean like a prehistoric volcano. Situated 2,000 kilometers from
St. Helena and 2,800 kilometers from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, it
really does cut a lonely but beautiful figure.
>
> There's not just the main island, either; comprised of several uninhabited
islands, one inaccessible island and the Nightingale Islands, this archipelago
is like the lost world. In fact, you might expect a T. rex to come crashing
through the trees. With windswept beaches, views of a tempestuous blue sea,
magnificent basalt cliffs, a thriving economy, zero unemployment, and a
nonexistent crime rate, this is the way life should be lived.
>
> Visit the settlement of Edinburgh, which boasts a distinct air of yesteryear,
and talk with the warm, hospitable islanders you find there. With only eight
families on the island, it's likely the women will flock around any foreign
strangers who come for a visit.
>
> [remainder of the list omitted]
>
> Bob
>

Please don't anybody suggest Wind Power for Tristan

It was tried and the wind mill blew away

All that was left was a stump and some cables

I have a photo I think

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bobconrich
Sent: 12 November 2009 15:31
To: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [TdC] Renewable Energy

Climate Change
House of Lords
Written answers and statements, 10 November 2009



Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat)

To ask Her Majesty's Government what research, plans or projects (a) have
been completed, (b) are ongoing, or (c) are planned to mitigate the impact
of climate change in (1) St Helena, (2) Ascension Island, (3) Tristan da
Cunha, and (4) the Falkland Islands.

     * Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 10 November 2009, c131W)



Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office; Labour)

Responsibility for mitigating climate change lies with the Territories'
Governments.

(1) St Helena is taking steps towards reducing their carbon footprint
through introducing wind power programmes.

(2) In 2010 Ascension Island will be looking to reduce their carbon
footprint through wind power and gradually installing solar units in its
housing. It also plans to install a carbon emission-monitoring facility.

(3) Tristan da Cunha plans to investigate renewable energy as an option for
the island.

(4) There are a number of projects in the Falkland Islands looking at the
impacts of climate change, focusing on sea level, vegetation and
biodiversity. Plans are in place to continue such work. The Falkland Islands
will continue their ambitious work on wind power programmes.




------------------------------------

This is the Tristan da Cunha list, a list set up by the St Helena Institute
at http://www.st-helena.org

For information about Tristan da Cunha, please see the official Tristan web
page at http://www.tristan-da-cunha.com
Yahoo! Groups Links



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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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19:41:00

Climate Change
House of Lords
Written answers and statements, 10 November 2009



Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat)

To ask Her Majesty's Government what research, plans or projects (a) have been
completed, (b) are ongoing, or (c) are planned to mitigate the impact of climate
change in (1) St Helena, (2) Ascension Island, (3) Tristan da Cunha, and (4) the
Falkland Islands.

     * Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 10 November 2009, c131W)



Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office; Labour)

Responsibility for mitigating climate change lies with the Territories'
Governments.

(1) St Helena is taking steps towards reducing their carbon footprint through
introducing wind power programmes.

(2) In 2010 Ascension Island will be looking to reduce their carbon footprint
through wind power and gradually installing solar units in its housing. It also
plans to install a carbon emission-monitoring facility.

(3) Tristan da Cunha plans to investigate renewable energy as an option for the
island.

(4) There are a number of projects in the Falkland Islands looking at the
impacts of climate change, focusing on sea level, vegetation and biodiversity.
Plans are in place to continue such work. The Falkland Islands will continue
their ambitious work on wind power programmes.

Apparently Tristan was given first place in the top ten, not least because of
its women.  I spent some time there with a group of three young women, who were
quite pleasant, but failed to "flock around" me.  I thought they were quite
normal.

Bob


http://www.askmen.com/fine_living/travel/46c_travel_tips.html

Fine Living Top 10: Paradises On Earth
Paradises On Earth
Top 10 List
By Nick Clarke

Everyone likes a little slice of paradise, whether it's miles of desolate white
sand beaches or acres of rolling, untouched countryside. Free from the hustle
and bustle of stressful city life, we shed some light on the paradises on Earth
that have long been forgotten. In fact, we feel a little guilty telling you
about them.

Nevertheless, here are our top 10 paradises on Earth for you to enjoy.

1. Tristan da Cunha

Officially the world's remotest island, Tristan da Cunha rises out from the
South Atlantic Ocean like a prehistoric volcano. Situated 2,000 kilometers from
St. Helena and 2,800 kilometers from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, it
really does cut a lonely but beautiful figure.

There's not just the main island, either; comprised of several uninhabited
islands, one inaccessible island and the Nightingale Islands, this archipelago
is like the lost world. In fact, you might expect a T. rex to come crashing
through the trees. With windswept beaches, views of a tempestuous blue sea,
magnificent basalt cliffs, a thriving economy, zero unemployment, and a
nonexistent crime rate, this is the way life should be lived.

Visit the settlement of Edinburgh, which boasts a distinct air of yesteryear,
and talk with the warm, hospitable islanders you find there. With only eight
families on the island, it's likely the women will flock around any foreign
strangers who come for a visit.

[remainder of the list omitted]

Bob

This sentence is rather unclear, as Tristan da Cunha is both an island and a
group of islands that sometimes, but not always, includes Gough.:  "The Tristan
albatross is endemic to Gough Island, Tristan da Cunha" its only land habitat."

Wikipedia says:  "The Tristan Albatrosses are endemic to the islands of the
Tristan da Cunha group and more specifically Gough Island. The majority of the
world's population nest on Gough Island, around 1500 pairs. On some years a pair
breeds on Inaccessible Island."

Bob


http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Fishing-39poses-grave-danger-to.5805752.jp

The Scotsman
Edinburgh
Monday, 9th November 2009
By ALASTAIR DALTON

ALBATROSSES are among 16 seabird species facing extinction because of long-line
fishing, conservation groups claimed today.

Populations of a further ten species are deemed to be at risk, due to hazards
such as getting caught in commercial fishing gear, according to the RSPB and
BirdLife International.

The groups have called for measures to reduce the threat of birds
getting caught in lines and drowning when taking bait from hooks.

The move comes as scientists meet in Brazil today to agree on fishing quotas for
the Atlantic and Mediterranean stocks of tuna and swordfish.

The conservationists will urge the International Commission for the Conservation
of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to agree measures to prevent the deaths of these
seabirds in the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

Dr Cleo Small, an albatross expert working for the groups, said: "Dying at a
rate of around one every five minutes, the albatross family is becoming
threatened faster than any other family of birds.

"The wandering albatross, possessing the largest wingspan of any bird, is
rapidly declining on South Georgia, and links have been made between these
declining populations and longline fishing within the ICCAT fishery.

"This situation is needless because the technology exists to prevent these
deaths."

Monitoring of wandering albatrosses by the British Antarctic Survey on South
Georgia this year has shown their numbers have halved since the early 1960s. The
most at-risk seabird species include the Tristan albatross and the Balearic
shearwater.

The Balearic shearwater, which nests on the Balearic Islands of the
Mediterranean, is a regular non-breeding visitor to the waters off southern
Britain. The Tristan albatross is endemic to Gough Island, Tristan da Cunha" its
only land habitat.

Eight of the top ten seabird species considered most at risk from Atlantic
longline fisheries nest on the three UK Overseas Territories in the South
Atlantic: the Falkland Islands; Tristan da Cunha and South Georgia. The six most
at-risk seabird species in the Atlantic are albatrosses.

However, the Scottish Fishermen's Federation criticised the claims. Bertie
Armstrong, its chief executive, said: "This is an unhelpful attempt to seek an
emotional, rather than balanced scientific, response.

"Some longline fisheries are a very selective and sensible way to harvest only
the fish required."

IN DANGER

The following are the 16 species facing extinction:
Wandering albatross
Tristan albatross
Northern royal albatross
Southern royal albatross
Black-browed albatross
Grey-headed albatross
Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross
Indian yellow-nosed albatross
Sooty albatross
White-chinned petrel
Spectacled petrel
Balearic shearwater
Black-capped petrel
Bermuda petrel
Atlantic petrel
Cape gannet

----- Original Message -----

From: Paul & Mel Young

To: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 2:54 PM

Subject: RE: [TdC] Stop work here is the answer

Could I just say, as a Tristanian myself I resent your discussion!!!! We ARE NOT A WELFARE STATE (We are NOT good for nothing NOR are we non productive, we look after ourselves very well and I think we are very productive, more than some I can mention!) we receive NO HANDOUTS from UK, not the kind that you are implying and if we do it is such a small amount it is not even noticeable, it would be funds/equipment to help erect a building etc. At the moment we could probably do with UK help but they don’t offer and we certainly will not ask!!

I like how you Jacques suggest we should harvest volcanic heat from earth TO make it a nice place the people want to come to. IT SHOULD BE TO MAKE IT A NICE PLACE FOR THE TRISTANIANS TO LIVE!!!! We are Independent, maybe not as profitable as we would like to be, but that’s another mater that has no concern of yours.

 

I suggest if you have a proposition for the Island you email the Administrator otherwise MIND YOUR OWN BUISNESS, the last thing that we Islanders need is malicious rumours from people like you!!

 

 

Melanie Young (Ne Glass)

 

---

From: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com [mailto:tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jacques Goyet
Sent: 07 November 2009 13:36
To: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [TdC] Stop work here is the answer

 

Dear Bob (and all concerned):

 

Whoa, boy.  That is not what was said or suggested.  We do not want Icelandic energy.  What we want is Icelandic Technology.  They’ve been doing this for years and have lots of experience in drilling and harvesting volcanic heat from the earth.  What we want is to learn how to do it and what we need to bring it home to Tristan, etc. 

 

The game plan here is to make Tristan, etc. independent and profitable.  Make it a nice place the people want to come to. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Jacques Goyet

2281 Wyandotte Court

Hamtramck, Michigan  48212-3607

Phone:  313/875-5405

Fax:      313/875-9289

jacques.goyet@...

 

---

From: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com [mailto:tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bobconrich
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 09:31 PM
To: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [TdC] Stop work here is the answer

 

 

--- In tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com, "Jacques" <jacques.goyet@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Sirs and Madams:
>
> Please excuse me for my impertinence and feel free to delete this message if I am out of line but there seems to me a solution is hitting me between the eyes. You see for the past months there seems to be a trend to think of the South Atlantic Alliance as a group of "good for nothing", non-productive, welfare states and I believe that I have an start of an idea to reverse that thought.
>
> The first step in this idea is to take advantage to the materials available. Let us use Tristan da Cunha and its archipelago as our case in point. It wasn't that many years ago the volcano in Tristan was active. Add to this the planet has been going through some unbelievable economic problems and one the worst hit is the island of Iceland. Now Iceland has one advantage over others it that it has spent a lot of time and money on developing Geothermal Energy and to give it a customer would be heavenly. Self-sustaining energy would be just a first step in the process and could be used elsewhere through-out the alliance. It could lead to an all-electric Tristan with no need of foreign energy sources.

That's quite enough, thank you.

Um...Iceland is...um...some distance from Tristan. How do you plan to transmit this free energy to the "good for nothing, non-productive, welfare state" people of Tristan? How, exactly, to you plan to get this "free energy to them from Iceland?

Are you related to the woman who suggested that all the Islanders are descendants of prostitutes, or did you think this up all by yourself?

Listen, Jacques, we, here at the asylum, think that help is available. Madness exacts its toll. Please have exact change ready.

Yours faithfully, etc.

Bob

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.698 / Virus Database: 270.14.52/2484 - Release Date: 11/07/09 07:38:00

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.698 / Virus Database: 270.14.52/2484 - Release Date: 11/07/09 07:38:00

----- Original Message -----

From: bobconrich

To: tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 2:31 AM

Subject: [TdC] Stop work here is the answer

--- In tristan-da-cunha@yahoogroups.com, "Jacques" <jacques.goyet@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Sirs and Madams:
>
> Please excuse me for my impertinence and feel free to delete this message if I am out of line but there seems to me a solution is hitting me between the eyes. You see for the past months there seems to be a trend to think of the South Atlantic Alliance as a group of "good for nothing", non-productive, welfare states and I believe that I have an start of an idea to reverse that thought.
>
> The first step in this idea is to take advantage to the materials available.  Let us use Tristan da Cunha and its archipelago as our case in point.  It wasn't that many years ago the volcano in Tristan was active.  Add to this the planet has been going through some unbelievable economic problems and one the worst hit is the island of Iceland.  Now Iceland has one advantage over others it that it has spent a lot of time and money on developing Geothermal Energy and to give it a customer would be heavenly.  Self-sustaining energy would be just a first step in the process and could be used elsewhere through-out the alliance.  It could lead to an all-electric Tristan with no need of foreign energy sources. 



That's quite enough, thank you.

Um...Iceland is...um...some distance from Tristan.  How do you plan to transmit this free energy to the "good for nothing, non-productive, welfare state" people of Tristan?  How, exactly, to you plan to get this "free energy to them from Iceland? 

Are you related to the woman who suggested that all the Islanders are descendants of prostitutes, or did you think this up all by yourself?

Listen, Jacques, we, here at the asylum, think that help is available. Madness exacts its toll.  Please have exact change ready.

Yours faithfully, etc.


Bob



------------------------------------

This is the Tristan da Cunha list, a list set up by the St Helena Institute at http://www.st-helena.org

For information about Tristan da Cunha, please see the official Tristan web page at http://www.tristan-da-cunha.com
Yahoo! Groups Links

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