Marine biologists and other wildlife experts using data on reproductive rates and estimates of existing, breeding age sea critters have implemented a new conservation system along the US gulf coast to preserve rapidily declining fisheries. Once determined, the total sustainable haul for a given species is subdivided into "Catch Shares" which can be bought, sold, or traded by commercial fishermen:
"By allowing fishermen to decide their own schedules, they can more effectively match production with market demand, avoid unsafe weather conditions, and reduce the amount of other seafood inadvertently caught called bycatch. That’s good for business, good for fisherman, and good for the environment." -- Heather Paffe, Gulf and Southeast Oceans Program Director for Environmental Defense Fund.
- A dwarf 'hyperactive' galaxy in the early universe may hold big clues for how modern galaxies evolved. More on galaxies and video of the impending galactic catastrophe awaiting us here. Closer to home, Kepler detects its first exosolar planet, and it's one freaky alien hellhole.
- Eric Johnson has written a wonderful article touching on the role of science in public policy starting with Carl Sagan's unanswered question, "What are conservatives conserving?"
- Doomsday Postponed: End-o-the-world nutters and high energy physicists alike may be disappointed to hear that the Large Hadron Collider won't be ramped up to full cosmos destroying power until 2012 (Which, as several comments below note, coincides with the Mayan calender doomsday date).
- The blogosphere gets to decide what lucky science blogger gets to go on an all expense paid adventure of a lifetime to Antarctica. More tomorrow. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a fifty-year government study of three benchmark glaciers in the Pacific Northwest concludes the northern cryosphere is in the midst of a massive meltdown.
- The House Committee on Science is considering a bill seeking to "identify and understand social and behavioral factors that influence energy consumption and acceptance and adoption rates of new energy technologies ..."
Lastly, seconds ago, Sonia Sotoymayor took the oath to become an acting Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court. She will become fully invested in a special session later this year, but begin her duties right away!