EIN Presswire: Seafood Press Releases

Make Your Summer Grilling Season A Safe & Healthy One With Stop & Shop

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:01:14 +0000

Make Your Summer Grilling Season A Safe & Healthy One With Stop & Shop

Food safety and healthy grilling tips for your next barbecue

PR Newswire

QUINCY, Mass. and PURCHASE, N.Y., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ready, set, GRILL! As you prepare for the summer grilling season, Stop & Shop wants to make sure your next barbecue is a safe and healthy one by keeping food safety top of mind.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110908/NY65221LOGO )

"At Stop & Shop we strive to make it easy for customers to shop for healthy foods so they can eat healthy," said Julie Menounos, Stop & Shop nutritionist. "Grilling season is a great time to enjoy lean protein such as chicken, turkey and fish. Flavor your olive oil or citrus-based marinades with tons of fresh herbs like basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and mint. Add grilled fruits and vegetables to your cold salads, skewers, and salsas, and you can make grilling not only delicious, but good for you!"

Practicing food safety at home is easy with the following tips from Stop & Shop.

Don't put the meat on the bun until it's done by using a meat thermometer. Before removing from the grill, insert a meat thermometer halfway into the thickest part of the meat and wait about 15-20 seconds for a reading. All hamburgers made with ground beef need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Ground beef can still be pink inside and cooked to a safe 160 degrees F, so color is not always a true indicator. Ground and whole poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees F and chops, steaks and roasts from beef, veal or lamb are properly cooked at 145 degrees F for medium rare, 160 degrees F for medium and 170 degrees F for well done. The meat thermometer should read 150 degrees F for chops and roast from pork.
If you partially cook meat in the microwave or oven to reduce grilling time, do so immediately before the food goes on the hot grill. Always use a clean plate and clean utensils as cooked foods should not be placed on a plate that previously held raw foods, including meat, poultry and seafood.
When preparing your meats, marinate in the refrigerator, not on the counter or outdoors. If the marinade is to be used as a sauce on the cooked food, keep some in a separate container before adding the raw meat, poultry or seafood. Sauce used to marinate raw meat should never be reused.
Remember to refrigerate any leftovers promptly after serving and within two hours after cooking. Food should only be outside one hour when the temperature is above 90 degrees F. When in doubt, throw it out.

With barbecues and events scheduled throughout the summer, it can be easy to fall into unhealthy eating patterns, but with the abundance of locally grown fruits and vegetables available this time of year it's easy to incorporate more healthy items into your grilling menus. Since the grill is already fired up, why not throw some fruits and vegetables on too! The easiest way to grill vegetables is to brush them with a little bit of olive oil to prevent them from sticking and then grill, turning until tender. Try grilling asparagus or corn on the cob by adding seasonings and a touch of butter.

Fruit is also a great option, as the naturally occurring sugar caramelizes when combined with the heat of the grill, making the fruit even sweeter. Almost any fruit can be cooked on the grill, but softer fruits such as peaches and plums require more attention to prevent overcooking. Try seasoning apples or pears with cinnamon before throwing on the grill and serve with low-fat whipped topping or vanilla frozen yogurt for a twist on dessert.

Summer is a prime time for locally grown produce which customers can purchase at Stop & Shop while purchasing a variety of fresh meat and seafood items for grilling. Stop & Shop strives to consistently provide its customers with the freshest, tastiest food available throughout the summer and all year round, which is why it has a Double Your Money Back Guarantee in place. If a customer is not completely satisfied with his/her purchase from Stop & Shop's meat, seafood, deli, produce, bakery, floral or dairy departments, they can receive a refund for double the price of the item, excluding items prohibited by law. The product can be returned with or without a receipt, but a receipt is preferred. Without a receipt, customers are refunded through a gift card based on the current price of the product.

For more information on food safety and healthy ideas for your next meal, please visit www.stopandshop.com.

About Stop & Shop

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC employs approximately 62,000 associates and operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. The company helps support local communities fight hunger, combat childhood cancer and promote general health and wellness – with emphasis on children's educational and support programs. In its commitment to be a sustainable company, Stop & Shop is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and EPA's Smart Way program; has been awarded LEED (EB) certifications for 50 of its existing stores; and has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores. Stop & Shop is an Ahold company. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com.

SOURCE Stop & Shop

NOAA expects below-normal Central Pacific hurricane season

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:12:48 +0000

May 24, 2012

NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center today announced that projected climate conditions point to a below-normal hurricane season in the Central Pacific Basin this year. The seasonal hurricane outlook is produced in collaboration with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service.

The 2012 outlook calls for a 50 percent chance of a below-normal season, a 30 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a 20 percent chance of an above-normal season. Forecasters expect 2-4 tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific this season. An average season has 4-5 tropical cyclones, which include tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes.

“Despite the forecast for a below-normal season, we encourage everyone to get prepared for the start of the season and stay on top of the forecasts as storms develop,” said Ray Tanabe, director of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center – part of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “We’ve had two quiet seasons in a row here in the Central Pacific, but don’t let your guard down. We should all be weather-ready this and every season.”

NOAA issued its outlook at a news conference in Honolulu to urge Hawaii residents to be fully prepared ahead of the onset of the hurricane season, which begins on June 1. This outlook for a below-normal season is based on the continuing low cyclone activity era in the Eastern Pacific Basin which has been in place since 1995 and the current ENSO-neutral conditions (no El Niño or La Niña). The outlook is a general guide to the overall seasonal hurricane activity and does not predict whether, where, when, or how many of these systems will affect Hawaii.

“NOAA hurricane forecasters stand ready to track tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific Basin and warn communities of any landfall threats,” Tanabe said.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center continuously monitors weather conditions, employing a network of satellites, land- and ocean-based sensors and aircraft reconnaissance missions operated by NOAA and its partners. This array of data supplies the information for complex computer modeling and human expertise that serves as the basis for the hurricane center’s track and intensity forecasts that extend out five days.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA’s National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. Working with partners, NOAA’s National Weather Service is building a Weather-Ready Nation to support community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather. Visit us online at weather.gov and on Facebook.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.

NOAA predicts a near-normal 2012 Atlantic hurricane season

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:11:24 +0000

May 24, 2012

Irene in 2011 was a reminder that tropical systems can affect the Northeast and of the threat of inland flooding.

Video: Accurate Prediction for Irene

Download here. (Credit: NOAA.)

Conditions in the atmosphere and the ocean favor a near-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin this season, NOAA announced today from Miami at its Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, and home to the Hurricane Research Division.

For the entire six-month season, which begins June 1, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center says there’s a 70 percent chance of nine to 15 named storms (with top winds of 39 mph or higher), of which four to eight will strengthen to a hurricane (with top winds of 74 mph or higher) and of those one to three will become major hurricanes (with top winds of 111 mph or higher, ranking Category 3, 4 or 5). Based on the period 1981-2010, an average season produces 12 named storms with six hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

“NOAA’s outlook predicts a less active season compared to recent years,” said NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D. “But regardless of the outlook, it’s vital for anyone living or vacationing in hurricane-prone locations to be prepared. We have a stark reminder this year with the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew.” Andrew, the Category 5 hurricane that devastated South Florida on August 24, 1992, was the first storm in a late-starting season that produced only six named storms.

Favoring storm development in 2012: the continuation of the overall conditions associated with the Atlantic high-activity era that began in 1995, in addition to near-average sea surface temperatures across much of the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, known as the Main Development Region. Two factors now in place that can limit storm development, if they persist, are: strong wind shear, which is hostile to hurricane formation in the Main Development Region, and cooler sea surface temperatures in the far eastern Atlantic.

August 24, 2012 will be the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew's devastating landfall in South Florida.

Video: Satellite loop of Hurricane Andrew

Download here. (Credit: NOAA.)

“Another potentially competing climate factor would be El Niño if it develops by late summer to early fall. In that case, conditions could be less conducive for hurricane formation and intensification during the peak months (August-October) of the season, possibly shifting the activity toward the lower end of the predicted range,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

"NOAA's improvement in monitoring and predicting hurricanes has been remarkable over the decades since Andrew, in large part because of our sustained commitment to research and better technology. But more work remains to unlock the secrets of hurricanes, especially in the area of rapid intensification and weakening of storms,” said Lubchenco. “We're stepping up to meet this challenge through our Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project, which has already demonstrated exciting early progress toward improving storm intensity forecasts."

Lubchenco added that more accurate forecasts about a storm's intensity at landfall and extending the forecast period beyond five days will help America become a more Weather-Ready Nation.

In a more immediate example of research supporting hurricane forecasting, NOAA this season is introducing enhancements to two of the computer models available to hurricane forecasters - the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) and the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) models. The HWRF model has been upgraded with a higher resolution and improved atmospheric physics. This latest version has demonstrated a 20 to 25 percent improvement in track forecasts and a 15 percent improvement in intensity forecasts relative to the previous version while also showing improvement in the representation of storm structure and size. Improvements to the GFDL model for 2012 include physics upgrades that are expected to reduce or eliminate a high bias in the model's intensity forecasts.

The seasonal outlook does not predict how many storms will hit land. Forecasts for individual storms and their impacts are provided by NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, which continuously monitors the tropics for storm development and tracking throughout the season using an array of tools including satellites, advance computer modeling, hurricane hunter aircraft, and land- and ocean-based observations sources such as radars and buoys.

Next week, May 27- June 2, is national Hurricane Preparedness Week. To help prepare residents of hurricane-prone areas, video and audio public service announcements featuring NOAA hurricane experts and the FEMA administrator are available in both English and Spanish.

“Every hurricane season we ask families, communities, and businesses to ensure they are prepared and visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes,” said Tim Manning, FEMA deputy administrator for protection and national preparedness. “Being prepared includes developing a family emergency plan, putting an emergency kit together or updating your existing kit, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and getting involved to ensure your community is ready.”

NOAA’s outlook for the Eastern Pacific basin is for a near-normal hurricane season and the Central Pacific basin is expected to have a below-normal season. NOAA will issue an updated seasonal outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season in early August, just prior to the historical peak of the season.

NOAA predicts near-normal Eastern Pacific hurricane season

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:10:42 +0000

May 24, 2012

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center today announced that climate conditions point to a near-normal hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific this year. The outlook calls for a 50 percent probability of a near-normal season, a 30 percent probability of a below-normal season and a 20 percent probability of an above-normal season.

Seasonal hurricane forecasters estimate a 70 percent chance of 12 to 18 named storms, which includes 5 to 9 hurricanes, of which 2 to 5 are expected to become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale).

An average Eastern Pacific hurricane season produces 15 named storms, with eight becoming hurricanes and four becoming major hurricanes. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 through Nov. 30, with peak activity from July through September.

This outlook is based on the analysis and prediction of two competing climate signals:

Ongoing conditions, such as increased wind shear, that have been suppressing eastern Pacific hurricane seasons since 1995, and
The possible development of El Niño later in the season, with warmer waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, which can decrease the vertical wind shear and increase hurricane activity in the eastern Pacific region.

“The eastern Pacific has gotten off to a busy and early start of the season, with Tropical Storm Aletta last week and Hurricane Bud churning off the Mexican coast this week,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, part of the U.S. National Weather Service. “NOAA’s seasonal hurricane outlook gives people an idea of how the season will likely unfold so they will be prepared and equipped to respond when disaster strikes. Despite our predictions, it only takes one hurricane to cause a lot of damage and loss of life if people aren’t prepared.”

The outlook is a general guide to the overall seasonal hurricane activity. It does not predict whether, where, or when any of these storms may hit land. Residents, businesses and government agencies of coastal and near-coastal regions should always prepare prior to each and every hurricane season regardless of the seasonal hurricane outlook.

Eastern Pacific tropical storms most often track westward over open waters, sometimes reaching Hawaii and beyond. However, some occasionally head toward the northeast and may bring rainfall to the arid southwestern United States during the summer months. Also, during any given season, two to three tropical storms can affect western Mexico or Central America.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The agency operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. Visit us online at weather.gov and on Facebook.

Fishing Tourism: Discovering the Secrets and Tradition of Sicilian Fishing

Thu, 24 May 2012 07:13:36 +0000

Fishing Tourism is a recreational activity to integrate artisan fishing with sea tourism, established and regulated in 1999 by ministerial decree (Italy).

PALERMO, ITALY, May 24, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In front of the sea happiness is a simple idea.

--Jean-Claude Izzo, Chourmo, 1996

The aim of Fishing Tourism is to promote and increase the value of traditions relating to Sea and Fishing Culture, which are frequently abandoned and undervalued.

Some of the recreational activities include trips along the coasts, meals served on board fishing boats and the observing of fishing operations. So, the tourists is eager to discover the sea's heritage and secrets have been able to take part in, as a unique experience in contact with fishermen and their tireless profession.

Spending the day on board a fishing boat means having the chance to learn first hand the secrets and traditions of Sicilian fishing while listening to the stories, legends and anecdotes told by the fishermen. At the end of the day, the crew organises delicious dinners based on the fresh fish caught during the day in the company of the tourists.

This activity was born to create new working opportunities for operators within the world of fishing, to upgrade the market share of tourism and respecting, at the same time, the needs of sustainable fishing in compliance with policy directives and requirements. It also presents an opportunity to rediscover and increase the most evocative environmental contexts and locations of Sicily through responsible tourism and culture and tradition of these places.

Thanks to the Fish Tourism the fishermen offer their knowledge and culture at the disposal of tourists, remaining true to their own historical and cultural identity and, above all, promoting wholesome and sustainable tourism.

These activities are carried out all year round in all the fishing communities on the Sicilian coasts, concentrating especially on the smaller islands. The boats equipped for fishing tourism have been adapted to carry tourists and cater to all those who wish to experience a day of fishing. Tourist can also take part in unforgettable night-time fishing expeditions: the boats have safety equipment, with life rafts, life belts, sanitary material and suitable areas reserved for the group of tourists on board.

For more information www.sicilianfishonthenet.com/en.

---

Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com

This Father's Day, Help Dad Find His Inner Viking: Give Him Adventure in a Bottle with Einstok Icelandic Craft Ale

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:12:00 +0000

If you really want to commemorate the man your father is, then treat him to something that celebrates adventure and helps him discover his inner viking: craft beer from Einstok Olgerd, brewed in Iceland just 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle.

AKUREYRI, ICELAND, May 23, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Forget the ties, the tools and the lawn equipment. If you really want to commemorate the real man your father is, then treat him to something that celebrates adventure and helps him discover his inner viking: craft beer from Einstok Olgerd, brewed in Iceland just 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle.

Einstok - which means "unique" or "distinctive" in Icelandic - starts its process with the perfect foundation for brewing craft ales: the purest water on earth. The water starts as rain or ancient glacial water from atop the Hlioarfjall Mountain, from where it flows through and is naturally purified by ancient lava fields. From there, brewmaster Baldur Karrason unites it with ingredients sourced both locally from Iceland and from all over the world to deliver craft beer that is distinct and flavorful, yet deliciously refreshing and drinkable.

The current product line consists of three styles that offer a variety of color and flavor:

Icelandic White Ale (ABV 5.2%): brewed in the centuries-old Belgian tradition, this ale features the complex flavors of the classic wit bier, including coriander and orange peel, all brewed with pure Icelandic water that delivers a cool smoothness that is flavorful and refreshingly drinkable.

Pale Ale (ABV 5.6%): American and Bavarian craft come together to create the Viking version of the Pale Ale. Mild, slight toffee flavors and generous hop aroma flood this ale with taste, brewed harmoniously with nature's finest Icelandic water.

Toasted Porter (ABV 6.0%): With clear notes of espresso and dark chocolate, this Porter is dark and rich, offering a medium body that is robust - yet smooth and seriously easy to drink. Be afraid of the dark no more.

Einstok is distributed throughout California by Wine Warehouse and is currently available in select stores, restaurants and bars throughout the state. To find out more, join us on Facebook or visit www.einstokbeer.com.

---

Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com

NOAA: New Alaska navigational chart makes increased Arctic shipping safer

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:17:56 +0000

May 22, 2012

NOAA Ship Fairweather worked around the clock while acquiring Kotzebue data during the summer of 2011.

Download here. (Credit: NOAA.)

NOAA formally presented today to Alaska officials a new nautical chart for Kotzebue Sound in the Alaskan Arctic, a sparsely charted region that is seeing increased vessel traffic because of the significant loss of summer sea ice.

The new chart depicts the full range of depth measurements and object detection acquired during a full ocean bottom survey last summer by the NOAA hydrographic survey ship Fairweather. It replaces a chart showing depth measurements last taken in the 19th century spaced three to five miles apart, leaving room for possible undetected dangers in between.

The new navigational chart addresses a pressing need for this Northwest Alaska transportation hub, located in the Arctic Circle. Barge shipments and large transport ships must be anchored at least 14 miles out in the Kotzebue Sound due to shallow waters and inadequate charts and navigational aids. Freight must then be transferred by smaller barges to Kotzebue.

“This new chart is just one of the many critical navigational services that NOAA provides to support safe navigation and maritime commerce while protecting important marine resources,” said Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D., deputy NOAA administrator and assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observation and prediction. “Based on stakeholder discussions and developing Arctic vessel traffic patterns, NOAA will improve the existing charts and navigational data to position the regional maritime economy to meet emerging opportunities, as we expand our commerce and energy sectors into the Arctic region.”

Sullivan presented the chart to Alaska Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell during NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel meeting in Anchorage.

Using millions of precise depth measurements gathered by Fairweather last summer, the new chart will give mariners a much better – and safer – map. Fairweather’s hydrographic surveys of critical areas of the sound will improve safety and efficiency of freight transfer operations.

The new NOAA Chart 16161, partially depicted here, will be available in May.

Download here. (Credit: NOAA.)

“With the reduction in Arctic ice coverage, we are starting to see growing shipping traffic in the Arctic, and this growth is driving an increase in maritime concerns,” said NOAA Corps Capt. David Neander, who was the commanding officer of the NOAA Ship Fairweather during the survey. “Starting in 2010, we began surveying in critical Arctic areas where marine transportation dynamics are changing rapidly. These areas are increasingly transited by the offshore oil and gas industry, cruise liners, military craft, tugs and barges and fishing vessels.”

The new chart, number 16161, depicts measured ocean depths at a scale of 1:50,000. An inset for Kotzebue Harbor will have even more detail, with a scale of 1:25,000. Mariners had been using a chart with a 1:700,000 scale, mostly depicting water depths measured in the 1800s, before technology was able to acquire data with today's level of precision and accuracy, and before today’s increased shipping necessitated updating of these navigational surveys.

“With the new chart, mariners who are unfamiliar with the region will have more information and can make better decisions when they approach Kotzebue,” said Capt. Doug Baird, chief of NOAA Coast Survey’s marine chart division. “The chart has accurate and precise depth measurements, which will make ocean-going vessel traffic more efficient through northwest Alaska. Most importantly, the improved navigational information will help mariners protect life and property, on board ship and in the coastal waters of Kotzebue.”

The charts were made available to the public on May 11, as an online Print on Demand chart through OceanGrafix.

About one third of U.S. Arctic waters are important to navigation, based on water depth, the draft of ships transiting the region, and the potential for unknown hazards or dangers to navigation. NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey has identified 38,000 squares miles as its surveying priority and estimates it will take more than 25 years to complete updated charts for this area.

NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey is the nation’s chartmaker. Continuing a heritage of service to the maritime transportation system, Coast Survey has been America’s trusted source of navigational charts, data, and services for two centuries.

NOAA Ship Fairweather is part of the NOAA fleet of ships and aircraft operated, managed and maintained by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, which includes commissioned officers of the NOAA Corps and civilian wage mariners.

Rick Knabb, Ph.D., selected to lead NOAA’s National Hurricane Center

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:10:00 +0000

May 18, 2012

Rick Knabb, Ph.D., the new director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center.

Download here. (Credit: Weather Channel.)

NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., today announced Rick Knabb, Ph.D., as the next director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center in Miami. Knabb will start his duties on June 4.

“When hurricanes threaten our coastal communities, those in harm’s way look to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center for life-saving information,” said Lubchenco. “Rick personifies that calm, clear and trusted voice that the nation has come to rely on. Rick will also lead our hurricane center team and work closely with federal, state and local emergency management authorities to ensure the public is prepared to weather the storm.”

Knabb returns to NOAA after most recently serving as the on-air tropical weather expert for The Weather Channel in Atlanta since May 2010. Prior to that, Knabb was deputy director of NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu, and before that, he had a distinguished career at the National Hurricane Center in Miami as a senior hurricane specialist and the science and operations officer.

Knabb succeeds Bill Read who retires June 2. “I thank Bill Read for his tireless work throughout his distinguished career with the National Weather Service, including more than four years as director of the National Hurricane Center overseeing 63 tropical systems in the Atlantic Basin alone,” added Lubchenco.

Born just outside of Chicago, Knabb grew up in Coral Springs, Fla., near Ft. Lauderdale, and in Katy, Texas in suburban Houston. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Atmospheric Science from Purdue University and holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Meteorology from Florida State University.

"I'm ready to reunite with the talented staff at the National Hurricane Center and to work with all of our partners to prepare everyone for the next hurricane,” said Knabb. “Personal preparedness will be critically important, including for my own family and home."

The National Hurricane Center is a component of the National Weather Service’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The Center’s mission is to save lives, mitigate property loss, and improve economic efficiency by issuing the best watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather and by increasing understanding of these hazards, enabling communities to be safe from tropical weather threats. The National Hurricane Center is co-located with the National Weather Service Miami-South Florida forecast office on the campus of Florida International University.

The National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. It operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. Working with partners, the National Weather Service is building a Weather-Ready Nation to support community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather. Visit us online at weather.gov and on Facebook.

Clearwater receives Nova Scotia Exporter of the Year Award

Fri, 18 May 2012 19:35:00 +0000

Clearwater receives Nova Scotia Exporter of the Year Award

PR Newswire

HALIFAX, May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Clearwater was recognized for its outstanding contribution to Nova Scotia's exporting business community at a luncheon at the World Trade and Convention Centre on Thursday. Hosted by Nova Scotia Business Inc (NSBI), the 9^th annual Export Achievement Awards celebrate export leaders from around the province.

Clearwater has recognized the importance of developing customers and channels of distribution in international markets since its inception in 1976 and the business has only grown, with current export sales of over $275 million. In over 40 countries, Clearwater is recognized for its superior quality, food safety, diversity of species and reliable worldwide delivery of premium wild, eco-certified seafood, including scallops, lobster, clams, coldwater shrimp, crab and groundfish.

Clearwater CEO Ian Smith was delighted to accept the award on behalf of Clearwater's over 1500 employees. "It's not just that 85% of our business is done outside of Canada, it's that we've nurtured strong relationships with our international customers all over the world. The secret of our success is our people. We may be a small company by international standards, but our people are world-class," stated Smith.

Clearwater's international success translates to benefits for Atlantic Canada. The company employs over 1,400 Atlantic Canadians, many of whom reside in small rural communities, and have been with the company for over 20 years.

About Clearwater

Clearwater is one of North America's largest vertically integrated seafood companies and the largest holder of shellfish licenses and quotas in Canada. Since its founding in 1976, Clearwater has invested in science, people and technological innovation as well as resource ownership and management to sustain and grow its seafood resource. This commitment has allowed it to remain a leader in the global seafood market and in sustainable seafood excellence.

SOURCE Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership

Sino Agro Food, Inc. Reports Record Revenue of $16M with EPS of $0.08 for 1st Quarter 2012

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Sino Agro Food, Inc. Reports Record Revenue of $16M with EPS of $0.08 for 1st Quarter 2012

$16 Million in Revenue Sets New Record 1st Quarter and Represents 411% Growth over 1st Quarter of 2011

PR Newswire

GUANGZHOU, China, May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sino Agro Food, Inc. (OTCBB: SIAF), an emerging integrated, diversified agriculture technology and organic food company with its principal operations located throughout the Peoples Republic of China ("PRC"), is pleased to announce financial results for the 1st Quarter of 2012.

Consolidated Financial Summary:


	Q1 2012	Q1 2011	Change
Revenue	$15,980,016	$3,121,531	411.93%
Gross Profit	$8,013,592	$1,930,916	315.02%
Net Income Continued Op's	$5,632,769	$910,913	518.37%
Basic EPS Continued Op's	$0.08	$0.02	300.00%
Diluted EPS Continued Op's	$0.07	$0.01	600.00%

Earnings Call Information

The Company will host an earnings call on May 25, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET to discuss financial results for the 1st Quarter of 2012. To participate in the conference call please make note of the following information:

Date: May 25, 2012
Time: 12:00 PM, U.S. Eastern Time

Participant Dialing Instructions:
Toll Free Number: 1 (800) 868-1837
Direct Dial Number: 1 (404) 920-6440
Conference Code: 574559#

Conference Playback Instructions:
Toll Free Number: 1 (800) 704-9804
Direct Dial Number: 1 (404) 920-6604
Conference Code: * then 574559#

Aquaculture Operations

Revenue from fishery increased by $9,534,864 or 611.31% to $11,094,609 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $1,559,745 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase was primarily due to our increased contract service income from fishery and prawn development contracts and sale of fish for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to such consulting income and sale of fish for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Enping, Guangdong Operations: During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company sold almost 116,000 sleepy cod averaging 575g/fish. The Company anticipates that its production will gradually increase each quarter hereafter based on stocking volumes of the past months, especially when the contract for the supply of 500,000 fish executed in October 2011 is expected to begin resulting in sales in June 2012.

Also during three months ended March 31, 2012, Triway (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) acquired an additional 25% equity stake in the Enping Fishery operations, resulting in a 50% equity position.

Open Dam Fish Operations: During the three months ended March 31, 2012, there were over 73,000 sleepy cod averaging above 523g/fish being harvested and sold. The Company anticipates that as the weather gets warmer there will be more fish harvested and sold from this farm.

Management of Capital Award, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("CA"), has concluded that the open dam concept, although faced with many external seasonal factors compared to our A Power Module in-house farms, remains a viable option because the weather in Guangdong Province, where the open dam farm is located, is rather mild compared to other parts of China (e.g., Northern China is too cold, the central part of China is too dry and the coastal part of China is too windy), and because the sale price of live sleepy cod is relatively stable in China. A new grow-out contract with the existing grower for an additional 600,000 fish was executed in March 2012 and will remain in force through 2014, but at a slightly higher price of RMB45/fish instead of RMB40/fish as contracted in 2011.

Cattle Farm, Beef and Fertilizer Operations

Organic fertilizer: Revenue from organic fertilizer increased by $13,061 to $13,061 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The Company did not conduct this business during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Revenue – Cattle farm: Revenue from cattle farm increased by $941,460 to $941,460 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The Company did not conduct this business during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Revenue - Beef: Revenue from beef increased by $2,369,100 to $3,930,886 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $1,561,786 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase was primarily due to our increase in sales of beef.

Xining, Qinghai Operations: The Sino Joint Venture Company ("SJAP") situated at HuangYuan Town, Xining City Qinghai Province, sold 11,403 MT and manufactured 4,206 MT of organic fertilizer. SJAP also sold over 5,442 MT and produced 988 MT of livestock feed, sold 501 head of cattle over 13 month-old and bought 430 head of 5 to 6 month-old cattle.

Management anticipates having completed, furnished and staffed its four-story corporate office building by May 31, 2012. This facility should result in a much more streamlined operation that we have been diligently working toward over the past three years.

We have now constructed and fitted out a total of 12 cattle houses as of April 30, 2012, with the capacity to house up to 1,500 head of cattle at any given time. Work on constructing and fitting out more cattle houses are in progress targeting to complete the planned capacity to house up to 2,500 head of cattle before the end of this year.

Most of the infrastructure work on the drainage channel systems are in progress, which when completed will pipe cattle waste to a centralized collection basin where a Mash Gas station is expected to be constructed during 2013. Upon completion of the Mash Gas station, SJAP will begin processing cattle waste as its main source of raw material for manufacturing organic fertilizer.

70% of landscaping and roadwork has been completed around the 28-acre compound. SJAP is a now a show case operation in HuangYuan City.

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the HuangYuan Government awarded a cash grant of RMB500,000 to SJAP toward development of its Enzyme factory targeted to be completed by the end of 2012 at a total cost of about US $2 million. The HuangYuan Government is authorized to provide grant funding of up to 66% of total development cost on selected projects.

The HuangYuan Government in conjunction with SJAP is replicating SJAP's cattle housing model for local farmers with the understanding that SJAP will purchase all mature beef (estimated to be up to 10,000 head) for processing at its new boning and cold storage facility, scheduled to be constructed in 2012 and to be online by the second quarter of 2013.

Linli, Hunan Operations: As of April 30, 2012, development and construction work on the Mixed Fertilizer manufacturing facility are being carried out consisting of a 7,000 square meter production and storage factory, external fencing to cover the production area of about 11.55 acres of land, internal roads, landscaping, drainage, a 300 square meter office, staff quarters that will provide accommodation for up to 25 workers and all related basic infrastructure, etc. Current Stage 1 development should be completed by August 2012 with a capacity to produce up to 10,000 MT/year.

Current wholesale prices on mixed fertilizer are much greater than organic fertilizer (e.g., up to RMB3,600/MT for mixed fertilizer versus RMB1,100/MT for organic fertilizer), resulting in greater profit margins for operations.

Enping, Guangdong Operations: During the three months ended March 31 2012, MEIJI paid a deposit of US $1.25m toward its purchase of 25% equity in a cattle farm; the Sino Joint Venture Company is anticipating official approval of its partnership by August 2012.

The cattle farm's major construction has been completed and is under operation, currently rearing over 200 head of cattle as of April 30, 2012, with further improvements in progress (e.g., construction of more feed storage facilities, general landscaping, and furnishing and fitting of office and staff quarters). Management expects these improvements to continue throughout 2012, creating a complex that, like our other developments throughout China, is self-sufficient.

The Company expects that there will be 125 to 150 head of beef cattle ready for market during the second quarter of 2012. Based on trials conducted during the first quarter of 2012, management expects positive sales results since our top graded quality meat was well received by some of the prime hotels and restaurants in Beijing and in Guangzhou City.

Macau EIJI is negotiating with two groups to provide consulting and servicing contracts to build more cattle farms using our free-range system and SJAP technology; management anticipates entering into a contract with one of them in May 2012.

Plantation Operations

Plantation: As usual, there is no revenue the first quarter of each year.

Development and construction work on green housing on 10 acres of the plantation is in progress and trials on irrigation, disease control and fertilizer application is expected to commence sometime in June 2012, before harvest season begins.

For the remainder of the plantation, the heavy rain fall in April 2012 should prove beneficial as compared to the dry weather experienced in April 2011, and with all other conditions remaining equal should result in a better harvest for 2012.

Development and construction of the nursery station facility for the nurturing of asparagus seedlings will be on the same 50 Mu block of land where the 1^st Prawn Farm is located, and will begin once the major development work for the prawn farm is completed.

Marketing and Distribution Network

On March 16, 2012, the Company entered a 5-year lease for an approximate 650 square meter (~7000 square feet) space at the newly established Wholesale Fish and Seafood Market situated within Guangzhou City that is earmarked to replace the old Guangzhou Fish Market.

Renovation on this property is in the works for our first wholesale distribution center consisting of a cold storage facility including quick freezing, freezer and chill rooms, a processing and packaging area, and a retail outlet for live and frozen seafood. We anticipate the bulk of these developments to be completed on or before June 30, 2012, with operations beginning immediately upon completion.

Management knows that most of China's aquaculture imports (live or frozen), most of which originate in South Asian countries (e.g., Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.), are extremely poor in quality because of infestation with chemicals and pollutants unfit for human consumption. As of March 31, 2012, much of the seafood from South Asian countries to China has been banned. China's aquaculture industry faces the same dilemma, resulting in China's seafood exports to other countries declining year over year.

Taking these recent events into consideration, management has decided to capitalize on the opportunity and has begun investigating importing seafood from Norway, a country that is surrounded by clean waters, and is currently producing abundant supplies of seafood for European countries. Norway has very stringent health standards applied to its wild and farm harvested aquaculture industries.

By March 31, 2012, trial orders of frozen fish and live scallops were placed by the Company with a few reputable Norwegian suppliers. Management expects air shipment deliveries in May and by seafaring vessels later in the month to Guangzhou City.

The Company is negotiating with a group of restaurant chain operators to acquire equity in their operations, including exclusivity on beef supplied to those operations by our facilities. The Company intends to inform its stakeholders on any progress made in this area as it is made.

Consolidated Results

Revenues

Revenue including continued and discontinued operations increased by $12,858,485, or 411.93%, to $15,980,016 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $3,121,531 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase was primarily due to the natural growth of revenue generated from the fishery, cattle farm, beef and the maturity of ongoing divisional businesses improving their revenues.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of Goods Sold included in continued and discontinued operations increased by $6,775,809, or 569.10%, to $7,966,424 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $1,190,615 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase was primarily due to the Company increasing its scale of operations from continued operations - fishery, plantation, cattle farm and beef for three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Gross Profit

Gross profit including continued and discontinued operations increased by $6,082,676, or 315.02%, to $8,013,592 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $1,930,916 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase was primarily due to the corresponding increase in revenues from fishery, cattle farm and beef operations.

General and Administrative Expenses and Interest Expenses

General and Administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization) in continuing operations increased by $1,529,004, or 220.53%, to $2,222,322 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $693,318 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase was primarily due to an increase in general office and corporate expenses, and wages and salaries amounting to $584,764 and $697,179, respectively.

ABOUT SINO AGRO FOOD, INC.

Sino Agro Food, Inc. ("SIAF") (http://www.sinoagrofood.com) is an integrated, diversified agricultural technology and organic food company focused on developing, producing and distributing agricultural products in the Peoples Republic of China. The Company intends to focus on meeting the increasing demand of China's rising middle class for gourmet and high-quality food items. Current lines of business include the manufacture and distribution of beef and lamb products, fish products, bio-organic fertilizer, stock feed and cash crops.

Not a Broker/Dealer or Financial Advisor

Sino Agro Food, Inc. is not a Registered Broker/Dealer or a Financial Advisor, nor does it hold itself out to be a Registered Broker/Dealer or Financial Advisor. All material presented in this press release, on the Company's website or other media is not to be regarded as investment advice and is only for informative purposes. Readers should verify all claims and conduct their own due diligence before investing in Sino Agro Food, Inc.

Investing in small-cap, micro cap and penny stock securities is speculative and carries a high degree of risk.

No Offer of Securities

None of the information featured in this press release constitutes an offer or solicitation to purchase or to sell any securities of Sino Agro Food, Inc.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of SIAF and its subsidiary companies, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "estimates," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," expects" and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on SIAF's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on SIAF. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting SIAF will be those anticipated by SIAF. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. SIAF undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Contacts

Sino Agro Food, Inc.
CEO Mr. Solomon Lee
Phone: 86-20-22057860
info@siafchina.com

Investor Relations (US and Europe)
Mr. Chad Sykes
Chad.Sykes@sinoagrofood.com

SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

		March 31, 2012	December 31, 2011
		(Unaudited)	(Audited)


	ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$1,928,264	$1,387,908
Inventories		6,388,963	4,435,445
Cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings		-	456,104
Deposits and prepaid expenses		26,274,111	14,868,838
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts		25,144,570	27,531,915
Due from related parties		15,820,752	15,820,752
Other receivables		17,050,003	9,688,871
Total current assets		92,606,663	74,189,833
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation		2,652,283	2,667,765
Construction in progress		8,742,636	3,577,869
Land use rights, net of accumulated amortization		56,206,199	56,507,470
Total property and equipment		67,601,118	62,753,104
Other assets
Goodwill		724,940	724,940
Proprietary technologies, net of accumulated amortization		8,400,417	6,977,675
Long term accounts receivable		5,936,718	5,936,718
License rights		1	1
Investment in unconsolidated corporate joint venture		1,076,489	1,258,607
Total other assets		16,138,565	14,897,941

Total assets		$176,346,346	$151,840,878

	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$921,019	$1,202,104
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts		2,040,452	1,962,119
Due to a director		2,552,788	289,764
Dividends payable		21,326	155,957
Other payables		21,959,847	11,968,148
Due to related parties		849,939	867,413
Total liabilities		28,345,371	16,445,505

Commitments and contingencies		-	-

Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock: $0.001 par value		-	-
(10,000,000 shares authorized, 0 share issued and outstanding
as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)
Series A preferred stock: $0.001 par value		-	-
(100 shares authorized, 100 shares issued and outstanding
as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)
Series B convertible preferred stock: $0.001 par value)		7,000	7,000
(10,000,000 shares authorized, 7,000,000 shares issued and outstanding)
as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)
Common stock: $0.001 par value		70,732	67,034
(100,000,000 shares authorized, 70,732,546 and 67,034,262 shares issued and outstanding
as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)
Additional paid - in capital		74,910,045	72,794,902
Retained earnings		56,028,213	50,395,444
Accumulated other comprehensive income		3,912,106	3,446,838
Treasury stock		(1,250,000)	(1,250,000)
Total Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries stockholders' equity		133,678,096	125,461,218
Non - controlling interest		14,322,878	9,934,155
Total stockholders' equity		148,000,974	135,395,373
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$176,346,345	$151,840,878

The notes accompanying these financial statements included in the Form 10-Q to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 21, 2012 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

	Three months ended	Three months ended
	March 31, 2012	March 31, 2011
	(Unaudited)	(Unaudited)
Continuing operations
Revenue	$15,980,016	$3,121,531

Cost of goods sold	7,966,424	1,190,615

Gross profit	8,013,592	1,930,916

General and administrative expenses	(2,222,322)	(693,318)
Net income from operations	5,791,270	1,237,598

Other income (expenses)

Government grant	79,365	-

Other income	415,888	9,302

Gain (loss) of extinguishment of debts	255,151	92,926


Net income (expenses)	750,404	102,228

Net income before income taxes	6,541,674	1,339,826
		.
Provision for income taxes	-	-

Net income (loss) from continuing operations	6,541,674	1,339,826
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to the non - controlling interest	(908,905)	(428,913)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable
to the Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries	5,632,769	910,913
Discontinued operations
Net income from discontinued operations	-	10,203,951
Less: Net income attributable to the non - controlling interest	-	-
Net income from discontinued operations attributable to the Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries	-	10,203,951
Net income (loss) attributable to the Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries	5,632,769	11,114,864
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	620,357	1,175,674
Comprehensive income (loss)	6,563,126	12,290,538
Less: other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to
the non - controlling interest	(155,089)	(293,918)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries	$6,098,037	$ 11,996,620

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Sino Agro Food, Inc.
and subsidiaries common stockholders:
From continuing and discontinued operations
Basic	$0.08	$0.20

Diluted	$0.07	$0.18

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Sino Agro Food, Inc.
and subsidiaries common stockholders:
From continuing operations

Basic	$0.08	$0.02

Diluted	$0.07	$0.01

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

Basic	68,747,617	56,502,325

Diluted	75,747,617	63,502,325

SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

	Three months ended	Three months ended
	March 31, 2012	March 31, 2011
	(Unaudited)	(Unaudited)


Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$6,541,674	$1,339,826

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash from operations:
Depreciation	57,624	40,353
Amortization	374,729	189,792
Common stock issued for services	1,069,528	-
Gain on extinguishment of debts	(255,151)	(92,926)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in inventories	(115,181)	(381,707)
Decrease in cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contacts	456,104	-
(Increase) decrease in deposits and prepaid expenses	(12,474,802)	8,438
Increase in due to a director	2,263,024	113,081
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(281,085)	372,932
Increase in other payables	9,899,096	16,347,616
Decrease in accounts receivable	2,387,345	(1,662,144)
Increase in billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	78,333	430,767
Decrease in amount due to related parties	(17,474)	-
Increase in other receivables	(7,361,132)	(13,060,168)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,622,632	3,645,860
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(7,223)	(6,449)
Acquisition of proprietary technology	(1,500,000)	-
Business combination of a subsidiary	(1,288,865)	-
Acquisition of land use rights	-	(704,388)
Investment in unconsolidated equity investee	(1,076,489)	-
Payment for construction in progress	(3,326,430)	(387,298)
Net cash used in investing activities	(7,199,007)	(1,098,135)
Cash flows from financing activities
Non - controlling interest contribution	3,324,729	-
Dividends paid	(134,631)	(3,905)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,190,098	(3,905)
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	(1,386,277)	2,543,820
Cash flows from discontinued operations
Net cash provided by operating activities	-	-
Net cash used in investing activities	-	(3,137,885)
Net cash provided by financing activities	-	-
Net cash used in discontinued operations	-	(3,137,885)

Effects on exchange rate changes on cash	1,926,633	(2,813,045)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	540,356	(3,407,110)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,387,908	3,890,026
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,928,264	482,916
Less: cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period - discontinued operation	-	-
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period - continuing operations	$1,928,264	$482,916

Supplementary disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	-	-

Cash paid for income taxes	-	-

Non - cash transactions
Common stock issued for settlement of debts	$2,373,992	$1,989,000
Disposal proceeds receivable of sale of subsidiaries, HYT and ZX	$5,386,232	$44,295,612
Land use rights payable due to related parties	$ -	$6,339,493
Elimination of unconsolidated corporate joint venture	$2,515,162	$ -

SOURCE Sino Agro Food, Inc.

NOAA, National Safe Boating Council promote National Safe Boating Week

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:13:03 +0000

May 18, 2012

National Safe Boating Week Campaign Logo.

Download here. (Credit: North American Safe Boating Campaign.)

NOAA’s National Weather Service and the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) have partnered again to encourage recreational boaters to know their risks, learn the rules, and be prepared before taking the helm this summer during National Safe Boating Week: May 19 to 25.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were more than 4,000 boating accidents, including 758 deaths, in 2011. Seventy percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 84 percent were reported as not wearing a life jacket. Once in the water hypothermia can become a significant threat to survival even if wearing a life jacket.

To increase awareness about the dangers of hypothermia, the NSBC and NOAA have enlisted assistance from former college football player and boating tragedy survivor Nick Schuyler. Schuyler was the lone survivor of a boating accident while fishing off the Florida Gulf coast in February 2009. Interviews with Schuyler are available online and provide lifesaving information about hypothermia as well as the importance of being prepared.

“Before going out on the water, check the marine weather forecast and then stay informed with a NOAA Weather Radio,” said Jack Hayes Ph.D., director, National Weather Service. “We want boaters to be part of our Weather-Ready Nation. Weather can change very quickly on the water. The sudden emergence of dark clouds, increasing winds, torrential downpours and lightning can turn a relaxing time on the water into a dangerous situation.”

NOAA and the NSBC have launched a series of boating safety public service announcements to highlight important boating safety topics, including hypothermia; the importance of always wearing a life jacket; distress radio beacons; winds and waves, thunderstorm safety; understanding your marine forecast; and boating under the influence.

The NSBC administers the North American Safe Boating Campaign “Wear It!” designed to educate boaters about the importance of life jacket wear while introducing them to the different styles that are available, including inflatable life jackets. “Wear It!” is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

“Lives can be saved by improving the knowledge and skills of recreational boaters,” said Virgil Chambers, executive director, NSBC. “Boaters can have fun and stay safe by wearing a life jacket, having the proper equipment onboard, knowing what the weather conditions will be, and abstaining from alcohol while boating.”

NOAA and the NSBC encourage recreational boaters to prepare before they go out on the water by following these guidelines:

Know your risk: Have an understanding of the body of water you want to boat in. Learn the rules of boating before taking the helm by taking a safe boating course. Check the marine weather forecast before going out on the water. The weather can change quickly, so plan for all types of weather hazards.

Be prepared: Make sure your vessel has the required equipment such as life jackets, a first aid kit, and distress signals. Develop an emergency plan with more than one way to get your boat out of trouble. Create a float plan and tell a friend of your whereabouts and when you plan to return. Obtain and pay attention to NOAA Weather Radio and understand marine watches, warnings and advisories.

Be an example: Share with your friends, family, co-workers, and your social media network safe boating tips, such as the importance of wearing a life jacket and taking a safe boating course. The information you share might just save their lives, too.

NOAA, through its National Weather Service, is dedicated to supplying the most up-to-date and accurate weather information throughout the U.S. coast, coastal and offshore waters, the Great Lakes, and the open oceans. NOAA’s National Ocean Service provides the navigation services that protect lives, strengthen the maritime economy, and position America for the future. Download NOAA’s free nautical charts BookletCharts today.

The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) is the foremost coalition for the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education, outreach, and training. The NSBC accomplishes this mission by promoting outreach and research initiatives that support boating education and safety awareness; improving the professional development of boating safety educators through training; and developing and recognizing outstanding boating safety programs. More information about the NSBC and its programs, is available online.

Malmaison Launches a New Menu at its Brasseries

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:55:00 +0000

Malmaison Launches a New Menu at its Brasseries

PR Newswire

NEWCASTLE, England, May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Malmaison, a luxury boutique hotel brand in the UK, has announced the launch of a new menu at its brasseries, as well as updated bar and room service menus.

The menu includes an array of starters that feature seasonal offerings, such as the Scotch quail egg and bacon salad with a piccalilli vinaigrette and the 'From the shore' smoked salmon blini, creme fraiche and caviar.

In addition to the new starters, the Malmaison hotel restaurants offer an array of heartily portioned mains, including six different choices from the grill. In keeping with the overall quality of the menu, all of the beef on offer is naturally reared, grass-fed and dry-aged on the bone for a minimum of twenty eight days.

Vegetarians and seafood fans aren't without options either. The new menu also includes a risotto primavera with young fresh vegetables and a hefty sprinkling of parmesan cheese. Seafood options include the yellow fin tuna steak and the salmon fish cake with spinach and parsley sauce.

Emma Benney, Group Marketing Director, said: "We are delighted with the new menu. It's a return to the Malmaison classics, with a few new ones which are already becoming hot favourites. There's a great selection, something for everyone. I personally recommend the Chicken Skewers and of course The Mal burger."

The updated bar menu features a new wine list, headed-up by world renowned sommelier Johnny Walker. Every Malmaison bar also regularly hosts 'Vino Voyages' for wine enthusiasts and occasional wine drinkers alike. These events are presented by guest wine producers and include a large sit-down feast matched with various wines.

Another component of the new bar menu is the cocktail list, which features exotic mixed drinks like the Blackforest Martini as well as classics like the Tom Collins.

Also on offer for Spring 2012 is a new dessert menu, which includes a baked New York cheesecake with blueberries, an array of ice cream sundaes, a Valrhona chocolate tart and a classic vanilla crème brulee. The dessert menu also features an artisan cheese slate with crackers and chutney and an iced fresh fruit plate for those looking for something a bit lighter.

Guests at the brasseries can choose from a range of liqueurs and rich ports to enjoy with their desserts. Also paired well with dessert is the Irish coffee, the French coffee and the Espresso Martini.

The room service menu has also been upgraded to reflect the fresh ingredients of the season. It includes a range of starters, salads and mains, many of which are exclusive only to room service. The menu also offers a selection of sandwiches, the ideal option for guests wanting a light lunch. Catering to guests' late-night cravings, the room service menu also features some 'Midnight Munchies', such as the British classic, beans on toast.

About Malmaison:

Malmaison offers twelve boutique luxury hotels in the UK, all featuring super slinky rooms and suites, with super-fast broadband. Guests can enjoy visiting the high-octane bars stocked with cocktails and bubbly within the hotels and can dine on the best local produce in the hotel restaurants. In addition to restaurants in London, Malmaison's portfolio also includes Glasgow restaurants and restaurants in Liverpool.

PR Contact:
Emma Benney
Malmaison
The Quayside
Newcastle
NE1 3DX
+44(0)191-233-1057
http://www.malmaison.com

Malmaison Launches a New Menu at its Brasseries

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:55:00 +0000

Malmaison Launches a New Menu at its Brasseries

PR Newswire

NEWCASTLE, England, May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Malmaison, a luxury boutique hotel brand in the UK, has announced the launch of a new menu at its brasseries, as well as updated bar and room service menus.

Another component of the new bar menu is the cocktail list, which features exotic mixed drinks like the Blackforest Martini as well as classics like the Tom Collins.

About Malmaison:

PR Contact:
Emma Benney
Malmaison
The Quayside
Newcastle
NE1 3DX
+44(0)191-233-1057
http://www.malmaison.com

SOURCE Malmaison

U.S.-Japan scientific cooperation strengthened with launch of new environmental monitoring satellite

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:10:00 +0000

May 17, 2012

NOAA scientists will use data from a new Japanese polar-orbiting satellite launched earlier today from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, to help forecast severe storms, monitor the decline of Arctic sea ice, and predict the onset of El Niño, La Niña and other global climate phenomena. Once deemed operational, data from this new spacecraft and the U.S.' new Suomi NPP satellite, which was launched last year and is operated by NOAA, will strengthen the environmental monitoring capabilities of both nations.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed last year between NOAA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), NOAA will use data from an instrument onboard JAXA's Global Change Observation Mission 1 - Water (GCOM-W1) satellite.

The instrument, the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR-2), will provide data crucial for tracking sea-surface temperatures and support near real-time weather and ocean forecasts.

Additionally, under the MOU, NOAA will provide ground support, including ground reception of AMSR-2 data, and transmit it from Norway's Svalbard Satellite Ground Station to JAXA and to NOAA. NOAA will also process, archive and distribute AMSR-2 data products to users and make data from the Suomi NPP satellite and the upcoming Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) satellites available to JAXA.

"The cooperation between NOAA and JAXA is strong," said Mary Kicza, assistant administrator for NOAA's Satellite and Information Service. "JPSS will extend the agreement, providing significant and lasting benefits to scientists around the world"

JPSS is now operating Suomi NPP. The mission is a partnership between NASA and NOAA and is the first in a series of next-generation polar-orbiting satellites.The second in the series, JPSS1, is on track to launch in 2017.

Kicza added, "The data from GCOM-W1 will complement the data we expect from JPSS, allowing us to meet observational requirements that otherwise would be difficult to meet."

"GCOM-W1, given the Japanese nickname "SHIZUKU" ("water drop"), is the first satellite of the GCOM series which enables us to observe global-scale, long-term climate change," said Dr. Masanori Homma, executive director for Space Applications Mission Directorate, JAXA. "We expect GCOM-W1, observing data of the global water cycle, will contribute greatly to NOAA's activities."

NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary shipwreck Lamartine listed on National Register of Historic Places

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:12:45 +0000

May 17, 2012

The carefully chiseled groove around the basin head’s manhole allowed the manhole cover to fit flush with the slab’s surface.

Download here. (Credit: NOAA/SBNMS and NURTEC-UConn)

The wreck of the Lamartine, a 19th century schooner that hauled granite for construction of streets, sidewalks and buildings along the U.S. East Coast, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. The wrecklies within NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Massachusetts Bay.

Built in Camden, Maine, the 79-foot, two-masted cargo schooner was launched in 1848 and enjoyed a 45-year career along the Eastern Seaboard. The Lamartine is considered by historians as a representative vessel of New England’s granite trade from that era.

While hauling granite sewer heads from Stonington, Maine, to New York City on May 17, 1893, the Lamartine encountered a storm off Cape Ann, Mass. Heavy seas caused the schooner’s cargo to shift, capsizing the vessel.

One crewmember drowned as the schooner settled beneath the waves, and the captain and mate were tossed into the ocean. Luckily, a fishing schooner returning to Gloucester, Mass., saw the Lamartine sink, and rescued them.

“Lamartine’s cargo of cut granite reveals fascinating details about how granite quarried in New England met the demands of a nation growing increasingly urban,” said Craig MacDonald, superintendent of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. “The shipwreck is a physical link to earlier generations who moved the stone and whose hands chiseled the granite blocks that built our great American cities.”

Scientists from NOAA and the University of Connecticut’s Northeast Underwater Research Technology and Education Center (NURTEC) documented the shipwreck with the university’s remotely operated vehicle during several research missions between 2004 and 2006. The fieldwork recorded the vessel’s features, including portions of its wooden hull, rigging and granite cargo. This information allowed sanctuary maritime archaeologists, with help from a local maritime historian, to identify the shipwreck and connect it with New England’s cultural landscape that is dotted with granite quarries on coastal headlands and islands.

NOAA and NURTEC scientists have collaboratively located and documented more than three dozen historic shipwrecks in the sanctuary using side scan sonar and an advanced suite of remotely operated and self-guided underwater vehicles. The Lamartine is the sanctuary’s sixth shipwreck site to be included on the National Register of Historic Places, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service.

The Lamartine’s location within Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary provides protection unavailable to shipwrecks in other federal waters off Massachusetts. Sanctuary regulations prohibit moving, removing or injuring any sanctuary historical resource, including artifacts and pieces from shipwrecks or other submerged archaeological sites. Anyone violating this regulation is subject to civil penalties.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 842 square miles of ocean, stretching between Cape Ann and Cape Cod offshore of Massachusetts. Renowned for its biological diversity and remarkable productivity, the sanctuary is famous as a whale watching destination and supports a rich assortment of marine life, including marine mammals, seabirds, fishes and marine invertebrates. The sanctuary’s position astride the historic shipping routes and fishing grounds for Massachusetts’ oldest ports also make it a repository for shipwrecks representing several hundred years of maritime transportation.