Pesticides Threaten Ant-Eating Tradition in Brazil

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/world/americas/05ants.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=pesticides&st=cse


In Brazil, a delicacy is the queen ant. The thunderous spring rains in October and November drive the ants out of the ground, and for a few short weeks Silveiras becomes a frenzy of ant hunting. Residents stock up, cleaning the içás and freezing them in one and two-liter bottles to get through until the next season. However, this year the ant haul was smaller than usual and the number of ants have declined. The main reason for this decline is the pesticide used on eucalyptus trees that are planted to produce cellulose for paper and other products. Generations of indigenous people used these ants as protein instead of fish and monkeys. Everyone loves it and they know they need to find a solution if they want future generations to continue on with this tradition. Alair Duarte, the president of the town council, said he had proposed limiting eucalyptus plantings to certain areas so the ants can continue to reproduce. “If we don’t do it soon, we won’t have any içás left,” he said. If the içás are imperiled here, some residents say they believe there is still a place where the eucalyptus plantings are not killing off the ants. As much as I do not find these ants appetizing, these people do and its their way of life. They do not want it to end because of this pesticide problem so as long as they are trying to limit this to the ants can reproduce, I am hoping for them that it works.

Italy and Others Cited for Illegal Fishing

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/italy-and-others-cited-for-illegal-fishing/?ref=science

In 2009 and 2010, vessels from Italy along with 6 other nations engaged in illegal fishing. The report states the widespread use of illegal driftnets, overfishing of stocks protected by international quotas and the unlawful use of spotting planes to catch increasingly rare bluefin tuna, among other violations. After working on stopping these vessels, 2 countries continue on with the illegal fishing; Panama and Italy. Only a small fine of about $4,000 per violation was issued to Italy and many of the vessels sighted continued to use the unlawful nets. The Pew Environment Group, which studies fisheries issues, estimates that one-fifth of all fish taken from the world’s oceans are fished illegally or without any management of stocks.
I believe this is terrible. This does huge damage to the environment and in the long run, these business's and all they get as punishment is a small, lousy fine.

Food Blog!

Tuesday
2 Eggo waffles with syrup
Baby carrots
Bagel with butter
Water
Garlic bread at Ginos
One slice of pizza at Ginos

Wednesday
2 eggo waffles with syrup
Apple
Protein bar
Pasta with marinara sauce at Planet Hollywood
Bag of mini oreos
Starbucks Frapaccino
water

Friday
2 eggo waffles with syrup
milk
Sandwitch-Bread, lettuce, cheese with tortilla chips
Apple

Saturday
Pop-tart(strawberry frosted)
small muffin
pasta salad
krafts mac & cheese with breadcrumbs
brownie
water

Sunday
cinnamon toast crunch
pasta
veggie chicken patty on a bun with cheese and lettuce
water
ice tea

Monday
2 Eggos with syrup
milk
Sandwitch-Bread, lettuce, cheese with tortilla chips
apple
ravioli
water

Tuesday
2 Eggos with syrup
milk
sesame seed bagel
apple
Sandwitch-Bread, lettuce, cheese with tortilla chips
water

Wednesday
Onion and egg bagel with eggs
ice tea