Oysters May Clean East Coast Waters

(AP) - About four out of 10 freshwater fish species in North America are in peril, says a major study by US, Canadian, and Mexican scientists. And the number of subspecies of fish populations in trouble has nearly doubled since 1989, the new report says. One biologist called it "silent extinctions" because few notice the dramatic dwindling deep in lakes, rivers, and streams. And while they are unaware, people are the chief cause of the problem by polluting and damming freshwater habitats, experts said. More»

Longtime fishermen lament lost way of life

(NEWSER) - Overfishing and water pollution have put the Chesapeake Bay's signature blue crab on the brink—along with fishermen who have long depended on it. Stocks are down 65% since 1990, the AP reports, as officials in Maryland and Virginia struggle to enact a patchwork of laws to reduce the harvest, control waterfront development and provide help for struggling watermen—though many think it's too late. More»

One-wheeled 'motorcycle' goes green with electricity—and stylish to boot

(NEWSER) - Looking like a tricked out motorbike, the Uno is electric personal transportation with style, the Chicago Tribune reports. Designed by 19-year-old inventor Ben Gulak, the device employs no throttle or brake, relying on its rider's leanings to guide it, and is so intuitive an 8-year-old picked it up instantly at a recent vehicle expo. More»

Plan calls for $8 fee to drive into Manhattan

(NEWSER) - Michael Bloomberg chose Earth Day to launch an ambitious, expensive and politically uncertain campaign to make New York City “the first environmentally sustainable 21st-century city.” The most provocative proposal: charging drivers $8 a day for entering Manhattan below 86th Street. More»

Striped bass is a prize in the Maryland Fishing Challenge

(NEWSER) - There's never been a better time to cast a fishing line into the Chesapeake Bay. You just might reel in a striped bass worth $10,000. The fish's name is Diamond Jim, and he's a prize in the Maryland Fishing Challenge, reports the Washington Post . The prize money increases and eventually hits $25,000 in August if Jim hasn't been caught. There are actually three "Jims" swimming around out there. Each is wearing a special tag, and if you catch one, do not remove it—or your fish will be worth zilch. More»