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Venezuela Ends Shark Finning, Creates Protected Area	Venezuela set forth a series of measures this week to protect sharks within its waters. Most significantly, commercial shark fishing is now prohibited throughout the 3,730 square kilometers (1,440 square miles) of the Caribbean Sea that make up the popular Los Roques and Las Aves archipelagos, whose pristine beaches and coral reefs make it a diving and fishing attraction.
A Tree of All Life Being Built to Bring Together What is Known About How Species are Related	A new initiative aims to build a comprehensive tree of life that brings together everything scientists know about how all species are related, from the tiniest bacteria to the tallest tree. Information about evolutionary relationships is fundamental to comparative biology research. It helps scientists identify promising new medicines; develop hardier, higher-yielding crops; and fight infectious diseases such as HIV, anthrax and influenza.
US EPA and Department of Veterans Affairs to Connect Veterans with Jobs in Water Sectors	The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program agreement announced today allows EPA and VA to connect qualified veteran employees with staffing needs at water and wastewater utilities. EPA and the VA will work with water utilities, states and local VA counselors to promote water sector careers and resources for finding water jobs for veterans as well as educational programs to help veterans' transition into careers in water industries.
Intelligent Robotic Fish Detect Pollution	SHOAL, the pan-European ICT project, part funded by the EU, has successfully developed and delivered intelligent robotic fish capable of working together to detect and identify pollution in ports and other aquatic areas.
NOAA Reports a Record Number of Rebuilt Fisheries	A record six fish populations were declared rebuilt to healthy levels in 2011, bringing the number of rebuilt U.S. marine fish populations in the last 11 years to 27, according to a report to Congress out today from NOAA’s Fisheries Service. This report documents historic progress toward ending overfishing and rebuilding our nation’s fisheries, due to the commitment of fishermen, fishing communities, non-governmental organizations, scientists, and managers.
Ten Thousand Villages Creates Opportunities for Artisans in Developing Countries	Ten Thousand Villages creates opportunities for artisans in developing countries who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through long-term, fair trading relationships. The income artisans earn helps pay for food, education, health care, and housing.
Cook+Fox Architects Create Buildings Designed to Restore, Regenerate, and Contribute To The Urban Environment	Cook+Fox Architects are finding ways to achieve their vision of integrated, environmentally responsive design inspired by concepts such as Biophilia. They not only incorporate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, but seek to go beyond those standards as they design to restore, regenerate, and contribute to the urban environment.
Game as Tool for Tracking How Infectious Diseases Move Through a Population Developed by Researchers	An innovative tool for teaching the fundamentals of epidemiology, the science of how infectious diseases move through a population, has been developed by an international team of scientists. The tool is helping epidemiologists improve the mathematical models they use to study outbreaks of diseases like cholera, AIDS and malaria.
International Water Management Institute (IWMI) named 2012 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate	The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), with headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, has been named the 2012 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate for their pioneering research that has served to improve agriculture water management, enhance food security, protect environmental health and alleviate poverty in developing countries.
Simple Tool Helps Companies Address Water Risks	A global online tool launched today, March 28, 2012, by WWF and German development finance institution DEG (Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH) enables companies and investors to address their water-related risks. WWF and DEG have created a practical online questionnaire that not only identifies water risk in supply chains and investment portfolios, but also provides practical steps to mitigate risk.