On Our Blogs: Fishing limits, Alaskan predators and rising sea levels

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END OF FISHING? The Marine Life Protection Act has already set up no-take reserves in fishing regions across Southern California. As an angler, The Times’ Pete Thomas has his own opinions on the issue. Read his thoughts here.

CULLING PREDATORS: Controversy is growing over new guidelines in Alaska’s predator control program. The program was originally intended to revive waning moose and caribou populations. These new guidelines will allow the use of paw snares to capture bears in certain regions, to use poison gas to kill orphaned wolf pups and to access these areas by private helicopters. Read more about the new guidelines in our Outpost blog.

SWELLING SEA LEVELS: According to scientists at a Copenhagen summit, polar ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are melting faster than expected. Sea levels have already been rising at 3 millimeters a year since 1993, but studies show levels may rise to more than 3 feet by 2100. This may dramatically affect coastal residents across the U.S. and worldwide.

INEXPENSIVE INSIGHT: The rivalry between Honda and Toyota for eco-conscious consumers was rekindled today when Honda revealed the base price of its 2010 Insight hybrid. The Insight will be released for sale in the U.S. in two weeks at $19,800, making it the least expensive hybrid on the market. However, it’s still less efficient than its biggest competitor, the Prius. Insight sales have been soaring since it was released last month in Japan, but the currently low gas prices and economic downturn may hurt U.S. sales. Ken Bensinger reports further in the Up to Speed blog.

— Stephanie Chang