tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37481971895983167142024-03-05T09:51:28.324-08:00OCEANSUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-84725935778385169112014-04-20T15:33:00.001-07:002014-04-20T15:35:37.197-07:00<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">TWO MARINE SANCTUARIES MAY MORE THAN DOUBLE IN SIZE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://oceanshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/two-marine-sanctuaries-may-more-than.html">http://oceanshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/04/two-marine-sanctuaries-may-more-than.html</a></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MA9bQCO5FtN5CjQBiV6rb8XKDy0sl5mn5LgDa8MA8cUTRlE8eo_7ysGydm_Lww4ACL3ryMrSs2M7xHDQnqQ9CETAQ_z8lCHJXWn8LVq0ICre1HpplYpMHEkkwhRCS3f1IZ3NSSDyjEs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-20+at+4.22.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MA9bQCO5FtN5CjQBiV6rb8XKDy0sl5mn5LgDa8MA8cUTRlE8eo_7ysGydm_Lww4ACL3ryMrSs2M7xHDQnqQ9CETAQ_z8lCHJXWn8LVq0ICre1HpplYpMHEkkwhRCS3f1IZ3NSSDyjEs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-20+at+4.22.34+PM.png" height="466" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Picture of Point Arena in Northern California</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The northern boundary of the proposed expansion of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary ends a couple of miles north of Point Arena. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Photograph courtesy of Jennifer Stock/CBNMS/NOAA)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Posted by Jane J. Lee </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">in Ocean Views </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">on April 18, 2014</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In response to public interest, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposed the expansion of the Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries this week.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://farallones.noaa.gov/manage/expansion_cbgf.html">http://farallones.noaa.gov/manage/expansion_cbgf.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The main effect of any expansion plans, if approved, would be bans on oil and gas exploration within the sanctuaries, along with increased protections for water quality. Fishing, both commercial and recreational, is allowed in the sanctuaries, says Jennifer Stock, a spokeswoman for the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://cordellbank.noaa.gov/">http://cordellbank.noaa.gov/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The two sanctuaries—located off the coast of Northern California—are neighbors, and the proposed expansion of their boundaries would increase their combined area by 2,775 square miles (7,187 square kilometers). Currently, the Cordell Bank sanctuary, which is entirely offshore, encompasses 529 square miles (1,370 square kilometers) and the Gulf of the Farallones sanctuary sprawls across 1,279 square miles (3,313 square kilometers).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">If expansion plans pass muster, they would run from just north of San Francisco up the coast to Point Arena (map) in Mendocino County.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Point+Arena,+CA+95468/@38.390004,-122.6860515,9z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x808118d7d648777d:0x755ce630f0324829">https://www.google.com/maps/place/Point+Arena,+CA+95468/@38.390004,-122.6860515,9z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x808118d7d648777d:0x755ce630f0324829</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">An Area of Plenty</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“The Point Arena site is the strongest upwelling site on the coast of North America,” says Mary Jane Schramm, a spokeswoman for the Gulf of the Farallones sanctuary. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://farallones.noaa.gov/">http://farallones.noaa.gov/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">That means it is nutrient and food-rich, drawing in a smorgasbord of marine life and supporting valuable fisheries, including Dungeness crab, herring, sardines, and salmon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M7dyemrAZSpAmx4IuTUMI0yX9OUmV5QruWp6rG0_luJ_h0fIeqwJzIGmAiZu7xtQrv4f53SBhv1Np6oCE56MXEPYgt1uTNzsKWHvBXQvz-nNuGyryYJQodxMQHjZSTNQhAOr0rBla5Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-20+at+4.22.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M7dyemrAZSpAmx4IuTUMI0yX9OUmV5QruWp6rG0_luJ_h0fIeqwJzIGmAiZu7xtQrv4f53SBhv1Np6oCE56MXEPYgt1uTNzsKWHvBXQvz-nNuGyryYJQodxMQHjZSTNQhAOr0rBla5Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-20+at+4.22.17+PM.png" height="360" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Picture of a pair of humpback whales lunge feeding</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">A pair of humpback whales feed off the coast of Northern California. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">(Photograph courtesy of Cornelia Oedekoven/NOAA)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Humpback whales have put in an early appearance this year, Schramm says, likely due to the presence of huge schools of bait fish—also known as bait balls—like sardines. “Fishermen coming in from salmon season are reporting seeing bait balls going from the surface to the ocean floor.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Those life-giving waters also find their way south via the California Current, nourishing important fisheries and ecosystems all along the Golden State, says Stock.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Have Your Say</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">NOAA wants to keep the expansion process as transparent as possible, Stock says, which is why the public can comment on the plan between April 14 and June 30. Stakeholders can submit their thoughts online, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NOS-2012-0228">http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NOS-2012-0228</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">through the mail, or at a series of public meetings in Northern California.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/press/2014/pr041414.html">http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/press/2014/pr041414.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“NOAA has set an aggressive timeline,” says Stock. Officials want to make sure a decision is made within two years. And so after June 30, NOAA officials will comb through the comments and decide on a plan of action by December 2014 or early 2015.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Keywords:california conservation Cordell Bank Ecology environment Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary oceans science</i></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2014/04/18/two-national-marine-sanctuaries-may-more-than-double-in-size/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2014/04/18/two-national-marine-sanctuaries-may-more-than-double-in-size/</span></a></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-67457959757585908412014-02-01T22:25:00.000-08:002014-02-01T22:37:59.409-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">BREAK OUT THE KLEENEX:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">WORLD'S LONELIEST ORCA COULD REUNITE WITH HER FAMILY</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Activists' long-running quest to send Lolita back to her Pacific Ocean home has cleared a key hurdle.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>TAKE ACTION </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tell NOAA to list Lolita as a protected member of the endangered Southern Resident killer whale Distinct Population Segment (DPS)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0056-1841">http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0056-1841</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>http://oceanshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/02/break-out-kleenex-worlds-loneliest-orca.html</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">January 29, 2014 By David Kirby</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">David Kirby has been a professional journalist for 25 years. His third book, 'Death at Seaworld,' was published in 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It's been nearly 44 years since a young killer whale named Lolita was ripped from her family off the coast of Washington state and flown to Miami to perform tricks in a pool so small it violates federal law. Now, thanks to a surprising decision from federal officials, Lolita is one step closer to home.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/protected_species/marine_mammals/killer_whale/lolita_petition.html">http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/protected_species/marine_mammals/killer_whale/lolita_petition.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">On Friday, the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed to include Lolita, now almost 50, as a member of an orca population, the Southern Resident killer whale community, that is listed under the Endangered Species Act.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The fish-eating Southern Residents were classified as endangered in 2005, largely because of declining salmon stocks, and captures of orcas for public display in the 1960s and 1970s, but that protection was not extended to Lolita, the only wild-caught Southern Resident in captivity. All the others have died.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Her life performing tricks for food “may violate the ESA’s protection against harm and harassment,” argued the Animal Legal Defense Fund and PETA in a statement. In 1995, producers from "NBC Dateline" visiting Lolita in her captive tank at Miami Seaquarium played recordings of Lolita’s family for her. "She responded quickly and seemed very interested, calling back to the recorder," writes FreeWeb. "The camera crew was forced to leave Miami Seaquarium, however, for obvious reasons."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Lolita’s tank doesn’t meet the minimum size required by the Animal Welfare Act, according to activists and scientists who have petitioned the government to enforce the law. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://aldf.org/press-room/press-releases/aldf-peta-sue-usda-for-renewing-miami-seaquariums-federal-license/">http://aldf.org/press-room/press-releases/aldf-peta-sue-usda-for-renewing-miami-seaquariums-federal-license/</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">She has no access to shade, and her only orca companion, Hugo, died in 1980 after bashing his head against the tank. Activists have tried for years to send Lolita, also known as Tokitae, to a sea pen in Washington, without success.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">But last year, the ALDF, PETA, Orca Network, and others petitioned the government to propose the rule change to include Lolita on the endangered list, a move endorsed by the federal Marine Mammal Commission. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.mmc.gov/letters/pdf/2013/darm_lolita_081313.pdf">http://www.mmc.gov/letters/pdf/2013/darm_lolita_081313.pdf</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Now NMFS officials have agreed, opening a 60-day public comment period, after which it has up to 18 months to make a decision.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0056-1841">http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0056-1841</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“The fact that [NMFS] found the petition to be warranted suggests they are inclined to include Lolita” in ESA protection, wrote Dr. Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist at the Animal Welfare Institute, in an email. “But it all depends on the public comments they receive. So I really can't speculate. But I think the zeitgeist is very different today than it was in 2005 re: captivity.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The listing wouldn't guarantee Lolita a ticket home. Even if NMFS approves the rule, the Seaquarium can be expected to fight against letting its lonely whale go. The aquarium could contest a ruling in court or "file petitions to make their tired old case that transport would kill her," wrote Howard Garrett of Orca Network in an email.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">If she were not completely healthy, the move might be detrimental, the Seaquarium could argue, or she might introduce new diseases into the natural environment. But Rose said the orca appears to be healthy enough to survive in a sea pen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Orca Network has a detailed proposal for resettling Lolita in a serene cove, Kanaka Bay, off the coast of San Juan Island, Wash., that could be netted off to create a sea pen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.orcanetwork.org/Main/index.php?categories_file=Retirement">http://www.orcanetwork.org/Main/index.php?categories_file=Retirement </a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">There, she could be taught to catch live fish and could listen to the sounds of the sea, including vocalizations from her family, members of the L Pod.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">But it would not be a cheap project. Transporting a killer whale by air can cost up to $500,000, including insurance, and driving her across the country in a cramped tub inside a tractor trailer is not considered a safe option. Once in Kanaka Bay, annual costs could easily reach $100,000 or more for staff, vet care, and food.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Garrett is not worried about funding. “We’ll have no problem raising the money. We’re working on a budget now,” he wrote. “[But] we can’t hire anybody until we have a time frame for the project.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Finally, it is unclear if Lolita would stay in her pen for life or rejoin her family. “I think they will definitely ‘talk’ across the pen netting, but whether she'll be able to go free is very much up in the air,” Rose said. “She is almost 50 years old, after all.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Amusement parks like SeaWorld insist it is unfeasible and inhumane to return captive orcas to the sea. But what could be more humane than potentially reuniting Lolita with her pod? Orca family bonds are on par with humans'. If a human family member went missing for 45 years, he or she would surely be warmly welcomed back home.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1731433423">http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/01/29/break-out-kleenex-lolita-worlds-loneliest-orca-could-reunite-her-family?cmpid=tpanimals-eml-2014-02-01-lolita</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/mje8qc7">http://tinyurl.com/mje8qc7</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-5347089125435547252014-01-26T08:21:00.000-08:002014-01-26T08:45:32.802-08:00<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">WHAT SAY YEE TO </span><span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>THIS </i></span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Champions for Cetaceans.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is Kamogawa SeaWorld’s Connection to the Taiji Dolphin Hunt? Say No to The Importation of A Pacific White-Sided Dolphin</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://championsforcetaceans.com/2013/02/26/what-is-kamogawa-seaworlds-connection-to-the-taiji-dolphin-hunt-say-no-to-the-importation-of-a-pacific-white-sided-dolphin/">http://championsforcetaceans.com/2013/02/26/what-is-kamogawa-seaworlds-connection-to-the-taiji-dolphin-hunt-say-no-to-the-importation-of-a-pacific-white-sided-dolphin/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The only thing worse than abuse is lying to cover it up.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This tweet from SeaWorld caught my attention this morning, January 26. 2014, and I simply </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">cannot it allow to go uncontested.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Here is what SeaWorld claims.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Immediately below that is information and documentation that begs to differ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>SeaWorld @SeaWorld Jan 22</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>SeaWorld has long been opposed to the dolphin drive hunts in Japan. Learn the facts here: http://bit.ly/1epo6Lr </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58YgDBCDeVjDKCk6z2rVdi4t6pruXPE1epUhhXj51RtjH-S3tOYr5jQB2vwkL1kWRGftG5atLbBmUz3DcWxgXwY0OxU_bdS_9dcDTG0bo5Uvf4XhjSkXpfy-oxqTghHRjmVkS-3oDU0A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-26+at+9.14.58+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58YgDBCDeVjDKCk6z2rVdi4t6pruXPE1epUhhXj51RtjH-S3tOYr5jQB2vwkL1kWRGftG5atLbBmUz3DcWxgXwY0OxU_bdS_9dcDTG0bo5Uvf4XhjSkXpfy-oxqTghHRjmVkS-3oDU0A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-26+at+9.14.58+AM.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">What is Kamogawa SeaWorld’s Connection to the Taiji Dolphin Hunt? Say No to The Importation of A Pacific White-Sided Dolphin</span></div>
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<a href="http://championsforcetaceans.com/2013/02/26/what-is-kamogawa-seaworlds-connection-to-the-taiji-dolphin-hunt-say-no-to-the-importation-of-a-pacific-white-sided-dolphin/"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">http://championsforcetaceans.com/2013/02/26/what-is-kamogawa-seaworlds-connection-to-the-taiji-dolphin-hunt-say-no-to-the-importation-of-a-pacific-white-sided-dolphin/</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is Kamogawa SeaWorld’s Connection to the Taiji Dolphin Hunt? Say No to The Importation of A Pacific White-Sided Dolphin</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Posted on February 26, 2013</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 8 Votes</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By Kirsten Massebeau</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kamogawa SeaWorld 2009 Pacific white-sided Dolphin by Keiba Kate.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In what seems a bold move SeaWorld a company already on the hot seat due to the death of Dawn Branchau, David Kirby’s recent book, “Death at SeaWorld”, and the soon to be released documentary, “Blackfish” have requested a permit to import a Pacific white-sided dolphin from Kamogawa SeaWorld in Japan. Kirara was born May 3, 2006 in captivity at Kamogawa SeaWorld. In the statement for import permit Kamogawa SeaWorld states these points about the dolphin candidates parents Spica and Hokuto:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Sire was incidentally captured in set net located at Araisaki, Kyoto prefecture, Japan on Feb. 8, 1994 and transferred to Kinosaki Marine World on same date. He was moved to Kamogawa Sea World on Nov. 8, 1994.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dam was incidentally captured in set net located at honjo, Kyoto prefecture, Japan on Feb. 5, 1994 and transferred to Kinosaki Marine World on same date. She was moved to Kamogawa Sea World on Nov. 8, 1994. Kinosaki Marine World is one of JAZA aquariums. Both animals were not captured by “drive fishery”.(Source)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“In spite of NGOs’ opposition, the Japan Fisheries Agency added the Pacific white-sided dolphins to the catch-quota of the drive hunt in 2007. Since then, this species has been hunted and captured alive. — 86 dolphins were hunted until the last season (from September 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011) . It seems that about 85 percent of them were captured alive and sent to aquariums”. (Source)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">According to Ceta-Base’s marine mammal inventory Kamogawa SeaWorld acquired three Pacific White-Sided dolphins from the “wild” in January of 2007 named: Great, Ku, and Sky. Leon and Span two other Pacific white-sided dolphins show no acquisition data (Source) Ceta-Base also notes during Taiji drive fisheries, Season 2007/2008 & 2008/2009 21 Pacific white-sided dolphins were caught, 5 were killed & 16 live captured. (source) Many of the dolphins at Kamogawa SeaWorld are listed as wild caught. See the list here.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Elsa in their comments on the addition of Pacific White-Sided dolphins to drive fisheries cites aquariums as the source of motivation:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">An internal communication sent by the Japan Cetacean Conference on Zoological Gardens and Aquariums (Senzo Uchida, Executive Secretary) on August 16, 2006 to the directors of zoos and aquariums which are members of the Cetacean Conference (see attachment) noted that Pacific white-sided dolphins are hard to obtain, and that not all aquarium directors who desire to obtain them have done so. The letter states, “Permission has not been granted to take Pacific white-sided dolphins at Taiji, and therefore drive fisheries for them are not allowed. But if the capture of Pacific white-sided dolphins becomes possible at Taiji, it will benefit aquariums with cetaceans, and fishers. (source)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaCvMBxv6Ab9YdA17F79CIZgVNXYRooEqopw3f7UKgIhIadACF1GhJ7Zn0b35h-Vi4Jb96MHt46fdJOIJpB8qazK9lQ98XAI3LU3aPSBGWwYP72Yl4YWE2Xy0IXLdWoBgSgdOmMVxFFo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-26+at+9.39.27+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaCvMBxv6Ab9YdA17F79CIZgVNXYRooEqopw3f7UKgIhIadACF1GhJ7Zn0b35h-Vi4Jb96MHt46fdJOIJpB8qazK9lQ98XAI3LU3aPSBGWwYP72Yl4YWE2Xy0IXLdWoBgSgdOmMVxFFo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-26+at+9.39.27+AM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pacific-White Sided dolphins capture </span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">January 2013 by SSCS Cove Guardians</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are many other obvious reasons why Kirara should not be imported to the United States. Kirara will be removed from her family and moved across the world to live with strangers who may not be happy to have a new member in their space. She would also be forced to travel in a small coffin like container for approximately 20 hours before reaching her destination SeaWorld in Texas. (Source)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH5IbJf9yVSkAK7kN3e3E693NjVyMU-5aGr79H7ivlSMgSmCb8R-Ue4mfPgoOoFSEjGCMU9KhLAKrLnUDwBE-QI6GMRPBCG8ggQONLh5IUvZ5zYGC4dWuXpFnn6zmojq0h0d_Ig29L5o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-26+at+9.42.03+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH5IbJf9yVSkAK7kN3e3E693NjVyMU-5aGr79H7ivlSMgSmCb8R-Ue4mfPgoOoFSEjGCMU9KhLAKrLnUDwBE-QI6GMRPBCG8ggQONLh5IUvZ5zYGC4dWuXpFnn6zmojq0h0d_Ig29L5o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-26+at+9.42.03+AM.png" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speak out for the Pacific white-sided dolphins. For United States aquariums and marine parks to do business with any aquarium associated with drive fisheries is not upholding the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Asking NOAA for a hearing on this permit is imperative. The comment and request for a hearing ends on March 6, 2013 only days away so act now! Contact NOAA and politely ask them to refuse the permit and schedule a hearing. Request that Kamogawa SeaWorld prove they have no connection to drive fisheries with any of the dolphins they display. Read through the permit application and compose your objections and comments.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301)713-0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. 17754 in the subject line of the email comment.Show citation box</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jennifer Skidmore or Kristy Beard, (301)427-8401 from NOAA/NMFS. (source)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Related articles</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Email NOAA about SeaWorld Dolphin Permit (thetaijilist.blogspot.com)</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dolphins Crying for Help: What Marine Parks Don’t Want You To Know (championsforcetaceans.com)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">RelatedLetter Opposing SeaWorlds Permit Request to Import A Pacific White-Sided Dolphin from Japan</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In "Cetaceans"A Friend to The Taiji Dolphins</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In "Cetaceans"Dolphins Crying for Help: What Marine Parks Don't Want You To Know</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In "Cetaceans"</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This entry was posted in Cetaceans, Dolphins and tagged Dolphin, Japan, marine mammal protection act, Pacific white-sided dolphin, SeaWorld, taiji by Kirsten Massebeau. Bookmark the permalink.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">9 THOUGHTS ON “WHAT IS KAMOGAWA SEAWORLD’S CONNECTION TO THE TAIJI DOLPHIN HUNT? SAY NO TO THE IMPORTATION OF A PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN”</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Savita on July 2, 2013 at 12:59 pm said:</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">assholes!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reply ↓</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pingback: Scientists See Cruelty in Killing Method Used in Japan’s Dolphin Hunt & Slaughter | Voice For The Blue</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pingback: What is Kamogawa SeaWorld’s Connection to the Taiji Dolphin Hunt? Say No to The Importation of A Pacific White-Sided Dolphin | Our Endangered Planet and it's Wildlife.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pingback: What is Kamogawa SeaWorld’s Connection to the Taiji Dolphin Hunt? Say No to The Importation of A Pacific White-Sided Dolphin | WHY I OCCUPY</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pingback: Letter Opposing SeaWorlds Permit Request to Import A Pacific White-Sided Dolphin from Japan | Champions for Cetaceans</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mel Komus on February 27, 2013 at 3:35 am said:</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Excellent post with the details and information on how to speak for white sided dolphins!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reply ↓</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kirsten Massebeau</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">on February 28, 2013 at 8:34 pm said:</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks Mel! Blocking this import is so important for the White Sided and all the dolphins from drive fisheries and live captures.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reply ↓</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gail Levenstiem on February 27, 2013 at 1:24 am said:</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Greedy, murdering Bastards!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reply ↓</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Roger Arseneau on February 26, 2013 at 7:45 pm said:</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Great information , they must be stop, there are to many atrocity for the love of money $$$$</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reply ↓</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-46611438373475018092013-12-27T07:43:00.002-08:002013-12-27T08:56:00.991-08:00<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">OPEN LETTER FROM SEAWORLD </span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">& TWO OPEN LETTERS OF RESPONSE.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpGw1IeSmA9qWWetw21nlQec677Ft5eFQPMQUiHzh0cfKiW8DNSSXvD8a7Y9YbmkObCh2Pn1TYgNPdxlgUH62JcYaYIEyRy_Dc5lqH9-mXXqHTUmBWjXYrHau9d-FxHLBA5aUDT9irlU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-27+at+8.41.26+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpGw1IeSmA9qWWetw21nlQec677Ft5eFQPMQUiHzh0cfKiW8DNSSXvD8a7Y9YbmkObCh2Pn1TYgNPdxlgUH62JcYaYIEyRy_Dc5lqH9-mXXqHTUmBWjXYrHau9d-FxHLBA5aUDT9irlU/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-12-27+at+8.41.26+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">http://oceanshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/12/open-letter-from-seaworld-and-two-open.html</span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Orca graphic via Bec Crawford</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />SEAWORLD DEFENDS RECORD IN OPEN LETTER</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">CNN Newsroom|</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Added on December 20, 2013</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld is defending itself again from criticism surrounding the "Blackfish" documentary with a full page ad.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2013/12/20/nr-savidge-seaworld-blackfish-firestorm.cnn.html">http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2013/12/20/nr-savidge-seaworld-blackfish-firestorm.cnn.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld: The Truth Is in Our Parks and People </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://seaworld.com/en/ourcare/Letter?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SWF12SRC">http://seaworld.com/en/ourcare/Letter?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SWF12SRC</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">An Open Letter from SeaWorld’s Animal Advocates</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Inaccurate reports recently have generated questions about SeaWorld and the animals in our care. The truth is in our parks and people, and it’s time to set the record straight.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The men and women of SeaWorld are true animal advocates. We are the 1,500 scientists, researchers, veterinarians, trainers, marine biologists, aquarists, aviculturists, educators and conservationists who have dedicated our lives to the animals in our care as well as those in the wild that are injured, ill or orphaned. Whether it’s a sea lion, manatee, sea turtle or whale, we are on call 24/7.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Here are some important facts about SeaWorld and our work:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld does not capture killer whales in the wild. Due to the groundbreaking success of our research in marine mammal reproduction, we haven’t collected a killer whale from the wild in 35 years. In fact, only two of the whales in our care were collected by SeaWorld and they continue to be in our care today. In addition, our research has led to a much greater understanding of whales in the wild, giving researchers important scientific insights surrounding marine mammal reproduction.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We do not separate killer whale moms and calves. SeaWorld recognizes the important bond between mother and calf. On the rare occasion that a mother killer whale cannot care for the calf herself, we have successfully hand raised and reintroduced the calf. Whales are only moved to maintain a healthy social structure.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld invests millions of dollars in the care of our killer whales. In the last three years alone, we have invested $70 million in our killer whale habitats and millions of dollars annually in support of these facilities. Our habitats are among the largest in the world today. They are state-of-the-art, multimillion-gallon environments of cooled and filtered water that allow for the highest and safest standards of care. We give our animals restaurant-quality fish, exercise, veterinary care, mental stimulation, and the company of other members of their species.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld’s killer whales’ life spans are equivalent with those in the wild. While studies continue to define the average life span of killer whales in the wild, the most recent science suggests that our killer whales’ life spans are comparable — indeed, five of our animals are older than 30, and one of our whales is close to 50.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The killer whales in our care benefit those in the wild. We work with universities, governmental agencies and NGOs to increase the body of knowledge about and the understanding of killer whales — from their anatomy and reproductive biology to their auditory abilities. Some populations of wild killer whales have been classified as endangered or threatened, demonstrating the potential critical nature of these research opportunities. This type of controlled research and study is simply not possible in the wild, and has significant real-world benefits to the killer whales that live there.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld is a world leader in animal rescue. The millions of people who visit our parks each year make possible SeaWorld’s world-renowned work in rescue, rehabilitation and release. We are constantly innovating when it comes to this care: Our veterinarians have created nursing bottles to hand-feed orphaned whales, prosthetics to save sea turtles, and a wetsuit to help injured manatees stay afloat during rehabilitation. Whether it’s the result of natural or man-made disasters, SeaWorld is always on call and often the first to be contacted. We have rescued more than 23,000 animals with the goal of treating and returning them to the wild.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Naturalist Baba Dioum put it best when he said, “In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught.”</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">At SeaWorld, this has been our calling since we first opened our doors 50 years ago. It is a responsibility we do not take lightly. More than 400 million guests have visited SeaWorld. We are proud that their experiences here have a lasting and positive impact on them, and on the world in which we live.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The truth about SeaWorld is right here in our parks and people. Our guests may enter our gates having never given much thought to the remarkable animals in our oceans. When they leave with a greater appreciation for the importance of the sea, educated about the animals that live there and inspired to make a difference, we have done our job. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Two open letter responses to SeaWorld.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Letter Number 1.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Reposted from Ocean Preservation Society</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.opsociety.org/PressReleases/SeaWorldOpenLetterRebuttal-OPS.pdf" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.opsociety.org/PressReleases/SeaWorldOpenLetterRebuttal-OPS.pdf</span></a><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">MARINE MAMMAL CAPTIVITY: THE TRUTH IS IN THE FACTS</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">An open letter from the informed American Public</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Inaccurate reports from SeaWorld recently placed in full-page advertisements in major newspapers </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">included a series of mistruths about the quality of life of the animals in its care. The truth is in the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">facts about its parks and management, and it’s time to set the record straight.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The men and women that we represent are true animal advocates. </span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We are the Oceanic </span><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Preservation Society, creators of the Academy Award-winning documentary The Cove, and we </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">represent millions of American citizens including scientists, researchers, veterinarians, ex-trainers, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">marine biologists, educators, conservationists, mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, students,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">veterans, and many other compassionate and intelligent people. This growing sector of the public </span></span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">sees through the narrative that SeaWorld has crafted about its operations — they know that</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">ultimately SeaWorld is a business with a bottom line.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Here are some important facts about SeaWorld and its work:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">○ <i>SeaWorld is afraid that the truth about captivity is spreading, especially since </i></span></span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>the release of the film Blackfish. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The open letter advertisement placed by SeaWorld is </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">in response to Blackfish, but steers clear of the title for fear of bringing the film further </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">attention. Blackfish has already been seen by over 20 million people, has been shortlisted </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">for an Oscar, and is negatively impacting SeaWorld’s public image and bottom line. Its </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">stock price has dropped as much as 30% since the release of Blackfish, its CEO and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">institutional investors have dumped tens of millions of shares, eight internationally </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">renowned musical acts have cancelled performances at the park, and the company has </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">resorted to recruiting visitors with Groupon deals to boost failing attendance.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">○ <i>SeaWorld no longer captures killer whales in the wild — it now has other </i></span></span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>people capture animals for them.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The genetic diversity of orcas in captivity is low, often resulting in inbreeding. Since the Marine Mammal Protection Act prevents SeaWorld from capturing wild animals directly without federal permits, which would be open to public review and highly controversial, it resorts to creative ways of introducing new animals and fresh DNA into the system. One recent example of this involves an orca named Morgan. Documents filed by SeaWorld in April 2013 establish that it claims ownership of Morgan, who was rescued as an emaciated young animal off the Netherlands in 2010. </span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Morgan should have been returned to the wild after rehabilitation, but was instead sent to Loro Parque, a marine mammal park in the Canary Islands where SeaWorld holds several young animals in its corporate collection. Morgan is the subject of ongoing litigation to return her to her family.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Earlier this year, SeaWorld helped orchestrate the capture of 18 Beluga whales in Russia from a population that its own research shows may be threatened with extinction — a permit the United States ultimately denied. </span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld is actively appealing the ruling.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In 2009, SeaWorld made an unsuccessful attempt to buy a dolphin that was stranded from </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">the infamous dolphin drive fishery in Taiji, Japan. The demand for captive dolphins is thedriving force behind the largest slaughter of dolphins in the world in Taiji. The only reason </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld hasn’t been importing dolphins from the Taiji dolphin drive is because </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">conservation organizations have successfully prevented them — not because of the </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“groundbreaking success” of its breeding research.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">○ <i>SeaWorld routinely separates mothers, babies, sisters, brothers and all other </i></span></span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>forms of family bonds to accommodate its performances.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">There are many instances of orca babies and children being removed from their mothers at SeaWorld </span></span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">parks. These families are broken up purely for business purposes, despite the strong and </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">enduring bonds shared by pod members. In nature, males may stay by their mother’s side </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">for an entire lifetime. Orcas have deeply complex social structures—the part of their brain </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">that processes emotions may be even more developed than in humans—that a </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">manufactured “family” and can in no way reproduce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">○ <i>No amount of money can recreate an orca’s natural environment.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld’s barren concrete tanks are an appalling substitute for nature. Orcas, one of the ocean’s </span></span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">fastest mammals, can travel 60 miles a day or more in a straight line. In a tank they are </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">forced to swim in tight circles. The multimillion-gallon artificial habitats that SeaWorld </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">boasts are less than one one-millionth of the animals’ potential daily range in the wild. In </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">captivity, every male orca suffers dorsal fin collapse while only 1-5% of males display this </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">deformity in the wild. As highly acoustic animals, orcas would normally rely on a complex </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">array of clicks and whistles to build relationships with each other, communicate over vast </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">distances, and hunt prey. No amount of human interaction and “restaurant-quality” fish </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">can adequately reproduce an orcas natural interaction with their wild habitat. In fact, </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">animals in captivity are often prescribed daily medications to treat or mask the symptoms </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">of chronic stress associated with confinement, training, and performing for screaming</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">○ <i>Orcas die prematurely at SeaWorld. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">More orcas have died under SeaWorld’s care than are currently alive in all at its parks. Its orcas live, on average, as little as a third of the life span of wild orcas. Despite the veterinary care provided at SeaWorld, it has not improved the animals’ 50% infant mortality rate. A growing body of scientific evidence shows that orcas die an early death in captivity, with an annual mortality rate at least three times higher than in the wild. Most orcas at SeaWorld have died in their teens and 20’s (if they survived infancy in the first place), compared with an average life expectancy of 30-50 years in the wild (and an estimated maximum life span of 60-90 years). The few animals in SeaWorld’s collection who have lived closer to their natural average life expectancy are highlighted as poster children for the captivity industry. Instead they should be seen as extraordinary survivors.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">○ <i>Orca captivity is not a prerequisite to conducting scientific research; in fact, the captive environment often yields artificial results.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">There are hundreds of scientists and research institutions that have contributed meaningful knowledge about whales in the wild — without confining them to captivity. As pointed out by Jacques Cousteau, there is as much educational benefit in studying dolphins and whales in captivity as there is in studying humans by observing prisoners in solitary confinement.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld has published very few scientific papers on the species and what it has contributed to our understanding of their biology was learned some time ago. SeaWorld contributes almost no information today that addresses the protection of wild orcas.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">○ <i>The exploitation of sentient, self-aware, highly intelligent creatures is not </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>necessary for rescuing and rehabilitating sick wildlife. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld’s rescue and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">rehabilitation efforts have been struggling to keep up with the incredible efforts of dozens of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">highly qualified organizations across the country for many years. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld Entertainment </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">claims $1.5 billion a year in revenue, yet they have spent only $9 million on conservation in </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">the last decade. This translates to only 0.0006 of the company’s net revenue being </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">funneled back into research and conservation annually. For every hundred dollars made by </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">the park, less than 1 cent is given back to research benefiting wildlife. Furthermore, most </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">of its rescue work is with animals that are not profitable as performers in its shows.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld has never released an orca back into the wild.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">○ <i>Captivity can drive orcas to behave violently, leading to unsafe working </i></span></span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>conditions for trainers. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">A lifetime of confinement routinely causes orcas to behave in an unnaturally violent manner toward each other and their trainers. There is not a single known instance of an orca killing a person in the wild. There are dozens of documented cases of orcas attacking humans in captive environments. One animal in particular, Tilikum, has killed three people. An orca on loan from SeaWorld at Loro Parque rammed trainer Alexis Martinez to death just two months before SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau was dismembered at its Orlando park. In both cases, the parks downplayed the cause of death, saying Martinez had merely drowned, and Brancheau, who was rag-dolled and dismembered by Tilikum, was responsible because she dangled her ponytail too close to him. OSHA ruled that SeaWorld could no longer place trainers in the water with orcas, <i>and yet the company is fighting the decision</i>, stating that putting animals and their trainers together is an important part of its business of putting on shows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Baba Dioum was right when he said, “In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught.”</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We have been taught that captivity gravely harms the animals that we love; we understand that </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld has a vested interest in keeping the public uninformed; and we can best carry out orca </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">conservation by keeping them in the wild.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The truth about SeaWorld is in the facts. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s Blackfish and our film The Cove </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">give viewers a deep and meaningful connection with the remarkable animals in our oceans. But </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">this is just the beginning of a growing shift in public awareness about the impoverished lives of</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">animals at SeaWorld. </span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">As Cowperthwaite says, young people today are becoming the “I can’t </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">believe we used to do that” generation. No amount of advertising will counter the Blackfish Effect.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SeaWorld, your job is to now adapt to an informed public.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Reposted from The Orca Project</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://theorcaproject.wordpress.com/2013/12/20/open-letter-seaworld/">http://theorcaproject.wordpress.com/2013/12/20/open-letter-seaworld/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">An Open Letter BACK to SeaWorld</span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">December 20, 2013</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">LETTER of the DAY: In light of SeaWorld’s recent media push, a former casual visitor, now a practicing attorney, cc’d The Orca Project on her letter to SeaWorld and shares her views on the marine park’s self-serving (and costly) attempt to “set the record straight“. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well done Amy! We couldn’t agree with you more. You can read SeaWorld’s open letter to the public HERE (published as full-page advertisements in U.S. Newspapers) </span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://seaworld.com/en/ourcare/Letter?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SWF12SRC">http://seaworld.com/en/ourcare/Letter?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SWF12SRC</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and then read the response from this everyday citizen here:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dear Ms. Bides, Mr. Jacobs, and all other SeaWorld employees (including Mr. Jim Atchison),</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I read your “open letter” (read: flyer) this morning in the Orlando Sentinel. It seems that the American public has grown wary of you and your operations since the release of the film “Blackfish”, and rightfully so. Since you are inclined to make public statements regarding the alleged care of animals, specifically orcas, in your custody, as a member of the public, I am inclined to respond to your claims.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Claim #1: SeaWorld does not capture killer whales in the wild.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It is true that the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 prohibits entities like you from removing marine mammals from their natural habitats. However, science and the incidents at your facilities have shown and informed us that we cannot breed out millions of years of wild instincts embedded in animals via evolution and biology. Even if you are not physically removing orcas from the wild, you admit to breeding them repeatedly in captivity. This is akin to prisoners having children in prison and those children remaining in prison for their natural lives. All you are doing is breeding wild animals for your own entertainment purposes. From my perspective, this is no different than breeding wild animals for circus performances, for canned hunts, or for the fur industry. You are not better for breeding wild animals in captivity instead of capturing them from the wild – stop pretending that you are.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Additionally, recent reports have indicated that you may have had a direct financial and consulting role in providing captured orcas for the 2014 Sochi Olympics, in that you were part of a consortium seeking an orca permit in Russia and helped pay for research there to justify the latest captures. The reports claim that you and other companies interested in obtaining more killer whales for entertainment venues communicated with White Sphere, the company tasked with capturing the killer whales for the opening ceremonies, in order to advise them on the best practices of taking killer whales out of the wild. These reports have not been verified, but I doubt they are far from the truth. If you did this (and I am sure we will find out of you did very soon), then your statement that you do not capture killer whales in the wild is a bold-faced lie.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Claim #2: We do not separate killer whale moms and calves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This is a lie and you know it. In David Kirby’s (a respected journalist for over 25 years) book “Death at SeaWorld,” he writes extensively on the removal of calves from their mother. Here is an excerpt:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“The four young whales in the loan—two males and two females— had led lives that could best be described as “interrupted.” There was Kohana, three-and-a-half years old. When she was just shy of two, Kohana was taken from her mother Kasatka and sent to Orlando. Eighteen months after that, she was on her way to the Canary Islands. The other female, Skyla, was born in Orlando to Kalina and Tilikum, but at just two years of age was dispatched to Spain. Then Tekoa was born to the neurotic Taima, who showed aggressive tendencies toward him. In April 2004, SeaWorld sent Tekoa to live in San Antonio, before he was flown to Tenerife in 2006. Keto, 10, was born in Orlando but proved to be a rowdy and somewhat unpredictable calf. Before he was four, Keto was sent to San Diego, where he spent just 10 months before being transferred to San Antonio. Five years later, he was on the plane to Spain.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">You state that on “on the rare occasion that a mother killer whale cannot care for the calf herself, we have successfully hand raised and reintroduced the calf.” Again, this is a lie. You have shipped killer whales all over the world like they were Amazon.com packages, almost never reuniting mother and calf. These “rare occurrences” seem to happen quite often at your facilities judging by the numbers of frequencies at which you have broken up killer whale families. By the way, these “rare occurrences” that seem to, coincidentally, happen over and over again at your facilities is in direct contradiction to the scientific observations of orcas in the wild where mothers almost never reject their calves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Additionally, the film Blackfish has footage of you separating a mother and her calf. The cries of the mother and the calf, as well as the depression and anguish of the mother, are shockingly clear. I’ll say it again – to say that you don’t separate families is a lie and I am calling you out on it right here, right now.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Claim #3: SeaWorld invests millions of dollars in the care of our killer whales.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This one’s easy and won’t take long. No one cares how much money you spend on your cages. A cage, no matter how gilded, is still a cage. All the money in the world cannot build oceans or repair the psychological damage you have inflicted on these creatures. Your money means less than nothing. I am sure all of the orcas in your care would trade in the $70 million you’ve spent keeping them prisoner for one day of freedom in the ocean.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Claim #4: SeaWorld’s killer whales’ life spans are equivalent with those in the wild.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">You guys REALLY need to stop lying. It’s exhausting. Countless scientific reports show that orcas in the wild have an average life expectancy of 30 to 50 years—their estimated maximum life span is 60 to 70 years for males and 80 to 90 for females. The median age of orcas in captivity is only 9. While specific killer whales in captivity may live longer compared to others, overall, they don’t live as long as their counterparts in the wild. You know this. Stop lying.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Claim #5: The killer whales in our care benefit those in the wild.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This argument is my absolute favorite for several reasons. This is the part where you claim “the captivity of a few ensures the survival of the rest.” A very utilitarian approach, and probably your strongest point in all of this debate. Indeed, you state it’s all about the science: “This type of controlled research and study is simply not possible in the wild, and has significant real-world benefits to the killer whales that live there.” Here’s why you don’t have me (or anyone else of reasonable intelligence) fooled.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">First of all, let’s be real – you guys are a corporation, a company, a for-profit entity that is interested in making as much money as possible. Profit, not science or research, is your bottom line. To put on a front that you’re in this in any way, shape, or form for the science of it is offensive to those of us who do actually care about conservation, behavioral biology, and field research. Any real scientist will tell you that the best scientific research on animals is done in the wild, not in a cage. Case in point: any lay person attending SeaWorld would think from your shows that killer whales swim in circles over and over and over again. In fact, they swim single file in straight lines throughout the ocean. How do we know that? Through field research and oceanic observations. We also know that their dorsal fins have less than a 1% collapse rate in the wild because the oceanic pressure of the water keeps them erect, compared to the almost 100% dorsal fin collapse rate when kept in a tank. Again, we know this from observation of animals in the wild – not because of you. Your “scientists” are merely paid lackeys who read from a script about the virtues of animals in captivity. Any real scientist would tell you that the ways wild animals behave in captivity is far different than how they behave in the wild. And you’re right, things in the wild can’t be controlled – that’s the beauty of it. It’s like animal reality TV: no filters, no controls, no editing, just the animals doing what they do and how they do it. That’s the best kind of science and that is the science that informs and educates, not the sham science you have going on in the form of keeping the equivalent of dinosaurs in the equivalent of buckets. Let me be very clear about the main point I am trying to make: no wild animal, regardless of species, would ever be held in captivity if there were not some lucrative profitable motivation behind it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Speaking of dinosaurs, one argument pro-SeaWorld people make is, “if we don’t keep some orcas in captivity, how will be foster an appreciation for them in order to conserve them in the wild?” Here’s my question: if you need to see an animal in captivity, or swim with it in captivity, or watch it touch a ball with its nose in captivity to learn about and appreciate it…then how to children learn about an know about dinosaurs? After all, they can’t touch one, swim with one, see one perform tricks…and yet, kids seem to be fascinated by them and interested in learning more about them. There are even these places called MUSEUMS that contain the remains of these animals where not only people can not only go to in order to learn more about dinosaurs, but ongoing research about how they lived and behaved is happening. How does your logic explain the past, present, and future obsession with animals that cannot be seen, heard, touched, swam with, or observed touching balls with their noses?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Secondly, a desire for more education on a topic does not give you the right to harm and abuse animals either physically or psychologically or to subject them to things that could drive them mad and make them a danger to people and themselves. I can’t kidnap a Japanese person, hold them prisoner, and force them to breed Japanese children b/c I want to learn more about Japanese culture. But I can get myself on a plane and visit Japan. Once I’m there, I can take pictures of Japanese people in their homeland and of their behaviors. I can read a book or academic report on Japan. I can watch videos and documentaries on Japan. I can talk with other people about Japan and compare knowledge and experiences. In this way, I am becoming more and more educated on Japan, and I think I even like Japan! Maybe I will want to dedicate my life to learning about Japan…maybe I won’t. But either way, I am not harming any Japanese person through my actions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">(Writer’s Note: I specifically chose to discuss Japan b/c I know their role in dolphin captures and how they ship wild-caught dolphins to be held captive in aquariums all over the world.)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Third, in your flyer, you actually have the audacity and disrespectfulness to quote naturalist Baba Dioum as saying, “In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught.” This quote comes from a speech he made in 1968 In New Delhi, India, to the general assembly of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In fact, he is a founding member of the IUCN. The IUCN is the group that puts out the “red list” of threatened and endangered species every year; it is the group governments, including that of the US, rely on for information in determining what animals and plants are at risk for extinction. Guess how IUCN determines which animals and plants are at risk for extinction? You guessed it – field research! If you go to the IUCN webpage, you’ll get a look at all of the research projects that they’re engaged in all over the world, and all of the ones regarding animals are being done by scientists who have gotten off of the couch and left their respective homelands to go to their jobs. I highly doubt Baba Dioum would support what you are doing, considering he helped found a conservation organization that relies on field research to do its job. Perhaps you should stop quoting him – the man and his work don’t appear to support your cause at all. In fact, they seem to go directly against it. Then again, considering your penchant for sham research, I would not expect you to fully vet your sources of information before using them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Lastly, don’t try to sway the public by co-opting “experts” like Jack Hanna (who has no formal scientific training on how to work or study animals and was never an expert on animals to being with). We know that he sits on your board and thus has financial – not scientific – interests linked to the captivity of killer whales. I don’t know if you have seen Jack Hanna’s Facebook page, but if you haven’t, you should head over there –there’s a lot of disgust for that man right now and the American public now views him as a traitor to the cause of conservation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We are not fooled by ANY of these tactics you use to make a case for captivity benefitting the wild. You should just stop talking.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Claim #6: SeaWorld is a world leader in animal rescue.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Except when it comes to keeping your most profitable animals prisoner. The good you do for some does not erase the evil you put forth on others in the name of money. Greed is what drives you – not love.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Captivity. Think about that word. It’s a word we use when describing pirates or hostage situations: “hostages held captive” or “pirates board ship and hold crew captive.” It’s not a nice connotation and we instantly have a negative reaction when we hear it. I have a similar reaction when I hear about“captive breeding” or “performance animals in captivity.” In a nutshell, SeaWorld employees, all of your points are worthless and without merit. The American public is sick of you. eight out of ten performers scheduled for your Bands, Brews, and Barbecue Festival are sick of you, and school groups are sick of you. You are about to become like the dinosaurs: extinct. Maybe you’ll be the ones in a museum one day. Who knows.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I sincerely hope and pray that the backlash that has fallen upon you continues until you come to the realization that it is time to change your current course of action and to empty the tanks once and for all. Until then, shame on you all – you are simply bad, heartless people.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Very and completely, 1,000,000,000% sincerely,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Amy Costanzo</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">~</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">P.S. Stop blatantly lying to the American public – we are not stupid and we have these things called the Internet and books where we can research and document all of your atrocious actions against the animals you possess. Anything you say in favor of captivity, we will find facts and evidence to refute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.” ~ G.I. Joe</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">tags: Blackfish, Captivity Issues, Dawn Brancheau, Death at SeaWorld, Killer Whale, Open Letter, Orca, SeaWorld, Shamu, Tilikum</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-35521605178490468162013-11-27T09:58:00.003-08:002013-11-27T09:58:23.905-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This is to all of you cool Activists that are the #voiceforthevoiceless !</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>You are unstoppable.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Oceana activists like you have taken action over 600,000 times this year—sending letters, calling legislators, joining demonstrations—and your hard work has led to some amazing victories.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Oceana can only win protections for ocean creatures and ecosystems because of your participation. Here are some of the victories you helped win this year:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">No seismic airgun blasts in the Atlantic —We’ve been fighting for over a year to keep seismic airgun blasting for oil out of the Atlantic. Over 100,000 supporters like you signed petitions, made calls, and attended meetings to stop these dangerous blasts this year. Then in August, the Department of the Interior (DOI) postponed their decision on the blasts for the third time in the face of public pressure. We’ve given the DOI plenty to think about, and with your help, we can make sure their final decision is the right one for dolphins and whales this coming year.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Protecting Spanish seafloor habitats—After seven years of campaigning by Oceana, Spain has agreed to prohibit trawling over fragile habitats on the seamounts of the Mallorca Channel and the coral reefs east of Cabrera, protecting these important habitats from being crushed and destroyed by fishing activity.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQR6pskBTucViI951N0TqXWeMUWIy3dWrU5h_PZqlTuNtRHWga6ADi6tWQtqzpytQ_cLfAsxdpsDg2H39LPP7HQGUe91IvwsBqpaRxvW1AIWOyv7czjsJO6V3d7rv0jDuqUEaR0jLoZ0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-10+at+8.12.45+PM-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQR6pskBTucViI951N0TqXWeMUWIy3dWrU5h_PZqlTuNtRHWga6ADi6tWQtqzpytQ_cLfAsxdpsDg2H39LPP7HQGUe91IvwsBqpaRxvW1AIWOyv7czjsJO6V3d7rv0jDuqUEaR0jLoZ0/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-10+at+8.12.45+PM-1.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Saving sharks—Over 4,000 Oceana activists in New York petitioned for their state to ban the trade of shark fins, and in July, New York became the eighth US state to implement a shark fin trade ban. In the same month, the European Union banned all shark finning by EU vessels after a five-year campaign by Oceana and partners.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5t4x3CLQ1ZxLY53AI3iSNuT8aMiGbb0Cw5-qME6lJlN9-RtWXdVuHctn1eiQKL9P2JZHRgBeQg_5jEjDf6IfV02T71BkzY-JoGwY_sF62lOKm5fBczxUPkBJpZr2lHf7qRTlc6VkTUs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-07-11+at+12.36.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5t4x3CLQ1ZxLY53AI3iSNuT8aMiGbb0Cw5-qME6lJlN9-RtWXdVuHctn1eiQKL9P2JZHRgBeQg_5jEjDf6IfV02T71BkzY-JoGwY_sF62lOKm5fBczxUPkBJpZr2lHf7qRTlc6VkTUs/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-07-11+at+12.36.49+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Stopping offshore drilling in Belize—Oceana’s supporters in Belize and across the world have shown up again and again to protest offshore drilling in Belize’s famous barrier reef, collecting over 20,000 signatures for a national referendum, and then organizing to cast 29,235 votes in a “People’s Referendum.” And this year, Belize’s Supreme Court declared all offshore drilling contracts issued by the Belizean government null and void, essentially stopping all offshore drilling in Belizean waters. The battle to protect Belize’s reef goes on, but our activists in Belize and beyond should be proud of what you've accomplished.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">These victories could never have happened without you! Thank you for taking time for the oceans.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Thank you,</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Rachael Prokop</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Oceana</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-53800089788744721372013-11-10T19:16:00.001-08:002013-11-10T19:19:58.131-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SHARK FINNING BANNED IN NEW ZEALAND WATERS</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k6LxJZd31liiikumEzGHmxqRXTJMDQ6aQbLhsKXZcreI2Crb7NWXpl_9rFzuM_Tbcw_w6GwDln1H9v2Wd1ku4ZhYuasq6BYIzq5C0WD56Z6I80c0RJxlljQ9j1B0Zfv4i2UGHifxx5s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-10+at+8.12.45+PM-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k6LxJZd31liiikumEzGHmxqRXTJMDQ6aQbLhsKXZcreI2Crb7NWXpl_9rFzuM_Tbcw_w6GwDln1H9v2Wd1ku4ZhYuasq6BYIzq5C0WD56Z6I80c0RJxlljQ9j1B0Zfv4i2UGHifxx5s/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-10+at+8.12.45+PM-2.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Government ministers gave a dramatic demonstration of their commitment to shark conservation today, by releasing three of the marine animals into the ocean, and then ensuring they swam in the right direction into open water.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"It's like herding cats," Conservation Minister Nick Smith said as he waded into the bay on Wellington's south coastline.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dr Smith and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy were on the coast to announce details of the draft National Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Sharks.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Banning shark finning was part of that proposal and it was welcomed by conservation groups, but the seafood industry said if the shark was already dead it made sense to harvest some of the carcass rather than throw it all back.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It is already an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to fin a shark and return it to the sea alive. However, it is lawful to catch a shark, kill it, remove its fins and dump the carcass at sea.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dr Smith said it was that kind of waste that would be targeted under the proposal, which was out for public consultation until December.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Seafood New Zealand chief executive Tim Pankhurst said the result of the proposal would be that instead of taking sharks' fins from the dead animals, "the whole carcase just gets heaved back into the sea if it comes aboard dead".</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"No shark is targeted for their fins alone and in the tuna fishery where blue sharks are a significant bycatch the focus needs to be on reducing that catch."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Fishing company Sealord said the plan did not affect it, as it had a "non shark finning" policy for the last 18 months.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The New Zealand Shark Alliance (NZSA) said the proposal was good news for sharks and New Zealand's environmental reputation.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"We strongly support today's announcement and will be encouraging the Government to implement the ban quickly, especially in the highly migratory species fishery which is New Zealand's main shark finning fishery," Katrina Subedar, NZSA spokeswoman and Forest & Bird Marine Conservation advocate said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"Once this becomes law New Zealand will join over 100 other countries and states to have banned this senseless and wasteful practice."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Greenpeace New Zealand oceans campaigner Karli Thomas said there was huge support from New Zealanders for a ban on shark finning.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"This year tens of thousands of people have pledged their support for a ban. Now we're urging them to go online and support the Government's proposal."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The proposal also gained cross party support, but Labour and the Greens said it should have happened sooner.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Labour's fisheries spokesman Damien O'Connor said New Zealand had been "tardy" in proposing the plan and followed countries such as Australia, the United States and the European Union.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"In New Zealand, conservation groups estimate 24,000 tonnes of sharks are caught in our waters. Most of the world's sharks that are caught are thrown back with only 2 per cent of the shark being used."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Green Party oceans spokesman Gareth Hughes said he was "delighted" the Government had finally acknowledged the activity could not be allowed to continue.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"The Greens have been calling for a ban on shark finning for over five years, and it is great that the Government has finally woken up to the importance of this issue."</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Mr Guy said in some fisheries the ban will be able to be implemented on October 1 next year. Others would require the development of guidelines for shark handling to maximise the survival of released sharks.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The ban on shark finning would be enforced by extra observers and cameras on commercial fleets as well as proposed a $100,000 fine for those breaking the ban.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"I think that's a very strong signal from Government that we expect the industry to change," Dr Smith said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Sharks in New Zealand:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">* New Zealand waters have 113 species of shark;</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">* more than 70 shark species have been recorded in commercial fisheries;</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">* seven species of shark are absolutely protected under the Wildlife Act 1953, including great whites, basking sharks and deep water nursing sharks;</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">* shark fins are valuable for making shark fin soup, which is a delicacy in Asia, and for the production of many Asian medicines.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">- APNZ</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">By Rebecca Quilliam </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11154753"><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11154753</span></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-84615676913230501282013-11-05T18:04:00.002-08:002013-11-05T18:09:11.464-08:00<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cousteau and World Cetacean Alliance Making a Splash</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>World Whale Conference and Live Stream November 6 and 7. 2013</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWS95I-qrW0kGOSQ3Ghsl6G8IBP5qsuVWzGUGEOfl9t9eUKrZOIJ_Gy0xI0yp5nBr0poATFEgPDiiW9pGKlQCXLFmnJKGgqnnn4H6_w54-YvkSSXK8uixN79CIH15hdBJAoFjXm9Wjkwg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-05+at+7.01.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWS95I-qrW0kGOSQ3Ghsl6G8IBP5qsuVWzGUGEOfl9t9eUKrZOIJ_Gy0xI0yp5nBr0poATFEgPDiiW9pGKlQCXLFmnJKGgqnnn4H6_w54-YvkSSXK8uixN79CIH15hdBJAoFjXm9Wjkwg/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-05+at+7.01.47+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>If you could change the world, would you?</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Would you get off your ass, answer the call, and rise to the occasion?</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Are you willing to join with a million others to send a single message, a powerful message, a compelling, world changing message to governments and corporations and those individuals around the world who profit from the captive exploitation, and contribute to the of barbaric execution, of whales, dolphins and porpoises?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The ocean is our life support system, it is what sustains us. When it is at risk, we are at risk. There is a precarious balance between humankind and nature - a reality we must never forget.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">If we are going to change the world to save ourselves, we have to save the ocean; and if we are going to save the ocean we have to start by saving the cetaceans. We have to protect their habitat and ensure that all marine life can thrive, so that we can too.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Last year, at the first World Whale Conference, delegates agreed that a new coalition should be formed to effectively protect the world's cetaceans from the many and varied threats that they face.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">On November 6-7, the 2013 World Whale Conference will be held in Cruiseport, Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">With the conference as its backdrop, the inaugural meeting of the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) is guaranteed to make a splash on the international stage; bearing a new banner carried by its first Honorary President, Jean-Michel Cousteau:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"Without collaboration we will achieve nothing more than a drop in the ocean. The World Cetacean Alliance is a unique opportunity to combine our collective energy, knowledge, and expertise in order to protect whales, dolphins, and their habitats."</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Introducing the WCA</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0U7MVTKpV8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0U7MVTKpV8</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">© WCA, used with permission, all rights reserved</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dylan Walker, Secretariat of the WCA, emphasizes that the World Cetacean Alliance represents a new and powerful global community that is willing to work together to protect cetaceans and their habitats. Walker says the WCA will actively seek recognition and influence as the largest international network of experts and advocates for whales and dolphins.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"We currently have a reach of 850,000 people through the WCA partners and hope to crack a million by the end of the conference. That's funding, marketing, and campaigning power we intend to use to help cetaceans, including captive orca which is at the top of our list."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">HOTSPOTS - PUTTING CETACEANS ON THE MAP</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Part of the first year challenge for the WCA has been identifying "Hotspots" around the world where cetaceans are at risk. To do this, the WCA has created a survey using a mapping tool called "sea sketch" and invited the public to participate by identifying locations on the map which deserve attention. The information is being entered into a database and used to identify issues and bring pressure for change. You can take the survey here.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.seasketch.org/#projecthomepage/50c9fe9c7315b72f321f50c6/survey/5180eca945829d0c5f0d22bf">http://www.seasketch.org/#projecthomepage/50c9fe9c7315b72f321f50c6/survey/5180eca945829d0c5f0d22bf</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The top three issues for the WCA are:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Releasing the wild orca called Morgan from captivity in Loro Parque;</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Saving the critically endangered Maui's dolphin in New Zealand; and</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Protecting the Southern Ocean / Ross Sea from whaling and other destructive practices.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Cousteau Has a Dream</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2QD1CbrYr5RSxKsBsd-xte3J1A62samIobH9DUmrfHd6D2Z9a0GbMfe7PK8NpnZAfGayi2OB1WkHMXhYSzvAqDIuPH5PZCmIhvC8_KRGmw8BNav-ce2tncyZIYhTYpAT4e6gpqB0LxQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-05+at+5.30.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2QD1CbrYr5RSxKsBsd-xte3J1A62samIobH9DUmrfHd6D2Z9a0GbMfe7PK8NpnZAfGayi2OB1WkHMXhYSzvAqDIuPH5PZCmIhvC8_KRGmw8BNav-ce2tncyZIYhTYpAT4e6gpqB0LxQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-05+at+5.30.05+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It is only fitting that Jean-Michel Cousteau would be the first Honorary President of the WCA.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">He is a tireless and impassioned advocate for cetaceans, with a special place in his heart for orca.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">When I first met Jean-Michel, he held up his iPhone and displayed a picture of a trainer standing on the nose of an orca and said - in a tone which I will never forget: "This has to stop, this is anti-educational, don't tell me that kids learn anything when we are doing these circus acts." (Photo © Carrie Vonderhaar, Ocean Futures Society)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In a recent article, Call to Freedom, </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.oceanfutures.org/news/blog/call-to-freedom">http://www.oceanfutures.org/news/blog/call-to-freedom</a> </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Jean-Michel talks about his personal experience with </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Keiko, </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://keiko.com/index.html">http://keiko.com/index.html</a> </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">the male orca made famous in the film, Free Willy. He talks about the plight of Tilikum, and speaks of hope for other captive orca including Corky,</span><br />
<a href="http://us.whales.org/wdc-in-action/free-corky"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">http://us.whales.org/wdc-in-action/free-corky</span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></a><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Lolita, </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.orcanetwork.org/Main/index.php?categories_file=Lolita">http://www.orcanetwork.org/Main/index.php?categories_file=Lolita</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">and of course Morgan, </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/freemorgan.org?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/freemorgan.org?fref=ts</a> </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">the young wild born female captured in the Netherlands, illicitly sold toSeaWorld, </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/columns/2013/10/it_is_time_to_free_morgan_the.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/columns/2013/10/it_is_time_to_free_morgan_the.php</a> </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">and the subject of an ongoing international custody battle. Cousteau writes:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"My dream would be that it be illegal to capture any orca anywhere for any reason. The orcas now in captivity could be prevented from reproducing and would live their lives in retirement under the best conditions we could provide. There would be no "shows," no entertainment, only activities to keep the orcas active. They would die of premature death like all captive orcas. A sad chapter in the history of our treatment of sentient, intelligent, complex animals like orcas would finally close, with the recognition that captivity of these animals has moved and changed us as well.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">My dream would also be that we honor the lives of these captive orcas by assembling an international group of brilliant scientists, animal cognition and behavior experts and human psychologists and that they devise humane studies to understand as best we can the intelligence and mental capabilities of these temporary ambassadors of the sea. We are in the presence of alien intelligence and we are asking them to jump. It is a tragedy of a different magnitude." Jean-Michel Cousteau</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">2013 World Whale Conference</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The lineup for the conference is an impressive who's who list of cetacean experts and advocates: Dylan Walker (WCA Secretariat); Bill Rossiter (Cetacean Society International); Keith Takaoka (BiLLe Fund Ltd); Thorsten Lisker (WCA Individual Partner); Ian Rowlands (WhaleFest co-founder); John Fanshawe (BirdLife International); Patricia Sullivan (Cetacean Society International); Michael Fishbach (The Great Whale Conservancy); Sami Mhenni (Houtiyat); Floppy "Jo" Halliday (Whale Rescue); Barbara Maas (Nabu International); Dr. Naomi Rose (Animal Welfare Institute); and Dr. Ingrid Visser (Orca Research Trust).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The full conference agenda and speaker's schedule can be found here.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.planetwhale.com/conferences-2013-world-whale">http://www.planetwhale.com/conferences-2013-world-whale</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">David Kirby, author of Death at SeaWorld, </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://deathatseaworld.com/?author=1">http://deathatseaworld.com/?author=1</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">will be giving the keynote address, and it should come as no surprise that the conference will also feature a special screening of Gabriela Cowperthwaite's powerful documentary Blackfish; </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://blackfishmovie.com/">http://blackfishmovie.com/</a> </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">the hard hitting expose that challenges society to examine the harm to cetaceans, and consider the ethical cost to humanity, posed by SeaWorld's captive orca shows.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Following the screening of Blackfish there will be a special panel discussion led by two of the world's most knowledgeable orca experts - Dr. Ingrid Visser and Dr. Naomi Rose. Dr. Visser will give an update on the efforts to Free Morgan <a href="http://www.freemorgan.org/">http://www.freemorgan.org/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">and Dr. Rose is sure to share her thoughts about keeping orca and dolphins in captivity, and alternatives to the concrete tanks found in places like SeaWorld - a topic which she recently wrote about in this article.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://us.cnn.com/2013/10/24/opinion/blackfish-captive-orcas-solutions/index.html?sr=sharebar_twitter">http://us.cnn.com/2013/10/24/opinion/blackfish-captive-orcas-solutions/index.html?sr=sharebar_twitter</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Information about tickets to the conference can be found here and at the WCA website: <a href="http://www.worldcetaceanalliance.org/">www.worldcetaceanalliance.org</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">For those who can't physically attend the conference, the WCA will be live streaming the event here </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.ustream.tv/channel/explore-the-world-whale-conference-with-whalecam">http://www.ustream.tv/channel/explore-the-world-whale-conference-with-whalecam</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">and everyone is encouraged to join in beginning at 9:30 a.m. (ET) on November 6th and 7th.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Follow Matthew Spiegl on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/MatthewSpiegl">www.twitter.com/MatthewSpiegl</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-spiegl/cousteau-and-world-cetace_b_4192368.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-spiegl/cousteau-and-world-cetace_b_4192368.html</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-66752760501350009122013-11-03T10:09:00.000-08:002013-11-03T17:47:15.176-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">#DONTBUYATICKET #SHUTDOWNDOLPHINARIUMS #CAPTIVITYKILLS </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>“The WCA urges everyone to boycott parks using cetaceans for entertainment that do not actively and publicly oppose the Taiji hunt. We live in a global community, where every one of us can influence what is happening, even if it is on the other side of the world. Now is the time to act. Now is our chance to make a difference.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">WORLD CETACEAN ALLIANCE. ORG</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.worldcetaceanalliance.org/?page_id=23"><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: large;">http://www.worldcetaceanalliance.org/?page_id=23</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">WCA URGES PUBLIC TO PROTEST AGAINST BLOODY SLAUGHTER</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Marine parks fund annual Japanese massacre of thousands of dolphins and porpoises by paying $150,000 a time for young dolphins – 250 times the value of those killed for their meat.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“The time has come to view captivity of whales and dolphins as a part of our history – not a tragic part of our future,” says Jean-Michel Cousteau, Honorary President of the World Cetacean Alliance.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Members of the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA), including WhaleFest and Dolphin Connection Experience in the UK, are calling for a mass public protest against the slaughter of dolphins and porpoises that is about to start in Japan.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">From this September to next March, a dolphin drive hunt made famous by the film ‘The Cove’ will see thousands of dolphins and porpoises hunted or trapped by nets and then bloodily slaughtered, either by harpooning or by having a metal stake driven into their head.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">WCA members help specialists to document the cruelty of the drive, track the captive displays whose purchases motivate the fishermen involved, and support Japanese nationals who oppose the drives most effectively in ways appropriate to the culture.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“The World Cetacean Alliance urges everybody who cares not only for the health and wellbeing of these animals, but also for the way in which humankind relates to nature, to take action over the massacre that is about to happen in Japan,” says Ian Rowlands of WhaleFest. “Lodge an objection with your local Japanese embassy or with the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. And help to make sure the world’s marine parks also oppose the slaughter.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Younger dolphins taken from the pods that are trapped in the killing cove at Taiji are sold to aquatic parks across the world. These sales – at around $150,000 per dolphin – help to fund the drive and contribute significantly to its continuation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Some of the world’s zoos, aquariums and marine attractions directly support the drive by paying the hunters for these live show dolphins. Many others are conveniently ignoring it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“A dead dolphin is worth around $600 for its meat. A live one sold to a marine park is worth up to 250 times that figure,” says Amanda Stafford of Dolphin Connection Experience. “Cutting off that demand could have a big impact on future culls. That’s why – in addition to directing our protests at Japan – we also need to tell the marine park industry that we will not tolerate their use of these animals for entertainment purposes any more and that we expect them to actively oppose this annual outrage.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Ongoing legal cases in the USA, combined with the publicity surrounding the book ‘Death At SeaWorld’ and the documentary film ‘Blackfish’ have highlighted the plight of captive orcas and other cetaceans at marine parks.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“Recent events have opened the public’s eyes to the realities of incarcerating intelligent, sociable, sentient beings in cramped conditions and forcing them to perform for ‘entertainment’ purposes,” says Dylan Walker, WCA Secretariat.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“The WCA urges everyone to boycott parks using cetaceans for entertainment that do not actively and publicly oppose the Taiji hunt. We live in a global community, where every one of us can influence what is happening, even if it is on the other side of the world. Now is the time to act. Now is our chance to make a difference.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">WCA Honorary President Jean-Michel Cousteau agrees. “The time has come to view captivity of whales and dolphins as a part of our history – not a tragic part of our future,” he says.</span></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-19097851495890739982013-10-19T06:27:00.003-07:002013-10-19T06:41:16.894-07:00<span style="color: #76a5af;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Email from EarthJustice ~ October 19.2013</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dear Heidi,</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We just won another huge victory for whales and other marine mammals and we wanted to share in case you missed the news!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>In response to an Earthjustice lawsuit, a federal court just ruled that the government must better protect endangered whales and other marine mammals from U.S. Navy warfare training exercises along the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington by employing the best available science.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">WHALES WIN ONE!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The sound level that whales and other marine mammals experience during the Navy's mid-frequency sonar training can disrupt migration, breeding, nursing, breathing, and feeding, and in some cases, cause internal hemorrhaging and ruptured eardrums.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Earthjustice sued in court to protect whales and other marine mammals from these dangerous training exercises--and we won!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">According to Earthjustice attorney Steve Mashuda, who led the effort:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"This is a victory for dozens of protected species of marine mammals, including critically endangered southern resident orcas, blue whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises.The National Marine Fisheries Service must now employ the best science and require the Navy to take reasonable and effective actions to avoid and minimize harm from its training activities."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Earthjustice has been fighting for the protection of marine wildlife for years, but our work to safeguard our ocean ecosystems and the species that depend on them is far from over.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Heidi, because helped us win a victory to protect northwest orcas earlier this year, I also wanted to encourage you to take action to protect other imperiled marine species--including Atlantic bluefin tuna, sharks, and sea turtles--from being unnecessarily slaughtered by longline fishing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We couldn't do our work, and win, without you!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Sincerely,</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Steve Mashuda</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Attorney, Earthjustice</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">P.S. Earthjustice has been working tirelessly to protect our oceans, but we need your help. Tell the National Marine Fisheries Service to improve its management plan for fisheries that unnecessarily harm bluefin tuna and other imperiled species.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SPEAK UP TO PROTECT BLUE FIN TUNA</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Below is the petition authoring and background on damage caused by longline vessels:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Overview.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Action: Public Comments</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Issue: Bluefin Tuna</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Deadline: Dec. 10, 2013</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Regulations.gov: Proposed Rule</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Speak Up To Protect Bluefin Tuna</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Atlantic bluefin tuna are one of the ocean’s most impressive predators. Weighing as much as 1,500 pounds, these giants can still accelerate faster than a sports car. But they haven’t been able to outswim commercial fishing pressure.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Unfortunately, bluefin tuna are being harmed by Atlantic longline vessels that snag the fish while trying to catch swordfish and other tuna species. Bluefin cannot withstand this assault. Their numbers are so low that they have been considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The waste is not limited to bluefin tuna. Pelagic longlines injure and kill high numbers of billfish, sharks, sea turtles, whales, and other animals every year in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. This doesn’t have to happen. Better types of fishing gear are now available to target swordfish, and prohibitions on fishing in ecologically critical areas are a proven method to protect multiple species from fishing impacts.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Tell the government to improve its management plan for fisheries that unnecessarily harm this and other imperiled species.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Earthjustice has fought for years to protect bluefin tuna spawning grounds in the Gulf and reduce the death toll of pelagic longline fisheries. Most recently, Earthjustice has partnered with conservation groups and others concerned about the fate of bluefin tuna to identify ways to better protect these amazing fish.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">NMFS’s proposed rule takes some important steps towards conserving and rebuilding bluefin tuna. However, more remains to be done to protect bluefin tuna, as well as the many other species that get snared by pelagic longline vessels.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Please tell NMFS to take the necessary actions to end bluefin tuna overfishing, encourage a transition to safer fishing methods, and protect other species like sharks, sea turtles, and marine mammals from unnecessary harm.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">TAKE ACTION TODAY: Make your voice heard! To send your letter, enter your information below and click on the "Send Message" button.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">IMPORTANT NOTE ON PRIVACY: This is an official government request for public comments. All information submitted with your comment (name, address, etc.) may be placed in the public record for this proceeding. Do NOT submit confidential or sensitive information. To submit an anonymous comment, visit Regulations.gov and enter "Anonymous" in the name fields.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Comments on Amendment 7 to the HMS FMP</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dear National Marine Fisheries Service,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I encourage the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to adopt strong measures in proposed Amendment 7 to the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan in order to conserve and rebuild Atlantic bluefin tuna, as well as protect the many other species of fish and wildlife that are injured or killed by encounters with pelagic longline gear. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Atlantic bluefin tuna have been fished to dangerously low levels. Strong measures are necessary to end overfishing of bluefin tuna and put the species on the path to recovery. Protecting spawning grounds and other areas where bluefin congregate is critical to achieving these requirements. Therefore, I request that NMFS adopt a final rule prohibiting all pelagic longline fishing in the entire Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone during the entire bluefin spawning period, and in the Cape Hatteras Restricted Gear Area from December through April.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Past experience has shown that time-area closures are highly effective in protecting bluefin, billfish, and other incidentally caught species. I oppose NMFS's proposal to open Charleston Bump, DeSoto Canyon, and the Florida East Coast to pelagic longlining. NMFS may not move forward with this proposal without conducting a thorough analysis of the impacts of reintroducing pelagic longlining to closed areas on bluefin, billfish, sharks, marine mammals, and threatened and endangered species. The analysis NMFS has offered to support its proposal falls far short of meeting the agency's obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, or Marine Mammal Protection Act.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The pelagic longline sector of the HMS fishery kills and discards more bluefin tuna than any other sector of the fishery, and regularly exceeds its annual bluefin tuna quota. Last year, dead discards caused by the pelagic longline sector accounted for one quarter of the entire U.S. Atlantic bluefin quota. NMFS's proposal to take quota from other sectors of the fishery and reallocate it to the pelagic longline sector -- increasing pelagic longline quota by over 85% -- unfairly penalizes cleaner sectors of the fishery and unlawfully facilitates continued high rates of bycatch and dead discards by the pelagic longline sector. I request that NMFS instead adopt a final rule that requires the pelagic longline sector to account for its own dead discards within its own, fairly allocated portion of the overall bluefin quota.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">There are several aspects of NMFS's rule that I strongly support. The proposed strict annual cap for bluefin catch, implemented via an individual bluefin quota system for active longline vessels, increases accountability and encourages fishermen to adopt more selective practices. Similarly, requiring vessels to retain all dead bluefin tuna instead of discarding them will reduce waste of bluefin and foster more accurate accounting of fishing mortality. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Finally, NMFS should adopt measures requiring enhance at-sea monitoring to help enforce the cap on bluefin catch and better track interactions with other marine life, including measures requiring electronic monitoring and increased observer coverage. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">NMFS now has a valuable opportunity to rebuild bluefin tuna and protect numerous other marine species by implementing measures to increase accountability within the pelagic longline sector and foster transitions to more selective fishing gear. Please take this opportunity by strengthening the proposed rule in the ways described above. Thank you for your time and consideration.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://secure.earthjustice.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1509&s_src=1310_MoveOn.org_Orcas&utm_source=MoveOn.org">https://secure.earthjustice.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1509&s_src=1310_MoveOn.org_Orcas&utm_source=MoveOn.org</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-43436370998679216782013-10-14T10:27:00.003-07:002013-10-14T10:39:58.700-07:00<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This </span><span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">ROCKS</span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Please meet these folks at </span></div>
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<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">World Cetacean Alliance.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">#LoveOceans #SaveOceans</span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Without collaboration we will achieve nothing more than a drop in the ocean. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~ Jean-Michel Cousteau</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.worldcetaceanalliance.org/">http://www.worldcetaceanalliance.org/</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Introducing the World Cetacean Alliance</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>WCA URGES PUBLIC TO PROTEST AGAINST BLOODY SLAUGHTER</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Marine parks fund annual Japanese massacre of thousands of dolphins and porpoises by paying $150,000 a time for young dolphins – 250 times the value of those killed for their meat.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>“The time has come to view captivity of whales and dolphins as a part of our history – not a tragic part of our future,” says Jean-Michel Cousteau, Honorary President of the World Cetacean Alliance.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Members of the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA), including WhaleFest and Dolphin Connection Experience in the UK, are calling for a mass public protest against the slaughter of dolphins and porpoises that is about to start in Japan.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>From this September to next March, a dolphin drive hunt made famous by the film ‘The Cove’ will see thousands of dolphins and porpoises hunted or trapped by nets and then bloodily slaughtered, either by harpooning or by having a metal stake driven into their head.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>WCA members help specialists to document the cruelty of the drive, track the captive displays whose purchases motivate the fishermen involved, and support Japanese nationals who oppose the drives most effectively in ways appropriate to the culture.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>“The World Cetacean Alliance urges everybody who cares not only for the health and wellbeing of these animals, but also for the way in which humankind relates to nature, to take action over the massacre that is about to happen in Japan,” says Ian Rowlands of WhaleFest. “Lodge an objection with your local Japanese embassy or with the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. And help to make sure the world’s marine parks also oppose the slaughter.”</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Younger dolphins taken from the pods that are trapped in the killing cove at Taiji are sold to aquatic parks across the world. These sales – at around $150,000 per dolphin – help to fund the drive and contribute significantly to its continuation.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Some of the world’s zoos, aquariums and marine attractions directly support the drive by paying the hunters for these live show dolphins. Many others are conveniently ignoring it.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>“A dead dolphin is worth around $600 for its meat. A live one sold to a marine park is worth up to 250 times that figure,” says Amanda Stafford of Dolphin Connection Experience. “Cutting off that demand could have a big impact on future culls. That’s why – in addition to directing our protests at Japan – we also need to tell the marine park industry that we will not tolerate their use of these animals for entertainment purposes any more and that we expect them to actively oppose this annual outrage.”</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ongoing legal cases in the USA, combined with the publicity surrounding the book ‘Death At SeaWorld’ and the documentary film ‘Blackfish’ have highlighted the plight of captive orcas and other cetaceans at marine parks.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>“Recent events have opened the public’s eyes to the realities of incarcerating intelligent, sociable, sentient beings in cramped conditions and forcing them to perform for ‘entertainment’ purposes,” says Dylan Walker, WCA Secretariat.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>“The WCA urges everyone to boycott parks using cetaceans for entertainment that do not actively and publicly oppose the Taiji hunt. We live in a global community, where every one of us can influence what is happening, even if it is on the other side of the world. Now is the time to act. Now is our chance to make a difference.”</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>WCA Honorary President Jean-Michel Cousteau agrees. “The time has come to view captivity of whales and dolphins as a part of our history – not a tragic part of our future,” he says.</b></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-56895118950281555542013-10-09T12:12:00.002-07:002013-10-09T12:12:32.780-07:00<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Please take action here to </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">#FreeTheArctic30</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Thank you!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://oceanshepherd.blogspot.com/p/ocean-news.html">http://oceanshepherd.blogspot.com/p/ocean-news.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">WHY GREENPEACE AREN'T PIRATES</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pmbvLm8pO1dmDi6ceBxrqygsul8_tYn3nJardlJHWGWjjVpTChxKz3R6J9LfONx7IvH9Q8x_WT-MBsd2c6mQuWG5Co3lXcI09DenzYj797wNCfi84KfHBLDiqpr3pAE3cflsYifTUHQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-09+at+12.55.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pmbvLm8pO1dmDi6ceBxrqygsul8_tYn3nJardlJHWGWjjVpTChxKz3R6J9LfONx7IvH9Q8x_WT-MBsd2c6mQuWG5Co3lXcI09DenzYj797wNCfi84KfHBLDiqpr3pAE3cflsYifTUHQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-10-09+at+12.55.01+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">by Joshua Keeting for Slate </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">October 2. 2013 4:14 P.M.</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">At least 14 of the 30 Greenpeace activists arrested after trying to scale a Russian oil platform in the Arctic last month have been <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/02/us-russia-greenpeace-idUSBRE99107520131002">charged with piracy </a>by the country’ federal Investigative Committee. The charge, against the crew of the ship Arctic Sunrise, from countries including Argentina, Britain, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Britain, as well as a U.S.-Swedish citizen, could carry a jail term of up to 15 years.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Northwestern law professor Eugene Kontorovich, <a href="http://www.volokh.com/2013/09/25/russias-piracy-charges-greenpeace-groundless-illegal/">explained</a> a few days ago why this charges fails to meet the traditional definition of piracy under international law:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">First, piracy requires an attack against a “ship.” The Greenpeace incident involved an oil rig, which is not a ship because it is not navigable. (The <a href="http://www.imo.org/About/Conventions/ListOfConventions/Pages/SUA-Treaties.aspx">1988 SUA Convention</a> dealing with maritime violence beyond piracy required a separate protocol to apply to oil platforms).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Second, piracy requires “acts of violence or detention.” Here the Greenpeace activist merely put a poster on the platform. This does not constitute violence. In the Ninth Circuit case, by contrast, the Sea Shepherd vessels allegedly attempted to ram Japanese whalers, hurled projectiles at them, and so forth. While the defendants argued this did not amount to violence, it is certainly more colorable than a poster. The Greenpeace activists certainly committed trespass, but not piracy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Interestingly, as Julian Ku writes at Opinio Juris, <a href="http://opiniojuris.org/2013/09/24/russia-may-charge-greenpeace-activists-piracy-will-cite-ninth-circuit/">it’s possible that a U.S. court decision</a> might actually bolster Russia’s case here. Traditionally, only people who have actually stolen or held property for ransom at sea have been charged with piracy. But in February, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20130226/us-whaling-protest-lawsuit/">upheld an injunction </a>against the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the anti-whaling activists best known from the TV series "Whale Wars," arguing that their attacks on Japanese ships constituted piracy even though they had no intention of profiting monetarily from them. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"When you ram ships; hurl glass containers of acid; drag metal-reinforced ropes in the water to damage propellers and rudders; launch smoke bombs and flares with hooks; and point high-powered lasers at other ships, you are, without a doubt, a pirate, no matter how high-minded you believe your purpose to be," Chief Judge Alex Kozinski wrote in his opinion. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Even so, the Greenpeace activists hadn't done anything that drastic and despite this precedent, the charges are obviously a stretch by international standards. Even President Vladimir Putin <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/09/25/putin-says-greenpeace-activists-arent-pirates-but-defends-their-detention/">has said</a> “it's completely obvious they aren't pirates."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The better parallel in this case may be the “hooliganism” and “religious hatred” <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/aug/17/pussy-riot-sentenced-two-years">charges filed</a> against the members of Pussy Riot, whose actions would normally be defined at worst as trespassing or vandalism, but are currently serving two-year jail terms. And indeed, according to the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-charges-five-from-greenpeace-ship-with-piracy/2013/10/02/9b47a7d8-2b64-11e3-b141-298f46539716_story.html">Washington Post</a>, “some activists have begun referring to the Greenpeace ship as the Pussy Sunrise.”</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_world_/2013/10/02/russia_charges_greenpeace_activist_with_piracy_but_their_crime_fails_to.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_world_/2013/10/02/russia_charges_greenpeace_activist_with_piracy_but_their_crime_fails_to.html</span></a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-91956518488610399732013-10-08T05:35:00.003-07:002013-10-08T05:40:37.406-07:00<span style="color: #76a5af;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>A SUCCESS FOR SEALS!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>EU UPHOLDS BAN </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>ON SEAL PRODUCTS</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">TAKE ACTION!</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Learn more about what you can do to help stop the seal hunt here.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&amp;page=UserAction&amp;id=4119">https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&amp;page=UserAction&amp;id=4119</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/seriouslycanada/">http://www.humanesociety.org/seriouslycanada/</a></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">By Kristina Pepelk via One Green Planet < Animal Advocate </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">October 7, 2013</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Canada’s seal fur trade industry has tried its best to overturn the European Union’s (EU) ban on seal products. Thankfully, the EU remains impervious to such attacks and is committed to its four-year-old ban of seal products.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Just this past week, the EU’s top court, based in Luxembourg, rejected yet another appeal to overturn the ban—an appeal submitted by 17 organizations including Inuit seal hunters and fur traders, <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/eu-court-rejects-inuit-appeal-against-seal-fur-094130927.html">reports AFP via Yahoo News</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The ban does exempt products that come from traditional hunts by indigenous communities, which is one of the reasons why this recent appeal was dismissed. <a href="http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/10/03/61735.htm">According to Courthouse News</a>, Inuit Tapiritt Kanatami, a Canadian nonprofit representing over 50,000 Inuit, has challenged the ban since 2011, citing that their economy has been decimated by its approval back in 2009.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The nonprofit’s appeal was rejected first in a lower court and then in the EU’s high court on the grounds that the ban can only be challenged by those directly affected by the legislation (i.e. those who are not exempt), reports Courthouse News.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Yet the group’s appeal was supported by non-exempt fur traders, which shows that the EU is quite intent on upholding its ban.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“We applaud the court for rejecting this senseless challenge and upholding the right of the EU to prohibit commercial trade in seal products,” said Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of the Humane Society International/Canada via Courthouse News.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“The EU’s decision was the result of a complex, democratic process that involved substantial consultations with the commercial sealing industry, Canadian government and other stakeholders. The applicants simply do not have the legal standing to challenge this decision,” said Aldworth.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Since its approval in 2009, the EU’s seal product ban has been very effective in reducing the number of seals killed commercially. In 2006, 354,000 harp seals were slaughtered for their fur, and by 2011, that number was reduced to 40,000. The price of seal pelts have also gone down from about $118 to just $12 in the same time frame, reports AFP.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">While thousands of seals are still clubbed to death in Canada each year, the industry’s diminishing profitability is a good sign. If this trend continues and the Canadian government eventually stops subsidizing it, we may see the end of this cruel industry sooner than we thought.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ANNUAL CANADIAN SEAL HUNT HERE:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/the-annual-canadian-seal-hunt-and-what-you-can-do-to-stop-it/">http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/the-annual-canadian-seal-hunt-and-what-you-can-do-to-stop-it/</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Image source: CaroLa / Flickr</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/a-success-for-seals-eu-upholds-ban-on-seal-products/"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/a-success-for-seals-eu-upholds-ban-on-seal-products/</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-3918617429247881572013-10-07T16:19:00.002-07:002013-10-08T03:26:36.476-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">DUGONG ACTIVITY UNLIKELY TO SWAY FUTENMA PLANS</span></div>
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<i>A recent Japanese Ministry of Defense report stated that Dugongs had been seen eating seagrass in Oura Bay off the island of Okinawa last year. The bay is the proposed site for a new runway for the U.S. military. Its unclear how the new report on the endangered species might affect decisions on whether to build the runway. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>A recent Japanese Ministry of Defense report stated that Dugongs had been seen eating seagrass in Oura Bay off the island of Okinawa last year. The bay is the proposed site for a new runway for the U.S. military. It's unclear how the new report on the endangered species might affect decisions on whether to build the runway.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">By Travis J. Tritten and Chiyomi Sumida</span><br />
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Published: October 7, 2013</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — It’s unclear if recent evidence of endangered dugong activity would add fresh ammunition to a debate over allowing Marine Corps runways to be built in an Okinawa bay, according to the island’s prefectural government.</span><br />
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The Japan Ministry of Defense confirmed this week the protected marine mammals were eating seagrass in Oura Bay last year, but that information was not included the findings in a landmark environmental assessment of the runways filed with Okinawa prefecture in December.</span><br />
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Okinawa has been weighing the ministry assessment for months and is expected to make a decision this winter on whether to allow Tokyo to fill a section of the bay for the new U.S. air facility, which will expand Camp Schwab and create a replacement for controversial Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.</span><br />
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The Futenma move to Oura Bay has long been part of U.S.-Japan plans to realign forces in the Pacific, though the relocation has been stalled for years due to local opposition.</span><br />
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A ministry survey showing dugongs — a relative of the manatee considered critically endangered by Japan — grazed on seagrass in the bay between April and June of 2012 was released following a records request by Japanese media and was confirmed by Stars and Stripes.</span><br />
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Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima declined to comment this week on whether the survey may affect his decision on Tokyo’s application to reclaim land for the runways. But a spokesman said his office had already been considering the dugong activity recorded by the Ministry of Defense in and around Oura Bay in recent years.</span><br />
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“Traces of dugongs eating seaweed were confirmed in 2009 and it is believed to be the same site that the recent traces were found,” said the governor’s spokesman, Satoru Matsuda.</span><br />
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The dugong, which has deep cultural and historic significance to the Japanese, was at the center of an environmental struggle over the controversy-riddled Futenma relocation project for years.</span><br />
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A U.S. court ruled in favor of Okinawans in 2008 and compelled the military and Japan to assess the potential impact of V-shaped offshore runways on the wildlife and habitats in the bay and along the island’s eastern coast.</span><br />
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A 7,000-page environmental study compiled by the Ministry of Defense and delivered to Okinawa last year was applauded by the United States as progress toward the Futenma move. It found that three dugongs were spotted in the area in recent years but sparse evidence of activity in Oura Bay where the runways will be located.</span><br />
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Overall, the ministry reported that the runway fill project could be done without significant harm to the coastal environment, including the slow-moving mammals and their habitat in the bay. A panel of Okinawa scientists and experts that advises Gov. Nakaima disputed that claim last year, saying the runway construction could cause irreparable harm to many animals and plants in the area.</span><br />
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The ministry assessment given to Okinawa will not be reconsidered, a Ministry of Defense spokesman told Stars and Stripes.</span><br />
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Meanwhile, the ministry will continue dugong monitoring in Oura Bay and the surrounding coast.</span><br />
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“We intend to give full consideration to the dugongs and avoid and minimize impacts of the project as much as possible,” the spokesman said.</span><br />
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The recently released findings on dugong feeding in 2012 were part of an annual ministry survey that was wrapped up in May.</span><br />
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tritten.travis@stripes.com</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">sumida.chiyomi@stripes.com</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/dugong-activity-unlikely-to-sway-futenma-plans-1.245200">http://www.stripes.com/news/dugong-activity-unlikely-to-sway-futenma-plans-1.245200</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-12988680688093384002013-09-27T16:58:00.004-07:002013-10-08T16:34:53.698-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">REPORT LINKS SONAR </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">BY LENNY BERNSTEIN</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">THE WASHINGTON POST</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">OCT 8, 2013</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">WASHINGTON – The mysterious stranding of about 100 melon-headed whales in a shallow Madagascar lagoon in 2008 set off a rapid international response — a few of the 3-4-meter-long marine mammals were rescued, necropsies conducted, a review panel formed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Did they follow prey into the lagoon? Were they sick? Was it the weather, or chemical toxins?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">The panel recently gave its best answer, and it is causing ripples of concern. For the first time, a rigorous scientific investigation has associated a mass whale stranding with a kind of sonar that is widely used to map the ocean floor, a finding that has set off alarms among energy companies and others who say the technology is critical to safe navigation of the planet’s waters.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">The independent review panel appointed by the International Whaling Commission concluded Sept. 25 that a high-powered, “multibeam echosounder system” (MBES) was “the most plausible and likely behavioral trigger” for the stranding. About 75 of the animals, which normally inhabit deep ocean waters, died.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">A contractor for Exxon Mobil was using the sonar system — which sends “ping” sounds from a vessel toward the ocean floor — in a channel between Mozambique and Madagascar to determine where an oil and gas exploration rig might be safely constructed. Computers use the returning echo from the pulses of sound to map the ocean floor.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">The panel of five scientists “systematically excluded or deemed highly unlikely” nearly every other possibility before settling on the use of the MBES, which previously was considered relatively benign, according to the group’s report.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">“The evidence seems clear to us that (the MBES) was pretty likely” the cause, said Brandon Southall, the panel’s chairman and a marine biologist at the University of California at Santa Cruz. He said he hopes the report will cause governments, regulatory agencies and private companies to “realize that some of the types of mapping sonars have the potential to cause reactions in marine mammals that can be detrimental.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Exxon Mobil, which helped select the panel and partly funded the rescue of some of the whales in 2008, rejects the conclusion, contending that the evidence is too flimsy for a determination that could have a far-reaching impact.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">“While Exxon Mobil is not accepting responsibility for the stranding in light of the uncertainties in the report, we did cooperate and provide funding for the response effort in 2008 and the review panel because we are working in Madagascar,” spokesman Patrick McGinn said.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Another skeptic is Larry Mayer, a professor at the University of New Hampshire’s Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping. “From my reading of that report, it’s not clear how they could have come to that conclusion,” Mayer said. “Any of the other possible conclusions are just as likely.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">The report could have significant consequences for U.S. agencies and others around the world that use the MBES to map ocean floors. “If it endangers the ability to use these sort of systems . . . it could lead to all kinds of dangerous downstream consequences.” Mayer said.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">And Joseph Geraci, an adjunct professor of comparative medicine at the University of Maryland who has studied cetacean strandings for 40 years, said he was troubled by the strength of the language in the panel report. “I’m not sure on the basis of a single event where there are two activities that the words ‘most plausible cause’ are the right ones,” he said. “It’s only those three words that made me pay attention.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">But Howard Rosenbaum, director of the Ocean Giants program of the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society, hailed the panel for pushing the envelope on possible factors in the strandings and deaths of marine mammals. “I think what we would like to see is the most effective regulations that will minimize the risk (of mass strandings) to sensitive whales and dolphins,” Rosenbaum said.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">U.S. Navy sonar has been implicated in harm to whales and dolphins, environmental groups contend. A federal judge last month ordered federal biologists to reconsider permits that could allow the navy to kill or disrupt marine mammals during antisubmarine warfare exercises off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. But in 2008, the Supreme Court allowed similar drills off Southern California to be held without protections for marine mammals.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Other environmental groups are skirmishing with energy companies over the use of “seismic air guns,” devices that send much louder blasts of compressed air toward the ocean floor to help find oil and gas trapped below.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">The noise from an MBES is better compared to an industrial-sized version of the fish-finders widely used by recreational anglers, Southall said. That is part of the reason his panel’s finding is so controversial: the pinging sound is used so widely around the globe, in so many forms, that most involved have considered it relatively harmless.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">But it may be time to adjust that thinking, Southall said. He said no study of whale strandings will achieve the kind of certainty that Exxon Mobil and others would like, but said this one provided a rare opportunity to consider a wide range of possibilities and disprove them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Because the Wildlife Conservation Society has a presence in Madagascar, it was able to quickly respond to the stranding, rescuing some of the whales and conducting necropsies on the dead, Rosenbaum said.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">And because regulators, conservation groups and energy companies were together at a conference in Chile at the time, they were able to put together a coordinated rescue response and later work together to form the review panel.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">“It seemed to be a very uncommon event,” Southall said, “and we were able to go through almost all the factors that we looked at and rule almost everything else out.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Exxon Mobil contends, among its other objections, that the stranding began before its contract vessel arrived off the shores of northwestern Madagascar. The company has provided satellite photographs of objects on other nearby beaches before the melon-headed whales fled into Loza Lagoon, but the panel concluded they most likely were small fishing boats.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Nevertheless, Exxon Mobile already has changed its practices to prohibit the use of an MBES near an underwater cliff face, because the panel raised the possibility that the sound pulses echoed off one in this case and had an unusual effect on the whales, McGinn said.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Southall said the whales already were in unusually shallow water for unknown reasons.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">The bottom line for the company, McGinn said, is that “our contract vessel happened to be there in that time frame, but there are so many uncertainties in the area that we’re not sure it’s us.”</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_194332170"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/08/world/report-links-sonar-to-whale-stranding/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+japantimes+%28The+Japan+Times%3A+All+Stories%29#.UlSTxWSDRz8">http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/08/world/report-links-sonar-to-whale-stranding/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+japantimes+%28The+Japan+Times%3A+All+Stories%29#.UlSTxWSDRz8</a></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-large;">UNDERWATER SONAR SYSTEMS </span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-large;">REALLY <i>DO</i> CAUSE WHALES </span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-large;">BECAUSE THE HIGH FREQUENCIES DISORIENTATE THEM.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>An independent scientific review </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>panel found sonar was responsible </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>for the mass stranding </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>of 100 melon-headed whales </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><b>in Madagascar</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The panel concluded that a multi-beam echosounder system, used by a nearby survey vessel was the most 'plausible and likely behavioural trigger'</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The report said the potential for mortality from the use of sonar systems should be considered in future environmental assessments</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>By SARAH GRIFFITHS</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>PUBLISHED: 06:59 EST, 27 September 2013 | UPDATED: 07:01 EST, 27 September 2013</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Environmental campaigns have maintained for years that sonar systems used by shipping leads to the stranding of whales.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But now international research has confirmed their concerns for the first time that whales strand themselves on beaches when they are lost and disorientated by high-frequency underwater noise.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">An independent scientific review panel found the systems, mainly used for underwater mapping, were responsible for the mass stranding of 100 melon-headed whales in Madagascar in 2008.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sonar systems, mainly used for underwater mapping, were responsible for the mass stranding of 100 melon-headed whales</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">An independent scientific review panel found that sonar systems, mainly used for underwater mapping, were responsible for the mass stranding of 100 melon-headed whales in Madagascar in 2008</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A report commissioned by the panel said: 'The potential for behavioural responses and indirect injury or mortality from the use of similar MBES [multi-beam echosounder systems] should be considered in future environmental assessments, operational planning and regulatory decisions.'</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The noise from the high-frequency sonar systems, used by the military, shipping and research vessels, can cause the animals to swim into the wrong areas, and it is thought that use of the system leads to beachings in the UK too.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJFe6d81_UZy_31xymhgp8vJhQwmUOZbIN2yaxtwUsv9h0YqqkXDAHnxbthDLz6SUiDftk26dNnbM976LBm3sChrWqBNkHuy9mxuAtsVmhPbkd3CLWpUpzpsqQ_NZBbmcduPiFBoww5s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-27+at+5.43.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJFe6d81_UZy_31xymhgp8vJhQwmUOZbIN2yaxtwUsv9h0YqqkXDAHnxbthDLz6SUiDftk26dNnbM976LBm3sChrWqBNkHuy9mxuAtsVmhPbkd3CLWpUpzpsqQ_NZBbmcduPiFBoww5s/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-27+at+5.43.46+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Every year 800 whales, dolphins and porpoises are stranded on British beaches, although it is not known whether sonar systems are to blame. Here, British Divers Marine Life Rescue volunteers inspect a with a 44ft Sperm whale, which died on Redcar beach in Cleveland in 2011</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Every year 800 whales, dolphins and porpoises to be stranded on British beaches, although it is not known whether sonar systems are to blame.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dr Howard Rosenbaum, director of the Ocean Giants Program for WCS, welcomed the report and said: 'These conclusions add to a mounting body of evidence of the potential impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">'Implications go well beyond industry, as these sonar systems are widely used aboard military and research vessels for generating more precise bathymetry (underwater mapping).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">'We now hope that these results will be used by industry, regulatory authorities and others to minimise risks and to better protect marine life, especially marine mammal species that are particularly sensitive to increasing ocean noise from human activities.'</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAG7C_kZYUMNnua3EGsUb4JXHbhH6gboZh-0q40mGmafg1BlTvM-PDfhaLndiooNnph8hmfw8QFt10pZjeidTXtnCEpTrj8WfDOnRxC7_jwc6AD5l1yQuoWmqHB3Th5tFf1b5H8QodW8A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-27+at+5.44.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAG7C_kZYUMNnua3EGsUb4JXHbhH6gboZh-0q40mGmafg1BlTvM-PDfhaLndiooNnph8hmfw8QFt10pZjeidTXtnCEpTrj8WfDOnRxC7_jwc6AD5l1yQuoWmqHB3Th5tFf1b5H8QodW8A/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-27+at+5.44.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The noise from the high-frequency sonar systems, used by the military, shipping and research vessels, (pictured is the sound room of HMS Westminster in Portsmouth) can cause whales to swim into the wrong areas, and it is thought that use of the system leads to beachings in the UK too</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Katie Moore, director of animal rescue at IFAW said: 'Mass stranding response is challenging under the best of circumstances.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">'Together with local individuals and the government of Madagascar, we provided the expertise to rescue as many animals as possible and medical care to those that stranded alive. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">'Equally important was to gather as much data as possible from the animals to address the root cause of the stranding. We are pleased to see the ISRP report and its conclusions, which will hopefully be used in shaping future conservation policies.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Read more: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2434769/Underwater-sonar-systems-really-DO-cause-whales-stranded--high-frequencies-disorientate-them.html#ixzz2g8j181nE">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2434769/Underwater-sonar-systems-really-DO-cause-whales-stranded--high-frequencies-disorientate-them.html#ixzz2g8j181nE </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />SCIENTISTS CLAIM SONAR CAN MAKE BLUE WHALES MISS MEALS</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>A recent study by the Cascadia Research Collective based in Washington, said underwater military sonar could be killing blue whales.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The reserachers said that baleen whale species, which include the world’s largest animal, the blue whale, react to the mid frequency noises by changing behaviour.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>This includes altering foraging so they miss out on high-quality prey, which could make them weak and decimate numbers through starvation.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The soundwaves, developed by the military to track enemies beneath the waves, are between 1 and 10 kHz, which is within the human hearing band.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>They have been blamed for lethal mass stranding of deep diving toothed whales.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Sonar is thought to disrupt the animals’ diving behaviour so much that they suffer a condition rather like ‘the bends’ which human divers can contract if they surface too quickly.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>This research claims that sonar can significantly disrupt their foraging and dramatically decrease feeding efficiency as undersea noise blocks animals’ communication.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Teams from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) were able to rescue some of the whales, but it was too late for many of them. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>While aspects of the stranding in Madagascar remain unknown, the panel concluded that a multi-beam echosounder system, operated intermittently by a survey vessel moving down the shelf-break the day before the event was the most 'plausible and likely behavioral trigger for the animals initially entering the lagoon system.'</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>There are now concerns about the impact of noise on marine mammals as the systems are commonly used by many industries. </i></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-81850801238142046742013-09-25T20:34:00.004-07:002013-09-25T22:29:23.142-07:00<br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>WHALE MASS STRANDING </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>ATTRIBUTED TO SONAR MAPPING </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>FOR FIRST TIME</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>WCS researchers and other stranding team members </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>worked to capture some of the melon-headed whales </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>in order to transport them to the open ocean. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>(Credit: Photo credit: T. Collins/WCS)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sep. 25, 2013 — An independent scientific review panel has concluded that the mass stranding of approximately 100 melon-headed whales in the Loza Lagoon system in northwest Madagascar in 2008 was primarily triggered by acoustic stimuli, more specifically, a multi-beam echosounder system operated by a survey vessel contracted by ExxonMobil Exploration and Production (Northern Madagascar) Limited.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In response to the event and with assistance from IFAW, WCS led an international stranding team to help return live whales from the lagoon system to the open sea, and to conduct necropsies on dead whales to determine the cause of death.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">According to the final report issued today, this is the first known marine mammal mass stranding event of this nature to be closely associated with high-frequency mapping sonar systems. Based on these findings, there is cause for concern over the impact of noise on marine mammals as these high-frequency mapping sonar systems are used by various stakeholders including the hydrocarbon industry, military, and research vessels used by other industries.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The report concluded: "The potential for behavioral responses and indirect injury or mortality from the use of similar MBES [multi-beam echosounder systems] should be considered in future environmental assessments, operational planning and regulatory decisions."</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The full report can be found at: </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://iwc.int/2008-mass-stranding-in-madagascar">http://iwc.int/2008-mass-stranding-in-madagascar</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) welcomed the report and praised all those involved in the process, including governments, NGOs, and industry.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"WCS and IFAW support these conclusions that add to a mounting body of evidence of the potential impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals," said Dr. Howard Rosenbaum, Director of the Ocean Giants Program for WCS. "Implications go well beyond the hydrocarbon industry, as these sonar systems are widely used aboard military and research vessels for generating more precise bathymetry (underwater mapping). We now hope that these results will be used by industry, regulatory authorities, and others to minimize risks and to better protect marine life, especially marine mammal species that are particularly sensitive to increasing ocean noise from human activities. "</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Added Dr. John G. Robinson, Executive Vice President for Conservation and Science for WCS: "We greatly appreciate the efforts of the U.S. government agencies and authorities and the International Whaling Commission for facilitating and overseeing this process, and we are particularly grateful to the Government of Madagascar for authorizing this work and their continued interest in the outcome. Understanding what causes mass strandings of marine mammals is critical to prevent this in the future. In this case, the cooperation by industry, conservation organizations, and government regulatory authorities led to best science being evaluated by an independent panel, which came up with conclusion based on weight of considerable evidence made available."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Mass stranding response is challenging under the best of circumstances. Together with local individuals and the government of Madagascar, we provided the expertise to rescue as many animals as possible and medical care to those that stranded alive," said Katie Moore, Director of Animal Rescue at IFAW. "Equally important was to gather as much data as possible from the animals to address the root cause of the stranding. We are pleased to see the ISRP report and its conclusions, which will hopefully be used in shaping future conservation policies."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The report was written after a formalized process was established to investigate the mass stranding. The process was undertaken with endorsement of the Government of Madagascar. Several have contributed to this report including organizations involved in the mass stranding response effort, the International Whaling Commission, and several relevant U.S. federal agencies.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A multi-stakeholder steering committee was established to provide guidance in setting up and structuring the review panel and to ensure completion of the process and public release of the report. Those on this steering committee included: Dr. Howard Rosenbaum (WCS); Dr. Rodger Melton and Dr. Linda Zimmerman (ExxonMobil); Dr. Teri Rowles (NOAA Marine Mammal Stranding Network); Dr. Jason Gedamke (NOAA Ocean Acoustics Program); Dr. Peter Thomas (Marine Mammal Commission); Jill Lewandowski (BOEM); Dr. Greg Donovan (IWC); Dr. Brandon Southall (SEA), also head of the independent scientific review panel.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While aspects of the stranding remain unknown, the panel concluded that a multi-beam echosounder system, operated intermittently by a survey vessel moving down the shelf-break the day before the event was the most "plausible and likely behavioral trigger for the animals initially entering the lagoon system."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130925132211.htm">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130925132211.htm</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>MILITARY SONAR CAN ALTER BLUE WHALE BEHAVIOR: </b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">HUMAN-MADE NOISES </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">CAUSE OCEAN GIANTS </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">TO MOVE </span></b><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>AWAY FROM FEEDING SPOTS</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiHFvvGFVbvWkVJ7rfZ26QAgpbR_IIL7P9ZJi1mV2ZGP5DSM9y6YI3QudSujsQsO2fNQkQB7VtmrqgiYA0iDgQvxpv1mwg9xOHqa8xSOfX2b4Oqy3OC_7KwxDrGNePBGzPm-gq3mbSOo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+10.50.53+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiHFvvGFVbvWkVJ7rfZ26QAgpbR_IIL7P9ZJi1mV2ZGP5DSM9y6YI3QudSujsQsO2fNQkQB7VtmrqgiYA0iDgQvxpv1mwg9xOHqa8xSOfX2b4Oqy3OC_7KwxDrGNePBGzPm-gq3mbSOo/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+10.50.53+PM.png" width="442" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Duke researcher Ari Friedlaender </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">attaching a suction-cup tag to the back </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of a blue whale off the coast of southern California. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>(Credit: Courtesy of Ari Friedlaender; </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>NMFS Permit 14534)</i></span></div>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">July 3, 2013 — Some blue whales off the coast of California change their behavior when exposed to the sort of underwater sounds used during U.S. military exercises. The whales may alter diving behavior or temporarily avoid important feeding areas, according to new research.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Southern California Behavioral Response Study exposed tagged blue whales in the California Bight to simulated mid-frequency (3.5-4 kHz) sonar sounds significantly less intense than the military uses.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Whales clearly respond in some conditions by modifying diving behavior and temporarily avoiding areas where sounds were produced,†said lead author Jeremy Goldbogen of Cascadia Research. "But overall the responses are complex and depend on a number of interacting factors," including whether the whales were feeding deep, shallow or not at all.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The study, funded by the U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Readiness Division and the U.S. Office of Naval Research, appears July 3 in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The scientists tagged the whales with non-invasive suction cups, which recorded acoustic data and high-resolution movements as the animals were exposed to the controlled sounds.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The tag technology we use offers a unique glimpse into the underwater behavior of whales that otherwise would not be possible," said Ari Friedlaender, a research scientist at the Duke Marine Laboratory.a</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The scientists found that some of the whales engaged in deep feeding stopped eating and either sped up or moved away from the source of the noise. Not all of the whales responded to the noise, and not all in the same way.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Blue whales are the largest animals that have ever lived. Populations globally remain at a fraction of their former numbers prior to whaling, and they appear regularly off the southern California coast, where they feed," said John Calambokidis, one of the project’s lead investigators of Cascadia Research.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That area of the ocean is also the site of military training and testing exercises that involve loud mid-frequency sonar signals. Such sonar exercises have been associated with several unusual strandings of other marine mammal species (typically beaked whales) in the past. Until this study, almost no information was available about whether and how blue whales respond to sonar.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"These are the first direct measurements of individual responses for any baleen whale species to these kinds of mid-frequency sonar signals," said Brandon Southall, SOCAL-BRS chief scientist from SEA, Inc., and an adjunct researcher at both Duke and the University of California Santa Cruz. "These findings help us understand risks to these animals from human sound and inform timely conservation and management decisions."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A related paper published July 3 by the same research team in Biology Letters has shown clear and even stronger responses of Cuvier’s beaked whales to simulated mid-frequency sonar exposures. Beaked whales showed a variety of responses to both real, military sonar in the distance and nearby simulated sonar. What the beaked whales were doing at the time appeared to be a key factor affecting their reactions.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130703120637.htm">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130703120637.htm</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitqh8PpmSiTa6MF_h461aBR2ZWOKyNdl892M6OqFNWMuL7aLIbxOUEyQdyJp6MbYTxECY7i0HLYHjjgAfuDYPPFTKVg9PSGhXtsSkleBrmCX88gSs5s9rPOdaKGIjmt18PqehBlf_-yI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+10.55.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitqh8PpmSiTa6MF_h461aBR2ZWOKyNdl892M6OqFNWMuL7aLIbxOUEyQdyJp6MbYTxECY7i0HLYHjjgAfuDYPPFTKVg9PSGhXtsSkleBrmCX88gSs5s9rPOdaKGIjmt18PqehBlf_-yI/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+10.55.35+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>This killer whale was stranded in California in 2005. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Increased necropsies on stranded killer whales </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>are helping scientists learn more about the species. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">June 7, 2013 — The development of a standardized killer-whale necropsy system has boosted the collection of complete data from killer-whale strandings from 2 percent to about 33 percent, according to a recent study from a team of scientists, including a University of California, Davis wildlife veterinarian.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The study, published recently in the journal Marine Mammal Science, suggests that the data can help scientists better understand the life history of the orca species.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The killer-whale necropsy system was co-developed by Joe Gaydos, director of the SeaDoc Society -- a program of the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center within the School of Veterinary Medicine -- and Stephen Raverty, veterinary pathologist with the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Because killer whales are apex predators and flagship conservation species, strandings are sad events," said Gaydos. "But this study confirms that if we make every effort to understand why the strandings occurred, we will ultimately improve the fate of the species."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gaydos and Raverty developed the standardized killer-whale necropsy system in 2004. The analysis of strandings since then has shown that the protocol, along with increased funding for southern resident killer-whale recovery, has increased the collection of complete data from killer-whale strandings. Traditionally, only one in 50 stranded whale cadavers would be analyzed; now one in three get a full examination.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The increased recovery funding was provided by the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service and Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the study, researchers analyzed North Pacific killer-whale strandings dating back to 1925. The report noted that while orcas are some of the most widely distributed whales on Earth, very few dead ones are ever found. Over the last two decades, an average of just 10 a year have been discovered stranded across the entire North Pacific Ocean.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Each stranded orca should be viewed as a unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of this magnificent species," said co-author Raverty.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The study found that 88 percent of all reported killer-whale strandings are fatal, while only 12 percent of the stranded killer whales make it off the beach alive. The dead whales can provide critical clues to the species' overall life history, genetics, and health, as well as the causes of death. With such limited opportunity to do comprehensive sampling and studies, the authors noted the disturbing fact that, until recently, less than 2 percent of dead killer whales were thoroughly examined.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While the study was designed to look at stranding trends and did not evaluate the causes, necropsies on beached orcas have shown that they absorb extremely high loads of humanmade toxins, suffer from infectious diseases and, in the case of fish-eating populations, depend primarily on severely depleted salmon stocks. With the standardized protocol now in place -- providing much more complete data on strandings -- researchers are getting a clearer picture of killer-whale life and death.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"This was a herculean effort to learn more about one of the ocean's top predators," said lead author Michelle Barbieri, a former SeaDoc Society scientist and UC Davis graduate who is currently the lead veterinarian for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"We could not have done this without the collaboration of dozens of killer-whale scientists from around the world, who provided stranding and population data from Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii, British Columbia, Mexico, Japan and Russia," she said.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_881964218"><br /></a></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130607131012.htm">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130607131012.htm</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">ROLE OF KINSHIP IN MASS STRANDINGS OF PILOT WHALES QUESTIONED</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXMwJbZBX4XyCojD6nfDpbPHHVugpkCeDvhTxxPVZ6cCSfIHR76fQ-NZrT0yYB7XdUyTOgLF6mrgU0NfJAQn3l1ls8mTwtMr8NmKOU_7pcBqycyAWcI4nyDy_49G08As2j71jMuiyRJ0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+10.33.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXMwJbZBX4XyCojD6nfDpbPHHVugpkCeDvhTxxPVZ6cCSfIHR76fQ-NZrT0yYB7XdUyTOgLF6mrgU0NfJAQn3l1ls8mTwtMr8NmKOU_7pcBqycyAWcI4nyDy_49G08As2j71jMuiyRJ0/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+10.33.35+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Thousands of pilot whales have died in mass strandings </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>the last few decades and recent genetic analysis </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>challenges one of the popular hypotheses </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>These pilot whales stranded at Stanley, in northeast Tasmania in 2008. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">(</span><i><span style="font-size: large;">Credit: photo courtesy of </span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>DPIPWE Marine Conservation Program)</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mar. 14, 2013 — Pilot whales that have died in mass strandings in New Zealand and Australia included many unrelated individuals at each event, a new study concludes, challenging a popular assumption that whales follow each other onto the beach and to almost certain death because of familial ties.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Using genetic samples from individuals in large strandings, scientists have determined that both related and unrelated individuals were scattered along the beaches -- and that the bodies of mothers and young calves were often separated by large distances.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Results of the study are being published this week in the Journal of Heredity.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Scott Baker, associate director of the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, said genetic identification showed that, in many cases, the mothers of calves were missing entirely from groups of whales that died in the stranding. This separation of mothers and calves suggests that strong kinship bonds are being disrupted prior to the actual stranding -- potentially playing a role in causing the event.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Observations of unusual social behavior by groups of whales prior to stranding support this explanation," said Baker, who frequently advises the International Whaling Commission and is co-author of the Journal of Heredity article. The OSU cetacean expert is a professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at the university's Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Ore.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The mass stranding of pilot whales is common in New Zealand and Australia, involving several thousand deaths over the last few decades, according to Marc Oremus of the University of Auckland, who is lead author on the study. The researchers say their genetic analysis of 490 individual pilot whales from 12 different stranding events showed multiple maternal lineages among the victims in each stranding, and thus no correlation between kinship and the grouping of whales on the beach.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This challenges another popular hypothesis -- that "care-giving behavior" directed at close maternal relatives may be responsible for the stranding of otherwise healthy whales, Oremus said.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"If kinship-based behavior was playing a causal role in strandings, we would expect that whales in a stranding event would be related to one another through descent from a common maternal ancestor, such as a grandmother or great-grandmother -- and that close kin would be clustered on the beach," Oremus said. "Neither of these was the case."</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because of the separation of mothers and calves, or in some cases, the outright absence of mothers among the victims, the study has important implications for agencies and volunteers who work to save the stranded whales, Baker said.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Rescue efforts aimed at 'refloating' stranded whales often focus on placing stranded calves with the nearest mature females, on the assumption that the closest adult female is the mother," Baker pointed out. "Our results suggest that rescuers should be cautious when making difficult welfare decisions -- such as the choice to rescue or euthanize a calf -- based on this assumption alone."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Long-finned pilot whales are the most common species to strand en masse worldwide, the researchers noted, and most of their beaching events are thought to be unrelated to human activity -- unlike strandings of some other species. Both naval sonar and the noise of seismic exploration have been linked to the stranding of other species.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The phenomenon is not new. In fact, mass strandings of whales or dolphins were described by Aristotle more than 2,000 years ago and were thought to have some kind of natural cause, Baker said, although it is unclear what that may be.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"It is usually assumed that environmental factors, such as weather or the pursuit of prey, brings pilot whales into shallow water where they become disoriented," Baker said. "Our results suggest that some form of social disruption also contributes to the tendency to strand."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"It could be mating interaction or competition with other pods of whales," Baker said. "We just don't know. But it is certainly something that warrants further investigation."</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The researchers hope their study will lead to better genetic sampling of more pilot whales and other stranded whale species, as well as the use of satellite tags to monitor the survival and behavior of whales that are helped back into the ocean.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The causal mechanisms of these strandings remain an enigma," Oremus said, "so the more avenues of research we can pursue before and after the whales beach themselves, the more likely we are to discover why it happens."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130314124607.htm">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130314124607.htm</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>MASS STRANDINGS OF PILOT WHALES MAY NOT BE DRIVEN BY KINSHIP, DNA PROFILES SHOW</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUjRcZ4IMJfWZp_CfTmh-jFr_vOiKaVV3TYEG4WXiffvKEYmm2RkL__4hYO4XiA6-nDPmxHJ-L2UNDrVKX1EAgtyXg4J18t9inI8b9GtzcIPpIaMMNq_V9omDsQxW2JxIQkWZ2kBnaGE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+11.01.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUjRcZ4IMJfWZp_CfTmh-jFr_vOiKaVV3TYEG4WXiffvKEYmm2RkL__4hYO4XiA6-nDPmxHJ-L2UNDrVKX1EAgtyXg4J18t9inI8b9GtzcIPpIaMMNq_V9omDsQxW2JxIQkWZ2kBnaGE/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+11.01.56+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rescuers help refloat pilot whales stranded in New Zealand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recent research has shed some light on whether family relationships play a role in beachings of otherwise healthy whales. Investigators used genetic data to describe the kinship of individual long-finned pilot whales involved in mass strandings. The study found that stranded groups are not necessarily members of one extended family, contradicting the hypothesis </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that stranding groups all descend from a single ancestral mother. Further, many stranded calves were found with no mother in evidence. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>(Credit: Project Jonah New Zealand Inc.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mar. 14, 2013 — Biologists since Aristotle have puzzled over the reasons for mass strandings of whales and dolphins, in which groups of up to several hundred individuals drive themselves up onto a beach, apparently intentionally. Recent genetic research has shed some light on whether family relationships play a role in these enigmatic and often fatal beachings of otherwise healthy whales.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One hypothesis regarding the reason for strandings is that "care-giving behavior," mediated largely by family relationships, plays a critical role. In this scenario, the stranding of one or a few whales, because of sickness or disorientation, triggers a chain reaction in which healthy individuals are drawn into the shallows in an effort to support their family members.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A recent study published in the Journal of Heredity questions this explanation, using genetic data to describe the kinship of individual long-finned pilot whales involved in mass strandings in New Zealand and Tasmania. The largest of these strandings included more than 150 whales, all of which died.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The study found that stranded groups are not necessarily members of one extended family, evidence that contradicts the hypothesis that stranding groups all descend from a single ancestral mother. Further, many stranded calves were found with no mother in evidence.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Long-finned pilot whales are the most common species to strand en masse and it has long been assumed this tendency was related to the species' social organization. Previous studies have shown that pilot whales have a matrilineal social organization, in which neither males nor females disperse from the group into which they were born. This group structure is also found in killer whales, but is otherwise thought to be rare in mammals.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"If kinship-based social dynamics were playing a critical role in these pilot whale strandings, first, we would expect to find that the individuals in a stranding event are, in fact, all related to each other. Second, we would expect that close relatives, especially mothers and calves, would be found in close proximity to each other when they end up on the beach during a stranding event," explained Marc Oremus of the University of Auckland and first author of the study.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Researchers analyzed both mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited exclusively from the mother, and microsatellite genotypes, which are inherited from both parents, from 490 whales involved in 12 stranding events. Contrary to the hypothesis that stranding groups consist of whales descended from a single ancestral mother (the "extended matriline" hypothesis), multiple matrilines were found in the groups stranded together.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In some strandings, the researchers assessed the spatial relationships of individual whales on the beach. The position of each stranded whale was mapped to determine if individuals found near each other were related. No correlation was found between location and kinship, even when considering only the location of nursing calves and their mothers, who were often widely separated when the group drove itself onto the shore.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most surprising was the evidence of "missing mothers" -- that is, many of the stranded calves and juveniles had no identifiable mother among the other beached whales.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Several scenarios could account for the lack of spatial cohesion, including the disruption of social bonds among kin before the actual strandings," commented Oremus. "In fact, the separation of related whales might actually be a contributing causal factor in the strandings, rather than simply a consequence."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The results of this study have important implications for rescue efforts aimed at "refloating" stranded whales. "Often, stranded calves are refloated with the nearest mature females, under the assumption that this is the mother," explained Scott Baker, co-author and Associate Director of the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University. "Well-intentioned rescuers hope that refloating a mother and calf together will prevent re-stranding. Unfortunately, the nearest female might not be the mother of the calf. Our results caution against making rescue decisions based only on this assumption."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The researchers acknowledge an important remaining question: where are the "missing mothers?" Had these adult females successfully refloated or had they never stranded in the first place? To answer this question, the researchers conclude that genetic samples are needed from all whales involved in strandings, including from those individuals that do eventually make it back to sea.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130314124603.htm">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130314124603.htm</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>NAVAL SONAR EXERCISES LINKED TO WHALE STRANDING, </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>ACCORDING TO NEW REPORT</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1cTDme-2md4DzL7RIMzj-rDPg5tow0Lmgaw9CSEFLRnUbAVhDiTizcPLsFbuFAZhh1jxCh6_SxMw2Us05mySGkYIRcYeFyel-Zcmg_2x5pzvPgW3dFKbUefXM6RqL2wlH52xvW_qNII/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+11.06.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1cTDme-2md4DzL7RIMzj-rDPg5tow0Lmgaw9CSEFLRnUbAVhDiTizcPLsFbuFAZhh1jxCh6_SxMw2Us05mySGkYIRcYeFyel-Zcmg_2x5pzvPgW3dFKbUefXM6RqL2wlH52xvW_qNII/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+11.06.14+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dtag on a beaked whale. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>(Credit: Photo by Todd Pusser, </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>taken under NMFS permit 14241)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mar. 16, 2011 — Scientists have long been aware of a link between naval sonar exercises and unusual mass strandings of beaked whales. Evidence of such a link triggered a series of lawsuits in which environmental groups sued the U.S. Navy to limit sonar exercises to reduce risk to whales. In 2008, this conflict rose to the level of the US Supreme Court which had to balance potential threat to whales from sonar against the military risk posed by naval forces inadequately trained to use sonar to detect enemy submarines. The court ruled that the Navy could continue training, but that it was essential for the Navy to develop better methods to protect the whales.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The knowledge most critical to protecting these whales from risk of sonar involves measuring the threshold between safe and risky exposure levels, but until now it has not been known how beaked whales respond to sonar, much less the levels that pose a problem. "We know so little about beaked whales because they prefer deep waters far offshore, where they can dive on one breath of air to depths of over a mile for up to an hour and a half," said Peter Tyack, a senior scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, an international team of researchers reports in a paper led by Tyack the first data on how beaked whales respond to naval sonar exercises. Their results suggest that sonar indeed affects the behavior and movement of whales.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tyack and his colleagues used two complementary methods to investigate behavioral responses of beaked whales to sonar: "an opportunistic approach that monitored whale responses to multi-day naval exercises involving tactical mid-frequency sonars, and an experimental approach using playbacks of simulated sonar and control sounds to whales tagged with a device that records sound, movement, and orientation," the researchers report in the current issue of the online journal PLoS ONE, published by the Public Library of Science.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That research team developed experiments to slowly increase the level of sonar at a tagged whale, to stop exposure as soon as the whale started responding, to measure that exposure, and to define the response. The experimental approach used tags to measure acoustic exposure and behavioral reactions of beaked whales to one controlled exposure each of simulated military sonar, killer whale calls, and band-limited noise.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"These experiments were very difficult to develop, and it was a major breakthrough simply to be able to develop a study that could safely study these responses," Tyack said. "All three times that tagged beaked whales were exposed experimentally to playback of sounds when they were foraging at depth, they stopped foraging prematurely and made unusually long and slow ascents to the surface, moving away from the sound.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beaked whales use their own biosonar to find prey when they are foraging; this means that one can monitor cessation of foraging by listening for when they stop clicking. Once the researchers found that beaked whales responded to sonar by ceasing clicking, they were able to monitor reactions of beaked whales during actual sonar exercises on the range. The research was conducted on a naval testing range where an array of underwater microphones, or hydrophones, covered the seafloor, allowing whale sounds to be monitored over 600 square miles. "During actual sonar exercises, beaked whales were primarily detected near the periphery of the range, on average 16 km away from the sonar transmissions. Once the exercise stopped, beaked whales gradually filled in the center of the range over 2-3 days," they report.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A satellite tagged whale moved outside the range during an exercise, returning over 2-3 days post-exercise. "The combined results indicate similar disruption of foraging behavior and avoidance by beaked whales in the two different contexts, at exposures well below those used by regulators to define disturbance," the scientists report.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"This suggests that beaked whales are particularly sensitive to sound. Their behavior tended to be disrupted at exposure levels around 140 decibels (dB), so they may require a lower threshold than many current regulations that anticipate disruption of behavior around 160 dB, " said Tyack. "But the observations on the naval range suggest that while sonar can disrupt the behavior of the whales, appropriate monitoring and management can reduce the risk of stranding."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The research was supported by the United States Office of Naval Research, the U.S. Strategic Environmental Research and Development, the Environmental Readiness Division of the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Submarine Warfare Division (Undersea Surveillance), NOAA and the Joint Industry Program on Sound and Marine Life of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110316153133.htm">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110316153133.htm</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>U.S NAVY SONAR LINKED TO WHALE STRANDINGS, </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS ARGUE</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaAfLem4crIwu1Kg2xZR0qv7qc-C1KBlQxDFytBK2OrbxqACzhsunNW2_DxNYOgOep9AxVbt5bf3uIy4bg0ZymlRVSMA9foWtLsni9g986blKYPyImMSzwvQY9I_gSxWtvy2uubl63oQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+11.09.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaAfLem4crIwu1Kg2xZR0qv7qc-C1KBlQxDFytBK2OrbxqACzhsunNW2_DxNYOgOep9AxVbt5bf3uIy4bg0ZymlRVSMA9foWtLsni9g986blKYPyImMSzwvQY9I_gSxWtvy2uubl63oQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+11.09.55+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Beached sperm whale. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"Sonar is killing more whales than we know about," </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>said Prof. Chris Parsons of George Mason University. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>(Credit: iStockphoto/Alan Drummond)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oct. 6, 2008 — Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a series of lower court rulings that restrict the Navy's use of sonar in submarine detection training exercises off the coast of Southern California. The court is due to hear the case after its term begins again this month.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For many years, professor Chris Parsons has been tracking the patterns of mass whale strandings around the world. In his most recent paper, "Navy Sonar and Cetaceans: Just how much does the gun need to smoke before we act?" Parsons and his co-authors bring together all of the major whale and dolphin strandings in the past eight years and discuss the different kinds of species that have been affected worldwide. They also strongly argue for stricter environmental policies related to this issue.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Generally, if there is a large whale stranding, there is a military exercise in the area," says Parsons. "Sonar is killing more whales than we know about."</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Parsons is a national delegate for the International Whaling Commission’s scientific and conservation committees, and on the board of directors of the marine section of the Society for Conservation Biology. He has been involved in whale and dolphin research for more than a decade and has conducted projects in South Africa, India, China and the Caribbean as well as the United Kingdom.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Though Parsons believes that there is a good chance the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in favor of the Navy, he thinks there is a chance for a win-win situation on both sides.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"If the Navy uses proper mitigation efforts, it can still perform its exercises and affect less of the whale population," he says. However, he argues they need to avoid sensitive areas completely, and have trained, experienced whale experts as lookouts when performing these exercises—"not just someone who has watched a 45-minute DVD, which is sadly the only training most naval lookouts get with respect to finding and detecting whales."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even with all these efforts, however, Parsons worries that sonar is affecting many more whales than we even know about. "Eventually the Navy may have to reconsider the use of certain types of sonar all together. They could be wiping out entire populations of whales, and seriously depleting others."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006112057.htm">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006112057.htm</a></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-14436779752222746872013-09-24T14:17:00.004-07:002013-09-24T14:20:23.791-07:00<span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SURFER GOES HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH POD OF DOLPHINS AS HE TAKES ON GIGANTIC AUSTRALIAN WAVES </span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">… AND LOSES.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxyd6PaTjVtGDGrrmElCvTxcGtbhnvz24hNMd4pOTGxRIFMttdjHNCMquCIXVHMhyphenhyphenQ8W6Wmsrs8SlUFbPx0KKKrmoRylCrDB71zVBabqu2U-5LWn7ZFf7ZrpH3ZDScdKOB5b5KwE1Nok/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-24+at+3.02.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxyd6PaTjVtGDGrrmElCvTxcGtbhnvz24hNMd4pOTGxRIFMttdjHNCMquCIXVHMhyphenhyphenQ8W6Wmsrs8SlUFbPx0KKKrmoRylCrDB71zVBabqu2U-5LWn7ZFf7ZrpH3ZDScdKOB5b5KwE1Nok/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-24+at+3.02.02+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">This stunning picture was capture by Matt Hutton who was just lining up the last shot of the day</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Trent Sherborne was catching waves at his local beach in Kalbarri, Western Australia.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Photographer Matt Hutton was lining up his last shot on the shore when a dolphin suddenly leaped from the ocean.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">What he captured is an incredibly rare picture of man and mammal sharing the same wave</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>By CHRIS PLEASANCE</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>PUBLISHED: 05:33 EST, 24 September 2013 </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>| UPDATED: 06:16 EST, 24 September 2013</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">When surfer Trent Sherbourne zipped up his wetsuit, grabbed his board and headed down to the secluded beach he was probably hoping to have the waves to himself.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">So imagine his surprise when he found himself sharing the surf with a pod of dolphins who jumped out of the water right in front of him.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">But even more incredible is that the moment was captured back on land by a self-taught photographer who was lining up his last shot of the day while experimenting with a new lens.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PjyQI7XmtaC2-zx5A4V6vKE7MTfOomDzj5iS-C802ym7IUsAu2GGfxqhj85c0qaUoI5UfJA8Es5kbDA9l2n_WQKWxdfRqxBRytoifFBjEr_cvEwXv8KdDalClUGjxJ4vx0gUgFcsoTY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-24+at+3.02.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PjyQI7XmtaC2-zx5A4V6vKE7MTfOomDzj5iS-C802ym7IUsAu2GGfxqhj85c0qaUoI5UfJA8Es5kbDA9l2n_WQKWxdfRqxBRytoifFBjEr_cvEwXv8KdDalClUGjxJ4vx0gUgFcsoTY/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-24+at+3.02.18+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Dolphins are known to share waves with humans but it is extremely rare for them to breach the surface and even rarer for the moment to be captured on film</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Matt Hutton, 31, had been taking pictures of Trent when the local surfer was completely upstaged by dolphin racing him down the wave, before losing out to the speedy sea-mammal.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Amateur snapper Matt was travelling from Perth to his home in Wickham, Western Australia, in order to add pictures to his portfolio when he decided to stop in the small town of Kalbarri.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">After asking locals for information he was told of a few good spots to go and take pictures of surfers but was advised that dolphin sightings were rare.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">When he arrived at the beauty spot he found the rumours to be true as a few other photographers lined the shore training their hi-tech lenses on the ocean.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Luckily for Matt, he had bought a specialist lens of his own just a few days before and was determined to get some good shots.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">He said: 'One photographer said that he had been there hundreds of times but only seen dolphins on a few occasions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUy39nXSwlq80qAhQicTJMa3wsZmWsZseBLnp3h6U-K87zrtvxVIeoY74547wvyd_vCnaFKQYajnnM8tNmpxAmCGg0XF6QsoWUMz8QH5A41iQgj1Rcdx65dpwZDzY-xfCxA0KxX-wzDI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-24+at+3.02.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUy39nXSwlq80qAhQicTJMa3wsZmWsZseBLnp3h6U-K87zrtvxVIeoY74547wvyd_vCnaFKQYajnnM8tNmpxAmCGg0XF6QsoWUMz8QH5A41iQgj1Rcdx65dpwZDzY-xfCxA0KxX-wzDI/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-24+at+3.02.37+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Hutton said he was 'so lucky to have been at the right place and right time' as sightings of dolphins at the beach are uncommon</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">'I was getting some great photos of Trent Sherborne surfing this awesome wave, when a pod of dolphins decided to join him.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">'On the first occasion I captured two dolphins sharing a wave with him and a few separate photos of just the dolphins by themselves.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">But when Matt came to line up his last picture a dolphin leaped from the wave just in front of Trent, and after zooming in on his camera's LCD screen to check it was in focus, Matt fired off a frame.</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Losing out: Trent's surfing was completely eclipsed by the stunts of the camera-shy dolphins who shared the surf with him that day</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2430412/Surfer-Trent-Sherborne-goes-head-head-pod-dolphins-Kalbarri-Western-Australia.html">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2430412/Surfer-Trent-Sherborne-goes-head-head-pod-dolphins-Kalbarri-Western-Australia.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read more: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2430412/Surfer-Trent-Sherborne-goes-head-head-pod-dolphins-Kalbarri-Western-Australia.html#ixzz2fqXJLU5O">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2430412/Surfer-Trent-Sherborne-goes-head-head-pod-dolphins-Kalbarri-Western-Australia.html#ixzz2fqXJLU5O </a></span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-17927666573537274972013-09-20T15:26:00.001-07:002013-09-20T15:26:51.273-07:00<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>POOR WELFARE CONDITIONS CAUSE DOLPHINARIUM CLOSURE</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">19 September 2013</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Italy’s Rimini dolphinarium has been ordered to close by the Prosecutor’s Office, following failures to sufficiently care for their dolphins.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">September: In the first ruling of its kind in Europe, the dolphinarium in the popular seaside resort of Rimini has been ordered to close following investigations by the Corpo Forestale (nature police) in July that revealed violations of the Italian zoo law and Penal Code.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Irregularities included: the administration of tranquilisers and hormonal therapies to the dolphins to reduce aggression and sexual behaviours; housing conditions which failed to provide for the physical and psychological requirements of the animals; no shade for the animals (in temperatures reaching 35oC this summer); an inadequate water cooling and cleaning system; a lack of necessary facilities to separate sick or quarantined animals; and an inadequate preventative and curative veterinary programme. In addition to closure, Rimini dolphinarium has been required to pay €18,000 in fines.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Rimini’s four bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), two males and two females, have been transferred to Genoa Dolphinarium, where they remain off-show, in quarantine.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Born Free Foundation and colleagues from Italian NGOs LAV, Marevivo and ENPA, who continue to work together on this issue, welcomed the news. “Our agenda in Italy is clear, together we are working to ensure all dolphinaria are compliant with national and European law, ensuring that the animals are provided with the best possible conditions, whilst we continue to campaign for an end to the keeping of dolphins in captivity”, said Daniel Turner, spokesperson for Born Free. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Categories: Dolphin News, EU Zoo Inquiry News, Zoo Check Campaign News, Homepage News</i></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-36293683512631834612013-09-18T19:18:00.003-07:002013-09-18T19:23:08.646-07:00<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">BELUGA WHALES CREATE ART </span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">IN JAPAN AQUARIUM</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo_pOkDm6zcVNxyQOtGLvuVsAPKl15rYtPVGklkiBnK8mrtcpmb2N0E92jkPEscXOzhIVkn4EDhUL2B7KDOcarPSPNjMG7X5U3WXHzNuIF8v1gvnnkERMn4WXeGotZxTkb0T6-Qvh8Ls/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-18+at+8.19.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo_pOkDm6zcVNxyQOtGLvuVsAPKl15rYtPVGklkiBnK8mrtcpmb2N0E92jkPEscXOzhIVkn4EDhUL2B7KDOcarPSPNjMG7X5U3WXHzNuIF8v1gvnnkERMn4WXeGotZxTkb0T6-Qvh8Ls/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-18+at+8.19.46+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Beluga whale paints a picture with a special paintbrush </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise aquarium in Yokohama, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on September 17, 2013. (AFP Photo/Yoshikazu Tsuno)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AFP 14 hours ago</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Beluga whales at an aquarium near Tokyo are learning how to paint pictures as part of an autumn art program for visitors, an official said Wednesday.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The sea creatures at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise aquarium in Yokohama will be showing off their skills with specially adapted paintbrushes that they can hold in their mouths, a spokeswoman for the aquarium said.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">A trainer standing on the poolside dips the brush into paint and guides the belugas to produce pictures that bear a passing resemblance to natural scenes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"This is part of our 'geijutsu no aki (autumn, the best season for art),'" she said.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"The ideal is that a beluga will emulate what we've prepared for one of our customers to hold -- a fish-shaped paper cutout -- of course trainers will guide the whale to do that," she said.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"We'll see how well they manage."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Two female belugas will demonstrate their new skills in rotation once every weekday and twice a day at weekends, she said.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3gi7h86mWQ2gpmSzhXa0Tjk6pBrDF6ZOWOKzWi8ZDkAZ04a4-jI2cgqzRHRtgmndKpospCbCMR0i7sFZGKYEztKhEsoc7wqaLwjP_TJMmu4M0nh-C_C4T4txF3q6h1e_DgSVAfx_MP4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-18+at+8.19.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3gi7h86mWQ2gpmSzhXa0Tjk6pBrDF6ZOWOKzWi8ZDkAZ04a4-jI2cgqzRHRtgmndKpospCbCMR0i7sFZGKYEztKhEsoc7wqaLwjP_TJMmu4M0nh-C_C4T4txF3q6h1e_DgSVAfx_MP4/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-18+at+8.19.20+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The beluga, also known as the white whale, is on the red list of threatened species published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Some activists object to the training of whales and dolphins for aquarium shows and Japan is frequently the target of complaints over its attitude to animals, particularly the annual slaughter of dolphins in the western town of Taiji.</span><br />
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<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/beluga-whales-create-art-japan-aquarium-074437591.html">http://news.yahoo.com/beluga-whales-create-art-japan-aquarium-074437591.html</a></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-2307589446623589802013-09-18T10:23:00.002-07:002013-09-18T13:32:27.732-07:00<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">FOR TAIJI DOLPHINS </span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://secure2.wdcs.org/protect/critical_habitat/drive_hunts_petition.php#petition">https://secure2.wdcs.org/protect/critical_habitat/drive_hunts_petition.php#petition</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">OP-ED: IS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SPONSORING COMPANY THAT PURCHASES TAIJI DOLPHINS?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/358527">http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/358527</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">By Elizabeth Batt</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Sep 18, 2013 - 3 hours ago<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://maps.google.com/?q=Doha,+Qatar&z=4">Doha</a> - A new temporary lease dolphin show run by Ukrainian company NEMO or Nerum LLC, is opening in Qatar. According to the show, National Geographic is sponsoring their endeavors, despite NEMO's import of dolphins captured in the Taiji dolphin drives.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Based in Souq Waqif, Qatar Dolphin Discovery & Research has been posting the progress of dolphins-in-training on their Facebook page over the past several weeks.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The new marine mammal display facility which states that it is aiming, "to entertain people of Qatar by attractive show and dolphins encounter," is being sponsored by the state's Ministry of Tourism.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dolphins from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKbTHFnyzW0">Nerum were first sent </a>to Souq Waqif last February for a spring festival show. Now it seems the show will continue under the sponsorship of National Geographic, one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">On August 27, Qatar Dolphin Discovery & Research announced the following on its Facebook site:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFu1bZeuBt_23dMhy0sRcBPRnmT5yhdMc6gONNs7pQN0ibTcbDxv0gGEasmJJQC4ZFE_7sXwCGq64r96JlUdH3DmyagTWxfIWQtB_ikNHhSmBRGZPbpxul47Not72fXDZG1TCSPwacQ0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-18+at+10.58.38+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFu1bZeuBt_23dMhy0sRcBPRnmT5yhdMc6gONNs7pQN0ibTcbDxv0gGEasmJJQC4ZFE_7sXwCGq64r96JlUdH3DmyagTWxfIWQtB_ikNHhSmBRGZPbpxul47Not72fXDZG1TCSPwacQ0/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-18+at+10.58.38+AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Qatar Dolphin Discovery & Research</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Given that Nero/Nerum LLC has purchased dolphins captured from the inhumane Japanese dolphin drives, the sponsorship by NatGeo is a surprising one for many.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkts9tED4t5QgyEgF2I2ks4RKLOCWoj9AG0fFnbJkeR-mCEj9oC3pb3yhWner4jzTsLaVKv6ejZ4f5Y6VS4xXQO4OL4Rk1o6LPkoDu2IM0pL_0AVqZgaoq3Datol1fflWZu8gVopr2i0/s1385/CITEC_Japan_Ukraine.jpg">This CITES export permit dated Sep. 30, 2010</a>, clearly shows that Nerum imported five male and one female Pacific bottlenose dolphins from Dolphin Base in Taiji, Japan.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Even more recently, just last May in fact, Nerum acquired another 20 Pacific Bottlenose from the same facility, as <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz4IcHNPdAK-uQIHgf-rhj9NzrhChvN_dF70qNPMme5aY-mjDqyTKl8yaj5YzVfw8tAzFC-LpI5u36Y_fGQNCTGJhQ3_4nI1w6zCvq-Y6TJjEc6jPOM3qjsBARMREpRmUuZi2rlV_pf0/s1600/Japan_Nerum_2013.png">this CITES permit</a> shows. The company accepted delivery of a further 16 female and 4 male Pacific bottlenose dolphins.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Ukrainian-based Nemo/Nerum justifies purchasing the dolphins by saying it rescues the animals from death. After hosting a birthday celebration for a newborn dolphin, <a href="http://www.nemo.od.ua/ru/about-us/dolphinsbirthday/">the aquarium stated</a> (translated):</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Pacific bottlenose dolphins and Dzhýla Kustó - were bought from the Japanese fishermen from the quota meant for cooking food in Japanese restaurants. Saved from death, dolphins ... got a second life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TAIJI:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Taiji dolphin drives which were featured in the Academy Award-winning documentary <a href="http://www.thecovemovie.com/">The Cove</a>, run between September to March every year. Last year, according to <a href="http://cetabase.com/">CetaBase.com</a>, 1,486 dolphins from six species were driven into the cove.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Compared to earlier seasons, where up to 90 percent of the dolphins captured were slaughtered, around 58 percent of animals were killed last year. Due to<a href="http://digitaljournal.com/article/342232"> increasing global demand from the captive industry</a>, the number of cetaceans captured for public entertainment is increasing, while the slaughter percentage is decreasing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">COUNTRIES PURCHASING TAIJI DOLPHINS:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The largest purchaser of dolphins from Taiji is inevitably China, but in the last few years, new countries have also entered the picture. Thailand, Saudi Arabia; Egypt, Republic of Georgia and yes, the Ukraine, have all purchased dolphins from Japan for their aquariums.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Last season, <a href="http://digitaljournal.com/article/339641">Isana Fisheries Union</a> selected 156 bottlenose dolphins for captivity. If they sold all of them, it would net the union between six-seven million dollars. When compared to dolphin meat which sells for much less, about 2,000 yen (about US$16) a kilo, it is easy to see the dynamics of the dolphin drive shifting from sustenance to live sales.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">DOLPHIN BASE:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dolphin Base, where the captive dolphins have been exported from, maintains and trains the dolphins captured in the Cove. Owned and operated as part of the hotel named Dolphin Resort, the Base works directly with fishermen to secure dolphins for their own shows and for sale abroad.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Trainers that work for the Base, are even ferried into the Cove via the fishermen. They then select prime specimens for captivity. Those dolphins not selected, are then horrifically slaughtered for meat.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The slaughter is horrendous. The dolphins are killed individually by hand, in a method that involves repeatedly ramming a metal rod into the base of its head. After a recent analysis engineered by <a href="http://www.wdcs-na.org/story_details.php?select=352">Whale and Dolphin Conservation</a>, Dr. Andy Butterworth from the University of Bristol (UK) announced this brutal killing method, "leads to significant hemorrhaging and likely paralysis, and results in a slow death through trauma and gradual blood loss."</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It is difficult to imagine therefore, how any conservation group could endorse any show or company that continues to promote these appalling methods.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">NAT GEO'S MISSION STATEMENT:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">According to the non-profit group, <a href="http://press.nationalgeographic.com/about-national-geographic/">National Geographic's</a> aim is, "to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting the conservation of the world's cultural, historical, and natural resources."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Taiji dolphin season is again underway with a fisherman's quota of 2,013 animals. Just eighteen days into the season, 31 bottlenose dolphins have been seized for aquariums and two pods of short-finned pilot whales have been slaughtered.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It is hoped therefore, that if NatGeo has sponsored a Nemo-run show, they will withdraw that sponsorship forthwith. Questions issued to the group on Monday about their involvement in Qatar Dolphin Discovery & Research, have yielded no response to date.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Further data on where Taiji dolphins are being exported to is available in <a href="http://www.ceta-base.com/library/cetabasedocs/trackingtaiji-thehunt-2012.pdf">'Tracking Taiji: Live Capture & Export Data from Drive Fisheries'</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of <a href="http://digitaljournal.com/">DigitalJournal.com</a></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Read more: <a href="http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/358527#ixzz2fGQVoIYS">http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/358527#ixzz2fGQVoIYS</a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-46023511469722685272013-09-16T07:45:00.000-07:002013-09-16T07:49:33.740-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">ART CREATED FROM OCEAN TRASH</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Featured in movie One Beach.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Genius River Bridge, made with marine debris </span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Artist tico "Pancho"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Visit en~dot~wikipedia~dot~org</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seahorse made from plastic beach finds </span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">brings attention </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to issue of plastics in the ocean.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Visit turn-on-the-lights0~dot~blogspot~dot~com</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Check out the art made from plastic trash at Gartbage~dot~org</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Visit gartbage~dot~org</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">GartBAGE = Ocean trash a whale of a problem.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Que Sera Sera Recycled Art</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Visit gartbage~dot~org</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Turtle art project out of garbage</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Visit gartbage~dot~org</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">13 Fantastic Fish Sculptures Made With OceanTrash</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Visit greenecoservices~dot~com</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Made from ocean debris and L.A.river debris</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Repinned via Green Eco Services</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Judith Selby Lang and Richard Lang of San Francisco's Electric Works Gallery </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">make beautiful art from all that plastic junk that winds up in the Pacific Ocean.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Visit artpractical~dot~com</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-66009320481473851392013-09-14T17:24:00.000-07:002013-09-14T17:25:12.016-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">MARINELAND IN DEPTH</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.marinelandindepth.com/">http://www.marinelandindepth.com/</a></span></div>
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<i style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Thursday, September 12, 2013</i></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">BREAKING Dr. Naomi Rose to attend Niagara Screening of Blackfish</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOseLkXPSnbun0hoWvpXb66mTiQa7l2h6TFpUaoONbU6zOrrNn9CuShRaSHJbgoFwYIovTGQBsCcPoB3CQeP-Z7PSsrJRACYDvesXudGHhTzp_wLwSvXA-_tJr1TiG89dAXFID7EkQnFY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-14+at+6.18.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOseLkXPSnbun0hoWvpXb66mTiQa7l2h6TFpUaoONbU6zOrrNn9CuShRaSHJbgoFwYIovTGQBsCcPoB3CQeP-Z7PSsrJRACYDvesXudGHhTzp_wLwSvXA-_tJr1TiG89dAXFID7EkQnFY/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-14+at+6.18.46+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">DR. NAOMI ROSE & SAMANTHA BERG</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Blackfish organizers are proud to announce that highly respected marine biologist Dr. Naomi Rose, of the Animal Welfare Institute will be attending the <a href="http://www.marinelandindepth.com/2013/09/breaking-niagara-screening-of-blackfish.html">Niagara screening of Blackfish on September 27th in St. Catharines. </a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dr. Rose has worked tirelessly on international marine mammal protection issues around the world. Her areas of expertise include whaling, whale and dolphin watching and marine ecotourism, the dolphin-safe tuna label, marine sanctuaries, acoustic harassment, captive marine mammals (including swim-with-the-dolphin programs), the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the sport hunting of polar bears, as well as the protection of walruses, seals, sea lions, manatees, dugongs and sea otters. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dr. Rose is no stranger to the issues surrounding Marineland Canada and in previous visits has worked with groups such as Zoocheck Canada to highlight the woeful conditions animals endure at this facility. Recently Dr. Rose was featured as one of the main protagonists in David Kirby’s best selling book Death at Seaworld.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It is an honour to have Dr. Rose as well as former Seaworld trainer and anti captivity activist Samantha Berg together in attendance for a Q&A session following the historic screening of Blackfish in Niagara.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">at 5:21 PM </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Tuesday, September 10, 2013</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">An Open Letter to Niagara Area Politicians RE: Blackfish</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">UPDATE: Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati has declined this invitation as he will be out of the country on city business during this date and unable to attend. Alternative arrangements to view the film have been offered. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This letter has been sent to all members of Niagara Falls City Council, MP's Rob Nicholson, Rick Dykstra, MPP's Kim Craitor, Cindy Forster & Jim Bradley.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hello,</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">As you are aware the topic of marine mammal captivity has often been quite controversial here in the Niagara Region for many years. Among your constituents there are those that are extremely concerned about the care of animals at Marineland or do not believe marine mammals belong in captivity at such a facility at all. There are others who choose to support this local business that is also part of the important tourism economy.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In making one's mind up about an important topic the key is to understand and engage with both sides to get a full and fair grasp of the issue. We feel, for many years that the captive marine mammal industry has controlled most of the message about captivity to the public. On a local level it is often felt by many that because they are a business Marineland is often afforded the advantage of having their concerns heard above the voices that oppose their practises.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We are bringing the blockbuster documentary Blackfish to Niagara to make people aware there is another side of the captive marine mammal industry. While this film primarily discusses Seaworld, their business strategy and tactics are virtually identical to those used by Marineland and the industry as a whole. Viewing this film will allow you to go beyond all the fuzzy TV & radio commercials and experience what truly happens when you bring wild marine mammals into captivity for the sake of profit. While you may not agree with everything that is in this film it will at least make you aware of many things you might not have thought about.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We would like to extend an invitation to the Mayor of Niagara Falls, all members of Niagara Falls City Council and all Niagara area MP's and MPP's to be our guests at the screening of this film. We are offering a nonpartisan hostile-free environment for an enjoyable evening of film. It is our hope you will come away with a better understanding of what many of your constituents have expressed deep concern about.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Please RSVP no later than September 20th 2013 to reserve your tickets:</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">blackfishniagara@gmail.com</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">A reminder the screening will be held Sept 27th at 7pm at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School Auditorium in St. Catharines.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> Sincerely,</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Blackfish Niagara Organizers</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">at 11:42 AM </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Friday, September 6, 2013</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Niagara Screening of Blackfish</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeuj4c8ssVLzn9gn8u9uR4h-efBT_tJG9q6ZgYVmYeFlzhyphenhyphenm5RMxKbiqlPQzavWB30E0JRAlJhlfFNX7wk2joYm-V8kQR_0_IpbU7XJF0jaB9EnFNXYIEWDfhiK0XXlorT232vL_dim8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-14+at+6.20.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeuj4c8ssVLzn9gn8u9uR4h-efBT_tJG9q6ZgYVmYeFlzhyphenhyphenm5RMxKbiqlPQzavWB30E0JRAlJhlfFNX7wk2joYm-V8kQR_0_IpbU7XJF0jaB9EnFNXYIEWDfhiK0XXlorT232vL_dim8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-14+at+6.20.55+PM.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The blockbuster documentary of the summer BLACKFISH will be screened exclusively in Niagara on Friday September 27th.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The film screening will be part of a fundraising event for the legal defense fund for the Marineland Whistleblowers who are all currently facing SLAPP lawsuits by the captive marine mammal park.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">BLACKFISH focuses on the captivity of the killer whale Tilikum, who was involved in the deaths of three individuals and the consequences of keeping such large and intelligent animals in captivity. The film has played to sold out audiences around the world and garnered rave reviews and will have an immediate impact in the Niagara area where it will be screened for the first time ever in close proximity to Marineland.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Joining us at this event for a Q&A session after the film with Samantha Berg & Dr. Naomi Rose.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Samantha Berg is a former Seaworld trainer featured in the film and is now an anti captivity activist working towards spreading public awareness about marine mammal captivity.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Dr. Rose is a highly respected marine biologist who for years has worked on marine mammal protection issues around the world. She is one of the main protagonists in the recent best seller Death at Seaworld by David Kirby</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This exclusive one night only event will be held Friday September 27th @ 7pm</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School Auditorium at 101 Glen Morris Dr. in St. Catharines.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Tickets are on sale for $10 in advance or $15 at the door.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Tickets are ON SALE NOW:</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Rise Above Restaurant at 120 St. Paul St. in St. Catharines</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">For EVENT UPDATES Please check out the Facebook event page or check back here.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Sunday, September 1, 2013</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Marineland Advertises Orcas That Don't Exist</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">PHOTO BY TED TRAVER</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">While we are on the subject of the Marineland billboard located at the intersection of Fallsview Blvd. and Main St. in the city of Niagara Falls, you'll notice a little false advertising. The billboard shows three orcas while Marineland hasn't had that many Killer Whales in years. Kiska is the last remaining orca at Marineland and the highly social orca has been alone for almost two years. Her longtime tank mate Nootka died in 2008 and in 2011 Seaworld repossessed their orca Ikaika after terminating a breeding loan and fighting Marineland in a lengthy court battle.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Not only does the billboard mislead people about the animal attractions at the park but a closer inspection shows it is in decrepit condition. The orcas, presumably made of some kind of metal are rusting and have peeling paint. They appear to be precariously attached to the billboard with loose or missing bolts and feature holes near their attachments. It seems like a severe gust of wind could send those fictitious orcas falling into the busy intersection and traffic. Ironically the dilapidated condition of the billboard accurately reflects the conditions tourists might encounter when visiting the park itself.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">at 11:23 PM 1 comment: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Labels: advertising, billboard, fallsview, niagara falls</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Saturday, August 31, 2013</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Infamous Marineland Billboard the Scene of Protest Action</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">With the city council of Niagara Falls recently handing over more public land to Marineland, activists working to oppose the captive marine mammal park are bringing their fight to the city itself. Six activists took over a street corner in the busy Fallsview tourist district Saturday afternoon.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Under the very shadow of the dilapidated sculpted orcas affixed to the "Let's all go to Marineland" billboard, advocates handed out hundreds of leaflets to citizens and tourists making their way through the area during the Labour Day long weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Many stopped to read and discuss the information on the pamphlet with the activists who were eager to engage the more curious passersby with further dialogue about Marineland. Signs were also used where for the very first time anyone passing by could text a phone number to automatically receive a link sent to their phone which provides further information on the park. Activists plan on continuing this action throughout the weekend and in the future at high profile locations throughout the city of Niagara Falls.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">at 8:18 PM No comments: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Labels: action, activists, fallsview, leaflets, niagara falls, niagara falls city council, sign, tourists</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Wednesday, August 28, 2013</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Release of Dylan Powell's Injunction Raises Questions</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">A recent injunction order against Marineland Animal Defense "co-founder" Dylan Powell has placed several new restrictions on him when protesting outside Marineland. He claims that the injunction given to him by the Ontario Superior Court doesn't just apply to just himself but also anyone and everyone. The order lists several restrictions including a ban on using megaphones at demonstrations and certain language on signs such as "abuse" "torture" "animal abuse" "criminal" & "arrest John Holer". </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Rather than provide anyone with an actual real copy of the order, Powell has repeated statements via mainstream and social media where he is the only one quoted explaining the order applies to everyone and not just himself. Powell has warned of dire consequences should everyone fail to follow his instructions at demonstrations. Powell has said a rogue demonstrator could end up in jail or even worse, causing himself to be in contempt of court because of someone else's actions. Anyone who has dared to question the legitimacy of these claims has been quickly dismissed, called stupid and even singled out as someone who would want to "sabotage or dismantle" M.A.D.'s campaign. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The truth is no one is interested in stopping opposition to Marineland or even halting M.A.D.'s campaign to end the exploitation of animals at the park. It is Dylan Powell who has placed his own campaign in jeopardy with his decisions, his actions and his divisiveness. Now that he faces restrictions that essentially neuter him, he wants everyone else to abide by them or "no one will be allowed to protest at Marineland ever again!"</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Marineland: In Depth has obtained a full copy of Justice Lococo's ruling and provide it here for everyone to read.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">As can clearly be read: the motion for an injunction order against defendants Dylan Powell, Marineland Animal Defense, John Doe, Jane Doe and Persons Unknown was heard, that much is correct. However the actual ORDER was placed on only one defendant...Dylan Powell. Marineland was not successful in obtaining an injunction against the other defendants. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Misleading people to believe what the Justice said in court has any actual context to the order itself is quite ridiculous. A person can only know what is written in an order and not what was said in court. It is only what is written that matters and what a person has to comply with. In this case, Persons Unknown, John Doe and Jane Doe are not placed under any orders to comply with. This means no one falls under any of these restrictions except Powell. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Surely Dylan Powell will drum up more unverifiable reasons why this is being interpreted incorrectly but nothing beats the black and white truth. It is also known that Marineland is continuing their pursuit of another virtually identical injunction order against activist Mike Garrett.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Now if Powell's order covers everyone as he has claimed, then why would Marineland bother to spend thousands of dollars to pursue another injunction that would essentially give them nothing they don't already have? Better yet, why are donors and supporters of M.A.D. being lied to and told they cannot do things that only applies to really one person? And if Dylan Powell is so concerned about being held in contempt of court for the action of others then why not just stay home on demonstration day? Or is he suddenly more important than the cause?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This site does not condone breaking the law as it exists and has already mentioned Marineland has been known to target people with litigation regardless of what they are doing. Their lawyers will lie and make false claims about virtually anything to gain political and public sympathy. Those who do exercise their legal rights to protest on public property should be prepared to defend themselves if Marineland brings forth more frivolous litigation. Spreading false information about what is legal and what isn't just to hold on to whatever perceived power position one has within an organization does not benefit those who oppose the park but only seeks to manipulate. If you begin lying to the people that are trying to help then you have become no better than your opponent.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">at 2:52 AM 4 comments: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Labels: court, demonstration, dylan powell, injunctions, marineland animal defense, orders</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-9377857098712410662013-09-11T18:06:00.001-07:002013-09-11T18:09:53.713-07:00<br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-large;">WHY ARE SOME CORALS FLOURISHING </span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-large;">IN A TIME OF GLOBAL WARMING?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-large;">A new study investigates why gorgonian corals, </span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-large;">which can form a 'canopy' over reefs, </span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-large;">appear to be proliferating in certain places</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">IMAGE: These are gorgonian coral-dominated coral reef communities at St. John, US Virgin Islands. Stony corals are present but much of the three-dimensional structure of the reef community is created by the gorgonian corals.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Credit: Howard Lasker</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Public release date: 10-Sep-2013</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Contact: Charlotte Hsu</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">chsu22@buffalo.edu</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">716-645-4655</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">University at Buffalo <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">BUFFALO, N.Y. — As Earth's temperature climbs, the stony corals that form the backbone of ocean reefs are in decline.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">It's a well-documented story: Violent storms and coral bleaching have all contributed to dwindling populations, and increasing acidity of seawater threatens to take an additional toll.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Less discussed, however, is the plight of gorgonian corals — softer, flexible, tree-like species that can rise up like an underwater forest, providing a canopy beneath which small fish and aquatic life of all kinds can thrive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Divers have noted in recent years that gorgonian corals seem to be proliferating in certain areas of the Caribbean, even as their stony counterparts struggle.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Now, a new study will look to quantify this phenomenon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Scientists from the California State University, Northridge and University at Buffalo will examine 27 years of photographs from reefs off the Caribbean island of St. John to determine how gorgonian numbers have changed, and run field experiments to see how competition with stony corals — or a lack of it — influences gorgonian growth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">The study will also document what gorgonian coral populations look like now at St. John, which is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and track future development there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Understanding coral reefs is important as they are one of the planet's most biologically diverse ecosystems.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">"When you look at these gorgonian corals, it seems that they're increasing in abundance, and that's an anecdotal observation that many people have made," said UB geology professor Howard Lasker, one of three investigators heading the project. "Does this mean that as stony corals continue to decline, we're going to see reefs transforming into these gorgonian coral-dominated communities? That's what we're trying to find out."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">"With climate change and ocean acidification, there certainly is a realistic possibility that coral reefs as we know them could pretty much disappear," said Cal State Northridge biology professor Peter Edmunds, another principal investigator. "The question is, what will coral reefs look like in the future?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">The nearly $1 million project, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), started officially on Sept. 1.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">It brings together a powerful team. There's Lasker, a leading authority on the biology of Caribbean gorgonian corals, and Edmunds, who studies the region's stony corals and has amassed an archive of photographs dating back to 1987 that document changes on the reefs at St. John. The third partner is postdoctoral researcher Lorenzo Bramanti, currently working in France at the Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), who is an expert on underwater communities in the Mediterranean where gorgonian corals are dominant.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Corals, both gorgonians and stony corals, are aquatic animals that assemble themselves into colonies formed from tiny individuals called polyps.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaSbh1NyFz8oaESqFcspK3209mQmvBFIMvI48kRicjLkLs8Bu20jP0ZffFVoMy30iOio-jEibjNueAGEI2T4cts4toxk8qs2y9jGEzWINBH_gBDSaMjwdwRK1wZXgoz2WbqMkSydIyR4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-11+at+6.55.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaSbh1NyFz8oaESqFcspK3209mQmvBFIMvI48kRicjLkLs8Bu20jP0ZffFVoMy30iOio-jEibjNueAGEI2T4cts4toxk8qs2y9jGEzWINBH_gBDSaMjwdwRK1wZXgoz2WbqMkSydIyR4/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-11+at+6.55.40+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Stony corals play an important role in reefs: When stony coral polyps die, they leave behind a rock-like skeleton, which forms a platform on which other life forms can grow, including new generations of corals.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Gorgonian corals serve a different purpose. They form tree-like colonies that give reefs 3-dimensional complexity, providing a habitat for fishes and invertebrates, Lasker said. For this reason, Bramanti and other Mediterranean researchers use a poetic descriptor to refer to gorgonian-dominated communities: "animal forests."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Though gorgonians often grow on the remains of stony corals, they can also grow on any solid surface. What the Buffalo and California team is trying to figure out is how and why the balance between gorgonian and stony corals is changing as the Earth warms.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Preliminary data from Edmunds' 27-year photo set suggests that gorgonian coral density has indeed been increasing on the shallow reefs surrounding St. John. The researchers need to take a closer look at the archive, but pictures from five-year intervals show a notable rise in gorgonians starting around 1997, even as stony corals have declined.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">The team's field studies will try to explain why gorgonians may flourish when stony corals are in decline. The experiments, taking place in St. John's waters, will look at how two or three species of gorgonians fare when growing alongside different combinations and densities of stony corals and algae.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">Using the historical data and observations from the field, the scientists hope to model how the reef — and others like it — may look decades from now as the Earth's climate continues to shift.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">The study will fill in important gaps in knowledge, said Lasker, pointing out that gorgonian corals have historically drawn less attention than their stony counterparts, in part because individual species are extremely difficult to identify.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;">As their NSF project abstract states, "Reefs are more than the (stony) corals and fishes for which they are known best, and their biodiversity is affected strongly by other groups of organisms."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-09/uab-was091013.php">http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-09/uab-was091013.php</a></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-82453679611468382782013-09-09T15:21:00.001-07:002013-09-11T12:38:39.440-07:00<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">URUGUAYAN DECLARE WATERS A WHALE SANCTUARY</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGV1nMqfywYQiqfVMlHpfBxx5HAd2hQCFpjfeTedi-sBzNShn555XQqiyRKZwoB5HcEFbtd50dTqvr8homNwxzXILD-EACIMU5uyTiOE5h01cnPqhVOsHjWpnERwWByJGOB3R7bc1kL0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-09+at+4.20.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGV1nMqfywYQiqfVMlHpfBxx5HAd2hQCFpjfeTedi-sBzNShn555XQqiyRKZwoB5HcEFbtd50dTqvr8homNwxzXILD-EACIMU5uyTiOE5h01cnPqhVOsHjWpnERwWByJGOB3R7bc1kL0/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-09+at+4.20.06+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>"A new star in the constellations", "Better light a candle than curse the darkness".....Such are the phrases coined and borrowed to describe such momentuous event as the birth of a new whale sanctuary in Uruguay. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Once where there were whales there were "whalers"....now wherever there are whales there are "whalewatchers" and advocates of Sanctuaries ,MPAs etc..( Sanctuaries by other names) and the significance of this great event and steady progress of sanctuaries is not lost on them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Irish Whale and Dolphin group (IW+DG) remembers well the euphoria surrounding the Irish Sanctuary and more than 21 years later how this consciousness, multiple shared experience and benefits since , is embedded in the psyche of every resident of the sanctuary..... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The IWDG wish Uruguay every blessing and benefit also. "Let the contagion spread" was the exhortation of Sidney Holt , welcoming the Irish Sanctuary.... not words readily applied to the watery world of whales but appropriate to the intensity of whale advocates. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">And the image carries through ; as growing populations of sanctuary advocates reach "critical mass" in more countries ; as further nations combust spontaneously adding to the constellation of sanctuaries ; as the contagious vanguards jumps EEZs into fresh jurisdictions and sanctuaries, like the whale inhabitants connecting them ,tectonically collide and co-alesce, covering all the oceans. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Nothing is more irresistable than an idea come of age and Uruguay and other whale sanctuaries are testament to that. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">They are an unstoppable movement and where words fail to describe the power of an idea and people behind it, such an image as "contagion" of "whale sanctuaries" spreading across oceans , as seen from space, does so fittingly and it started with a "spark". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Today's sanctuary movement stands on those that went before and tomorrow's on those of today. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Eric Hoyt's beautiful book and guide is the handbook for future sanctuaries and essential reading for sanctuary advocates wishing to join the dots and close the gaps in protection for whales.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">May Uruguay be further incentive and example for the pan-European Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary advocated by the IW+DG</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Well done Rodrigo, the Organisation for Conservation of Cetaceans and Uruguayan Parliament....full account by Carol Ann Bassett follows</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Brendan Price Founder Member of the IWDG and proposer of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Sanctuiary</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">URUGUAYAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES A PROTECTED WHALE SANCTUARY IN COASTAL WATERS</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">By Carol Ann Bassett</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">(Montevideo, Uruguay) September 3, 2013</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Uruguayan Parliament today voted unanimously (62-0) to establish a protected sanctuary for migrating whales and other cetaceans. Uruguay’s coastline is a major route for the Southern Atlantic right whale, which travels here to mate and raise its calves during the peak migration season from August to November.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The vote was a major victory for this small South American nation, where in the last few years, large development schemes have continued to threaten the very resources that attract tourists from around the world. These plans include a vast open pit iron mine, a deep sea port along a pristine beach in the Department of Rocha to barge the iron ore to China, and the approval of $1.65 billion USD for offshore seismic testing to international petroleum companies, including Exxon-Mobile and British Petroleum.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The whale sanctuary was first proposed in 2002 by the small nonprofit group, the Organization for the Conservation of Cetaceans (OCC), which created “The Route of the Whale” to raise awareness about sustainable tourism and responsible whale watching. The network extends from the hillside town of Piriápolis north to the Brazilian border. Wooden observation towers mark the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“This is a historic moment for Uruguay and the entire world,” said marine biologist Rodrigo García Píngaro, founder and executive director of OCC after the historic vote was cast. “It shows that Latin American nations are becoming more united in protecting whales and other marine life in their coastal waters.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Before the vote was cast, Congressman Gerardo Amarilla, former president of the national Commission on the Environment, stressed that from this day forward, all major development projects along Uruguay’s coast will require stricter environmental regulations and enforcement before they’re officially approved.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“Our goal is to create a natural Uruguay,” he noted.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">* * *</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Carol Ann Bassett is Program Director of a Study Abroad Program at the University of Oregon, which focuses on environmental issues in Uruguay. She is currently in Montevideo with eight multimedia students who are documenting OCC’s Route of the Whale.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">http://www.iwdg.ie/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2418:uruguayan-declare-waters-a-whale-sanctuary</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-57520234431979034172013-09-08T15:00:00.004-07:002013-09-11T13:04:23.502-07:00<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">ISLAND HOPPING: LOCAL DOLPHIN BEGGING RANKS DANGEROUSLY HIGH</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A DOLPHIN BEGGING AT A BOAT IN LOCAL WATERS.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sabrina Bowen-Stevens photo taken under NOAA permit #14219 issued to T. Cox, SSU </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Posted: September 5, 2013 - 11:51pm | Updated: September 6, 2013 - 12:04am</span></span></span></div>
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By Rich Wittish</div>
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Marine sciences researchers at Savannah State University are convinced our area’s estuarine waters are the No. 1 spot in the world for begging by bottlenose dolphins, and that’s not a good thing.</div>
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Coastal rivers, sounds and creeks from the Savannah River south to Ossabaw Sound are rife with people feeding dolphins and otherwise luring the animals to their boats, researcher Tara Cox told me recently.</div>
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That causes the marine mammals to get in the habit of begging for food, which is a dangerous tendency for both dolphins and humans, said Tara, an associate professor of marine sciences at SSU.</div>
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“In the Savannah area, we have the world’s worst begging problem with dolphins,” said Tara, whose research was brought to my attention a few weeks ago while I was writing about the rescue of a dolphin that had become entangled in commercial fishing gear.</div>
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“When I came here for an interview,” she said of a visit to SSU in summer 2007, “they took me out on a boat, and dolphins came up to the boat, opening their mouths.</div>
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“I was horrified.”</div>
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Tara said she was appalled because extreme human interaction with dolphins in the wild “dramatically changes their behavior” by influencing the dolphins to beg for food rather than forage for it.</div>
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Feeding dolphins and playing with them also makes them much more susceptible to being struck by boats, she said.</div>
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“We had one dolphin mom that persistently begged, and her calf wound up dead on a beach,” said Tara. “The calf had several healed injuries, possibly from boat strikes, and it was emaciated — it couldn’t forage on its own.”</div>
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Apparently, the adult dolphin had taught her baby to beg instead of teaching it to find its own food.</div>
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In their sightings of dolphins on local waters, Tara and her students “see a lot of scarred animals.”</div>
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Researchers from other areas, she said, “always comment on how beaten up our animals are — likely from getting too close to boats.”</div>
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Feeding dolphins can also be hazardous to humans. Dolphins have extremely sharp teeth, and being inadvertently bitten by one can have serious consequences, because a dolphin’s mouth is full of bacteria, and the animals can transmit some nasty mammalian diseases, such as herpes.</div>
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Topping all this off is the fact that federal law — the Marine Mammal Protection Act — makes it illegal to harass or feed marine mammals. Violations can result in fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for one year.</div>
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Tara began teaching at SSU in January 2008, and during the past four years, she and a half-dozen marine sciences graduate students have been researching the dolphin begging problem.</div>
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She and two of the grad students started the project in summer 2009, originally intending to focus on “strand feeding” — a foraging technique peculiar to dolphins in Georgia and South Carolina in which the mammals herd fish onto mud banks, then launch themselves onto the shore to take the fish.</div>
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“But we didn’t see much of that,” said Tara. “What we saw instead was begging.</div>
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“We saw begging on two-thirds of our days on the water. In 25 percent of our sightings of dolphins, there was begging.”</div>
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Since that summer, Tara and the students involved in the project have been documenting the begging, and attempting to quantify it and determine “where it’s coming from.”</div>
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They’ve compared begging here to the begging in the four other biggest “hot spots” in the world — in Panama City and Sarasota in Florida and in two places in Australia.</div>
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“If you compare us to those areas, we are four to five times greater than any of those four places,” Tara said.</div>
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As for the source of the begging behavior, she said that some of it might stem from dolphins feeding on the unwanted catch of commercial fishing boats that’s been thrown overboard.</div>
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“But that happens all up and down the East Coast,” Tara said.</div>
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A more likely source is what she calls “a culture in Savannah of feeding wild bottlenose dolphins.”</div>
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Of their attempts to pin down the source, Tara said, “We tried to figure this out on the water, then switched to the human element — we switched to interviewing people.”</div>
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A grad student did surveys at fishing piers, marinas and even downtown Savannah, talking to tourists on the street. The student asked interviewees if they had seen people interacting with dolphins and if they had ever wanted to do so.</div>
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“It seems like there were a lot of people who know feeding dolphins is illegal and chose to do it anyway,” said Tara. Others, she said, didn’t know it was unlawful to entice dolphins to come near boats.</div>
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The findings of the SSU researchers have been submitted in manuscript form to “Marine Mammal Science,” the journal of the Society for Marine Mammalogy.</div>
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The manuscript has been favorably received, Tara said, and she expects an article to appear sometime next year in the journal, which, according to its website, “publishes significant new findings on marine mammals resulting from original research.”</div>
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She’s hoping such an article would pave the way to obtaining a National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration program called “Dolphin Smart” — an educational campaign and certification program for dolphin tour operators that’s been implemented in Panama City and Sarasota.</div>
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“We would like to get it here,” Tara said. “One reason we documented the problem was to convince NOAA to bring the program here.”</div>
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It’s her experience that, for the most part, operators of local dolphin tours do a good job in educating their customers about the adverse effects of interacting with dolphins and that the operators aren’t a part of the begging problem.</div>
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However, bringing in “Dolphin Smart” might be a first step in increasing public awareness of the begging dilemma.</div>
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Rich Wittish can be reached via email at rwittish@bellsouth.net.</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/ISLAND%20HOPPING:%20LOCAL%20DOLPHIN%20BEGGING%20RANKS%20DANGEROUSLY%20HIGH%20%20%20%20A%20DOLPHIN%20BEGGING%20AT%20A%20BOAT%20IN%20LOCAL%20WATERS.%20%20%20%20Sabrina%20Bowen-Stevens%20photo%20taken%20under%20NOAA%20permit%20#14219 issued to T. Cox, SSU Posted: September 5, 2013 - 11:51pm | Updated: September 6, 2013 - 12:04am By Rich Wittish Marine sciences researchers at Savannah State University are convinced our area’s estuarine waters are the No. 1 spot in the world for begging by bottlenose dolphins, and that’s not a good thing. Coastal rivers, sounds and creeks from the Savannah River south to Ossabaw Sound are rife with people feeding dolphins and otherwise luring the animals to their boats, researcher Tara Cox told me recently. That causes the marine mammals to get in the habit of begging for food, which is a dangerous tendency for both dolphins and humans, said Tara, an associate professor of marine sciences at SSU. “In the Savannah area, we have the world’s worst begging problem with dolphins,” said Tara, whose research was brought to my attention a few weeks ago while I was writing about the rescue of a dolphin that had become entangled in commercial fishing gear. “When I came here for an interview,” she said of a visit to SSU in summer 2007, “they took me out on a boat, and dolphins came up to the boat, opening their mouths. “I was horrified.” Tara said she was appalled because extreme human interaction with dolphins in the wild “dramatically changes their behavior” by influencing the dolphins to beg for food rather than forage for it. Feeding dolphins and playing with them also makes them much more susceptible to being struck by boats, she said. “We had one dolphin mom that persistently begged, and her calf wound up dead on a beach,” said Tara. “The calf had several healed injuries, possibly from boat strikes, and it was emaciated — it couldn’t forage on its own.” Apparently, the adult dolphin had taught her baby to beg instead of teaching it to find its own food. In their sightings of dolphins on local waters, Tara and her students “see a lot of scarred animals.” Researchers from other areas, she said, “always comment on how beaten up our animals are — likely from getting too close to boats.” Feeding dolphins can also be hazardous to humans. Dolphins have extremely sharp teeth, and being inadvertently bitten by one can have serious consequences, because a dolphin’s mouth is full of bacteria, and the animals can transmit some nasty mammalian diseases, such as herpes. Topping all this off is the fact that federal law — the Marine Mammal Protection Act — makes it illegal to harass or feed marine mammals. Violations can result in fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for one year. Tara began teaching at SSU in January 2008, and during the past four years, she and a half-dozen marine sciences graduate students have been researching the dolphin begging problem. She and two of the grad students started the project in summer 2009, originally intending to focus on “strand feeding” — a foraging technique peculiar to dolphins in Georgia and South Carolina in which the mammals herd fish onto mud banks, then launch themselves onto the shore to take the fish. “But we didn’t see much of that,” said Tara. “What we saw instead was begging. “We saw begging on two-thirds of our days on the water. In 25 percent of our sightings of dolphins, there was begging.” Since that summer, Tara and the students involved in the project have been documenting the begging, and attempting to quantify it and determine “where it’s coming from.” They’ve compared begging here to the begging in the four other biggest “hot spots” in the world — in Panama City and Sarasota in Florida and in two places in Australia. “If you compare us to those areas, we are four to five times greater than any of those four places,” Tara said. As for the source of the begging behavior, she said that some of it might stem from dolphins feeding on the unwanted catch of commercial fishing boats that’s been thrown overboard. “But that happens all up and down the East Coast,” Tara said. A more likely source is what she calls “a culture in Savannah of feeding wild bottlenose dolphins.” Of their attempts to pin down the source, Tara said, “We tried to figure this out on the water, then switched to the human element — we switched to interviewing people.” A grad student did surveys at fishing piers, marinas and even downtown Savannah, talking to tourists on the street. The student asked interviewees if they had seen people interacting with dolphins and if they had ever wanted to do so. “It seems like there were a lot of people who know feeding dolphins is illegal and chose to do it anyway,” said Tara. Others, she said, didn’t know it was unlawful to entice dolphins to come near boats. The findings of the SSU researchers have been submitted in manuscript form to “Marine Mammal Science,” the journal of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. The manuscript has been favorably received, Tara said, and she expects an article to appear sometime next year in the journal, which, according to its website, “publishes significant new findings on marine mammals resulting from original research.” She’s hoping such an article would pave the way to obtaining a National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration program called “Dolphin Smart” — an educational campaign and certification program for dolphin tour operators that’s been implemented in Panama City and Sarasota. “We would like to get it here,” Tara said. “One reason we documented the problem was to convince NOAA to bring the program here.” It’s her experience that, for the most part, operators of local dolphin tours do a good job in educating their customers about the adverse effects of interacting with dolphins and that the operators aren’t a part of the begging problem. However, bringing in “Dolphin Smart” might be a first step in increasing public awareness of the begging dilemma. Rich Wittish can be reached via email at rwittish@bellsouth.net. http://savannahnow.com/accent/2013-09-05/island-hopping-local-dolphin-begging-ranks-dangerously-high#.UizxvmSDRz_"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ISLAND%20HOPPING:%20LOCAL%20DOLPHIN%20BEGGING%20RANKS%20DANGEROUSLY%20HIGH%20%20%20%20A%20DOLPHIN%20BEGGING%20AT%20A%20BOAT%20IN%20LOCAL%20WATERS.%20%20%20%20Sabrina%20Bowen-Stevens%20photo%20taken%20under%20NOAA%20permit%20#14219 issued to T. Cox, SSU Posted: September 5, 2013 - 11:51pm | Updated: September 6, 2013 - 12:04am By Rich Wittish Marine sciences researchers at Savannah State University are convinced our area’s estuarine waters are the No. 1 spot in the world for begging by bottlenose dolphins, and that’s not a good thing. Coastal rivers, sounds and creeks from the Savannah River south to Ossabaw Sound are rife with people feeding dolphins and otherwise luring the animals to their boats, researcher Tara Cox told me recently. That causes the marine mammals to get in the habit of begging for food, which is a dangerous tendency for both dolphins and humans, said Tara, an associate professor of marine sciences at SSU. “In the Savannah area, we have the world’s worst begging problem with dolphins,” said Tara, whose research was brought to my attention a few weeks ago while I was writing about the rescue of a dolphin that had become entangled in commercial fishing gear. “When I came here for an interview,” she said of a visit to SSU in summer 2007, “they took me out on a boat, and dolphins came up to the boat, opening their mouths. “I was horrified.” Tara said she was appalled because extreme human interaction with dolphins in the wild “dramatically changes their behavior” by influencing the dolphins to beg for food rather than forage for it. Feeding dolphins and playing with them also makes them much more susceptible to being struck by boats, she said. “We had one dolphin mom that persistently begged, and her calf wound up dead on a beach,” said Tara. “The calf had several healed injuries, possibly from boat strikes, and it was emaciated — it couldn’t forage on its own.” Apparently, the adult dolphin had taught her baby to beg instead of teaching it to find its own food. In their sightings of dolphins on local waters, Tara and her students “see a lot of scarred animals.” Researchers from other areas, she said, “always comment on how beaten up our animals are — likely from getting too close to boats.” Feeding dolphins can also be hazardous to humans. Dolphins have extremely sharp teeth, and being inadvertently bitten by one can have serious consequences, because a dolphin’s mouth is full of bacteria, and the animals can transmit some nasty mammalian diseases, such as herpes. Topping all this off is the fact that federal law — the Marine Mammal Protection Act — makes it illegal to harass or feed marine mammals. Violations can result in fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for one year. Tara began teaching at SSU in January 2008, and during the past four years, she and a half-dozen marine sciences graduate students have been researching the dolphin begging problem. She and two of the grad students started the project in summer 2009, originally intending to focus on “strand feeding” — a foraging technique peculiar to dolphins in Georgia and South Carolina in which the mammals herd fish onto mud banks, then launch themselves onto the shore to take the fish. “But we didn’t see much of that,” said Tara. “What we saw instead was begging. “We saw begging on two-thirds of our days on the water. In 25 percent of our sightings of dolphins, there was begging.” Since that summer, Tara and the students involved in the project have been documenting the begging, and attempting to quantify it and determine “where it’s coming from.” They’ve compared begging here to the begging in the four other biggest “hot spots” in the world — in Panama City and Sarasota in Florida and in two places in Australia. “If you compare us to those areas, we are four to five times greater than any of those four places,” Tara said. As for the source of the begging behavior, she said that some of it might stem from dolphins feeding on the unwanted catch of commercial fishing boats that’s been thrown overboard. “But that happens all up and down the East Coast,” Tara said. A more likely source is what she calls “a culture in Savannah of feeding wild bottlenose dolphins.” Of their attempts to pin down the source, Tara said, “We tried to figure this out on the water, then switched to the human element — we switched to interviewing people.” A grad student did surveys at fishing piers, marinas and even downtown Savannah, talking to tourists on the street. The student asked interviewees if they had seen people interacting with dolphins and if they had ever wanted to do so. “It seems like there were a lot of people who know feeding dolphins is illegal and chose to do it anyway,” said Tara. Others, she said, didn’t know it was unlawful to entice dolphins to come near boats. The findings of the SSU researchers have been submitted in manuscript form to “Marine Mammal Science,” the journal of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. The manuscript has been favorably received, Tara said, and she expects an article to appear sometime next year in the journal, which, according to its website, “publishes significant new findings on marine mammals resulting from original research.” She’s hoping such an article would pave the way to obtaining a National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration program called “Dolphin Smart” — an educational campaign and certification program for dolphin tour operators that’s been implemented in Panama City and Sarasota. “We would like to get it here,” Tara said. “One reason we documented the problem was to convince NOAA to bring the program here.” It’s her experience that, for the most part, operators of local dolphin tours do a good job in educating their customers about the adverse effects of interacting with dolphins and that the operators aren’t a part of the begging problem. However, bringing in “Dolphin Smart” might be a first step in increasing public awareness of the begging dilemma. Rich Wittish can be reached via email at rwittish@bellsouth.net. http://savannahnow.com/accent/2013-09-05/island-hopping-local-dolphin-begging-ranks-dangerously-high#.UizxvmSDRz_">http://savannahnow.com/accent/2013-09-05/island-hopping-local-dolphin-begging-ranks-dangerously-high#.UizxvmSDRz_</a></div>
</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3748197189598316714.post-82473704828621608812013-09-06T12:47:00.002-07:002013-09-14T18:11:04.053-07:00<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">FROM SOUTH KOREA TO JAPAN TO THE FAROE ISLANDS, DENMARK </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">~The dangers of eating fish ~</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWVYR5S1RLJowgMAhiuaHNDt3e4yAlKNqN8-ETSFi9PpvZoQ800UVybM_X0oPpISdP19A9SUbl4ZnYK86IAHXqw4cWROTpFzT61LXiVA3KyFx9jC2u9S9FAQKFBhKxksfdKYvksZt25Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-06+at+1.06.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWVYR5S1RLJowgMAhiuaHNDt3e4yAlKNqN8-ETSFi9PpvZoQ800UVybM_X0oPpISdP19A9SUbl4ZnYK86IAHXqw4cWROTpFzT61LXiVA3KyFx9jC2u9S9FAQKFBhKxksfdKYvksZt25Q/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-06+at+1.06.12+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">SOUTH KOREA BANS FISH FROM NORTH EAST JAPAN ON RADIATION FEARS</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveqB7WOxe3yluO3RxmN7pkDNXDbabWCAI45UlV3tk8mkZuP0TUi0VzoDTgAMF6sndpTBmXHC9F5CgV5yFFGWXfhiG4TYpfEDZSg3FPQPye_TONqHVom5RCup54GlrqwVXHR1axsGuvZM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-06+at+12.28.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveqB7WOxe3yluO3RxmN7pkDNXDbabWCAI45UlV3tk8mkZuP0TUi0VzoDTgAMF6sndpTBmXHC9F5CgV5yFFGWXfhiG4TYpfEDZSg3FPQPye_TONqHVom5RCup54GlrqwVXHR1axsGuvZM/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-06+at+12.28.43+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i>Laboratory workers at Fukushima Prefecture Fisheries Research Center chop fish caught earlier in the day by local fishermen for radiation test in Iwaki City, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, Monday, Aug. 26, 2013. Fourteen fishing boats at a port in the city are asked by Fukushima Prefecture to conduct a once-a-week fishing in rotation to measure radiation level of fish caught in the waters off Fukushima at the laboratory. Fishermen in the Iwaki fishing ports had hoped to resume test catches in September following favourable sampling results after two years of the disaster. But those plans have now been scrapped after the recent news of radiation contaminated water leak from storage tanks at the nuclear power plant. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i>(AP Photo/Koji Ueda) (Credit: Koji Ueda)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">FRIDAY, SEP 6, 2013 01:19 AM MDT</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">BY EUN-YOUNG JEONG</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Fisheries in Fukushima prefecture (state) are closed, and fish caught in nearby prefectures are sold on the market only after tests have shown them to be safe for consumption.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">However, South Korea’s ban applies a total of eight prefectures with a combined coastline of more than 700 kilometers (430 miles), regardless of whether the fish pass safety standards or not.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">The South Korean government made the move because of insufficient information from Tokyo about what steps will be taken to address the leakage of contaminated water from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, according to a statement by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Tokyo Electric Power Co., the plant’s operator, acknowledges that tons of radioactive water has been seeping into the Pacific from the plant for more than two years after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami led to meltdowns at three reactors at the plant. Recent leaks from tanks storing radioactive water used to cool the reactors have added to fears that the amount of contaminated water is getting out of hand.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Japan’s chief Cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said Friday that fish and seafood that go to market are tested for radiation and shown to be safe. Suga also stressed that the contaminated water flowing into the ocean is limited to a small area off the coast of the Fukushima plant.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">“There is an international standard on food, including fish, and we are carrying out stringent safety controls based on those standards. We ask South Korea for a response based on science,” he told reporters.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">South Korea Vice Fisheries Minister Son Jae-hak said in a briefing that the eight prefectures in 2012 exported to South Korea 5,000 metric tons of fishery products, or about 13 percent of the 40,000 total tons imported last year from Japan. Fish will be banned from the following prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Gunma, Tochigi and Chiba.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Hisashi Hiroyama, a Japanese Fisheries Agency official, said Japan exports about 9.2 billion ($92 million) of fish a year to South Korea. The most common fish exported from Japan to South Korea was Alaskan Pollock.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_474983557"><br /></a></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/09/06/skorea_bans_fish_from_ne_japan_on_radiation_fears/">http://www.salon.com/2013/09/06/skorea_bans_fish_from_ne_japan_on_radiation_fears/</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">EXTREME LEVELS REVEALED IN WHALEMEAT</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7f-sfJAkJqBiTZmzdto0fKW4-PFucJdDGm9xRFNyzz3BSnntPDBEjHJwX2P51ViApK2_G9Xsss8ODc7CiODBJD5xKDTt5kmZOEJuACzGyXW_PjElfIq0hTj4U0rVXHi5XQiY6JnSul1M/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-06+at+1.24.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7f-sfJAkJqBiTZmzdto0fKW4-PFucJdDGm9xRFNyzz3BSnntPDBEjHJwX2P51ViApK2_G9Xsss8ODc7CiODBJD5xKDTt5kmZOEJuACzGyXW_PjElfIq0hTj4U0rVXHi5XQiY6JnSul1M/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-06+at+1.24.45+PM.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">10:32 06 June 2002 by Andy Coghlan</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Tests on whalemeat on sale in Japan have revealed astonishing levels of mercury. While it has long been known that the animals accumulate heavy metals such as mercury in their tissues, the levels discovered have surprised even the experts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Two of the 26 liver samples examined contained over 1970 micrograms of mercury per gram of liver. That is nearly 5000 times the Japanese government's limit for mercury contamination, 0.4 micrograms per gram.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">At these concentrations, a 60-kilogram adult eating just 0.15 grams of liver would exceed the weekly mercury intake considered safe by the World Health Organization, say Tetsuya Endo, Koichi Haraguchi and Masakatsu Sakata at the University of Hokkaido, who carried out the research. "Acute intoxication could result from a single ingestion," they warn in a draft paper accepted for publication in The Science of the Total Environment.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">The researchers call on the government to impose tighter regulations on the consumption of whale organs. In particular, they warn that pregnant women risk poisoning their unborn children. In the 1950s and early 1960s, hundreds of children around Japan's Minamata Bay were born with horrific birth defects after their mothers ate seafood contaminated with mercury compounds, which had been poured raw into the bay since the 1930s. Thousands more suffered brain damage.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Even veteran researchers from the Minamata saga were shocked by the new figures. "Hirokatsu Akagi, a director of the National Institute for Minamata Disease, was very surprised," says Endo. "He'd never seen levels above 20 micrograms per gram."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">On average, concentrations of mercury in whale and dolphin livers were 370 micrograms per gram, 900 times the government limit. Average levels in kidneys and lungs were also high, about 100 times the limit. None of the samples was below the limit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">In work not yet published, Endo's team has shown that rats suffered acute kidney poisoning after a single mouthful of the most highly contaminated liver. While levels were lower in muscle, Endo told New Scientist that on average it still contained 2.5 to 25 times the limit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">The samples came from small-toothed whales and dolphins, catches of which are not restricted by the International Whaling Commission, the international body that regulates whaling. Mercury becomes concentrated in their internal organs when they eat contaminated fish and squid.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Japan continues to campaign vigorously to be allowed to resume full-scale whaling of larger species. But an IWC meeting in May 2002 ended in deadlock.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2362-extreme-mercury-levels-revealed-in-whalemeat.html#.UiokO2SDRz8">http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2362-extreme-mercury-levels-revealed-in-whalemeat.html#.UiokO2SDRz8</a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">PHOTO GALLERY OF THE FAROE ISLES</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://faroeislegrind.blogspot.com/p/faroe-isles.html">http://faroeislegrind.blogspot.com/p/faroe-isles.html</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquMngiqmteSbQnIZiaE-LJgzYNB18KwTzaSggZRkxs9m4vxPsDsGESVP5i-dWF7eF_obAAkqw8TdJRbrC-xe9kvk4yqUeL9odMqHcCbXxdGRtpAcBfQ_We6z4KhO9NA8lesMaeJ8xGc0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-06+at+1.36.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquMngiqmteSbQnIZiaE-LJgzYNB18KwTzaSggZRkxs9m4vxPsDsGESVP5i-dWF7eF_obAAkqw8TdJRbrC-xe9kvk4yqUeL9odMqHcCbXxdGRtpAcBfQ_We6z4KhO9NA8lesMaeJ8xGc0/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-06+at+1.36.36+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><b>"I travelled with all my questions to the Faroe Islands" by Pascale Kirchen</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">If you are interested in dolphins and whales and if the protection of these animals is a concern, then you will not pass by the Faroe Islands!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">I've read much on Facebook about the "bloodthirsty, murderous and cruel" Faroese, for whom the Grindarap is all. I have read about the actions of Sea Shepherd, about the new efforts of other groups, and I've signed dozens of petitions. But with time, I started to doubt: Who can take an animal activist seriously that feels only hatred for other nations, and wishes death on people? Who can take an animal advocate seriously, who demands only senseless things without making the effort to research the living conditions of others? And who has the right to dictate to a nation how it should live in its own home at all? Do we have not enough to do with cleaning up our own doorsteps?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">So I travelled with all my questions, and my joy of adventures, to the Faroe Islands. I had the first encounter in the taxi on the way from the airport to Tórshavn. The driver, a man of about 48, told me cheerfully about his country, praised the good fish and recommended that I try whale meat. When I told him that I'd prefer whale watching to whale eating, he said something like that whale watching did not exist in the Faroes. I told him that I would have enough opportunity later in Iceland, my next destination. We talked about this and that and then I carefully brought up the topic of the “grind”. He said that he likes whale meat, and it was always so, but his son doesn't like it and his wife is even less impressed. I reminded him that it is surely better not to eat much whale meat because of the pollution and the toxins, and also that it is in their interests to be frugal with their resources, since the stocks are clearly in decline in recent years. He agreed with the contamination, and said they would not eat various parts of the whale because of this. But he said there were enough whales. Time flew past quickly and I had the impression that he wasn't annoyed by the conversation, because he said goodbye in a very friendly manner and wished me happy holidays.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">I had another very interesting conversation with a saleswoman in a souvenir and woollen sweater shop. To her question how do I like her country, I answered truthfully that I was thrilled with the Islands but that I had a problem with whaling. She said frankly that she would also have a problem with it, and whaling wasn't necessary any more these days. I again mentioned my arguments and she fully agreed with me! An old man came into the shop and bought something. The saleswoman offered us a cup of coffee. She introduced me to the man and said that he was a former whaler. She translated for me what he said. He was very sad because fewer grinds are taking place. His son is just a normal fisherman and his grandson wants nothing to do with either whaling or fishing! I asked them directly about the actions of Sea Shepherd and she hesitated a bit with the answer. Finally, she said that Sea Shepherd haven´t made any friends there with their attitude. She asked whether I belonged to them or any other groups? I said truthfully that I disagree with Sea Shepherd but sympathise with another group. She asked me a simple question that surprised me: Why? I told her that I am of the opinion that dolphins and whales are a legacy for everyone on this planet and not only for those in countries surrounded by water. I'm convinced that our world will have lost something important, come the day that the seas are empty. The man and the saleswoman congratulated me on my position. We chatted a little about every day, you and me at home, and then I said goodbye.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">As a smoker you tend to spend quite a lot of time outside, in front of doors, and there I was asked by a young man in front of a pub about the pendants on my necklace.I seized the opportunity, told him about my passion for polar bears, the Arctic, whales and dolphins, and I asked him directly for his opinion on the grind. He replied just as directly: A steak tastes much better than whale meat. He was glad that they had less whale meat at home, and for a few years now no more at all. He said whale meat is eaten mostly by those over the age of 45, because it's what they are used to.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">His friends joined us and, to my surprise, none of them were particularly motivated to continue this tradition. None of them liked whale meat and none go to watch the grind. One of them was even against whaling. I asked him if he would have any problems in a society where everyone knows each other, and he laughed. No, he said, every opinion is respected here and there are a lot of people who think it isn't necessary to maintain every tradition. But he knew that the Faroese are very often condemned abroad because of the grind. He felt this was very discriminatory since Faroese culture has many other aspects. Foreigners seemed to think that life on the Faroe Islands centred just around the grind 24 hours a day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">I had several similar discussions and noted that women, particularly, increasingly speak out against the grind. The reason is that they do not want to give contaminated meat to their children, but also because of the way the animals are slaughtered. Many people I spoke to confirmed what Rúni Nielsen, who is well known on Facebook, has been saying. Rùni expects that the grind will be history in the next 10-15 years, because whaling lacks new followers. Young people have other interests than the grind. More and more Faroese become aware of the contamination of the whale meat and it is eaten less. Many people referred to whale meat as 'Poor people's food'.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Now, after all I've seen and heard myself, I fully agree with Rúni's opinion. They will surely be hard years. The helplessness at home will certainly drive me to expletives and anger again. But I will certainly not judge the Faroese! I've seen that Faroese people are open, friendly and helpful. They answered all my questions even though they are aware of our prejudices, and despite the negative impressions left by foreign groups.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">The Islands are a paradise for all nature lovers, lonely endless walks, stiff breezes and wild, romantic coves. There are few tourists and the hustle and bustle and stress of everyday life had disappeared in just 2 days! Moreover the old small grass-roofed houses. I honestly admit it: I am thrilled with this country and its people!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">In my last hours on the Faroe Islands, I had a conversation I could never have dreamed of! I met a Japanese student who studies, amongst other subjects, whaling. For the third year in a row, she had spent 2 weeks on the Islands with a local host family, observed the grind, studied the tools, etc. We spoke firstly about whaling in Japan. She was very clear and confirmed my/our presumption that scientific whaling is a joke. She didn't know anyone in Japan who eats whale or dolphin meat and she doesn't think that it's part of Japanese culture. Whaling has a small role in Japanese economics. She heard about Taiji recently through the film 'The Cove'. Last year she tried to get gather information on Taiji, but she had no chance. She was not allowed to go to the cove or in the processing halls, she got no documents concerning the number of dolphins slaughtered and also no information on the dolphin trade for dolphinaria. She was very surprised by this rebuff and wants to try again this year with other students and the support of the University. Amazingly, she was against whaling although whaling is one of her studies. To the question what does she think about the grind on Faroes she replied: I must hurry up with my studies because it is a dying practice. We will be staying in touch and I hope for more information about Taiji and whaling in general.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Faroese for their honesty.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Also many thanks to Gaye Hunter and Sasha Alazy for the excellent translation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Pascale Kirchen, September 2013</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0