Friday, July 25, 2014

Making Waves: Sea Save's Week in Review - July 25, 2014

Reported by Nilofar Neemuchwala
  1. Massachusetts Becomes Ninth State to Ban Possession, Sale of Shark Fins
  2. Offshore Wind Farms are Hunting Havens for Seals in Germany and UK
  3. First Major Prosecution Under California's Shark Fin Ban 
  4. $40 Million Research Funded for Exploration of the Open Ocean
  5. Antarctic Fish Might Survive Ocean Warming

1. Massachusetts Becomes Ninth State to Ban Possession, Sale of Shark Fins


Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill yesterday banning the possession and sale of shark fins in the state of Massachusetts. This makes nine states that have taken definitive action against this unsustainable practice.

Sea Save Foundation played a pivotal role in building momentum and support for the passage of California's shark fin ban.  In addition to California and Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Illinois,  Maryland, New York and Delaware have enacted laws prohibiting the sale of shark fins and food containing the fins. This bill makes Massachusetts the ninth state to pass legislation criminalizing the shark fin trade. Violators will be fined between $500 and $1,000, as well as up to 60 days in jail.

American restaurants serving shark fins are just the tip of the problem. Tons of shark fins are shipped to Asia annually.  This is a lucrative market, and the high-dollar value of the fins makes it difficult to curb the demand.  Even so, we are beginning to see a shift in attitude and heightened awareness about this unsustainable practice.
Read more: Boston Globe 

2. Offshore Wind Farms Are Hunting Havens for Seals in Germany and UK

Researchers tracking the movements of seals discovered that these predators are seemingly attracted to offshore wind farms and underwater pipelines. The man-made structures apparently double as artificial reefs and delectable hunting grounds. 

Data was collected from more than 100 GPS-tagged harbor and gray seals on the British and Dutch coasts of the North Sea. The results showed that 11 harbor seals regularly visited two active wind farms: Alpha Ventus in Germany and Sheringham Shoal in the southeast United Kingdom. The seals traveled in grid-like movement patterns as they appeared to forage from one turbine to another, seemingly foraging and hunting. 

The turbines, and the habitat they create, might be resulting in the number of prey species.  The hypothesis is that these increased numbers of fish and invertebrates could be resulting in an increase in the number of visiting pinnipeds.


Read more IFL Science

3. First Major Prosecution Under California's New Shark Fin Ban Is Getting Underway



California's new shark fin ban will soon be challenged.  One of the strongest opponents in the heated debates that preceded the passage of Assembly Bill AB 376 was Michael Kwong.

It seems that Mr. Kwong opted to ignore the newly adopted policies.  State wildlife officials found 2,138 pounds of shark fins at Kwong's San Francisco warehouse in January -- six months after the ban took effect.

Kwong's family has been selling shark fins to restaurants for shark fin soup since 1906.

Kwang was one of the most vocal opponents of the shark fin ban before it became law one year ago. And now he has become the first major test of the new law, charged with four misdemeanors for possession or sale of:
  • Frozen and processed shark fin
  • Raw shark tail
  • Dried shark fin
  • Dried shark fins cited for display purposes
The maximum penalty for each count is $1,000 and six months in jail.

Read more ABC7 News

4. $40 Million Research Funded for Exploration of the Open Ocean

The School of Ocean and Earth Science Technology (SOEST) just received the largest grant in the school's history.  $40 million dollars will be dedicated to open ocean exploration.  Donated by the Simons Foundation, the money will be used to study disciplines such as microbiology, oceanography and chemistry.

The research will be conducted at Station ALOHA, an ocean outpost located 100 kilometer off Kahuku Point, Hawaii.

This funding will further the 25 years of research conducted by SOEST.

Read more Kaleo

 

 

5. Antarctic Fish Might Survive Ocean Warming

At least one species of fish might be able to survive predicted polar warming, according to a Cambridge University study.

Read more NDTV

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Cebu Pacific Airlines Bans Shark Fin Transport

By Moira Roth & Georgienne Bradley

The Philippines' largest air transportation company, Cebu Pacific Air, has announced that it is banning shark fin cargo and will no longer serve shark fin soup inflight. Take a "deeper" look here to see why the company decided to implement this change, and what it means for ocean conservation worldwide.

The Philippine island chain is comprised of about 7,000 individual islands, and more than 150 species of shark call the surrounding waters their home, including the giant whale shark, which can reach over 40 feet and weigh more than 20 tons. Lying along the equator, the tropical waters around the Philippines straddle sharks' migratory routes, creating a robust ecosystem that includes a variety of shark species. 

Over the last decade, the Philippine government has worked to preserve the country's coral reefs and maintain a stable marine environment where sharks can flourish. Since the shark population has begun to improve, the tourism industry has also grown steadily. Donsol Bay representatives in the northern Philippines have done a great job of promoting eco-friendly tourism and whale shark tours. Currently, Malapascua Island is the only place in the world where the very rare thresher shark can still be reliably seen.

The shark fin ban is a strategic move for Cebu Pacific Air, as Criselda Sy, native Filipina and volunteer for Sea Save Foundation, explained: "As a Pepperdine University business major, I learned that success hinges upon demand and smart positioning. Cebu Pacific leadership sees that an increasing revenue stream is coming from national and international diving tourism." 

For Filipinos like Criselda, conservation efforts in the Philippines are a point of national pride. "The Filipino population is very proud that Tubataha was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status," she said, referring to Tubataha Reefs Natural Park, a protected area of the Sulu Sea known for its rich biodiversity. "This means that we have a responsibility to protect this unique treasure. It also means that there is and will be a demand for Cebu Pacific Airlines to fly tourists to the launch point for Tubataha and our other underwater treasure that are found throughout the Philippines. I want to know that these areas will be protected for tomorrow's children. Cebu Pacific wants to know that these areas will be protected for their future growth projections in the ecotourism sector, which promise to be significant."

Criselda's decision to volunteer with Sea Save Foundation was motivated partly by this love for her island home and its surrounding waters. "The future of our Earth hinges upon the health of our oceans, and sharks are essential members of healthy ocean communities. Without them, the fragile ocean network will collapse. I am very proud that my country, a nation of islands, is demonstrating responsible and intelligent business strategies by refusing to transport shark fins and support this unsustainable trade." In terms of progress, Criselda remains positive and hopeful. "Shark fin soup is still commonly found in many areas of the Philippines, but I believe this high-profile effort is a step in the right direction for the Philippines and the world. Let's keep going!"


Cebu Pacific's VP for Corporate Affairs, Atty. Jorenz Tanada, echoed this sentiment. “Cebu Pacific values biodiversity and marine life sustainability. We are banning shark fin carriage effective immediately, as we learned that unsustainable shark fishing and our carriage of shark fin is not aligned with CEB’s position on sustainable development." 

Friday, July 18, 2014

Making Waves: Sea Save's Week in Review July 18, 2014

  1. Ex-Rockets Yao Ming, Dikembe Mutombo and Jeremy Lin Say “No to shark fin soup”
  2. Why Are Oceans Critical to the Economy?
  3. Cruising Yachtsmen Encounter HUNDREDS of Illegal Dominican Poachers at Cay Sal Bank
  4. More Big Whales in Ocean Could Mean MORE Fish

1. Ex-Rockets Yao Ming, Dikembe Mutombo and Jeremy Lin Say “No to shark fin soup”

 

2. Oceans Are Critical to the International Economy

Watch More

3. Boaters Encounter Hundreds of Dominican Poachers



 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Recent Increase in Whale Citings Could Mean More Fish


 

 

 

 

 

Friday, July 11, 2014

Making Waves: Sea Save's Week in Review - July 10, 2014

  1. Sea Turtles Win! -  Gain Largest Critical Habitat in History
  2. Whales: Ecosystem Engineers of the Deep
  3. Scalloped Hammerheads - Officially Endangered

 1. Big Win! Sea Turtles Gain Largest Critical Habitat in History

 Read More






2. Whales: Ecosystem Engineers of the Deep



3. Scalloped Hammerheads' Status Changed to "Endangered" by U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Great White Shark Attack - Media Spin Distorts Truth

Today's newspapers are headlining this week's Great White Shark attack in Manhattan Beach.  "Great White Shark Attacks Swimmer"  "Beach Swimmers Beware" are headlines that seem to be plucked from the pages of Peter Benchley's "Jaws".



Deeply buried in the articles are the facts.  The shark hooked on a fishing line. As the fishermen yelped and laughed at the frightened swimmers, the fighting shark took a bite.  The injured swimmer screams for help and is eventually rescued.

The video above clearly shows what actually happened. A swimmer was injured by a shark that was fighting to get away from a fisherman's hook.  Perhaps we should reconsider allowing fishing at public beaches.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Making Waves: Sea Save's Week in Review - July 4, 2014

1. Power of a Petition: Singapore Air Rejects Shipments of Shark Fin
2. United Kingdom Pledges to Monitor Shark Fishing
3. Florida Manatee Re-Evaluated as Endangered Species
4. Surge in Great White Shark Population at Jersey Shore


1. Power of a Petition: Singapore Air Rejects Shipments of Shark Fin


Singapore Airline’s Vice President of Public Affairs, Nicholas Ionides, announced that the airlines would no longer allow the shipment of shark fin aboard their planes. The decision was made after the conservation community banded together to pressure the corporation to seek greener practices and protect our ocean’s sharks. Ocean Geographic and Sea Save Advisor Michael Aw played instrumental roles in persuading Singapore Airlines to cease shipping fins. Michael Aw constructed a petition that garnished over 40,000 signatures and was cited by the airlines as a main factor in the decision. While this has been a victory, we are still fighting a war to protect our sharks, and you can help by signing Sea Save’s Petition to Enforce CITES II and further protect five threatened species of sharks. Read the original article here.

2. United Kingdom Pledges to Monitor Shark Fishing


It is a little-known fact that the United Kingdom is a major hub for shark fishing, reeling in an estimated 75 million sharks between 2002 and 2012. While the UK is not typically criticized for its role in shark finning, it is beginning to own up to its own vice in the shark fishing industry – no limits on shark fishing. Shark fishermen in the UK are allowed to catch as many sharks from any species they want to. The UK is finally recognizing that this is not sustainable and has pledged to take action and enforce more sustainable fishing laws.

3. Florida Manatee Re-Evaluated as Endangered Species


Officials in Florida have decided to reevaluate the current conservation state of their beloved manatee and potentially remove it from the Endangered Species list. The West Indian Manatee has been listed as an endangered species for the past 50 years and has had more deaths in the Florida area this past year than ever before. Florida officials have cited pressure from boaters as a reason to reevaluate the current status of manatees. Boaters and libertarians have requested the manatee’s status be changed from "endangered" to "threatened" due to boaters' rights. Boats are the main contributor to manatee deaths every year, and activists are concerned that even with a protected status, the species will continue to decline.

4. Surge in Great White Shark Population at Jersey Shore


Beachgoers and fishermen alike seem to be undeterred by the fact that an unusually high amount of great whites have been sighted at the Jersey Shore within the past few weeks. Scientists have recorded a population increase in great whites along the eastern seaboard, but beachgoers have stated that the shark sightings will not keep them away from the beach during the 4th of July weekend. Families are concerned for children, but local surfers and skimboarders remind us that the risk of being bitten is incredibly rare. “Sharks don’t bother me,” local skimboarder Logan Sheehan says. “They don’t really like people; when they do bite, they’ll usually spit it back out. They don’t take the whole body.” Lifeguards have been trained to look for signs of sharks to alert beachgoers in case of an incident.





Original Articles
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/02/uk-government-pledges-to-fight-unlimited-atlantic-shark-fishing
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/manatee-could-be-bumped-from-endangered-species-list/
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/07/01/many-jersey-shore-beachgoers-fishermen-undeterred-by-great-white-sharks/