save our oceans

My name is Kate Akkerman Im a 21 year old Marine Science student at UNSW , this is a blog following my work and conservation contributions , also with information concerning how you can help to look after our oceans.

[kateakkerman]

I bought this of one of my very talented friends in protest of the shark cull . A ocean without sharks is far scarier than one with them , this picture shows the delicate balance in which the ocean and all it's creatures have with its apex predictor and mediator of what happens of lower down the food chain .

[kateakkerman]

Great article by Josh Kirkman about a healthy alternative to the shark cull.

[kateakkerman]

This weekend come show your support against the dumping and dredging on the Great Barrier Reef. Nearly 3 million cubic metres of spoil will be tipped in an area near the marine park as part of the Abbot Point coal port expansion near Bowen after permission was granted on Friday by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Why is this bad you might ask? Our reef is already extremely fragile due to the issues that it faces such as ocean acidification and ocean warming. Dumping soil on the reef will smother the corals and delicate sea grass beds adding extra pressure on the ecosystem and could lead to expanded nutrient levels and expose them to poisons. If we want our reef to be conserved for future generations this must not happen and it currently has been approved to go ahead.

[kateakkerman]

My photo showed up in the Wentworth Courier this week for the rockpool tours held through various councils and the Marine Discover Centre. To keep posted of rockpool walks as well as snorkelling tours and other activities check out the centre website http://www.marinediscovery.org.au/

[kateakkerman]

Shark Cull Rally in Manly on Saturday.

[kateakkerman]

Shark Cull Rally Manly.

It made me very happy to see thousands of people turn up to peacefully protest against the Shark Cull in WA. Not only the turn out made me happy but the amount of energy and enthusiasm from everybody , I had people lining up to sign my petition and every body keen to have a chat about the madness going on our western coast. If you have a spare second please check out the link below to help in stopping the cull : http://supportoursharks.com/en/Conservation/SOS_Campaigns/Stop_The_Cull/Get_Involved.ht

[kateakkerman]

Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) Harbour Hike

Sunday the 2nd of September was SIMS annual harbour hike. The weather cooperated giving us a beautiful sunny day and the winds from the past few days had gone. The hike is run to raise money for SIMS. SIMS is the premier marine research facility in NSW working to protect and preserve Sydney Harbour as well as our coastline and oceans. A landmark collaborative research and training institute based on Sydney Harbour in Chowder Bay, Mosman, SIMS brings together scientists from four NSW universities as well as state and federal marine and environmental agencies.

You can still make donations to SIMS until the end of September go to the link below if you would like to donate:

http://SIMSHarbourHike.gofundraise.com.au/page/kateakkerman

[kateakkerman]

Sea Shepherd's Steve Irwin in Circular Quay.

Sydney harbour had the honour of homing MY Steve Irwin , Sea Shepherds 59m flag ship for three short days. My partner and I went to one of the free tours that Sea Shepherd was offering on Saturday (1st of Sept) and I fell in love! The ship had come from the Kimberley where they have launched their operation Kimberley Miinimbi.

The Kimberley is currently under threat with a range of short-sighted industrial proposals threatening the sustainable tourism, Indigenous land management and pastoral future of the region. Most pressing is a proposal to build a massive LNG processing plant at James Price Point (JPP) 50km North of Broome. The Kimberly Coast would suffer irreparable damage both environmentally and culturally under such a proposal with all its associated industrial impacts including shipping traffic, reef blasting, dredging and pollution - all in the breeding and nursery area for the worlds largest remaining population of Humpback whales. 

To make a difference see:

http://www.savethekimberley.com/

 I have a massive respect for the Sea Shepherd crew - you guys are rockstars , I hope one day I get a chance to join you.

Water Cannons :

[kateakkerman]

[kateakkerman]

Japan Dolphin Day - 31st August 2012.

It was great to be apart of Sydney's Dolphin day held in Martin place to kick off the peaceful campaigns around the world in protest to the dolphin slaughter in Taiji Japan.Dolphin saviours joined together to spread the word of Taiji's dirty secret. Each year migrating dolphins are herded into a cove where they are netted and slaughtered after the a few are chosen to be trained as show dolphins in aquariums. The dolphins slaughtered are then sold for their meat that contains a very high amount of mercury and can cause serious mercury poisoning to the consumer. To find out more see http://thecovemovie.com/

Since the Dolphin day as kickstarted around the world the cove remains to run blue. Thank you to the organisers of Sydney's Dolphin day and everyone who came to show their support to these wonderful animals

Power to Ric O'Barry and all the cove guardians currently in Taiji 

See http://savejapandolphins.org/ to do your part.

[kateakkerman]

Seafish Tasmania (an Australian fishing company) is proposing a joint venture with the Dutch owners of the giant freezer trawler FV Margiris, to bring this factory ship into Australian waters to fish for small pelagic fish.

The Margiris is 142m long, weighs 9499 tonnes, can process over 250 tonnes of fish a day, and has a cargo capacity of 6,200 tonnes1. Seafish Tasmania wants to bring this super trawler to Devonport, Tasmania and use it to catch over 18,000 tonnes of small pelagic fish (blue mackerel, jack mackerel and redbait) off the coast of Australia. It would employ approximately 40 people, at least 15 of whom are likely to be from overseas. There is no formal requirement that any of the crew have to be Australian for this ship to operate in Australian waters.

[kateakkerman]

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Olympic Blvd, Sydney. 10 am - 5 pm.

The event is a family friendly 2-day extravaganza of product showcases, media launches and seminars relating to scuba diving, dive destinations, underwater imaging, freediving and of course Marine Conservation.

The Sydney on shore volunteer crew will be there to chat about Marine Conservation and how you can help in your area. The volunteers will also have some of our fantastic merchandise on hand for you to purchase.

I will be working for Protect our coral Sea stall so come by for some info!!

[kateakkerman]

[kateakkerman]

[kateakkerman]

'm taking part int he SIMS Harbour Hike 2012 and in doing so am aiming to raise funds to support the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) - the premier marine research institute based on the foreshores of Sydney Harbour at Chowder Bay, Mosman. SIMS Harbour Hike aims to raise awareness of SIMS’ work to protecting our marine environment and raise much-needed funds for its important scientific research and community educational works.

[kateakkerman]

Join Japans Dolphin day in Sydney Friday the 31st of August.

[kateakkerman]

This is so rad!!