Ocean Aware

[montereybayaquarium]

History made and important ecosystems and species protected with the creation of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument!

[theweekmagazine]

Half of the world's marine life was wiped out between 1970 and 2010

If marine life continues to decline at the same rate that it has over the last 40 years, the ocean as we know it could soon cease to exist.

[bossfit]

SUP with the locals 🐋

via BSFT Apparel

[missmarinebio]

Amazon’s pink river dolphins reveal the bizarre impacts of seafood fraud

In recent years numbers of South America’s freshwater dolpins have fallen. But they’re not being caught to eat, but as bait for a common catfish being fraudulently sold under a different name

I hate posting more bad news rather than good news. This is just a “WTF?” kind of article.

[marine-conservation]

Great Barrier Reef Obituary Goes Viral, To The Horror Of Scientists

"The message should be that it isn’t too late ... not we should all give up."

A few days ago, an article published in Outside and entitled “Obituary: Great Barrier Reef (25 Million BC - 2016)” went viral and was shared over one million times. That article just sent the very sad message that the GBR was dead and nothing could be done about it. 

However, this very pessimistic and sensational article wasn’t right. Yes, the GBR is in bad shape and it just faced its worst bleaching episode, but it’s not dead yet! We should be focusing on the positive, on all the efforts governments and individuals can do to help the reef instead of throwing in the towel already. Maybe the author intended it to be a wake-up call, but I didn’t see many people take it as that. By stating that the reef is dead, people will move on to other things. 

Thankfully, scientists have spoken up, just like Terry Hughes, director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.

“We can and must save the Great Barrier Reef ― it supports 70,000 jobs in reef tourism,” he said. “Large sections of it (the southern half) escaped from the 2016 bleaching, and are in reasonable shape. The message should be that it isn’t too late for Australia to lift its game and better protect the GBR, not we should all give up because the GBR is supposedly dead.”

On top of that, the article is riddled with mistakes and never gives us any citations or scientific articles to prove its claims. Neither does it say it’s an opinion piece. Sadly, while marine scientists know better, many people in the general public took the article for face value and hit the “share” button as fast as possible without bothering to look for sources. 

It is always important to remain skeptical when these sensationalistic headlines appear, and keep to keep our eyes open for literature cited or a scientist’s perspective. Either way, we must keep our hopes up and continue our efforts to fight the impacts of climate change and to help the reef recover.

[trynottodrown]

Japanese kill 30 whales after ICC ruling

Japan has caught 30 whales off its northern coast in its first hunt since an international court ordered the halt of its annual expedition in the Antarctic.

The Fisheries Agency on Friday said a coastal whaling fleet killed 30 minke whales during the April-June season as part of Japan’s northwestern Pacific research hunt.

Another group of whalers is still at work in a more distant area of the Pacific.

The northwestern Pacific hunt is one of two research whaling programs that Japan has conducted since a 1986 international ban on commercial whaling.

In March, the International Court of Justice ruled that Japan’s Antarctic whaling program was not scientific as Japan had claimed and must stop.

Japan has suspended next season’s Antarctic hunt but is seeking to revise and resume it.

During the 2013-14 season, Japan caught 251 minke whales in the Antarctic, or just a quarter of its target, and 224 others in the northern Pacific program.

Japan has slashed the Pacific catch target by nearly half - to about 210 - for this year.

The court said Japan’s Antarctic research program produced little actual research and failed to explain why it needed to kill so many whales for the study.

The ruling left Japan the option of retooling its Antarctic program, but any new plan is likely to face intense scrutiny.

[betheirvoiceseathechange-deacti]

SIGN TO STOP THE FIREWORKS AT SEAWORLD IN THE SUMMER.

Fireworks are not something that acoustically sensitive marine mammals like orcas need to be hearing every night this summer. A widespread majority of animals don’t enjoy fireworks (think about your dog!) and there are also many humans that don’t appreciate them either. One of our friends is a young veteran who served more than a few tours in the Middle East over the past few years - he suffered from PTSD and was highly disturbed by anything resembling gunfire, so much that he couldn’t sleep at night.

Fireworks are not a necessity and are harmful to animals and humans alike. Please sign and share!

[0ceanspirit]

http://www.marketbroiler.com/menu.pdf

Seeing shark served on the menu is concerning for a lot of reasons, but here are just a few:

-It is estimated that between 73-100 million sharks are killed each year.

-90% of shark populations are gone due to over fishing and shark finning, and as apex predators of the sea, that means trouble for us. Sharks keep a very delicate eco-system in balance.

-Sharks contain high levels of mercury, which is very unhealthy for consumption. Recently, 9 people in Madagascar died from consuming shark. More than 100 more people were reported to be hospitalized after consuming shark, with symptoms comparing to what could be mercury poisoning. (http://www.africareview.com/News/Madagascar-Nine-die-after-eating-shark-meat/-/979180/2078984/-/36vej0/-/index.html) 

What’s on the menu? Thresher species: Alopias pelagicus (Pelagic Thresher, Thresher Shark, Whiptail Shark)- http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/161597/0 - is listed as vulnerable with decreasing population trend. Alopias superciliosus (Bigeye Thresher Shark, False Thresher) - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/161696/0 - is listed as vulnerable with decreasing population trend. Alopias vulpinus (Common Thresher Shark)- http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/39339/0 - is listed as vulnerable with decreasing population trend. Mako species: Isurus oxyrinchus (Shortfin Mako) - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/39341/0 - is listed as vulnerable with decreasing population trend. Isurus paucus (Longfin Mako)- http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/60225/0 - is listed as vulnerable with decreasing population trend. The reason for the concern with these species of shark being served on the menu is because they are listed on the IUCN Redlist as vulnerable. Sharks are threatened every day by shark finning, over fishing and are targeted by long-liners. There are so many sustainable options for a seafood restaurant, and shark of any species is not one of them. For the health of the oceans and humans alike, taking shark off of the menu would be a step in the right direction.

[0ceanspirit]

Please sign and share! 

betheirvoiceseathechange, themidnightclub, ragemorefortheworld, voicesofthedistantsea, sayonaraseaworld, youresuchatwat, passion4killerwhales, ampathy, breakthewhalebowl, freethecetaceans, corkyii, tokitaee, darling-taima, bathe-the-whales, dreams-of-whales, stumpytheorca, trynottodrown, madamjellyfish666, fightingforwhales, freedomfororcas, freedomforwhales, theoceanisourhome, 

[oceanaware]

Please sign and share! 

[oceanaware]

Sea Shepherd Applauds the World Court for Protecting the Whales of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary

Huge win for the whales!

[oceanaware]

Market Broiler Restaurant: Please Take Shark off Your Menu

Currently on Market Broiler’s menu, they offer shark: “Thresher or Mako Shark; A rich, firm steak of today’s catch.(subject to fresh availability)”…

Please sign and share this petition! Market Broiler is serving shark, Thresher or Mako.

All three species of Thresher and both species of Mako are listed on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable. Their population trend is decreasing due to over-exploitation. 

Not only are these sharks at risk, but human health is at risk as well. Sharks contain some of the highest levels of mercury, making it dangerous for consumption. 

From the NRDC:

Once in the human body, mercury acts as a neurotoxin, interfering with the brain and nervous system.

Exposure to mercury can be particularly hazardous for pregnant women and small children. During the first several years of life, a child’s brain is still developing and rapidly absorbing nutrients. Even in low doses, mercury may affect a child’s development, delaying walking and talking, shortening attention span and causing learning disabilities. Less frequent, high dose prenatal and infant exposures to mercury can cause mental retardation, cerebral palsy, deafness and blindness.

In adults, mercury poisoning can adversely affect fertility and blood pressure regulation and can cause memory loss, tremors, vision loss and numbness of the fingers and toes. A growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to mercury may also lead to heart disease.

Please sign and share!

[oceanaware]

Don't forget to sign and share, please! 

[oceanaware]

Market Broiler Restaurant: Please Take Shark off Your Menu

Currently on Market Broiler's menu, they offer shark: "Thresher or Mako Shark; A rich, firm steak of today's catch.(subject to fresh availability)"...

Please sign and share this petition! Market Broiler is serving shark, Thresher or Mako.

All three species of Thresher and both species of Mako are listed on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable. Their population trend is decreasing due to over-exploitation. 

Not only are these sharks at risk, but human health is at risk as well. Sharks contain some of the highest levels of mercury, making it dangerous for consumption. 

From the NRDC:

Once in the human body, mercury acts as a neurotoxin, interfering with the brain and nervous system.

Exposure to mercury can be particularly hazardous for pregnant women and small children. During the first several years of life, a child's brain is still developing and rapidly absorbing nutrients. Even in low doses, mercury may affect a child's development, delaying walking and talking, shortening attention span and causing learning disabilities. Less frequent, high dose prenatal and infant exposures to mercury can cause mental retardation, cerebral palsy, deafness and blindness.

In adults, mercury poisoning can adversely affect fertility and blood pressure regulation and can cause memory loss, tremors, vision loss and numbness of the fingers and toes. A growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to mercury may also lead to heart disease.

Please sign and share!

[sea-shepherd]

January 6, 2014

Sea Shepherd Drives Whaling Fleet Into Disarray  and Out of the Antarctic Treaty Zone

On Monday January 6 at 1650 AEDT, after a 360-mile chase, The Sea Shepherd Fleet drove the Japanese whaling fleet’s factory ship, the Nisshin Maru, out of the Antarctic Treaty Zone.

Sea Shepherd has all ships in the Japanese whaling fleet accounted for, and can confirm that the whale poaching fleet is scattered and currently not hunting whales. The harpoon ships are separated by hundreds of miles. The Nisshin Maru is on the run and unable to stop and whale in its self-designated whale-poaching grounds.

The Japanese whaling fleet was escorted across 60° S and past the northern limit of the Antarctic Treaty Zone by the Sea Shepherd ships The Sam Simon, The Steve Irwin andThe Steve Irwin’s helicopter.

The three Sea Shepherd ships are still in the Southern Ocean and will continue patrols. Should the Nisshin Maru attempt to return to the whaling grounds, Sea Shepherd will be ready to once again intercept and shut down their illegal whaling operations.

Captain of The Steve Irwin, Siddarth Chakravarty said, “This is an optimistic start to Operation Relentless. Within a day-and-a-half we have the entire whaling fleet in disarray.”

Captain of The Sam Simon, Adam Meyersonsaid, “We have won this battle, but the war for the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary will wage on over the coming months.”

[oceanaware]

Help All-Volunteer Group Fins and Fluke Become a Certified Non-Profit

Fins and Fluke is an all-volunteer organization that has made waves in the marine conservation cause. Help them raise funds to apply for their 501(c)(3) status!

If you can't donate, please share this with your friends and family. The Fins and Fluke team appreciates your help!

[jmventre]

[jmventre]

Legend Willie Nelson cancels his SeaWorld concert due to the way the company treats its animals. Just announced on CNN 12/6/13

[oceanaware]

This is incredible. Way to go, Willie!

[oceanaware]

Stop the slaughter.

More information and ways you can help:

Sea Shepherd - Cove Guardians - What you can do

Save Japan Dolphins - Take action

Take Part - The Cove - Take action

[oceanaware]

It's that awful time of year again. Please spread the word.

[oceanaware]

Following a number of public engagement efforts, NOAA Fisheries today announced it is denying the Georgia Aquarium’s request for a permit to import 18 beluga whales from Russia for public display in the United States. NOAA Fisheries based the decision on requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

The MMPA allows marine mammals to be removed from the wild or imported for the purpose of public display, and provides a process for issuing permits. This is the first application for a permit to import recently caught wild marine mammals in more than 20 years.