Ocean Sentry
(from International Herald Tribune)The U.S. agency focused on the condition of the oceans says the Caribbean monk seal has gone extinct. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration”s Fisheries Services says the only subtropical seal native to the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico is extinct. It also warns that the Hawaiian …
June, 2008
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9 June
Dolphins Die in Mass Stranding
(from BBC News) Twenty-three dolphins have died after becoming stranded on the Cornish coast. An RNLI lifeboatman described Porth Creek near Portscatho as a “scene of carnage” after 21 dolphins died there. One was believed to be pregnant. Rescuers helped seven at Porth Creek rejoin their pod out at sea …
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6 June
Creating A Safe Zone For Right Whales
(ScienceDailyJun. 6, 2008) It’s called the “area to be avoided,”— 1,000 square nautical miles located in the Roseway Basin region of the Scotian Shelf, just south of Barrington, N.S. And since June 1, ships have been asked to make a detour around the area, a crucial habitat for the endangered North …
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5 June
Paul Watson: ‘There’s no rest on planetary duty’
(from Telegraph.co.uk) Paul Watson has devoted his life to fighting back against those who despoil the seas – but is he a prophet or a pirate? Tim Ecott meets a controversial crusader Paul Watson doesn”t stay on dry land very much. Last year the tireless eco-warrior was at sea for …
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5 June
EU Must Unite to Save Whales
(from Telegraph.co.uk) With the images of whale carcasses being hauled onto ships in the Southern Oceans still fresh in our minds it is clear that some countries are continuing the hunting of whales unabated. We cannot remain idle and watch such unnecessary hunting happen unhindered. Later this month the countries …
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4 June
Sea Shepherd: a ‘Compassionate Pirate’
(Radio Netherlands Worldwide) “Defend, Conserve, Protect”, is Sea Shepherd”s motto. Their ships are black, with the names of the ten whaling ships they have sunk painted prominently on the side, the ships are topped with a pirate flag. The ships are feared by whalers, hunters and illegal fishermen alike. “When …
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3 June
Nordic Nations Resume Whale Trade
Iceland and Norway have began to export whale meat to Japan for the first time since the early 1990s despite a UN ban. Iceland sent 80 tonnes of fin whale meat caught in 2006 to Japan, while Norway exported five tonnes of minke whale meat, Kristjan Loftsson, chief executive of …
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2 June
Seattle Hearing on Makah Whaling Plan
(from The Seattle Times) Seattle – The federal Fisheries Service is holding a public hearing in Seattle on the Makah Indian tribe”s request for a permit to hunt gray whales. The 6:30 p.m. Monday hearing at the Lake Union Park Armory is one of three the National Marine Fisheries Service …
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1 June
Campaign to list Arctic Seals as an Endangered Species Launched
London, June 1 (ANI): Conservationists have launched a campaign to list Arctic seals as an endangered species, with some arguing that all arctic species should be red-listed. According to a report in New Scientist, the campaign comes after the US decided to list the polar bear as an endangered species …
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1 June
St. Pete Zoo Fined for Saving Baby Seals
(from Russia Today) Eleven malnourished seal pups have been rescued from a beach and taken to a zoo in Saint Petersburg. However, city authorities have taken a dim view of the zoo”s actions and have hit it with a fine as the seals lacked the correct documents. The baby seals …
May, 2008
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29 May
Scientific Partnership ‘Could be Used for Whaling’
(from ABC News) The Federal Opposition has asked the Government for an assurance that the results of a joint scientific research program between Australia and Japan will not go towards whaling research. Under an agreement reached during the International Whaling Commission conference, Japanese scientists will take part in an Australian …
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29 May
New Zealand Moves to Protect Rare Dolphins
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand plans to ban commercial fishing near its coast and set up marine reserves to protect the rare Hector”s dolphins, a government minister said on Thursday The Hector”s dolphin is estimated to number around 7,400 from 29,000 in the late 1970s. However, one of its sub-species, …