tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78704355969084953522024-02-08T03:37:43.662-08:00Oceanic DefenseWelcome to Oceanic Defense. We are a group of people that are passionate about the health and welfare of our oceans around the world.Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-81289618662324163512009-05-29T13:31:00.000-07:002009-05-29T13:33:07.088-07:00Blog movedHello, to continue following us on Blogger please update your bookmarks. We can now be found here:<br /><br /><a href="http://oceanicdefense.blogspot.com">http://oceanicdefense.blogspot.com</a>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-63727165646416459462009-05-17T21:21:00.001-07:002009-05-18T07:26:01.852-07:00Sharks Murdered for Ego and Bragging Rights<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/ShDg9I2wzhI/AAAAAAAAADg/Eum22g598SA/s1600-h/bull.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/ShDg9I2wzhI/AAAAAAAAADg/Eum22g598SA/s400/bull.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337012899387854354" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Sarasota, Florida May 15-17, 2009</span><br />The despicable act of killing sharks for no reason came to the shores of Sarasota Florida in this annual ego stroke. The Sarasota Shark Tournament sees entrants fish and kill sharks for nothing more than a trophy and bragging rights.<br /><br />In our opinion this is even LOWER than the shark fin trade because this sharks are completely wasted. 100% of their bodies are discarded once they are weighed.<br /><br />Oceanic Defense will form a page on Facebook and create a petition to get the organizers of this barbaric tournament to cease the useless killing of a species in danger.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you are interested in signing our petition please visit our page:</span><br /><a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sarasota-shark-tournament/" onmousedown="'return" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span>http://www.ipetitions.com/</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>petition/sarasota-shark-to</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>urnament/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Join us on Face Book:</span><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=871615706&ref=profile#/group.php?gid=43644118201">http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=871615706&ref=profile#/group.php?gid=43644118201</a><br /><br /><br />Photo by: ToddOceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-73173278761042236912009-05-07T19:42:00.000-07:002009-05-07T19:51:51.305-07:00Canadian Politicians Sink to All-Time Low<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/SgOcRtN795I/AAAAAAAAADQ/L1d7a_i7zWw/s1600-h/pollresults.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/SgOcRtN795I/AAAAAAAAADQ/L1d7a_i7zWw/s400/pollresults.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333278211746559890" border="0" /></a><br />It has come to our attention (thanks Marlene) that in the wake of an overwhelming vote by the EU to ban all Canadian Seal Products that federal officials continue to swing their political hakapiks suggesting that <span style="font-weight: bold;">our Olympians wear seal products</span> to support their country and its "heritage" during the 2010 winter games in Vancouver.<br /><br />The image above is the results from a poll that is running on CKNW Vancouver. There is a resounding 85% vote against the proposed plan.<br /><br />Cast your vote by going here: <a href="http://www.cknw.com/">http://www.cknw.com/</a> and look on the right hand side of the homepage for the poll. You can vote once every 24 hours.Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-75619783747186236522009-05-05T07:19:00.001-07:002009-05-05T07:23:47.039-07:00VICTORY FOR SEALS!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/media/ALeqM5gyhxlibpG2TS2rFQ1RAXapiSOXAg?size=s2"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 123px;" src="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/media/ALeqM5gyhxlibpG2TS2rFQ1RAXapiSOXAg?size=s2" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="hn-headline"><span style="font-size:130%;">EU parliament bans Canadian seal products</span></div> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">STRASBOURG (AFP) — </span>The European Parliament voted on Tuesday to endorse an EU ban on products derived from seals in protest at hunting methods despite threats from Canada to complain to the World Trade Organization.</p><p>The move, backed by much of the European public and animal rights groups, was approved by 550 votes to 49 against at the parliament in Strasbourg. The ban will enter force for the next commercial seal hunt season in 2010.</p><p>The decision to ban products derived from seal hunting, especially pelts, comes on the eve of a visit to Prague by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to launch free trade talks with the European Union.</p><p>The Canadian government maintains that the 350-year-old hunt is crucial for some 6,000 North Atlantic fishermen who rely on it for up to 35 percent of their total annual income.</p><p>Ottawa authorized the slaughter of 338,000 seals this year, insisting the hunt does not threaten the species. But a slump in pelt prices has meant fewer hunters on ice floes off Canada's Atlantic coast.</p><p>Canada hopes that requiring training for sealers on how to humanely slaughter seals, legislating standards for seal products and taking measures to safeguard the species will silence critics of the hunt.</p><p>The EU is Canada's second-largest trading partner.</p><p>"After many years of campaigning by European citizens I welcome the regulation which bans seal products from entering or being traded in the European Union," EU Environment Stavros Dimas said in a statement.</p><p>"By upholding the highest standards the new legislation addresses EU citizens' concerns with regard to the cruel hunting methods of seals," he said.</p><p>The commission said the new measure, already endorsed by EU nations and the bloc's executive body, would eliminate disparate national rules and consolidate the fragmented European market in seal products.</p><p>But it underlined it would allow trade in seal products derived from hunts traditionally conducted by Inuit and other indigenous communities and which contribute to their subsistence.</p>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-64875539897079938732009-04-30T08:31:00.000-07:002009-04-30T08:35:15.983-07:00Call for fishing ban in a third of oceans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blog.cleveland.com/world_impact/2008/11/large_Tuna-Fishing_Beyond_Salmon_Meye.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 219px;" src="http://blog.cleveland.com/world_impact/2008/11/large_Tuna-Fishing_Beyond_Salmon_Meye.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="article-wrapper"> <p>A third of the world's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/oceans">oceans</a> must be closed to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/fishing">fishing</a> if depleted stocks are to recover, scientists and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/conservation">conservation</a> groups have warned. Such a measure could "set the clock back 200 years" and reverse the decline in fish populations, after which responsible fisheries management could regenerate the industry.</p><p> Callum Roberts, Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of York, has reviewed 100 scientific papers identifying the scale of closure needed. "All are leaning in a similar direction," he says, "which is that 20 to 40% of the sea should be protected." Friends of the Earth, the Marine Conservation Society and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds all support the idea of a 30% closure. "What we would see is a flourishing of life," Roberts says. "In 20 years, we could get to a point where a lot of species are in a far more productive state."</p><p> The proposal comes in the wake of a green paper calling for radical reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, which EU ministers admit has failed. It reveals that 88% of EU stocks are overfished (against a global average of 25%) while 30% are "outside safe biological limits" – meaning they cannot reproduce as normal because the parenting population is too depleted. In the North Sea, 93% of cod are fished before they have had a chance to breed.</p><p> The European Commission suggests a reduction in fleet size and a dramatic cut in fishing effort among its raft of measures, but Roberts believes these will not work without the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). "Just cutting fishing effort is not enough," he says. "If we are ever going to have sustainable fisheries, MPA networks are an essential, indispensable part of any rational management package." </p><p> In Iceland, Canada and the US, the creation of MPAs has "brought real increases in fish populations and real recovery of seabed habitats", Roberts says. "Populations of exploited species have increased five-, 10- or even 20-fold within five, 10 or 20 years." </p><p> The most convincing example is New England, where stocks of ground fish were "in a dreadful state" in the 1990s. Off Georges Bank, an area of nearly 20,000 square kilometres – a quarter of the fishing grounds – was closed to vessels, and fishing effort was reduced by "a draconian 50 per cent". In the past 10 years, Roberts says, there has been "a spectacular recovery" of key economic species. </p><p> As stocks within MPAs recover, the eggs and larvae of fish are carried on ocean currents to fishing grounds, Roberts explains. This helps replenish commercial fisheries. Fish also leave the protected areas, emigrating to places where they can be harvested legally.</p><p> Off Lundy Island in Devon, one of only three No-Take Zones (similar to MPAs) in British waters, the lobster population is eight times higher within the reserve. "We have already seen benefits in the lobster fishery immediately outside it," says Giles Bartlett, fisheries policy officer at the environmental charity WWF. In the Isle of Man, where a No-Take Zone for scallops has been created, "there have been significant increases in catches on the boundary of the reserve", he adds. "There, a limited size of reserve is supporting the whole fishery. If you scale those reserves up, you are going to see similar results for demersal [bottom-dwelling] fish stocks. We feel European seas would benefit from this kind of management."</p><p> The fishing industry is less convinced, saying pressure on stocks just outside a protected area can "mitigate against the impact" of the MPA. "It almost creates a bull's-eye for fishermen, who know the area on the periphery isn't protected," says Tom Rossiter, research and development manager at Seafish, the UK seafood industry body. "If you shut off an MPA, it will move the fishing effort somewhere else." </p><p> Phil MacMullen, head of environment at Seafish, says a distinction must be made between MPAs created to conserve habitats and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/biodiversity">biodiversity</a>, and those created for fisheries management purposes. "If you are very lucky, you may find an area designated for conservation also gives you fisheries benefits," he says, but the likelihood is low. Seasonal closures at spawning times, and around specific areas such as nursery grounds, are already used effectively by fishermen.</p><p> Currently, there are 4,000 MPAs covering just 0.8% of the world's oceans. New Zealand has already closed 30 per cent of its Exclusive Economic Zone – offshore fishing grounds – to trawlers and Australia is considering a similar move. Under the Marine Bill, the UK Government has committed to designating a coherent network of new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) by 2012, though there is no mention of a percentage target.</p><p><span style="font-size:78%;">Article originally appeared in The UK Observer. by: Andrew Purvis</span><br /></p> </div>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-43254086406909665442009-04-24T22:28:00.000-07:002009-04-24T22:30:54.786-07:00EU nations agree! Ban on seal products coming!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.whale-images.com/data/media/14/harp-seal_354.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 157px;" src="http://www.whale-images.com/data/media/14/harp-seal_354.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div> By Pete Harrison</div> <div> BRUSSELS, April 24 (Reuters) - <span style="font-weight: bold;">European ambassadors approved a European Union plan to ban imports of furs and other products from culled seals on Friday</span>, moving the 27-nation bloc one step closer to a trade clash with Norway and Canada.</div> <div> Both seal-hunting nations have warned the EU in recent weeks that they could challenge the EU ban at the World Trade Organization, the global trade watchdog, if it takes shape as currently foreseen.</div> <div> "Nothing should now stand in the way of this ban being adopted," said an official from the EU's Czech presidency, which brokered a deal this week that will exclude hunts by Inuits.</div> <div> "It needs to go before the European Parliament in May, but that should be a formality because parliament negotiators have already agreed to it informally," the official added.</div> <div> Canada, Greenland and Namibia account for around 60 percent of the 900,000 seals hunted each year. The rest are killed in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Britain and the United States.</div> <div> Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere wrote to EU trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton this month arguing that the ban broke the principle of free trade and set a dangerous precedent on the harvesting of renewable resources.</div> <div> An official said the Commission believed the plan was "legally sound".</div> <div> The 15 seal species now hunted are not endangered but European politicians demanded action after finding what they said was evidence that many are skinned while still conscious.</div> <div> The animals are usually first shot or bludgeoned over the head with a spiked club known as a hakapik.</div> <div> Russia banned the hunting of baby harp seals last month, and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called it a "bloody industry".</div> <div> A European Food Safety Authority report last year highlighted various causes of unnecessary suffering, such as trapping seals underwater where they drown.</div> <div> It recommended that seals first be shot or clubbed and then monitored to check they are dead before being bled and skinned, to ensure they never regain consciousness during the process. (Editing by Louise Ireland) </div>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-11794609009551000432009-04-17T13:07:00.001-07:002009-04-17T13:09:42.050-07:00Plans to protect sharks set to receive backing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sharktrust.org/sharknew_images/users/Impacts/porgiesmarket_jedtrewin_200.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="http://www.sharktrust.org/sharknew_images/users/Impacts/porgiesmarket_jedtrewin_200.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span class="greytext_small">EU fisheries ministers are next week expected to back plans to protect endangered sharks. At a meeting in Luxembourg (23-24 April) ministers will be invited to endorse measures to stop overfishing of sharks and follow the international conservation plans that the EU has alrea</span><span class="greytext_small">dy signed up to.<br /> <br />They will also discuss an EU shark action plan that was published by the European Commission in January. </span> <div> </div> <div><span class="greytext_small">One-third of shark species in European waters are threatened, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. </span></div> <div> <div> </div> <span class="greytext_small">Sonja Fordham of the Shark Alliance, a coalition of conservation groups, described the Commission's plan as encouraging, but noted that “it is just a plan, it is not binding”. </span></div> <div> </div> <span class="greytext_small">She said the priority should be toughening up the implementation of the EU ban on shark ‘finning', the practice of catching a shark, cutting off its fins and throwing it back into the sea to die.<br /><br />originally posted here: <a href="http://www.sharktrust.org/content.asp?did=32651">http://www.sharktrust.org/content.asp?did=32651</a><br /></span>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-35629936636340448802009-03-23T19:31:00.001-07:002009-03-24T07:11:56.205-07:00Shame!! - Canada Opens 2009 Seal Hunt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2565/124/26/871615706/n871615706_6136406_1487612.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 227px;" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2565/124/26/871615706/n871615706_6136406_1487612.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">CHARLOTTETOWN, Canada, March 23, 2009 </span><br />It is that time of year again when Canada is thrust into the international spotlight for all the wrong reasons.<br /><br />Canada's commercial seal hunt is the largest hunt for marine mammals in the world. Sealers are allowed to kill 280,000 harp seal pups this year, provided they have begun to molt their white coats, which occurs when the animals are about two weeks old.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/2581_75396115844_626090844_2768014_979735_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 337px;" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/2581_75396115844_626090844_2768014_979735_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This image above is that of a harp seal with its skull crushed by the clubs the hunters first swing to immobilize the seal. The hunters then skin the seal on the pristine white snow. It has been well documented that some of these seal pups are STILL ALIVE when the hunters begin to hack and slice their skin off then leave them to finally die a ravaged inhumane death.<br /><br />We here at Oceanic Defence are embarrassed to be Canadians and call on all citizens of the world to ban ALL CANADIAN PRODUCTS until Stephen Harper outlaws this barbaric hunt. We are hoping Canada follows Russia's recent ban.<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.stopthesealhunt.com/c.ihKPIWPCIqE/b.5015401/k.8FB6/Action_Item_TEST/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx">CLICK HERE HELP STOP THE HUNT. SUPPORT THE HARP SEAL BILL</a><br /><br />To learn more about IFAW's efforts to end the Canadian commercial seal hunt, visit <a href="http://www.stopthesealhunt.org/">www.stopthesealhunt.org</a> | <a href="http://www.ifaw.org/">www.ifaw.org</a>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-47269703083670336722009-03-17T21:44:00.000-07:002009-03-18T12:21:39.545-07:00Craig Clasen - A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/ScB8qoa8YNI/AAAAAAAAACs/flc5zrPnqBM/s1600-h/clasen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/ScB8qoa8YNI/AAAAAAAAACs/flc5zrPnqBM/s400/clasen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314384632143962322" border="0" /></a><br />Have you ever heard that expression a picture is worth a 1000 words. Well we thought we would supply you with two sources - both from Clasen and his roving band of shark hunters.<br /><br />1) a quote directly from Clasen's mouth. 2) the photo they took shortly after brutally killing the Tiger Shark.<br /><br />Read the quote above, read it again. Now look at Clasen's eyes and notice the remorseful smile. Do you see the "remorse" he professes to the media? Neither do we. Looks like one frame away from chest thumping to this editor.<br /><br />We'll continue to expose this shame and push for publicity.<br /><br />Shame on all involved.<br /><br />Over the coming days we will speak to shark behaviorists and prove that this event was completely premeditated or at the very least opportunistic.<br /><br />One other point. After being "so devastated" by the events leading up to the death of the shark the men report that they then <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >filleted the shark and ate it shisimi style.</span>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-1893775026911755872009-03-17T07:33:00.000-07:002009-03-17T21:14:32.417-07:00Self-defense or Brutal Attack?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/Sb-1BNcN-MI/AAAAAAAAACE/fgxnP8NY-nU/s1600-h/shark-fighting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/Sb-1BNcN-MI/AAAAAAAAACE/fgxnP8NY-nU/s320/shark-fighting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314165117712988354" border="0" /></a>For the past few days we have been hearing all kinds of buzz about Craig Clasen, the spear fisherman that was allegedly attacked by a tiger shark while spear fishing.<br /><br />While tiger sharks can be aggressive they will give you plenty of warning that you are in danger.<br /><br />Clasen and his crew may have pushed their luck and turned this event into a publicity stunt. And as a result you may have seen them on the Today Show where that news program promoted it with a sensational title: "man vs. shark".<br /><br />The brutal mutilation of the shark and the "trophy-style pictures" that were taken of Clasen and the various body parts of that beautiful shark are overwhelmingly stomach turning. To us, this picture is not that of a traumatized free diver that he professes, look at his face...proud. Disgusting. Hopefully, the footage and still pictures taken during this barbaric acts can be used prosecute all the parties involved.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/Sb-7BA1kNtI/AAAAAAAAACc/ZihPKTuv6xs/s1600-h/large_tiger_shark.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 146px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/Sb-7BA1kNtI/AAAAAAAAACc/ZihPKTuv6xs/s320/large_tiger_shark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314171711399409362" border="0" /></a>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-60015710839716419082009-02-09T15:28:00.000-08:002009-02-09T15:33:19.654-08:00End of the Line - The Health of Our OceansAs more and more stories are published about the over fishing of a non-sustainable shark trade a new movie is about to be released that will unequivocally show that we are destroying our planet from land to sea. The End of the Line is a movie made by concerned citizens of the world who investigate the depletion of fish stocks and the devastating affect it will have on us as a species. <br /><br /><object width="380" height="195"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bedirwk95Oc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bedirwk95Oc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="380" height="195"></embed></object>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-79304686834917930462009-02-06T14:12:00.000-08:002009-02-06T14:19:40.556-08:00Children are our future: Meet Martina and LulyI found this beautiful video on YouTube from a young girl named Martina and her whale Luly. She addresses Captain Toyama of the Nisshin Maru. Martina, at her very early age sees a future with whales and wants to turn the "research" into a whale watching excursion.<br /><br />Watch her wonderful video here:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pn1WdKAfHSU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pn1WdKAfHSU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-72726360576801461482009-02-03T17:02:00.000-08:002009-02-03T17:05:49.318-08:00Dive into Google OceanGoogle launches an updated version of <a href="http://earth.google.com/ocean/" target="_blank">Google Earth</a> that includes <span style="font-weight: bold;">oceanic 3D underwater terrain</span> as well as historical imagery. With this new addition to the software, you can spot shipwrecks as you wander the ocean floor. As you cruise around, you can also view videos and stills from content partners like National Geographic and videos from the archives of Jacques Cousteau. Another new feature in 5.0 is historical imagery: By activating a time slider, it's possible to see newer and older satellite imagery from around the globe.Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-36543773432488624312009-01-22T12:52:00.001-08:002009-01-22T13:04:35.355-08:00Shark March Hits West CoastOur Friends at <a href="http://sharksafe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shark Safe</a> up in San Francisco are preparing for their own Shark March scheduled as a two day event from January 25-26. <a href="http://sharksafe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shark Safe</a> is looking for volunteers to participate in the two day celebration of the International Year of the Shark. This protest is an educational event. Come out and learn something about these magnificent kings and queens of the sea.<br /><br />For more information and to get involved <a href="http://sharksafe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">visit their blog</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://sharksafe.blogspot.com/">Shark Safe</a> has assembled a growing list of San Francisco based restaurants that serve shark products. Call each and everyone of these establishments and politely ask them to remove any shark related products from their website.<br /><br /><ol><li>A-1 Cafe Restaurant 779 Clay St (415) 398-3691 </li><li>Broadway Dim Sum Cafe 684 Broadway (415) 989-2038 </li><li>Capital Restaurant 839 Clay St (415) 397-6269 </li><li>Cathay House 718 California St (415) 982-3388 </li><li>Chinatown Restaurant 744 Washington St (415) 392-7958 </li><li>Chung King Restaurant 606 Jackson St (415) 986-3899 </li><li>Empress Of China 838 Grant Ave (415) 434-1345 </li><li>Far East Cafe 631 Grant Ave (415) 982-3245 </li><li>Four Seas Restaurant 731 Grant Ave (415) 989-8188 </li><li>Garden Restaurant The 716 Kearny St (415) 956-2480 </li><li>Gold Mountain Restaurant 644 Broadway (415) 296-7733 </li><li>Grand Palace Restaurant 950 Grant Ave (415) 982-3705 </li><li>Great Eastern Restaurant 649 Jackson St (415) 986-2500 </li><li>Great Oriental Restaurant 848 Washington St (415) 398-3691 </li><li>Hong Kong Clay Pot City Restaurant 960 Grant Ave (415) 989-2638</li><li>Hunan Homes Restaurant 622 Jackson St (415) 982-2844 </li><li>Kam Lok Restaurant 834 Washington St (415) 421-8102 </li><li>Kan's Restaurant 708 Grant Ave (415) 362-5267 </li><li>Lichee Garden Restaurant 1416 Powell St (415) 397-2290 </li><li>Ming Seafood Garden 839 Kearny St (415) 956-7868 </li><li>New Hong Kong Menu 667 Commercial St (415) 391-3677 </li><li>New Woey Loy Goey Restaurant 699 Jackson St (415) 399-0733 </li><li>Ocean Pearl Restaurant 781 Broadway (415) 397-5799 </li><li>Oriental Pearl Restaurant 760 Clay St (415) 433-1817</li><li>Pearl City Seafood Restaurant 641 Jackson St (415) 398-8383 </li><li>R & G Lounge 631 Kearny St (415) 982-7877 </li><li>Sam Lok Restaurant 655 Jackson St (415) 981-8988 </li><li>Silver Restaurant 737 Washington St (415) 434-4998 </li><li>Yee's Restaurant 1131 Grant Ave (415) 576-1818</li><li>Young's Cafe 601 Kearny St (415) 397-3455 </li></ol>Here's another list they have recently released:<br /><a href="http://sharksafe.blogspot.com/2009/01/30-more-shark-fin-soup-restaurants-in.html" target="_blank">http://sharksafe.blogspot.com/2009/01/30-more-shark-fin-soup-restaurants-in.html</a><br /><br />Congratulations to our friends at <a href="http://sharksafe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shark Safe</a>. Together we can ALL make a difference!Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-77316828504162096042009-01-20T00:06:00.000-08:002009-01-22T13:09:34.923-08:00Planet in Peril: Shark FiningHopefully, with the coverage of CNN's Planet in Peril series we will start to see more attention given to the crisis of our ecosystem.<br /><br /><script src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/js/2.0/video/evp/module.js?loc=dom&vid=/video/tech/2008/07/15/pip.shark.finning.cnn" type="text/javascript"></script><noscript><br /></noscript>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-50409345023754548412009-01-19T15:12:00.000-08:002009-01-19T15:16:44.281-08:00Whale watching from shore? Volunteering may be just for you<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2009/01/02/humpback11.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 502px; height: 333px;" src="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2009/01/02/humpback11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Original Story: Los Angeles Times:<a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/01/imagine-yoursel.html"><br />http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/01/imagine-yoursel.html</a></span><br /></p><p>Imagine yourself propped in a chair with one or two others atop the Palos Verdes Peninsula, gazing out over the windswept Pacific. It has become wintry and cold and there are no other people around, and no boats on the water.</p> <p>Then it happens: a humpback whale launches out of the ocean and breaches dozens of times in succession. You're in awe, but you take careful note of what's happening. </p> <p>Then the whale sinks out and you resume your duties, awaiting more sightings, perhaps of a lone gray whale, of a majestic blue whale, of thousands of dolphins or perhaps a great white shark or a pod of orcas.</p><br /><p>This is the day in the life of a volunteer for the <a href="http://acs-la.org/index.htm">Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project</a>, which is in its 26th season of tracking numbers and trends -- and in dire need of volunteers. </p> <p>(Schedules are flexible but there is an urgent need for Sunday mornings, Mondays and Fridays.)</p> <p>No experience is necessary; you'll be trained on site and meet other nice people with a deep appreciation for the ocean and its mammalian critters. Spotters man the patio from sunrise to sundown at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, and have already counted more than 60 gray whales during a migration that has yet to reach its peak locally.</p> <a name="more" id="more"></a> <p>Soon mother whales will begin appearing with calves. These pairs generally travel closer to shore and spotters may note mothers directing her calves or protecting them from perceived threats.</p> <p>Also spotted, occasionally, are blue whales, fin whales, minke whales, sperm whales, killer whales and many species of dolphins; and, of course, California sea lions, which abound off Southern California.</p> <p>If this seems like a rewarding way to spend a few hours one or two days each week please contact Alisa Schulman-Janiger, the program's director, at <span style="font-weight: bold;">(310) 519-8963</span> or via e-mail at <a href="mailto:janiger@bcf.usc.edu">janiger@bcf.usc.edu</a>.</p> <p>You won't regret it.</p>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-28695543565198279882009-01-19T07:07:00.000-08:002009-01-19T07:26:40.891-08:00Loblaw's & Great Canadian Superstores Make it OfficialThis morning we received the letter we have been waiting for. Loblaw's made their position on the sale of shark fin products official. Now, Oceanic Defence was not alone in this campaign. It was originally started by Rob Stewart (Sharkwater) and 1000's of other concerned citizens. This just shows you what can happen when one becomes many and many raise their voices<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);font-size:85%;" >Dear Jeff Shaw,</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);font-size:85%;" >Thank you for taking the time to email us as we always appreciate hearing from our customers.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);font-size:85%;" >At Loblaw Companies, we strive to offer our customers excellence in customer service alongside offering superior products.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);font-size:85%;" >As a company, we are committed to providing our consumers with a wide range of high quality, safe foods that are produced, manufactured and sourced responsibly. We serve a wide range of customers, and are proud of our ability to offer a large variety of choices to meet their expectations. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);font-size:85%;" >We have taken steps which we feel support our commitment for responsibly raised and caught fish and seafood products, including a partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). We are in the process of reviewing our policies regarding the sale of critical seafood species and are currently developing a future sustainable fishing policy. The shark fin soup product was a new, limited time item for Loblaw available only in select stores. We appreciate the sensitivities around the item that were brought to our attention, and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);font-size:85%;" >upon close and immediate review we have now removed it from our shelves directly and the item will no longer be featured in our flyers.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);font-size:85%;" >As we value our customer feedback, we hope that we have addressed your concerns today and look forward to continuing to serve you. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);font-size:85%;" >Kindest regards,</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Catherine S.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Sr. Customer Relations Representative</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Loblaw Companies</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);"><span style="font-size:85%;">1-800-296-2332</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"></span><br /></span>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-56346970143427663052009-01-18T09:50:00.000-08:002009-01-18T09:53:26.286-08:00Fallsiview Casino UpdateWe have been told by one of our sources at the Fallsview Casino that the executive chef has removed all shark products from the menu at the Golden Lotus Restaurant.<br /><br />We congratulate the management of the hotel for standing up for its local community and taking a stand on the selling of a non-sustainable product.<br /><br />We will post the official release as it becomes available.Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-39096080732819382962009-01-17T13:04:00.000-08:002009-01-17T13:14:19.840-08:00Shark Success!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/SXJIVHAl2vI/AAAAAAAAABk/hpzcAaRPl8U/s1600-h/n559320516_5385814_4831.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 169px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T_FoLFNurfQ/SXJIVHAl2vI/AAAAAAAAABk/hpzcAaRPl8U/s200/n559320516_5385814_4831.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292372039609735922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Toronto: Saturday January 17, 2009</span><br />Today, is a great day for Sharks. Organizer Bob Timmons of <a href="http://www.ark-ii.com/2009/">Ark II</a> and a group of very dedicated shark protectors took to the frozen streets of Toronto to protest the selling of Shark Fin Soup.<br /><br />The march caught the attention of the media as they marched down Spadina near Dundas (The area is known as China Town) which supports a large number of restaurants serving the controversial delicacy. More info to follow.Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-63868362483314659712009-01-17T06:22:00.000-08:002009-01-17T06:29:03.707-08:00Shark March - Toronto CanadaTo celebrate 2009's International Year of the Shark a group of <span style="font-weight: bold;">dedicated</span> and environmentally concerned <span style="font-weight: bold;">people</span> will take to the frozen streets of downtown Toronto Canada at 12:00PM on Saturday January 17th to protest the selling of shark fin products. Their march assembles at Yonge and Dundas Square and will proceed through Chinatown.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=43384838385">Here's a link to the event on Facebook</a><br /><br />We will update you throughout the day as pictures become available. If you are a member of the media I suggest you cover this story. This is one story that REALLY needs to be heard.Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-42176002374342599962009-01-15T12:31:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:16:28.519-08:00Japanese Whaling Ship Ordered to Leave Indonesia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.seashepherd.org/images/stories/news/news_090114_1_1_081220_Yushin_Maru_No_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 166px;" src="http://www.seashepherd.org/images/stories/news/news_090114_1_1_081220_Yushin_Maru_No_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />After hobbling into the Port of Surabaya, East Java in Indonesia. The Japanese "Research"* vessel Yushin Maru # 2 has been ordered to leave port without much needed repairs to its props. The Indonesian Forestry Authorities, the CITES Authorities and local government officials in East Java demanded the expulsion of the <em>Yushin Maru #2</em> from Surabaya harbour and from Indonesian waters.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CONGRATULATIONS to ALL involved in this GREAT VICTORY for Whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.</span><br /><br />For the entire story visit the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=55336422447&h=qSP_6&u=hZxB-">Sea Shepherd Society Website by clicking here.</a><br /><br /><br />* How many "Research" vessels are equipped with harpoon guns??Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-48830870120574424642009-01-14T13:26:00.000-08:002009-01-15T08:18:13.315-08:00The Horror of Shark Fining (explicit content)The realities of how your soup gets to your table:<br /><a href="http://year-of-the-shark-2009.ning.com/video/video/show?id=2511557%3AVideo%3A159" target="_blank">Click here to view video</a><br /><br />Chinese translation:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:SimSun;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">做成你的汤的<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:SimSun;" >真实方法<br /></span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:SimSun;" ><a href="http://year-of-the-shark-2009.ning.com/video/video/show?id=2511557%3AVideo%3A159" target="_blank">点击观看视频</a></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">WARNING: </span>VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES OF SHARK MUTILATION</span></span>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-68300846285928280982009-01-14T13:14:00.000-08:002009-01-14T13:19:02.138-08:00Anti Shark Fin Soup Video (Chinese w/English subtitles)We found a great video from WildAid in China. It's an awareness campaign video against shark fin soup. The video is in Chinese with english subtitles. Please forward this link to everyone you know.<br /><br />Especially Chinese businesses selling shark fin products.<br /><br /><a href="http://year-of-the-shark-2009.ning.com/video/video/show?id=2511557%3AVideo%3A95" target="_blank">Click here to view this video</a>Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-22360129511067825042009-01-13T16:08:00.000-08:002009-01-19T07:45:56.338-08:00Thank You Galen WestonI wanted to share with you all the note I sent to Mr. Weston president of Loblaws thanking him for his commitment to our oceans.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Mr. Weston & Company:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> A few days ago we contacted you regarding Loblaw's and The Great Canadian Superstores plan to introduce cans of shark fin soup just in time for Chinese New Year.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> We have heard from our sources that your organization has decided against such a move.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> We wanted to send a heart felt thank you for considering our environment over the profit from a few simple cans of soup. Thank you for standing up against a non sustainable fishing industry. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Remember, sharks (of any kind) belong in our oceans not in our supermarkets.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> You have made a difference and you should be very proud."</span><br /><br />--<br />Jeff Shaw<br />Founder<br />--<br />Oceanic Defence Organization<br />Activation through Education<br />http://www.oceanicdefence.orgOceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870435596908495352.post-15479253706165050792009-01-13T15:26:00.000-08:002009-01-13T15:41:34.064-08:00Loblaws Agrees to Remove Shark Fin Soup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.loblaws.ca/images/Landing/logoLoblaws.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 55px;" src="http://www.loblaws.ca/images/Landing/logoLoblaws.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A few days ago it came to our attention that Loblaws and Canadian Superstores were planning on stocking their shelves with cans of shark fin soup just in time for Chinese New Year.<br /><br />Today, we at Oceanic Defence could not be more excited to announce that President and CEO, Galen Weston and the Loblaws grocery chain which includes Canadian Superstores has removed Shark Fin products from their shelves due to a public protest by concerned citizens everywhere.<br /><br />Oceanic Defence thanks Mr. Weston and the entire management team that has put our environment ahead of profit. If we only had more responsible business owners like Mr. Weston we could really address this epidemic head-on.<br /><br />We urge you to make environmental choices when to comes to not only the car you drive and the clothes you wear but also the businesses where you buy your groceries. Consider Loblaw's.<br /><br />Congratualtions and Thank you.<br /><br />We will post their official release once we receive it.Oceanic Defensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07403205450844244507noreply@blogger.com1