Dive into Google Ocean

Google launches an updated version of Google Earth that includes oceanic 3D underwater terrain 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.

Shark March Hits West Coast

Our Friends at Shark Safe up in San Francisco are preparing for their own Shark March scheduled as a two day event from January 25-26. Shark Safe 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.

For more information and to get involved visit their blog.

Shark Safe 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.

1. A-1 Cafe Restaurant 779 Clay St (415) 398-3691
2. Broadway Dim Sum Cafe 684 Broadway (415) 989-2038
3. Capital Restaurant 839 Clay St (415) 397-6269
4. Cathay House 718 California St (415) 982-3388
5. Chinatown Restaurant 744 Washington St (415) 392-7958
6. Chung King Restaurant 606 Jackson St (415) 986-3899
7. Empress Of China 838 Grant Ave (415) 434-1345
8. Far East Cafe 631 Grant Ave (415) 982-3245
9. Four Seas Restaurant 731 Grant Ave (415) 989-8188
10. Garden Restaurant The 716 Kearny St (415) 956-2480
11. Gold Mountain Restaurant 644 Broadway (415) 296-7733
12. Grand Palace Restaurant 950 Grant Ave (415) 982-3705
13. Great Eastern Restaurant 649 Jackson St (415) 986-2500
14. Great Oriental Restaurant 848 Washington St (415) 398-3691
15. Hong Kong Clay Pot City Restaurant 960 Grant Ave (415) 989-2638
16. Hunan Homes Restaurant 622 Jackson St (415) 982-2844
17. Kam Lok Restaurant 834 Washington St (415) 421-8102
18. Kan's Restaurant 708 Grant Ave (415) 362-5267
19. Lichee Garden Restaurant 1416 Powell St (415) 397-2290
20. Ming Seafood Garden 839 Kearny St (415) 956-7868
21. New Hong Kong Menu 667 Commercial St (415) 391-3677
22. New Woey Loy Goey Restaurant 699 Jackson St (415) 399-0733
23. Ocean Pearl Restaurant 781 Broadway (415) 397-5799
24. Oriental Pearl Restaurant 760 Clay St (415) 433-1817
25. Pearl City Seafood Restaurant 641 Jackson St (415) 398-8383
26. R & G Lounge 631 Kearny St (415) 982-7877
27. Sam Lok Restaurant 655 Jackson St (415) 981-8988
28. Silver Restaurant 737 Washington St (415) 434-4998
29. Yee's Restaurant 1131 Grant Ave (415) 576-1818
30. Young's Cafe 601 Kearny St (415) 397-3455

Here's another list they have recently released:
http://sharksafe.blogspot.com/2009/01/30-more-shark-fin-soup-restaurants-in.html

Congratulations to our friends at Shark Safe. Together we can ALL make a difference!

Planet in Peril: Shark Fining

Hopefully, with the coverage of CNN's Planet in Peril series we will start to see more attention given to the crisis of our ecosystem.

Whale watching from shore? Volunteering may be just for you

Original Story: Los Angeles Times:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/01/imagine-yoursel.html

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.

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.

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.

This is the day in the life of a volunteer for the Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project, which is in its 26th season of tracking numbers and trends -- and in dire need of volunteers.

(Schedules are flexible but there is an urgent need for Sunday mornings, Mondays and Fridays.)

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.

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.

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.

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 (310) 519-8963 or via e-mail at janiger@bcf.usc.edu.

You won't regret it.

Loblaw's & Great Canadian Superstores Make it Official

This 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

Dear Jeff Shaw,

Thank you for taking the time to email us as we always appreciate hearing from our customers.

At Loblaw Companies, we strive to offer our customers excellence in customer service alongside offering superior products.

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.

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 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.

As we value our customer feedback, we hope that we have addressed your concerns today and look forward to continuing to serve you.

Kindest regards,


Catherine S.
Sr. Customer Relations Representative
Loblaw Companies
1-800-296-2332

Fallsiview Casino Update

We 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.

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.

We will post the official release as it becomes available.

Shark Success!

Toronto: Saturday January 17, 2009
Today, is a great day for Sharks. Organizer Bob Timmons of Ark II and a group of very dedicated shark protectors took to the frozen streets of Toronto to protest the selling of Shark Fin Soup.

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.