oceans

Create your own PSA

Our friends over at Shifting Baselines have launched a new website and video contest where you can create and submit your own PSA:

The contest comes at a time when more than ninety percent of large fish in the oceans are being consumed, coral reefs around the world are dying due to coral bleaching, and large lifeless regions called "dead zones" are expanding each year. The problem of ocean decline has reached global crisis stage. Shifting Baselines' objective is to create solutions by having more effective "communication" to inform people about the problems and the goal of the contest is to give young creative filmmakers the opportunity to relay the message through creative outlets in filmmaking.

The videos will be reviewed by a host of celebrity judges. Read the full press release for more information:

Jim Moriarty, president of Surfrider Foundation, answers questions

Jim Moriarty. What work do you do? I work at an environmental, action-sports-oriented nonprofit called Surfrider Foundation. What does your organization do? We exist for the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves, and beaches. Two examples: we fight for clean water and beach access. How do you get to work? Mini Cooper S or telecommute. […]

Who killed the Phoenix Islands coral reef?

Here's a short whodunnit over at Current TV, "Canary is dead", which is awaiting the greenlight to be aired on television:

(Via TH)

Virtual fish

Seeing how it is World Ocean Day (and being the geek that I am), I'd like to follow up my virtual ecology post with this: virtual schools of fish.

While real-world fish need to worry about climate change, toxic runoff, and what have you, virtual fish run the risk of "swimming off world." (Would that be like the dolphins in A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?)

A Bid for a Whale, and It’s About to Set Sail

Japan may have enough votes to set stage for repeal of whaling ban The end of the 20-year-old global commercial-whaling ban is a looming possibility, as pro-whaling Japan may have garnered enough allies to win control of the 66-member International Whaling Commission. The IWC’s pro-whaling contingent now numbers about 35 countries, including some which have […]

Drew Weiner, reef-protection crusader, answers questions

Drew Weiner. With what environmental organization are you affiliated? I’m the director of Reef Protection International. What does your organization do? RPI contributes to coral-reef conservation by educating the public about the marine aquarium trade and helping consumers make responsible, “reef-safe” buying choices. Coral reefs are in crisis due to warming seas, pollution, and overfishing. […]

A new book reveals the truth about Chilean sea bass

Ahoy, mateys! Methinks you landlubbers will enjoy this here installment of Something Fishy, as I bring news of a book hitting the shelves this month -- about pirates! That's right, me hearties, it's called Hooked: Pirates, Poaching, and the Perfect Fish, and the "perfect fish" in question is the Patagonian toothfish (better known to seafoodies as Chilean Sea Bass). As described in press materials, Hooked is an adventure story about toothfish poachers caught in one of the longest pursuits in nautical history.

Unfortunately, I can't offer me own opinion on the book -- bit hard to read out on these rough seas, what with the eye patch and all ... arrr! -- but I hear that Tom Brokaw is a big fan and had this to say: "Hooked is a fish story, a global whodunit, a courtroom drama -- and a critically important ecological message all rolled into one. Read this and you'll never look at Chilean Sea Bass on the menu the same way."

Word on the poop deck is that author G. Bruce Knecht will be interviewed by Brokaw on the Today Show tomorrow. (Too bad me ship doesn't get good reception out here!)

From the press materials, some Patagonian toothfish facts:

Is FishScam.com a scam?

I was reading the April 10th edition of The New Yorker this morning (for the cartoons, I'll admit). As I was flipping through the pages searching for the next illustration, I came across this full page ad that featured a message that caught me completely off guard.

The smaller text reads as follows:

Environmental scares about trace amounts of mercury in fish rely on a study of island natives who eat huge amounts of whale meat. However, scientists who study heavy fish-eaters find no health risks from mercury. So unless you're lunching on a Moby Dick sandwich, there's no reason to worry.

Fish is good for you. Baseless anxiety (or whale blubber) isn't.

No health risks from mercury? No reason to worry? Now, I don't eat fish, so I haven't researched this issue myself, but something fishy seems to be going on here.

Head on over to FishScam.com to get the background on this campaign. I'd be interested to read what y'all think of this.

Japanese, Norwegians, and Icelanders spout off in favor of whaling

If you’re into eating whales, Kouji Shingru’s shop is the place for you. Located on a pedestrian-only street in Tokyo’s bustling Asakusa neighborhood, Shingru’s compact establishment has it all: deep red whale steaks and fillets in vacuum-sealed packages, cured whale on a stick, snack-sized bags of whale jerky, and a wide selection of canned whale […]