Hammerhead now under U.S. Federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.
The federal government today listed four key populations of scalloped hammerhead sharks under the Endangered Species Act. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for the first time in history, gave a shark species federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. The scalloped hammerhead shark is considered globally endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species is targeted primarily for its fins but is also killed as “by-catch” in fisheries targeting other species. NOAA Fisheries listed scalloped hammerhead sharks inhabiting the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and Eastern Pacific Ocean as “endangered.” The agency listed scalloped hammerhead sharks living in the Central and Southwest Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific as the less-serious status of “threatened.” The federal agency declined to list scalloped hammerhead sharks that inhabit the Northwest Atlantic or Central Pacific. “This … Read entire article »
Filed under: Article, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, ocean, Preservation, Reference, Report, Sharks
Gulf Oil Spill
The Gulf oil spill is recognized as the worst oil spill in U.S. history. Within days of the April 20, 2010 explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico that killed 11 people, underwater cameras revealed the BP pipe was leaking oil and gas on the ocean floor about 42 miles off the coast of Louisiana. By the time the well was capped on July 15, 2010 (87 days later), an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil had leaked into the Gulf. The well was located over 5,000 feet beneath the water’s surface in the vast frontier of the deep sea—a permanently dark environment, marked by constantly cold temperatures just above freezing and extremely high pressures. Scientists divide the ocean into at least three zones, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Article, Conservation, Earth, Education, ocean, Preservation
Slow life – A must watch
Daniel Stoupin is a PhD student in the University of Queensland. His research is in the field marine biology. Mixing his passions of biology and photography, Daniel has produce stunning photos and videos. “My interest in photography, especially in photomicrography, came from the scientific background. Working with microscopic protists during my first research years and later swimming countless nights with glowing plankton in the ocean opened my eyes on the diversity and complexity of life that we can’t see without tools. Although I am obsessed with marine life, particularly microscopic one and whatever glows in the dark, my photography interests are growing and eventually this website will change its name and become a lot more diverse in content.” – Daniel Stoupin http://vimeo.com/danielstoupin/slowlife More pictures from Daniel ““Slow” marine animals show their secret life under high … Read entire article »
Filed under: Article, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, ocean, Photography, Recognition, Reefs, Reference
Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan: New Zealand intervening) – Judgment of 31 March 2014
Today, The International Court of Justice ruling regarding Japanese whaling in the south seas is illegal. “Japan shall revoke any existant authorisation, permit or licence granted in relation to Jarpa II [research programme] and refrain from granting any further permits in pursuance to the programme,” Peter Tomka, International Court of Justice’s Judge said on Monday. Since 1988 Japan has slaughtered more than 10,000 whales. A victory for the whales and all those who stood to protect them. April 2013, Japan announced its haul from the Southern Ocean was at a record low by “unforgivable sabotage” by activists from the environmental group, Sea Shepherd. Here is the link to the findings It chronilogically outlines the compant, and the courts findings. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Article, Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, ocean, Preservation, Recognition, Reference, Report, Whales
6 Ways You Can Help Save Captive Killer Whales Right Now
If you’ve ever wondered what one person can do for caged orcas, this is for you. By David Kirby David Kirby has been a professional journalist for 25 years. ‘What Can I Do?’ Ever since my book Death At SeaWorld was released, nearly a year ago, I have received countless emails from concerned readers, who were so disturbed by the lives of killer whales in glass and concrete tanks owned by powerful corporations that they wanted to do something to help. But how? Emily Vargo, a Spanish teacher from Maryland, for example, told me about how her father, a former SeaWorld employee, who is now “very critical of the treatment of park animals,” read her excerpts from the book. “I cried and asked him to stop—I couldn’t take it!” she wrote. “I just wanted to write … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Article, Conservation, Divetalking, Dolphin, Earth, Education, extinction, Killer Whale, ocean, Orca, Preservation, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report
Hollis Explorer Counter Lung Recall
Hollis is recalling Explorer counterlungs due to a leaking issue caused by weak welding around the retainer fitting. Here is the official press release: Discontinue use of your Explorer until new counterlungs are installed. Continued use of the original parts could lead to flooding of the counterlungs, Pre-Dive Check failures, and possible drowning. We have received some counterlungs back due to leaking. We have traced this problem back to one production lot of counterlungs that had weak welds around the retainer fitting. Affected counterlungs can develop leaks over time. Explorers within the serial number range provided below are the only units shipped with these counterlungs. We will send send a free pair of counterlungs to owners of units within the serial number range below. Owners of effected units are asked to complete the return form … Read entire article »
Filed under: Article, Divetalking, Education, Featured, Products, Recall, Report
DiveAssure Now Offers LIVE-ABOARD RIDER Option
DiveAssure is thrilled to announce a revolutionary and unique new plan that has been designed specifically for liveaboard diving trips- The Liveaboard Rider. The new plan can now be added to our two top dive-travel plans and provide the ultimate coverage for liveaboard trips. This unique insurance product has been designed by DiveAssure to cover scenarios specific to liveaboard trips that are not covered by any other travel insurance program on the market. Adding the new Liveaboard Rider to our Deluxe or Elite programs will further enhance their already superior primary coverage and protect divers against unforeseen scenarios such as: · Missing the liveaboard departure due to airline delays and/or missed connections · Lost diving days due to various reasons such as: o Inclement weather o Mechanical breakdown of liveaboard vessel o Mechanical breakdown of air supply … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Article, Diver, Divetalking, Education, Featured, Insurance, Open Water, Photography