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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

California Lawmaker to Propose Ban on Orcas in Captivity

If passed, the bill would be the most comprehensive protection law for captive orcas in the United States in more than 40 years.   By David Kirby David Kirby has been a professional journalist for 25 years. His third book, ‘Death at Seaworld,’ was published in 2012. full bio follow me In a surprising move that is sure to send shock waves across the entire captive whale and dolphin industry, a California lawmaker will propose legislation to outlaw Shamu shows at SeaWorld San Diego. State Assemblymember Richard Bloom, D–Santa Monica, will introduce Friday the Orca Welfare and Safety Act, which would make it illegal to “hold in captivity, or use, a wild-caught or captive-bred orca for performance or entertainment purposes.” The bill would also ban artificial insemination of captive killer whales in California and block … Read entire article »

Filed under: Alert, Conservation, Divetalking, Dolphin, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Killer Whale, ocean, Orca, Preservation, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, 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

Narcosis, The Great White Seen at Ginnie Springs

**** FLASH ***** Narcosis the Great White discovered at Ginnie Springs. The individuals who found Narcosis writes: “My son-in-law and I found Narcosis in the bowels of Ginnie Springs.  He attacked us….but we were able to fend him off.  He still calls Ginnie home.” See the clip of the attack. Though Narcosis has thought to have been docile, this is the first report of an attack. Though there is no real danger of injury from Narcosis, she is still considered a safe and friendly Great White and loves to interact with divers. So, should you find Narcosis during your dive within the Ginnie Cavern, snap a photo and send it to Divetalking along with a brief description of the occurance. We will post your find here on Divetalking. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Cavern, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, Games, Open Water, Photography, Promotions, Recognition, Report, Springs

The Cave at Blue Grotto

The Cave at Blue Grotto

For many years, Blue Grotto, located in Williston Florida was known for the large and spacious cavern. Through the years, Open Water divers, cavern, cave and students made their way to train, explore and work on their skills. [singlepic id=993 w= h= float=center] Hidden in the back of the property was a a secure pathway leading down to an area closed to all divers. A Cave. When Blue Grotto was sold and transferred to new ownership in 2013, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Cave, Cavern, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Open Water, Promotions, Recognition, Reference, Report, Springs

Cozumel Lionfish Invasion

Divetalking has just returned from 8 days of diving the various reefs along the marine park corridor and have concluded the program put in place to control the Lionfish population is performing very well. During the 8 days of diving in the park, we came across very little lionfish, harvesting a total of 17 during the weeks dives. We did note they appear to be in groups, meaning there would be a number of lionfish clumped in an area, then periods of no lionfish. Most lionfish were in the depths 80+ foot, some can be found in the 50+ foot range and were usually smaller in nature. Congratulation to the people of Cozumel in promoting a program which appears to be working well within the marine park in controlling the lionfish population. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Lionfish

Lionfish, It’s whats for dinner

Lionfish, It’s whats for dinner

[singlepic id=743 w= h= float=center] You’re just know hearing our this fish called a Lionfish. Perhaps you already know what a Lionfish is. Perhaps you have never harvested, or even tasted lionfish. So where do you find lionfish to eat? You can acquire the sumptuous delicacy by harvesting them yourself or from divers who do  harvest. Perhaps stores in the area offer lionfish. What is becoming more popular is finding lionfish on the menu, at local restaurants around the … Read entire article »

Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Reefs, Reference

Dolphin Slaughter Fueled by Illegal Shark Trade

Dolphin Slaughter Fueled by Illegal Shark Trade

Posted by Alexis Manning in Ocean Views on October 24, 2013 Dolphins in Peru are having their lives cut short as fishermen take to the seas, illegally harpooning and killing the animals in order to harvest their skin for shark bait. Sharks are a profitable commodity to fishermen, as their meat has long been considered an expensive delicacy in Asia, and now, a new report by the investigative group and conservation NGO Mundo Azul suggests that this … Read entire article »

Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Dolphin, Donation, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, ocean, Preservation, Reference, Report, Stories

Airlines Might Just Hold the Secret to Ending Dolphin Captures at the Cove

Airlines Might Just Hold the Secret to Ending Dolphin Captures at the Cove

By David Kirby If a dolphin were captured by Japanese fishermen and sold at great profit to a faraway amusement park, but no one was willing to fly the animal there, would the fishermen want to capture more dolphins? Probably not. That thinking has fueled a growing international effort to convince the world’s airlines and airfreight companies not to fly marine mammals captured from the wild to theme parks and aquariums. Citing the severe stress placed on … Read entire article »

Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Dolphin, Donation, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Recognition, Reference, Report

Lionfish workshops throughout the Southeast United States

Lionfish workshops throughout the Southeast United States

Greetings Lionfish Enthusiasts! As part of our efforts to address the lionfish invasion to the western Atlantic, REEF received a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service Aquatic Invasive Species Program to organize and lead lionfish workshops throughout the Southeast United States. Workshop topics include background of the invasion, lionfish biology, ecological impacts, current research findings, market development, and ways to get involved, with an emphasis on safe collecting and handling tools and techniques. We have … Read entire article »

Filed under: Conservation, Convention, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Expo, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training

REEF Webinars / Fishinars

REEF Webinars / Fishinars

Some call them webinars. We call ’em Fishinars! Fishie fun in the comfort of your own home. Great for first-timers or those wanting a review. These short, free webinars will teach you the finer points of identifying fish and invertebrates underwater. We use common names, not scientific names, and focus on how to ID each critter. Fishinars help divers learn how to become citizen scientists and help monitor marine life on their recreational dives. Data gathered goes into … Read entire article »

Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Dive Planner, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, Grouper, ocean, Preservation, Quiz, Reefs, Reference, Sharks, Training, Tuna, Turtles

MIDWAY – Can you answer: Why?

Divetalking has posted on this subject before but we thought the importance of its message should be shared as a reminder, once again. Please spend a moment of your time to watch this short video of the impact we have on this planet. Can you, will you step forward to speak up? Will anything you say or do matter? MIDWAY a Message from the Gyre : a short film by Chris Jordan from Midway on Vimeo.     … Read entire article »

Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, ocean, Photography, Preservation, Recognition, Reference, Report

Hong Kong Taking Steps to protect Sharks and Blue Fin Tuna

Hong Kong Taking Steps to protect Sharks and Blue Fin Tuna

[singlepic id=973 w=320 h=240 float=none] The Govt has taken steps to reduce consumption of shark fin soup  and other goods which promote the harvesting of species such as Shark and Tuna. [singlepic id=939 w=220 h=140 float=none] [singlepic id=917 w=220 h=140 float=none] Through the sustainability-conscious food consumption guidelines, “commitment to the promotion of green living and sustainability, the Government pledges to adopt sustainability-conscious food consumption during official entertainment functions, which includes no consumption of shark fins.” Also stated “The Government … Read entire article »

Filed under: Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report, Sharks, Tuna

Lionfish Facts

Lionfish Facts

Pterois volitans Pterois miles The genus name, Pterois, pronounced (tare-oh-eese) is defined as “lionfish.” The word Pterois comes from the Greek word “pteroeis” meaning “feathered” or “winged” The species name, volitans, pronounced (vole-ee-tahnz), is Latin for “flying” or “hovering,” the complement of the Latin word “volitō,” which means “to fly” or “to hover.” The species name, miles, pronounced (mee-layz), is Latin for “soldiering,” the complement of the Latin word “mīlitō,” which means “to soldier.” They are so beautiful. I want … Read entire article »

Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Preservation, Recognition, Reefs, Report, Training

Seized shark fins dumped in Pacific ceremony

Seized shark fins dumped in Pacific ceremony

The Marshall Islands symbolically disposed of confiscated shark fins at sea Tuesday in a ceremony witnessed by regional leaders attending the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). [singlepic id=973 w=320 h=240 float=right]   The gesture underscored the progress made towards protecting the marine predators since the Marshalls declared a two million square kilometre (770,000 square mile) shark sanctuary in 2011, Angelo Villagomez from the US-based Pew Charitable Trusts said. Villagomez said some commercial tuna fishermen still illegally cut the fins from … Read entire article »

Filed under: Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Fish, ocean, Reference, Report, Sharks

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