From Devon Wildlife Trust:
Urgent - help us stop the back tracking!
An alarming new threat is facing England’s seas. Over the past two years Devon Wildlife Trust has worked with a whole range of groups including fishermen, divers and recreational boat users to agree on areas of our seas that need protection.
Nationally 127 areas - Marine Conservation Zones - have been identified that are absolute musts. These include the north Devon coast and Torbay seagrass beds. In a last minute change of heart the Government is threatening to pull out of three quarters of these havens. We must not let this happen.
Devon Wildlife Trust is telling the Minister for the Natural Environment and Fisheries Richard Benyon that we care about our seas and that all 127 Marine Conservation Zones are urgently needed. This is the best opportunity in a generation to protect the wildlife of our seas. Will you help us by adding your voice today? Click on the link below to help:
www.wildlifetrusts.org/saveourmczs
Showing posts with label Environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Environment. Show all posts
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Focus on: Marine Conservation Society
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS), "is the voice for everyone who loves the sea"; they are the UK charity for the protection of our seas, shores and wildlife. They work to secure a future for our living seas and to save our threatened sea life before it is lost forever. Their work ensures that the sea’s rich wildlife can be restored, fish stocks grow more plentiful, and our beaches and seawater become cleaner. They depend entirely on the generosity and enthusiasm of their supporters to continue to care for our seas, shores and wildlife.
I have been volunteering for the MCS for more than nine years now, helping on the committee of the Plymouth Local Group by organising regular beach cleans, Seasearch dives and meetings and organising fundraisers with donations from local businesses. They are a brilliant charity to volunteer for and I would encourage anyone reading this blog to get involved somehow.
The MCS run many different projects and campaigns that you can join in with. They have an annual Beachwatch event each September, where they encourage people to clean their local beaches, both on land and underwater. They use the results of these beach clean surveys to tackle marine litter at source, at local, national and international levels.
Related to this, they run Litter Campaigns, such as "Don't Let Go!" and "No Butts on the Beach". They also encourage people to Go Plastic Bag Free and to Bag It and Bin It, Don't Flush It. They also produce the Good Beach Guide, a guide to Britain's cleanest beaches.
The MCS run Fishonline, the buyer's guide to sustainable seafood. Fishonline is an in-depth guide to the fish types available to UK fishmongers, chefs and retailers, designed to complement the Good Fish Guide web pages that help consumers make a truly informed choice in seafoods. The Good Fish Guide is designed to help you make the best choice at the fish counter. It helps you choose fish from well-managed stocks and fish caught using methods that minimise damage to marine wildlife and habitats.
You can report Wildlife Sightings to the MCS, including jellyfish, basking sharks and marine turtles. You can even report active beach sewers on UK beaches. The MCS are campaigning for Marine Reserves and you can vote online to add Your Voice to their campaign to safeguard our seas.
The MCS works with Government, industry and the public to campaign for cleaner seas and beaches, better wildlife protection and sustainable fisheries. If you want to support the MCS, you can become a member, donate to an MCS appeal, adopt a turtle, leave a legacy, or fundraise for the MCS. Your company can support the MCS, you can volunteer and take other action and you can even make your own collection box to collect donations.
Involving people in the fight for ocean recovery is core to the MCS' work, so whether you join them, donate or support one of their many projects and campaigns, you can help our seas and wildlife recover.
I have been volunteering for the MCS for more than nine years now, helping on the committee of the Plymouth Local Group by organising regular beach cleans, Seasearch dives and meetings and organising fundraisers with donations from local businesses. They are a brilliant charity to volunteer for and I would encourage anyone reading this blog to get involved somehow.
The MCS run many different projects and campaigns that you can join in with. They have an annual Beachwatch event each September, where they encourage people to clean their local beaches, both on land and underwater. They use the results of these beach clean surveys to tackle marine litter at source, at local, national and international levels.
Related to this, they run Litter Campaigns, such as "Don't Let Go!" and "No Butts on the Beach". They also encourage people to Go Plastic Bag Free and to Bag It and Bin It, Don't Flush It. They also produce the Good Beach Guide, a guide to Britain's cleanest beaches.
The MCS run Fishonline, the buyer's guide to sustainable seafood. Fishonline is an in-depth guide to the fish types available to UK fishmongers, chefs and retailers, designed to complement the Good Fish Guide web pages that help consumers make a truly informed choice in seafoods. The Good Fish Guide is designed to help you make the best choice at the fish counter. It helps you choose fish from well-managed stocks and fish caught using methods that minimise damage to marine wildlife and habitats.
You can report Wildlife Sightings to the MCS, including jellyfish, basking sharks and marine turtles. You can even report active beach sewers on UK beaches. The MCS are campaigning for Marine Reserves and you can vote online to add Your Voice to their campaign to safeguard our seas.
The MCS works with Government, industry and the public to campaign for cleaner seas and beaches, better wildlife protection and sustainable fisheries. If you want to support the MCS, you can become a member, donate to an MCS appeal, adopt a turtle, leave a legacy, or fundraise for the MCS. Your company can support the MCS, you can volunteer and take other action and you can even make your own collection box to collect donations.
Involving people in the fight for ocean recovery is core to the MCS' work, so whether you join them, donate or support one of their many projects and campaigns, you can help our seas and wildlife recover.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Blogs of Interest
If you're reading the Respect Our Seas blog, then chances are you have an interest in the marine environment and conservation. There are many different blogs out there that cover these topics and we thought you may be interested in reading a few of them. Here are our pick of the most interesting blogs around... Enjoy!
EcoSma
"Be the change... Peering through the eyes of a marine biologist."
Samantha Craven is a marine biologist working in Singapore and Malaysia. Her passion for the ocean started at a very early age, and her job has cultivated her interest in conservation in both marine and terrestrial environments. She is a keen photographer and strongly believes in the written word as a medium for sharing information about conservation issues.
It Starts With Me
"It's simple...everything we do (or don't do) has an impact on the world we live in. It starts with me and ripples to you..."
Cigarette butts are the #1 littered item worldwide... Danielle's local beach - Wrightsville Beach, NC - is no exception. With inspiration from her friend Sara who writes The Daily Ocean blog, she's started her own daily ocean. She's heads out to WB at varying beach accesses and picks up litter for 20 minutes. Her focus? Cigarette butts. Her mission? To help create a smoke-free beach and have proper cigarette butt disposal receptacles installed on WB.
The Daily Ocean
"365 non-consecutive days of collecting, weighing and documenting beach trash."
One day, Sara Bayles asked herself this question - "How many pounds of trash could I collect from the beach in one year?" She is now in the process of finding out. This blog documents her 365 day experiment. Sara aims to raise awareness of how much trash is out there on our beaches and getting into the ocean, that the solutions start with us right here on land, and that everyday we can make choices in what we consume and buy that can add up to make a difference.
The Plastic Ocean Project
This blog covers four ocean voyages sampling for plastic and the daily findings of Bonnie Monteleone and Jennifer O'Keefe. In 2009, they sampled the N. Atlantic Gyre. Bonnie went on to sample the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. 2010, they traveled back to Bermuda to resample the Atlantic. And as of late, Bonnie participated in the 1st transect sampling for plastic across the S. Atlantic. They share their findings and comradery with those they meet along the way.
BBC Earth's Life Is
This is the BBC Earth Life Is blog. Within the blog they will be sharing some of Nature's most amazing stories, images and videos. Not all of these are marine or conservation oriented, but it's a fantastic blog and well worth a look. We often feature their marine-related posts in our weekly Marine News Roundups.
Take Nothing But Photos
"Interesting stuff about conservation and the environment."
Not all marine-related but certainly an interesting read. Written by Angela, a marine biologist with several years experience volunteering and working with conservation organisations. Angela is about to embark on a new adventure in the Middle East so I'm sure she'll have lots more to share soon!
The Flotsam Diaries
"A chronicle of human debris. Washed up, blown in, left behind."
Every father reaches that moment, when he knows he has to change the world for his little girl. One day, in March 2010, Harry visited Ocean Park in Maine. He found rope, a glove, a broken plastic spoon, fishing line, a torn beer can, its sharp edges poking up through the soft sand. And lobster traps, ripped from the deeps and dragged for miles, to be half-buried on the beach. The more he looked, the more he saw. Part of a red plastic cup, more nylon rope, bright rubber bands. It was everywhere. The next day, he went back to the beach, trash bag in hand. Two blocks, a leisurely half-hour stroll, and the bag was full. He didn't know what he wanted to do with it. He didn't know if there was anything he could do with it. But he knew he was at the beginning of something, and that this wasn't a bag just to be thrown in the dumpster and forgotten. Because this wasn't just his beach. This was his daughter's. And so he resolved to change the world. Somehow.
Team Marine
EcoSma
"Be the change... Peering through the eyes of a marine biologist."
Samantha Craven is a marine biologist working in Singapore and Malaysia. Her passion for the ocean started at a very early age, and her job has cultivated her interest in conservation in both marine and terrestrial environments. She is a keen photographer and strongly believes in the written word as a medium for sharing information about conservation issues.
It Starts With Me
"It's simple...everything we do (or don't do) has an impact on the world we live in. It starts with me and ripples to you..."
Cigarette butts are the #1 littered item worldwide... Danielle's local beach - Wrightsville Beach, NC - is no exception. With inspiration from her friend Sara who writes The Daily Ocean blog, she's started her own daily ocean. She's heads out to WB at varying beach accesses and picks up litter for 20 minutes. Her focus? Cigarette butts. Her mission? To help create a smoke-free beach and have proper cigarette butt disposal receptacles installed on WB.
The Daily Ocean
"365 non-consecutive days of collecting, weighing and documenting beach trash."
One day, Sara Bayles asked herself this question - "How many pounds of trash could I collect from the beach in one year?" She is now in the process of finding out. This blog documents her 365 day experiment. Sara aims to raise awareness of how much trash is out there on our beaches and getting into the ocean, that the solutions start with us right here on land, and that everyday we can make choices in what we consume and buy that can add up to make a difference.
The Plastic Ocean Project
This blog covers four ocean voyages sampling for plastic and the daily findings of Bonnie Monteleone and Jennifer O'Keefe. In 2009, they sampled the N. Atlantic Gyre. Bonnie went on to sample the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. 2010, they traveled back to Bermuda to resample the Atlantic. And as of late, Bonnie participated in the 1st transect sampling for plastic across the S. Atlantic. They share their findings and comradery with those they meet along the way.
BBC Earth's Life Is
This is the BBC Earth Life Is blog. Within the blog they will be sharing some of Nature's most amazing stories, images and videos. Not all of these are marine or conservation oriented, but it's a fantastic blog and well worth a look. We often feature their marine-related posts in our weekly Marine News Roundups.
Take Nothing But Photos
"Interesting stuff about conservation and the environment."
Not all marine-related but certainly an interesting read. Written by Angela, a marine biologist with several years experience volunteering and working with conservation organisations. Angela is about to embark on a new adventure in the Middle East so I'm sure she'll have lots more to share soon!
The Flotsam Diaries
"A chronicle of human debris. Washed up, blown in, left behind."
Every father reaches that moment, when he knows he has to change the world for his little girl. One day, in March 2010, Harry visited Ocean Park in Maine. He found rope, a glove, a broken plastic spoon, fishing line, a torn beer can, its sharp edges poking up through the soft sand. And lobster traps, ripped from the deeps and dragged for miles, to be half-buried on the beach. The more he looked, the more he saw. Part of a red plastic cup, more nylon rope, bright rubber bands. It was everywhere. The next day, he went back to the beach, trash bag in hand. Two blocks, a leisurely half-hour stroll, and the bag was full. He didn't know what he wanted to do with it. He didn't know if there was anything he could do with it. But he knew he was at the beginning of something, and that this wasn't a bag just to be thrown in the dumpster and forgotten. Because this wasn't just his beach. This was his daughter's. And so he resolved to change the world. Somehow.
Team Marine
Team Marine is a group of Santa Monica students who are determined to help end climate change, slow and stop ocean acidification, and ban single-use plastics. They reach out to others through community events, student-led research, social networking, and social media.
Friday, 12 August 2011
Do your bit to protect sharks
Sharks are often portrayed as dangerous marine animals who prey on humans. In fact, more people are killed by coconuts each year than by sharks! Sharks are apex predators and maintain balance in the marine ecosystem. The sea provides 70% of the world’s oxygen, essential for life.
However, three sharks are killed every second – that’s 73 million sharks each year. They have inhabited the world’s oceans for 400 million years but humans are now driving them to extinction. Much of this is due to the vast international demand for shark fins for soup. The only thing in the world more lucrative than the shark fin industry is the illegal drugs trade.
The disappearance of sharks could have devastating consequences for the marine environment – not to mention the whole planet. So what can you do to help?
Project AWARE are "a global force for divers" and are currently running an online campaign asking divers to sign their Shark Petition. Sport Diver are also supporting this campaign - and so are we! You can sign the petition by filling in the simple form, below. Please spread news of this campaign to your friends, family - anyone who will listen! You do need to be aged 18 years or older to sign the petition but by doing so, you can help give sharks a fighting chance.
However, three sharks are killed every second – that’s 73 million sharks each year. They have inhabited the world’s oceans for 400 million years but humans are now driving them to extinction. Much of this is due to the vast international demand for shark fins for soup. The only thing in the world more lucrative than the shark fin industry is the illegal drugs trade.
The disappearance of sharks could have devastating consequences for the marine environment – not to mention the whole planet. So what can you do to help?
Project AWARE are "a global force for divers" and are currently running an online campaign asking divers to sign their Shark Petition. Sport Diver are also supporting this campaign - and so are we! You can sign the petition by filling in the simple form, below. Please spread news of this campaign to your friends, family - anyone who will listen! You do need to be aged 18 years or older to sign the petition but by doing so, you can help give sharks a fighting chance.
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Marine News Roundup
Welcome to the first of our Marine News Roundups. Below you will find some hand-picked stories that we hope will be of interest to you.
Please feel free to share this blog with others!
"Behind the Speed - The Fastest Fish in the Sea"
The BBC Earth's Life Is Team has created a new blog to share some of nature's most amazing stories, images and videos. Their latest blog post concerns the Atlantic Sailfish, "one of nature's greatest speed demons". The post also features a rather amazing photograph by Hugh Miller.
Captain Morgan's Shipwreck Discovered?
A dive team near Panama City may have discovered a wreck belonging to the famous pirate Sir Henry Morgan. They have discovered the hull of a 17th Century ship, 52-foot long by 22-foot wide, and are trying to piece together the case that this, "was once part of the legendary pirate's fleet". The hull was found near the recent discovery of cannon's believed to have come from Captain Morgan's fleet (see the Our Amazing Planet post).
"Another beluga hunting area shuts down to Nunavik hunters"
Beluga whale hunters in Nunavik will have to wait until next year to land more belugas along the eastern Hudson Bay because they have already reached their total allowable take for 2011 of nine.
"Fish Masquerades as Coral to Hide in Plain Sight"
The harlequin filefish (Oxymonacanthus longirostris) has evolved polka-dot marking to match it's coral home in an ingenious move to avoid being eaten by predators.
"Arctic sea ice in free fall: new record low for July"
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) have shown that the average Arctic sea ice extent hit a new record low for July. If the melt continues at it's current rate, the sea ice extent could hit it's lowest point since record-keeping began 32 years ago.
"Balloon dangers to wildlife"
You may not realise, but balloons can be dangerous to marine wildlife. When let go, they may drift into the ocean and can cause problems through ingestion as animals, especially turtles, may mistake them for food. Balloon strings can also entangle marine life, including birds, and cause further problems. The Marine Conservation Society's "Don't Let Go" campaign is already working to encourage organisations not to hold balloon release events and aims to get every council to ban balloon releases on their land.
"Beachgoers urged to report endangered leatherback turtle sightings"
The Marine Conservation Society is asking all beachgoers to be on the lookout for endangered Leatherback turtles, which are visiting our waters to feed on huge numbers of jellyfish. You can report sightings of Leatherbacks, jellyfish and more, direct to the MCS.
Fish Fight Campaign
"Half of all fish caught in the north sea are thrown back overboard dead." Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's highly influential campaign continues and supporters can now download a free iPhone application, which contains contains MCS' easy-to-use lists of Fish to Eat and Fish to Avoid with illustrations, tips and videos. Also included is Fish2Fork's restaurant guide, making it easier for you to eat out sustainably, and fish recipes from Hugh and other chefs involved in the Selfridges Project Ocean Campaign. At the time of writing, there are currently 739,850 signatures on the Fish Fight petition - have you signed up yet?
"Offshore wind farms are good for biodiversity"
A Dutch study has found that birds avoid offshore wind turbines, whilst marine life find shelter and new habitats. Professor Han Lindeboom, from the Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies at Wageningen University and Research Centre, said that this new study has revealed little evidence of negative effects on local wildlife.
"Lost baby whale stranded on Australia beach is reunited with mother after dramatic rescue"
A 1.5 tons baby humpback whale has been reunited with it's mother after taking a wrong turn at an Australian beach. Rescuers from Sea World on Queensland's Gold Coast fought for 12 hours to save the baby whale's life after it became beached but mother and baby have now found each other again.
That's all for now - check back soon for more updates!
Please feel free to share this blog with others!
"Behind the Speed - The Fastest Fish in the Sea"
The BBC Earth's Life Is Team has created a new blog to share some of nature's most amazing stories, images and videos. Their latest blog post concerns the Atlantic Sailfish, "one of nature's greatest speed demons". The post also features a rather amazing photograph by Hugh Miller.
Captain Morgan's Shipwreck Discovered?
A dive team near Panama City may have discovered a wreck belonging to the famous pirate Sir Henry Morgan. They have discovered the hull of a 17th Century ship, 52-foot long by 22-foot wide, and are trying to piece together the case that this, "was once part of the legendary pirate's fleet". The hull was found near the recent discovery of cannon's believed to have come from Captain Morgan's fleet (see the Our Amazing Planet post).
"Another beluga hunting area shuts down to Nunavik hunters"
Beluga whale hunters in Nunavik will have to wait until next year to land more belugas along the eastern Hudson Bay because they have already reached their total allowable take for 2011 of nine.
"Fish Masquerades as Coral to Hide in Plain Sight"
The harlequin filefish (Oxymonacanthus longirostris) has evolved polka-dot marking to match it's coral home in an ingenious move to avoid being eaten by predators.
"Arctic sea ice in free fall: new record low for July"
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) have shown that the average Arctic sea ice extent hit a new record low for July. If the melt continues at it's current rate, the sea ice extent could hit it's lowest point since record-keeping began 32 years ago.
"Balloon dangers to wildlife"
You may not realise, but balloons can be dangerous to marine wildlife. When let go, they may drift into the ocean and can cause problems through ingestion as animals, especially turtles, may mistake them for food. Balloon strings can also entangle marine life, including birds, and cause further problems. The Marine Conservation Society's "Don't Let Go" campaign is already working to encourage organisations not to hold balloon release events and aims to get every council to ban balloon releases on their land.
"Beachgoers urged to report endangered leatherback turtle sightings"
The Marine Conservation Society is asking all beachgoers to be on the lookout for endangered Leatherback turtles, which are visiting our waters to feed on huge numbers of jellyfish. You can report sightings of Leatherbacks, jellyfish and more, direct to the MCS.
Fish Fight Campaign
"Half of all fish caught in the north sea are thrown back overboard dead." Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's highly influential campaign continues and supporters can now download a free iPhone application, which contains contains MCS' easy-to-use lists of Fish to Eat and Fish to Avoid with illustrations, tips and videos. Also included is Fish2Fork's restaurant guide, making it easier for you to eat out sustainably, and fish recipes from Hugh and other chefs involved in the Selfridges Project Ocean Campaign. At the time of writing, there are currently 739,850 signatures on the Fish Fight petition - have you signed up yet?
"Offshore wind farms are good for biodiversity"
A Dutch study has found that birds avoid offshore wind turbines, whilst marine life find shelter and new habitats. Professor Han Lindeboom, from the Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies at Wageningen University and Research Centre, said that this new study has revealed little evidence of negative effects on local wildlife.
"Lost baby whale stranded on Australia beach is reunited with mother after dramatic rescue"
A 1.5 tons baby humpback whale has been reunited with it's mother after taking a wrong turn at an Australian beach. Rescuers from Sea World on Queensland's Gold Coast fought for 12 hours to save the baby whale's life after it became beached but mother and baby have now found each other again.
That's all for now - check back soon for more updates!
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