Tell managers that a better plan is needed when important fisheries decisions are being made. Consideration of the impacts on the entire ocean must be taken into account!

Go To: https://secure2.convio.net/toc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=489

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Submit comments to the National Marine Fisheries Service

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS ) is collecting comments on a rule that would delay protections for Right Whales and other endangered large whales from fishing gear. To submit comments opposing this harmful delay, please follow the instructions below.

1. Highlight and copy the text of the sample letter to NMFS opposing the delay which can be found below.

2. Go to the "Public Comment and Submission Form" for the proposed rule and paste the sample letter into the "General Comments" box, found toward the bottom of the page.

3. You may personalize your comments or fill out additional fields if you wish, then click "Next Step" to review your comments.

4. If you are happy with your comments click "Submit" and you are done!

To Read full Action,Go To: http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&page=NewsArticle&id=11137&autologin=true&JServSessionIdr009=5munnqpex5.app46b

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Cetacea Defence UK  drafted this sample for you to modify and send

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http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/australia-against-dolphin-exports/2007/10/17/1192300853687.html

Australia against dolphin exports
Craig Skehan
October 17, 2007


Australian Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull joined opposition to a
resumption of live dolphin exports from the Solomon Islands as last night it
was revealed some of the marine mammals had already died.
Two Emirates Airbus A310-300 jets at the main airport in the Solomons
capital, Honiara, yesterday evening took off with 28 dolphins for a long
flight to Dubai in the Middle East.

It has been claimed one of the local men connected to the export scheme has
previously been involved in slaughtering dolphins to sell their meat for
food.

There was an international outcry when Canadian Chris Porter in 2003
exported another lot of 28 dolphins, on that occasion to Mexico.

Australian and international conservation groups yesterday called for Mr
Porter's new export push to be stopped.

Solomon Islander Lawrence Makili - who on Monday failed in an attempt to
obtain an injunction against the trade in the country's High Court -
described it as cruel.

"I'm worried about the welfare of these animals," he said.

"They are already stressed.

"Now they have a 30 hour flight and I'm concerned some of they just won't
make it - they'll die on the way."

In August, a spokeswoman for Mr Turnbull noted that the Solomon Islands
would be required under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITE to conduct a 'scientifically robust' study on impacts of
commercial capture on the country's wild dolphin population.

Critics maintain there is no evidence that any such study has been carried
out.

In response to Herald questions, Mr Turnbull said last night; "The
Australian Government does not support any commercial export of cetaceans. I
am therefore concerned about reports of the export of dolphins from the
Solomon Islands."

Mr Turnbull said Australia has offered to assist the Solomon Islands meet
CITES obligations.

Mr Makili said yesterday that the carcasses of four dolphins which died in
holding pens off the capital, Honiara, had been found on Sunday.

"I saw those dead dolphins," Mr Makili said.

The group Australians for Animals said it was believed the dolphins were to
be taken to the up-market Palm Atlantis hotel and resort development in
Dubai.

"The grim reality is that many more dolphins will die in the Solomons if
this trade is allowed to flourish," spokeswoman Sue Arnold said.

One of the directors of the export company, Robert Satu, said the dolphins
being sent to Dubai would be treated with "great care" during the journey.

Asked by Australian Associated Press about discovery of the dead dolphins,
Mr Satu said; "I'm not aware of anything like that."

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Some badnews about new captures of dolphin species, followed by what you can do about it:

'Grave concerns' over Solomon dolphin exports
Posted at 8:42pm on 18 Oct 2007

The New Zealand Government says it is gravely concerned about the resumption
of live dolphin exports from Solomon Islands.

Two Emirates planes took off from Honiara Airport on Wednesday night with a
cargo of about 30 live dolphins destined for Dubai in the United Arab
Emirates.

A last-ditch effort to get a court injunction to stop their export failed.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter says locking dolphins in small pens and
transporting them by plane over a long distance is incredibly cruel. He says
he has asked authorities in the Solomons to consider the impact the exports
will have on the Solomons' dolphin population.

Mr Carter says New Zealand is working with the Australian government to
coordinate protests against the exports.

The Marine Mammal Education Centre and Exporters Limited says it took four
years to arrange and finalise the sale to Dubai. It says if successful, the
sale could pave the way for more shipments.

The company says the latest sale is a better deal than the first export, to
Mexico in 2002, which brought in more than $1 million.

Copyright © 2007 Radio New Zealand



http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/3196

Solomon Islands resume wild dolphin trade
17th Oct 2007


28 dolphins bound for Dubai in the Middle East

Derek Wall today criticised the Solomon Islands government for allowing the
export of live dolphins, most of which are captured from the wild and put in
popular "swim-with-dolphins" tanks in hotels and in aquariums.

Despite protests from international conservationists, 28 dolphins are today
to be flown from Honiara to Dubai. Their final destination is not known. A
private security firm is currently manning the airport in Honiara, refusing
journalists entry, and similar measures are taking place in Dubai. (1)

Dr. Wall said: "Trafficking in live dolphins is increasing worldwide, as
dolphins are captured from the wild and put in popular 'swim-with-dolphins'
tanks in hotels and in aquariums.

"Pods of these intelligent, vulnerable marine mammals are driven ashore
where some are then butchered for the meat trade but many are captured and
sold to a life in captivity.

"Often, the stress of capture and the failure of small tanks to meet the
biological and psychological needs of dolphins means they die quickly - some
simply stop eating.

"The trade in dolphin meat is worrying but the trade in show dophins kills
and traumatizes these beautiful and intelligent creatures.'"

In 2003, several environmental groups complained when a marine ecotourism
group in the Solomons exported 28 bottlenose dolphins to Mexico - at least
nine of which died. In the wake of that shipment, the Solomons began the
process of outlawing the export of live dolphins, but the government changed
and the legislation lapsed in late 2005. Solomon Islands Fisheries Minister
Nollen Leni said earlier this year that the government will encourage people
to capture and sell dolphins.(2)

"For the Solomon Islands to resume this horrific trade, they are required
under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITE to
conduct a 'scientifically robust' study on impacts of commercial capture on
the country's wild dolphin population.

"It's not clear anything approaching this has happened. I urge the Solomon
Islands government to re-consider their stance on this issue, and call on
people around the world to boycott aquariums that feature dolphins captured
from the wild.

"Foreign businesses must not be allowed to exploit this country. Ravaged by
civil war and a recent tsunami, many private corporations have started to
move in. It's thought that foreign consortiums are leading the way in
capitalizing on the Solomon Islands' current situation - paying
cash-strapped locals a few hundred dollars to capture dolphins who are then
sold on at enormous profit by foreign businesspeople."
 

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Last month, three endangered blue whales were killed when they were hit by large ships in their feeding grounds off the southern California coast. The coastal waters of southern California are home not just to the largest animal that has ever lived on Earth, but also to the busiest shipping lanes in the United States. Unusual ocean conditions this year have led to large numbers of blue whales feeding in the rich waters off southern California for much longer than normal, putting them directly in the path of fast-moving cargo ships and oil tankers. Ship strikes are one of the leading causes of death of large whales worldwide, and scientists have identified ship speed limits as the most effective method to reduce whale mortality.

Last week the Center formally asked the federal government to impose a temporary speed limit off southern California to protect the blue whales. While the government has issued advisories for ship captains to watch out for whales, it has yet to impose the speed limits actually necessary to protect these magnificent and highly endangered animals.

Please: Let federal officials know right away how important it is that they impose a binding speed limit for large ships to protect endangered blue whales.

LINK: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/blue_whales

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All activists: Urge Chile to create a marine protected area for the highly endangered blue whale.

https://secure2.convio.net/wwf/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=153&AddInterest=1088&JServSessionIdr005=8y2zcbnqj6.app1b

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This pink estuarine dolphin is severely endangered, and needs your help.

The Taiwan government is stalling until elections, and if those against the Hushan dam are no longer there, the Dam will be built.

It will destroy water flow to one of the last estuaries - home of this rare and highly endangered dolphin. Many plant and animal species will be eradicated as well in Taiwan's small remaining wild area diminished by this dam.

http://taiwansousa.blogspot.com/ Please write a letter against building the dam and find out more about the Taiwan Sousa Dolphin here.

http://antihushandam.blogspot.com/ More on destruction of wild and dolphins if Hushan Dam is built.

http://en.wildatheart.org.tw/archives/the_hushan_dam.html

More. The wetlands and estuaries of Taiwan are almost gone, and with them goes the Sousa dolphin. Please help.

There IS some good news - a newly born dolphin was recently seen: http://taiwansousa.blogspot.com/2007/06/neonate-spotted.html

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Endangered sea turtles and other marine species at risk

Background

Protections for sea turtles and other ocean wildlife in Pacific U.S. waters are under threat. The National Marine Fisheries Service has just opened a public comment period until July 13th, 2007 regarding the proposed plan to allow swordfish longline fishing to begin in a critical habitat area for the Pacific leatherback sea turtle along the U.S. west coast.

What You Can Do!
Please email, fax or mail a letter urging the National Marine Fisheries Service to continue the ban on longline fishing along the U.S.west coast.

Go To: http://www.seaturtles.org/actionalertdetails.cfm?actionAlertID=111

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At: http://www.worldcharterforcetacea.org/declare.html

The World Charter outines our human responsibility to protect cetaceans. Under Supporters, one can sign personally: http://www.worldcharterforcetacea.org/tinc?key=VK2THXUm&no=-1&entrykey=-1&reverse=1

The organization asks that individuals lobby their legislators to act toward community/county/state/province/national and other entities becoming signatories of this basic declaration of rights for these intelligent, social, threatened mammals.

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There are between 30 and 200 IndoPacific Humpback Dolphins left in Taiwan's isolated population, and the 2004 Research Action Plan of Taiwan's National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium http://activity.nmmba.gov.tw/SousaChinensis/RESEARCH%20ACTION%20PLAN%20cover%20pages%20_EnglishNET.pdf clearly identifies habitat as the primary factor in endangerment, especially: "...perhaps most importantly near-total elimination of freshwater discharge from the rivers of western Taiwan, have had a devastating effect on the dolphin population."
As I don't read Chinese, articles on the 2004 Symposium on Chinensis and related papers listed at http://www.nmmba.gov.tw/
 
May 25 Friday news Taipei Times: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/05/25/2003362370
Stop Hushan Dam information: http://antihushandam.blogspot.com/2007/05/international-letters-of-concern-over.html 

Write a letter of concern. Information at:

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When the Community in Taiji, Japan, runs an annual dolphin hunt, they kill hundreds of several species of dolphins, pilot whales, and pseudorcas - known as false killer whales.

In addition, they also capture a number of the species which can survive in captivity, and sell them to marine aquariums.

To find out recent information and to take action, please go to:

http://www.savejapandolphins.org/

There also you will find information on WIN, a group which captures cetaceans for dolphinaria, and who are attempting to capture in Panama, presently in violation of Panamanian Constitution, but since that govt. does not respond to its own people, please act to influence them.

More information at that website and addresses to call or write at

http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/SaveTheDolphins under the discussion "Save the capture of wild dolphins off Panama."  Thanks!

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We, the undersigned, urge the National Marine Fisheries service to finalize and implement life-saving measures to protect North Atlantic right whales. The agency’s long delayed rules to protect the species from ship strikes and fishing gear entanglement need to be enacted immediately.

Because there are only about 350 right whales left, the loss of even one animal contributes to the risk of extinction.  Unfortunately, last year we lost a record high of 6 whales, with 5 of these attributed to ship strikes and entanglements.  We can not afford to lose any more. Please do not delay any longer—we don’t have a day to waste!

Sign @: http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=rightwhalepetition

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Here is the response from Amazon.com to their sales of Shark Fin Soup (see posts below, see Greenpeace, Oceana, any Oceanography class).

I would suggest a loud boycott. Response:

Greetings from Amazon.com.

Thank you for writing to us with your comments regarding the sale of
shark fin soup on our web site.

We have great respect for your concerns.  One of our goals as an
online retailer is to offer our customers the ability to purchase a
wide variety of products on our site.  It is unfortunate but
inevitable that some of our customers may find a few of these items
objectionable.

Please note that the items in our Gourmet store are offered by
third-party merchants -- they are not sold directly by Amazon.com.
Some of these particular listings are now no longer available for sale
on our site.

We always value customer feedback, and we have passed along your
desire that we exclude items of this sort from our site.  Thank you
again for taking the time to contact us at Amazon.com.

Sincerely,

Customer Service
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/

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Stop the Japanese Dolphin Hunt - Warning! Graphic video available

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Consumer pressure has already gotten Amazon to discontinue carrying canned shark fin soup from Pacific Rim Gourmet. Now, it's time to get it to discontinue ALL shark fin products. Roland's shark fin soup has generated customer discussions such as, "Amazon should be ashamed of carrying such products - Remove it" and has prompted consumers to "tag" the item with tags like "extinction," "endangered species," "morally wrong," "animal cruelty," and "senseless."

We can't afford to let sharks disappear because of a rare culinary dish. They are the top predators of the ocean, and without them we will lose the species diversity and ecosystem balance they help maintain. Please contact Amazon's customer service and investor relations now, and tell them to remove this terrible product.

For the oceans,

Suzanne Garrett
Campaign Project Manager

P.S. Want to do even more? You can contact the soup company directly at:
        American Roland Food Corp
        71 West 23rd Street
        New York, NY 10010  [ send green star]

January 3, 2007

Listed as endangered by the U.S. government, the species numbers only around 350, making 6 a heavy toll—but not an unusual one.

"Unfortunately we've had that many animals die for the past several years," Amy Knowlton, a whale researcher at the New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts, told the Associated Press. "It is really significant for the population, because it cannot sustain this sort of loss annually."

With Photo: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070103-whale-dead.html

 [ send green star]

http://www.orcanetwork.org/captivity/captivity.html

This link will direct you to information regarding Lolita the killer whale held in captivity for 3 decades now.She's fallen sick but is required to perform 3 times a day still!! This site speaks not only to animal lovers but to anyone at all who may have been duped by marine theme park propaganda.

Regards,

Kim K

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A trendy fish nearly loved to death by diners has received a limited green stamp of approval.

But conservationists warn that the Patagonian toothfish, known commercially as the Chilean sea bass, remains in serious trouble.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)—a London-based nonprofit that certifies fish from sustainable, monitored fisheries—has given its OK to Patagonian toothfish caught in one fishery.

Full Article: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/11/061128-sea-bass.html

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 The capture of an unusual dolphin with an extra set of fins is shedding light on a controversial hunting technique in Japan.

The bottlenose dolphin was captured alive on October 28 during Japan's annual dolphin "drive hunt."

During the hunt, fishers use boats and loud noises to herd hundreds of dolphins into shallow bays. There, many are corralled into nets and killed. Others are kept live and sold to aquariums, according to conservationists

Full Article: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/11/061114-dolphin-hunt.html

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North Atlantic right whales are once again at risk, but there is something you can do today to help them!

As of last Friday, scientists reported that between 30 and 50 North Atlantic right whales were swimming in the Bay of Fundy off the coast of New Brunswick, Canada. Typically, they would have migrated south by this time of year. The problem with the right whales staying in these northern feeding grounds longer than usual is that the Canadian lobster fishing grounds are opening this week in precisely this area, putting right whales right in the middle of danger. Because there are only about 350 North Atlantic right whales left, the loss of even one animal contributes to the risk of extinction.

Please take action today to help these right whales. Urge the Canadian Minister of Fisheries to delay opening the fishing grounds until the right whales have left the area and will no longer be in danger.

Action Link: https://secure2.convio.net/toc/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=323

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When you think of sharks you may think of magnificent ocean creatures that are sleek, fast, and invulnerable.  But, sharks are in fact exceptionally vulnerable to fishing because they grow slowly and produce few young, much like humans. Yes, in many areas, particularly our South Atlantic, sharks are the target of fisheries. Sought primarily for their valuable fins but also their meat, it can be a lucrative business.  But sharks just can’t recoup quickly enough to keep pace with intense fishing and many shark species are now seriously overfished, requiring decades even centuries in the case of the dusky to recover. 

Two shark species dusky and sandbar were in such bad shape in 2002, that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS ) decided to close a key shark fishing area for most of the year to help the populations of these species to rebuild.  But, now NMFS has proposed a premature re-opening of this closure to shark fishing for the month of July, equating to a potential increase in fishing effort of 63%.   This move would be devastating to the already depleted populations and could well put the dusky shark on a path to extinction. 

Action Link:  https://secure2.convio.net/toc/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=321

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Researchers have seen the future, and the ocean wildlife is gone. So says a newly published study in the journal Science, which warns that the world's wild-caught seafood fisheries could collapse by 2048 if current commercial fishing patterns continue. But it doesn’t have to happen. Seafood can be caught and farmed in responsible, sustainable ways. And you can help by only eating seafood that is. Our Seafood Watch program offers pocket guides to help you do just that.

Full Article and Link:

http://www.mbayaq.org/news/

http://www.mbayaq.org/aa/aa_pressroom/content/media/MBA_06_Seafood_Warnings_REL.pdf

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Unless humans act now, seafood may disappear by 2048, concludes the lead author of a new study that paints a grim picture for ocean and human health.

According to the study, the loss of ocean biodiversity is accelerating, and 29 percent of the seafood species humans consume have already crashed. If the long-term trend continues, in 30 years there will be little or no seafood available for sustainable harvest.

Link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/11/061102-seafood-threat.html

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REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Iceland said Tuesday it would resume commercial whaling after a nearly two-decade moratorium, defying a worldwide ban on hunting the mammals for their meat.

Fisheries Minister Einar Kristinn Gudfinnsson told Iceland's parliament that his ministry would begin issuing licenses to hunt fin and minke whales. He said the ministry would permit the hunting of nine fin whales and 30 minke whales in the year ending Aug. 31, 2007.

The government said licenses could be issued as soon as Wednesday, and that ships could resume commercial whaling as early as this week

Full Article: http://www.nbc11.com/news/10097090/detail.html

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September 2006

Known as one of the most exploitive marine parks in the world, Manati Park in the Dominican Republic is once again in the news for trying to import at least four new dolphins from Cuba to its tanks. There's still time to keep this import from happening.

Minister of Environment, Max Puig, has not made a final decision yet about whether to approve the permit and has been influenced in the past by public pressure on this issue. Please send your letter to Mr. Puig today requesting that he protect dolphin welfare by denying Manati Park's permit.

Manati Park opened its doors in 1995. Using the slogan “Fun with Animals”, Manati has been successful at luring tourists into its tanks for years. The park's dolphins are forced to interact with visitors all day every day. Living in captivity and enduring nearly constant interaction is very stressful for dolphins. Though exact statistics are not available to the public, witness reports and anecdotal evidence suggest that several dolphins have died at the park over the past several years.

Without dolphins, Manati Park would be forced to close its doors once and for all. Please take a moment to write a polite letter to Minister of Environment, Mr. Max Puig, let him know that you support his decision to protect dolphins and the environment and urge him to swiftly deny Manati Park's dolphin import request.

Ministry of Environment, Mr. Max Puig.
Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic
Email:   [ send green star]

From National Wildlife Federation at

http://action.nwf.org/campaign/protectseaturtles20060912

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Save New Zealand Sealions

www.forestandbird.org.nz/support/petition/petition.asp

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Urge California to Reduce Plastic Bag Use

California retailers distribute more than 19 billion plastic grocery bags annually, less than 5% of which are currently recycled. Assembly Bill 2449 will provide California consumers with the information and opportunity to reduce bag generation with reusable bags, while establishing a convenient network of more than 7000 locations for bag recycling.

Action Link: http://seaturtles.org/actionalertdetails.cfm?actionAlertID=117

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Take Action to Protect Whales

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The federal goverment wants to Dredge in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Over 40,000 Sea Turtles lay eggs every year in Port Aransas where they want to start dredging for oil.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/174854924

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Petition to Save Whales from being Hunted

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/501848858

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Save the Mangrove at Bimini PETITION August 01, 2006 5:06 PM

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/885814782

Save the mangrove!

Save the lemon sharks!

Save the future of this beautiful island!

THANK YOU!

Holly

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Please use this thread to post alerts that require immediate action

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