Gulf of Mexico fishery closures - NOAA

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/deepwater_horizon_oil_spill.htm

  

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About the foundation 

   Dr. Thomas Armbruster, a marine biologist and physician, formed the SandyHook SeaLife Foundation to promote marine conservation through education, volunteerism, and political action. An independent, self-funded organization, our focus encompasses the status of highly migratory predators (sharks, swordfish, tuna and billfish), sustainable fisheries and marine mammal populations. 

   To fulfill the foundation's mission, Dr. Armbruster and the SSF staff volunteer for field work with specific marine populations, then publish their findings to create greater public awareness of the issue. Dr. Armbruster's forthcoming book, The Swordfish Hunters, explores the world of commercial swordfishing. Peer reviews from the marine science community are positive, including a recommended reading status from the U N Atlas of the Oceans, and plans are underway to translate the book to film. The project is gaining momentum as noted actor, author and conservationist, Peter Coyote is now onboard with others to follow. We invite your participation; contact us for more information.  

    White Shark Chronicles studies the feeding behaviors and communcations of great white sharks. Written after Dr. Armbruster conducted several dives on whites off the Mexican coast, the article is featured in "Biology Digest." Future studies include sea turtle rehabilitation and giant bluefin tuna migration. 

    SandyHook SeaLife Foundation is a member of Blue Frontier Campaign’s Blue Movement, a national conference of marine environmental groups and The Ocean Project, a multi-national consortium of aquariums, zoos and marine conservation organizations and supports The Campaign for Environmental Literacy.      

ocean briefs

July 2010:

President Obama creates a national ocean policy; senators introduce a bill to establish a National Endowment for the Oceans.

http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/rnelson/nrdc_applauds_introduction_of.html 

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June 2010:

WHALES WIN!!! 

International Fund for Animal Welfare(IFAW) reports the IWC/International Whaling Commission fails to legalize whaling. 

http://www.mywhaleweb.com/?p=5739&tr=y&auid=6532089

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June 2010:

Gulf oil spill - Fishery closure update: (effective June 1)

NOAA Fisheries Service revised the fishery closure effective 6:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, June 1. The closure now encompasses slightly more than 31 percent of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone.

For updates on the  spill: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/topic_subtopic_entry.php?RECORD_KEY(entry_subtopic_topic)=entry_id,subtopic_id,topic_id&entry_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=809&subtopic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=2&topic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=1

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May 2010:

ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHE:

Fisherman sign on with BP to battle oil spill. Every day an estimated five thousand (5,000) OR MORE barrels of oil gush into the Gulf of Mexico after a British Petroleum drilling rig explodes. The oil slick is making its way to the Louisiana coastline. 

To get involved contact:

www.cleanoceanaction.org

1) Sign the petition

2) Write to President Obama

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April 2010:

Oprah Winfrey supports ocean conservation and OCEANA through 'Live Your Best Life' Walk - New York City May 9. 

http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Oprahs-Live-Your-Best-Life-Weekend-Walk

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March 2010:

CITES vote kills proposed international trade ban on bluefin tuna - member states vote 72-43 against the ban. 

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1973374,00.html

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February 2010:

Australia sets a deadline for Japanese cessation of all whaling in the Southern Ocean. 

http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/printable.php 

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January 2010:

The United Nations announces 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. 

Throughout the year events will highlight the vital role of biodiversity in an effort to curb species loss due to human activity.   

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33393&Cr=envirionment&Cr1=#  

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December 2009:

New additions to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix II:

Oceanic white tip shark, Porbeagle, Scalloped hammerhead shark, Great hammerhead shark, Smooth hammerhead shark.

Evidence points to future inclusion of the Atlantic bluefin tuna.

http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/38195/icode/ 

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November 2009:

ICCAT cuts eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna catch quotas by one third under threat of a trade ban.

http://www.savethefish.org/conservation_news_bluefin_ICCAT.htm