BE PART OF SEA CHANGE   

Let's take audiences to sea and show them why they need to care for the ocean! Let's show them the young fish caught before they have time to reproduce, the tons of floating garbage that litters beaches, the thousands of dolphins, birds, sharks, turtles and non-targeted fish that die in the name of fishing. 

Please contact us to learn how you can help to preserve the ocean through the raw imagery of film. Help us film The Swordfish Hunters. 

SHSLFoundation@aol.com

~

Jean-Michel Cousteau surveys littered Hawaiian beach

Photo credit Nan Marr

 JOIN the CAMPAIGN

Sign the Pledge to Boycott Bluefin http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/fish/Atlantic_bluefin_tuna/bluefin_boycott/index.html

and

tell NOAA that the decimated Western Atlantic Bluefin tuna population needs greater protection. 

                                                 Bluefin tuna photo courtesy of NOAA

 To participate in The Future of the Western

 Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Campaign

  please contact NOAA

Dr. Jane Lubchenco
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington,DC 20230

 Dear Dr. Lubchenco, 

I am disappointed by NOAA’s recent decision against inclusion of the Western Atlantic Bluefin tuna on the Endangered Species List, choosing instead to withhold further action until 2013.     

The future is questionable for this highly endangered and iconic species. The Western Atlantic Bluefin population is well over 80% depleted and a prolific 2012 spawn is unlikely following the 2010 Deep Water Horizon oil spill disaster.

I ask that you focus on the very survival of this species, especially important now that this keystone fishery is not considered endangered. Specifically I request that NMFS establish and enforce:

1) long-term closures to all lethal fishing practices in Bluefin concentrated areas, especially in the Gulf of Mexico and nursery grounds in the mid-Atlantic

2) more selective fishing practices, such as greenstick fishing, in lieu of the more traditional and nonselective longline methods in the Gulf of Mexico, thereby reducing Bluefin by-catch and

  3) eliminate pressure on prey species such as Herring and Menhaden.

 In closing, I respectfully request a response to this urgent appeal. Wishing you continued success in your staunch protection of endangered species.

Sincerely, 

MAKE SMART CHOICES

As consumers, our seafood choices at grocery stores and restaurants greatly impact fish stocks, for better or worse.

 Euthynnus alletteratus or Little Tunny False Albacore

(artwork courtesy Catherine Armbruster)

For a complete list visit Blue Ocean Institute 

http://www.blueocean.org/seafood/

~ 

BEST CHOICES 

Seafood Watch Pocket Guide at http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

DO NOT LEAVE, LITTER OR DUMP ANYTHING on the beach or INTO THE OCEAN - Recycle!

Plastic does NOT disintegrate quickly. Rather it eventually becomes a dust-like substance of minute particles that float throughout the water column and eventually to the ocean floor. Scientists believe it can last for centuries.   

"During the 2009 International Coastal Cleanup, 498,818 volunteers picked up 7.4 million pounds of marine debris, in 108 countries and locations around the world and 45 US states and the District of Columbia. Millions of debris items, ranging from cigarette butts to 55-gallon drums and household appliances, contribute to the deterioration of ocean ecosystems and harm humans, wildlife, and coastal economies." Ocean Conservancy  http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=program_marinedebris_ICCreport 

 ~

Drowned Sea Lion - trapped in a wind sock 

Alaska

Photo courtesy of Alaska Fish and Game

Pacific Albatross full of plastic garbage

Midway Island 10/2009

Photos courtesy of Chris Jordan

A drowned sea turtle, unable to surface to breath after becoming entangled in fishing gear. 

Photos courtesy of NOAA

 An endangered Right Whale covered with abrasions from entwined rope. Only 300-400 remain in the world. This whale was found off the Florida coast where the animals give birth mid November thru mid April.  The 30 foot whale was eventually freed.

STAY INFORMED... SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS... READ 

Sylvia Earle's "The World is Blue - How our Fate and the Ocean's are One"

the connect between ocean health and our survival

and

David Helvarg's "50 Ways to Save the Ocean" 

simple, individual actions that help to protect the ocean

http://www.bluefront.org/files/50ways.php 

to help preserve 

marine life, 

our fisheries 

and

ocean health -

 be informed!

~

February 2012

World's Largest Tuna Conservation Coalition  Bans Shark Finning

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) Board of Directors "will require industry participants to adopt written policies that prohibit the practice of shark finning and refrain from transactions with fishing vessels that engage in the practice." 

http://iss-foundation.org/

********************* 

 December 2011

Latest PLoS ONE study indicates overfishing Bluefin tuna in Mediterranean affects NW Atlantic stocks.

"We now know that upwards of 50% of Bluefin caught in some western fisheries were spawned in the Mediterranean ..." 

http://www.tagagiant.org/media/MAST PR_final.pdf

  *************************

October 2011

NOAA announces increase in US commercial catch in volume and value over 2010. 

According to NOAA "About 86 percent of the seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported, measured by edible weight, up four percent from 2009. However, a portion of this imported seafood is caught by American fishermen, exported overseas for processing and then re-imported to the U.S. The U.S. exports 63 percent of its domestically produced seafood, measured by live weight, which represents an increase of four percent over 2009."

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110907_usfisheriesreport.html

******************

 September 2011

Commercial fishing still ranks # 1 as US most dangerous job. 

"In 2010, the fatal work injury rate for fishermen was calculated at 116; it was the highest rate of all U.S. professions. The next highest fatal work injury rate belonged to loggers, whose rate was 91.9. The fatal injury rate for all workers was 3.5.

Fishing was the most dangerous occupation in 2009, too, when the fatal injury rate was 200. Logging again came in second, with a rate of 61.8, and the all-worker fatal injury rate was 3.3. "

National Fisherman

http://divcom-fish.informz.net/divcom-fish/archives/archive_1279637.html

 

*************************** 

August 2011

As cited in U N Atlas of the Oceans Newsletter

from ScienceDaily 

A new study by top global fisheries experts presents an alarming assessment of several economically important fish populations. The analysis of 61 species of "scombrids," which include tunas, bonitos, mackerels and Spanish mackerels, and billfishes, which include swordfish and marlins, classified seven as threatened with extinction and four as "near threatened" for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110725091713.htm

***************************

July 2011

In 2009 commercial fishermen lost $164.2 million due to decades of overfishing. In that year, just 25 percent of potential revenue was realized.

http://www.pewenvironment.org/news-room/reports/the-hidden-cost-of-overfishing-to-commercial-fishermen-85899361965

***********************

 June 2011

IPSO study- Ocean life on the brink of mass extinctions
"The findings are shocking," Alex Rogers, scientific director of IPSO, wrote of the conclusions from a 2011 workshop of ocean experts staged by IPSO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at Oxford University.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110621/sc_nm/us_oceans

************************

 May 2011

NOAA Finds Endangered Species Listing for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Not Warranted

  Gives 2 1/2 hours notice for 'constituent briefing' the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. 

  http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2011/05/bluefin_tuna.html

 ********************

 April 2011

Will TSUNAMI END JAPAN'S WHALING INDUSTRY?

 Major fishing village, one of only four in Japan, loses whaling fleet. http://www.takepart.com/news/2011/03/25/tsunami-accomplishes-what-shepherds-could-not-permantenly-wiped-out-whaling-towns 

 *********************

 March 2011

 EXXON VALDEZ - 22 Years Ago

 What have we learned since? Lack of oversight, prevention and cleanup measures relating to the Exxon Valdez spill took a toll on wildlife, killing at least 250,000 seabirds, 4,000 sea otters, 250 bald eagles, 22 orcas and billions of salmon and herring eggs. What have we learned since?

 http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/03/24/heiman.exxon.valdez/

 ********************* 

February 2011

SHARKS AT RISK

 1/3 of all sharks are at risk of extinction. Regulations on shark finning have failed to stop mass slaughter according to a recent report from Pew Environmental. 

 http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/30/shark.finning/

 ********************** 

 January 2011

 Western Atlantic Bluefin tuna

 need your help!

 Surface longlines used to catch swordfish and yellowfin tuna also catch and kill hundreds of spawning Western Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico every year. To protect these severely depleted fish in their only known spawning area in the Western Atlantic, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) just proposed that Gulf surface longline fishermen use an experimental hook that could reduce the incidental catch of bluefin. This action is a step in the right direction, but it is not a strong, long-term solution.

Thank NMFS for the  'weak hook' solution that might reduce by-catch but demand that they institute long-term protection for this endangered Bluefin tuna population.

 Please sign Pew Environmental Group's letter to NMFS.

https://secure3.convio.net/pew/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=849 

 ********************* 

 December 2010:

SHARK FINNING ILLEGAL for US vessels in US waters: Congress passes Shark Conservation Act  of 2010 requiring that all sharks must be landed intact, important because finning has dramatically reduced the world's shark populations. 

 http://na.oceana.org/en/news-media/press-center/press-releases/congress-ends-shark-finning-in-us

 ~

New study from the University of British Columbia reports that commercial fishing expanded exponentially since the 1950s and now includes the majority of the world's ocean, leaving few areas for expansion.

  http://www.seaweb.org/news/ou15_25.php

 ******************** 

November 2010:

 ICCAT sets token quota reduction by only 600 metric tons (4% decrease from 2010) for bluefin tuna for 2011; bans the fishing and sale of oceanic whitetip sharks and some hammerhead sharks; extends current quota agreements on swordfish and marlin through 2011. 

 http://www.savethefish.org/conservation_news_ICCAT_2010.htm

 **********************

October 2010:

 Gloucester, MA

 Local fishermen, working 100 miles offshore over Georges Bank in 30-40 ft. groundfish boats, report bluefin tuna is plentiful. According to Patrick Anderson of the Gloucester Times, "For the first time in at least five years, American fishermen are on target to catch all of the country's 900 metric ton quota of bluefin."

 http://www.gloucestertimes.com/fishing/x1644186894/Endangered-tuna-NOAA-weighs-enviro-groups-push-for-designation

*********************

August 2010:

SSF founder Dr. Thomas Armbruster joined the crew of the Canyon Runner out of Pt. Pleasant, NJ for tuna tagging over the Hudson Canyon. The program, part of the Atlantic Tuna Project,  supports NOAA's tuna research. 

http://savethebluefin.com/page/bluefin-tuna-catch-release 

 *********************

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 

 *********************

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

 ********************* 

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