Belugas Threatened by State of Alaska
Thursday January 15, 2009
Alaska is once again blocking the endangered species listing of Cook Inlet beluga whales - a population that could become extinct within 100 years. In October, the population of about 375 whales was listed as endangered despite the objection of Governor Sarah Palin. Alaska is now suing to get the listing withdrawn, citing that state and federal laws already protect the population, and - the bottom line - that the listing would effect major development projects in Alaska, such as expanding the port of Anchorage and oil and gas development in the area.
The population of belugas in Cook Inlet was once about 1,300 in number, but that number was reduced due to hunting by Native Americans. The hunts were stopped a decade ago, but the population is yet to recover. Isn't that reason enough to protect them, at least until their numbers have increased?
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Shark Dissection - Just a Publicity Stunt?
Saturday January 10, 2009
Robert Roy Britt, editorial director of LiveScience, brings up a good question in his blog about the live shark necropsy that occurred at the Auckland Museum in New Zealand the other day - was it good science, or just a publicity stunt? I think it was a little bit of both.
According to the Auckland Museum, about 4,000 people attended the necropsy in person and thousands watched online, which makes it seem like a tourist attraction or publicity stunt. But it did give thousands the opportunity to see shark organs, learn about shark biology and perhaps helped spread awareness of the threats facing sharks. And let's face it - every organization out there needs all the publicity it can get in this challenging economy. What do you think? Would you like to be able to see more events like this online? Are there other animals that you'd be interested in learning more about?
Photo courtesy Auckland Museum
National Geographic's Stunning Photos
Friday January 9, 2009
Have some leisure time and want to see some beautiful images? Click on over to National Geographic's
Most Viewed Photo Galleries of 2008. You'll find great photos of ocean life in at least half of the 10 galleries - an illustration of the importance of marine life! I really enjoyed the photo gallery of
right whales, and the one of an "alien-like" squid found a mile and a half underwater.
Bush to Create World's Largest Marine Protected Area
Thursday January 8, 2009
In a boost to environmentalists, President Bush plans to create the world's largest marine protected area, spanning 195,000 square miles in the Pacific Ocean in a move that will protect coral reefs, submerged active volcanoes, hydrothermal vents, and a variety of marine life.
The move will designate three new "marine national monuments" around U.S. territories, and includes the Mariana Trench and northern Mariana Islands, the Rose Atoll in American Samoa and a chain of islands in the Central Pacific Ocean.
While many environmentalists are heralding the move, several are saying it's too little, too late, and the marine protected areas created by the President are useless without a stronger stand on climate protection. I say, every little bit (or in this case, a huge bit) helps, and personally, I love when an outgoing administration tries to leave a better legacy by doing all sorts of environmental good deeds in the last few weeks. And hopefully the new adminstration will top them.
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