CHAMPIONS OF THE SEAS

Hello Friends of the Seas! Welcome to My Ocean Friendly Blog. I made this blog in support of the Creatures of the Seas and their Human Champions, Fighting for their Cause.

I have posted some of my favorite Champions here, and on some I have included a brief Notation of their Purpose at the bottom of this first page. You Must "Click" on the Older Posts, to pull up older posts. You will find that on the bottom of each page, and to the right of each page. I have also Included many Links to other blog and websites for you to expore. They are on the right column of the pages.

If you have a blog that is of focus on Healing of the Oceans and their Inhabitants, please let me know.


Although all Ocean Inhabitants are important, a special focus here is on the order Cetaceans (ceta is greek and latin for whale) or Marine Mammals of which the family Delphindae (meaning Dolphins) belongs. Like all mammals, they must breathe air. They also give live birth, and nurse their newborns with milk. Whales, Dolphins and porpoises belong to this group. That means Whales are actually large dolphins. Whales are the largest and porpoises are the smallest of the Cetaceans. Dolphins are not fish as some may think, and they are considered second to human beings in their intelligence and I believe they have an advanced intelligence far beyond some humans. The Japanese Dolphin Hunters have been, and still are relentlessly driving dolphins in the Cove of Taiji to Their Deaths and Capture, and other people are contributing to their plight by supporting the entertainment arenas around the world and eating their meat.

The Dolphins of Taiji are Close to My Heart at this Time, so I wrote a Poem for them "Shout Out For the Dolphins of Taiji" and to Challenge the World to Helping them Overcome Their Plight.

Here is that link:

http://championsoftheseas.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-i-believe-regarding-dolphins.html

I also Support other Sea Life and their Champions, and I am Open to Suggestions for improvement or new information, so please offer any constructive comments you may have in the comment sections. Please Note the Champions of the Seas Links on the Right and Support them if Your Heart Desires. Alone we create a Ripple in the Ocean, and Together we Create a Wave... Let Our Voices Be Heard! Thank YOU
BLOG POSTS

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

"Beyond Jaws, The Truth Really Bites"

BEYOND JAWS, THE TRUTH REALLY BITES!

By Conservation Author & Shark
Specialist Erik Brush
http://www.erikbrush.com
http://thesixthextinction.homestead.com/
http://bluevideos.homestead.com/BVHome.html
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=102177926486042&ref=mf
http://facebook.com/erik.brush

Bio Note:
Erik is an Author and Conservationist, Shark Advocate & Biologist in Sarasota Fla. He does Study/Research work with Elasmobranchs and marine eco-systems specializing in sharks. Working in conjuction with Shark Savers, Sea Shepherds, Oceana, Wild Aid, The Global Shark Initiative, Sharks for Life, The EIA, Stop Shark Finning, and Shark Guardians etc to protect sharks and assist those protecting sharks on a global level.

ARTICLE:
When JAWS came out in the 70’s peoples lives in the oceans changed forever. The movie grabbed the attention of audiences everywhere and cast a horrific feeling of danger in waters and beaches that people had never considered imposing before.

Suddenly there were sharks lurking in everyone’s mind as Jaws sold us on the idea that nature’s apex marine predators were out there, looking for careless swimmers who seemed deliciously oblivious to the great hunters of the deep! People were terrified of the water and sharks were on everyone’s mind for many years to come.

Even today, the stigma of a man eating mindless killing machine lurking in wait for unsuspecting swimmers is ingrained into our consciousness when we consider the oceans. People fear sharks. People hate sharks. People kill sharks and fish for them with a certain taste for adventure and vengeance that is unprecedented with most marine species.

The truth is that most people have never seen a wild shark. Most never will regardless of how often they swim in the oceans. Most people know nothing or close to nothing about sharks in general. But the picture that they do have, is so far from accurate that it is sad and amazing to those people who spend time with and studying these animals.

The thing that I always wanted to do was learn more about the animals and how they really were? Were sharks really mindless killing machines that ran on instinct like some deadly auto-piloted nightmare? Or was there perhaps something a little intrinsically deeper about these creatures? How smart are they? What are they like?

The best way to answer any question in life is to first ask, and then to seek out the best sources of information or the best experts in the subject in order to answer the question. I have done just that. My greatest allies were curiosity, intention, and a burning drive to learn everything that I could. I started to read and study on an academic level first. But this soon grew to a mass media study. Then in time I sought out the experts.

But the next powerful tool was to discover for myself. I began to swim and wade and dive with sharks. I needed to learn more and to figure out the truth. And it was not long before I began to discover just how little I really knew about them. I thought to myself, if I can have this many misconceptions and gaps in my mind about sharks, and I enjoy and seek them out as a subject of interest, then what must the common person who is oblivious think about them? The average person is still going by Jaws often enough, rather than the reality, which will paint a far different picture.

The average person does not know just how frightened of us most sharks are. They do not associate words like “shy” “scared” “mellow” or “nervous” with sharks. Nor do they associate sharks with concepts such as “intelligence” “versatility” “playfulness” or “aware”. But again, this falls hand in hand with their experience level and degree of study. The sensationalized stories are far more interesting and fuel our hungry negative stereotypes than the truth about mistaken concepts and maligned animals.

In my studies and work with sharks I have uncovered an animal that is not easily approached. A shy and elusive predator that is so incredibly sensitive and scared of us that it takes a very concerted effort to be able to approach them. I have found a creature that rewards association and patience with a kind of curious interaction that astonished and amazes anyone lucky enough to share such moments.

I know sharks that are so distinct in their behavior that they are easily picked out of a group because no matter how similar the group may appear physically, the actions speak louder than words. Some will approach and swim close, looking at you to see who and what you are. They will test you, not as a meal, but as a fellow ocean denizen to see how you react to them. It is interesting to see them and know that there is enough thought going on that they have the faculties to experiment in their interactions with you.

I know sharks that are quite social and seem to enjoy the company of divers or swimmers with whom they are familiar, while they will shy away from all others. They have their favorites and you can always tell who that person is. These sharks will willingly spend time very close to such a person. They always seem to sense the people who enjoy them the most. There is a sort of cross species friendship and enjoyment that is very rewarding and magical when it happens.

I have seen sharks take their personal relationships or interactions with a favorite diver, one step beyond. Large sharks who have actively threatened and chased off other medium to large sharks who approached too close to their human companion. I smile, as I know that this is most certainly not the image that most people have of these animals. But experience opens a world that no amount of big screen bullshit and myth can override. The Jaws idea is simply not in my thinking.

I wish that I could share a new truth about these creatures with the world. I want to tell everyone just how wrong they are about sharks and the danger levels that they represent. While one must always respect the fact that they are large predators and well capable of being aggressive or dangerous if they see a need, most are simply not inclined to treat with us on that level unless triggered or provoked.

Around the world the annual shark bite (I refuse to use the word attack because it is not appropriate for the action) rate is around 70 shark bite incidents a year. Out of these 1-5 wind up as fatalities on average. Most of these occur in water less than 3 feet deep by sharks under 6 feet in length. It is almost always in cloudy or murky water in which the shark’s vision is obscured. The bite is generally to the lower leg, foot, ankle, or hand. Most of the time the shark swiftly realizes its mistake and either releases or attempts to release and swim away. It is not always easy with a panicked swimmer jerking in one direction while a mouth full of back recurved teeth designed to catch and hold fish, is embedded in flesh and preventing an easy release. Amazingly enough, the majority of shark bites 98.9% are superficial and do not even require stitches. There is seldom ever any removal of flesh, though it will make all of the news media when such incidents happen.

The other group of shark bite encounters happens to surfers who are often mistaken for a seal or sea turtle in the surf. These are bit by the big three; the bull shark, great white, and tiger shark. In most cases the sharks soon realize that the surfer is not a fat juicy seal and they let go and swim off. The surfer returns with scare, big injuries, and again the jaws image is reinforced in the public mind. Because the public never thought to view it from the animals perspective. The public seldom asks of the surfer, “What were you thinking, surfing so close to a seal colony? Don’t you know that you look a lot like a surfing seal or sea-lion to a large predator?” It’s easier to blame the shark.

Mistaken identity is almost always the cause of most negative shark encounters. At least on the side of sharks. But the converse is quite different. More people are killed by vending machines falling on them each year ( 9 on average ) than are killed by sharks. The same holds true for car crashes, lightning strikes, dog bites, etc. But in the case of humans toward sharks the statistics are quite different. Sharks have far more to fear from us than we have to fear from them.

Right now in the worlds oceans there is a war going on. Humans verse everything else. And the biggest casualty of this war is the world’s shark population. 2/3rds of all species are down by 90-95% of what they were just 30 years ago. Sharks are vanishing at an alarming rate. They are the most hunted animal group in all of human history. 104 Million sharks are fished and killed each year. Of these 78 million are killed only for their fins, to supply the growing shark-fin soup trade in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Every fisherman in the world knows that there is a bounty on shark’s fins. Whether or not they fish for sharks directly or catch them as “bycatch” (the unintended species taken by a fishing industry targeting a certain type of marine life) they are quick to take the fins. It is an act often inflicted on the live animal. The fins cut away from the body and the shark is tossed overboard to die. Sinking into the depths, in pain and bleeding. Unable to swim. It will either bleed to death slowly or be torn apart by other predators and scavengers in the water.

Shark fins are the third highest earning illegal trade commodity on the planet next to drugs and weapons. The fins can fetch prices between $300 - $700 a kilo on the Asian market. The soup is considered a status symbol with great health and virility benefits for the consumer.

Once an extravagance that was too expensive for the common man, now with a booming economy, more and more Chinese and other Asians have disposable income, which they are willing to spend on luxuries such as this soup. It is a soup killing our oceans and in an ironic and sick twist of fate it is also killing its supporters.

This is due to the fact that as apex marine predators who are large and long lived, sharks and other similar predators, are loaded with massive amounts of toxins and pollution that have moved up the food chain. Years of ocean dumping of our chemical wastes have not caused these chemicals to vanish or dissipate. Instead the food chain concentrates these elements in its top predators. Sharks are loaded with Methyl-mercury, lead, cadmium, POPs (Persistent Organic Pollution) such as DDT and PCBs, and many other toxins.

In turn shark-fin soup is also loaded with these same chemicals. We are a twisted creature in our own right it seems. So do sharks kill humans? Yes, on occasion they do. But now in their rapid demise nature is fighting back on a much more insidious level. Dead sharks are starting to kill people. Methyl mercury is the sharks avenging ghost in a sad war in which there are no winners.

And what of the remaining sharks? Is there hope in stopping the chaos and slaughter? Is there any hope in turning the tide and bringing back balance to these animals and our oceans? The answer is yes. There is still hope for a change. Still time to correct things before the balance is irrevocably altered forever. It starts with awareness and education. It starts with a simple shift of mindset and an awareness of the reality behind the myths. Healthy oceans need sharks, and we need healthy oceans. In other words, we need sharks in order to survive as a species as well.

- Erik.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Eighty Nine Nations ready for verbal 'Whale Wars' in the Channel Islands

Eighty Nine Nations are ready for verbal 'Whale Wars' in the Channel Islands - Washington DC Animal Advocacy | Examiner.com.

The International Whaling Commission was established following the creation of a 1946 international environmental agreement known as the "International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling".  Although the purpose was to protect whales from over hunting and to preserve whale stocks for future generations, exploitation continues to occur even within it's own IWC realm.

"There are presently 89 member nations of the IWC.  In 1986, the IWC adopted a moratorium on commercial whaling.  Despite the ban, numerous loopholes within IWC regulations and enforcement allow for several nations to continue to hunt whales, Among them are Japan, Norway, Iceland and the Faroes Islands."...  Sandy McElheney ~ (Sandy McElhaney is a member of the writing team at "Save Misty the Dolphin". This group was founded on facebook to raise awareness about the plight...) 

These countries are allowed to hunt with little overseeing by the IWC, and show little concern or regard of the loss of life, and consequences of numerous kills.

In a compiling letter to Dr. Simon Brockington, Secretary of The International Whaling Commission, "Save Misty the Dolphin" calls on the members of the 63rd International Whaling Commission to fully PROTECT all whales and dolphins. This letter also encourages concerned citizens around the world to join in by submitting similar letters.

To view this topic and the letter you may continue reading on Examiner.com Eighty Nine Nations ready for verbal 'Whale Wars' in the Channel Islands - Washington DC Animal Advocacy | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/animal-advocacy-in-washington-dc/eighty-nine-nations-ready-for-verbal-whale-wars-the-channel-islands#ixzz1QUr2ARPG

Sunday, June 12, 2011

BP AMEricA BLUES. JUNE 2011~ Health Issue Cover UP!

On the Once Beautiful Coastline of America we Now See This ...

Look What is Happening to Our Ocean in Our Lifetime.  Without Intervention, there will be no Safe, Viable Ocean for the Future.  Please Get Involved.  If you Ignore the Problem, You are a Part of the Problem.  Please Do Not Allow this to Happen Again and again... 

I recommend sharing this YouTube video with the world in every way you know how, and joining the Facebook "Sustainable Waters & Wildlife Committee" Group to Show the Environment you Care... I just did @

https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117865901560965&v=wall

Verbatim Excerpt from the Video Post:

Bp is Not being Held Accountable for the Illness at the GULf or All this dead Sea/wild life. Our Government is IGNORING the TRUTH. BOYCOTT BP FOREVER and do Something to HELP! Please...
These images were collected by the residents since this FEb.
Banned The COREXIT. Open Care facilities for the ILL.
TOXIC SOUP.
America and The GOvernment is IGNOring this HEALTH ISSUE!
PROTEST BP! Don't let Bp Propaganda Commercials fool YOU! Please HELP The GULf to Stand up TO BP. Don't let our Government Get away with this COVER UP! PEOPLE ARE ILL. CLaims are not paid.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/BP-MaKes-us-SiCk-OILDisPerSant-RePORTSCOVER-UP... must Ban COREXIT NOW.
Please sign this petition ~Demand Dispersant Testing on Dead Dolphins & Sea Turtles in the Gulf ~ http://www.PetitionOnline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?Corexit1
photographers credit ~Laurel Lockamy,Shirley Tillman,Lorrie Williams,Denise Rednour, Betty Doud,Charles Taylor,Jonathan Henderson,Lori Captain Deangelis

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Please Help "Save Australian Dugongs and Sea Turtles"

I would like to present and highlight another special cause today~ that being for the Australian Dugongs (relative to manatees) and Sea Turtles that have be exploited to their near demise through uncontrolled and cruel hunting.

This is a short descriptive excerpt taken from the "Save Australian Dugongs and Sea Turtles" website.  Please click on the link at the bottom of this Excerpt to read more about this Worthy Cause taken on by Colin Riddell known as dugongman on twitter, and Colinwhocares on Facebook, who has also partnered with Bob Irwin, father of Steve Irwin, a legend in himself for his courageous and outstanding efforts towards saving the wildlife of Australia.  Bob is supportive of Australian indigenous animals, and is against cruelty to animals, and has started the Bob Irwin Wildlife Fund.  I will post a link to his website too.
I chose the excerpt below which is taken from a post on this website, authored by Colin Riddell.  I believe it does well in getting the message across.  Please visit the site to get more information and to help spread the word and/or donate to the cause.  In it he says, :
"In Australia we have the native title act.
Please Note:  these statistics are from the yr 2004 and are much higher now... A review was done in 2004 by James Cook University http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/JCULRev/2004/8.html#Heading35

It allows indigenous Australians to kill in any numbers with no monitoring at all !
Aboriginal traditions and Islander customs target over 50 native wildlife species
These include bustards, crocodiles, dugongs, echidnas, emus, fish, flying foxes, frogs, goannas, lizards, macro pods, magpie geese, possums, shellfish, and snakes, as well as fresh and saltwater turtles and dugongs
It is estimated that up to 1600 dugongs and 20 000 salt and freshwater turtles are taken annually in Australia. In Tasmania, 200 000 mutton birds are caught annually.
The dugong is listed as vulnerable to extinction at a global scale by The World Conservation Union .
The green, leatherback, hawksbill and flatback turtles are listed as vulnerable which means that they may become endangered if threats continue.The loggerhead and olive ridley turtle are listed as endangered under this Act which means that the species may become extinct if the threats to its survival continue

My remedy:
It is to overhaul the native title act ,it is to have a moratorium straight away ,conduct a count of how many are in our waters ,if unsustainable ban it full stop, put some guidelines in on how an animal is killed ,bring all cruelty acts into line with each other.in short stop killing endangered animals if it is unsustainable, where else do we condone killing animals vulnerable to extinction!"


Related Links: 
http://dugongandturtles.webs.com/

Monday, June 6, 2011

A Song for the Dolphins and Whales

A captivating song about Captive Dolphins/Whales
Titled: "Captive" 
Written by Holise E Cleveland, and vocal by Jaki Song, with music by John Ming. 
Thank you!

.... Can Smell the Ocean Wind... Can You Hear Me?  Can You Free Me?

Link to the Song with Lyrics Here: "Captive"Jaki Song/Holise E Clevland/John Ming

Please Listen and Share with All You Know and Don't Know... In whatever way you can...