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

Friday, March 25, 2011

"Japanese Rescuers Save Baby Dolphin in Rice Field 12 Days Following theTsunami"

According to Reuters and other news, Japanese Tsunami Animal Rescue Workers found and were able to rescue a stranded baby dolphin from a rice paddy after the terrible earthquake & tsunami disaster that hit Japan on March 11th .  It was actually found 12 days after the Tsunami hit, on March 23rd.

The little dolphin (about 4 foot in length or 1.2 meters) was found about a mile inland, and was very weak.  The people who found it, called the rescuers to the scene.  Luckily it was still in flooded sea water but it was shallow at the time of discovery.   Ryo Taira, a pet-shop owner who has been rescuing animals abandoned after the 9.0 magnitude quake and tsunami was able to pick up the struggling cetacean from the shallow inland sea water in the rice paddy.  He was able to do so he said, because it seemed weak. He and another helper, wrapped it in a towel and carried it back to the sea, where he was able to release it alive, into the ocean.  Hopefully it will find it's way back to it's own pod, or perhaps another may adopt it.  We hope the end of this story is a good one.

Here is a link to multiple pictures and article from Reuter via Yahoo News
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110323/lf_nm_life/us_japan_dolphin

You Tube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAvZeGMRik4&feature=player_embedded


Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Sea World, Bad Management by Holise E Cleveland III

This article from Holise E Cleveland III aka Cyber Whale Warrior, is about the absurdity and ignorance of capturing and keeping animals from the wild for human "education" and enjoyment.  Sea World is specifically targeted in this article.  The videos are also very informative;  the first coming from a very educated man, a PHD and a former Marine Mammal Biologist @ Sea World.  The second is about Orcas stolen from the wild to be sold to a world of Entertainment for the Masses.

How can one Argue with the Truth? My father told me as a child…. “Just because it has always been done that way, does not mean it is right. Follow Your Heart in whatever you do.”  Just because we were brought up to view captured animals in cages for “Education” does not mean it is the right thing to do. We can bring our children to Animal Sanctuaries and they will be educated to them with the goal of releasing them when healed, or protecting them because they need a safe place and can no longer be safe in the wild.

Here is a link to the article for you to see for yourself:


http://holisecleveland.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/swsa-seaworld-bad-management/

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Shout Out for the Dolphins of Taiji - What I Believe

"Shout out for the Dolphins of Taiji"

We are Each a Small Voice, but I Believe Our Voices Ring Loud when in Unison. At this time I fear Many do not read what is put before them, but Some do, More are Listening and Concerned and with Time, More Will.

"My Hope Lies in the Faith That Many People from All Corners of the Earth will Feel it in their Hearts to Act and Voice their Opinions taking Stance against the continuing Slaughter of the Dolphins and Whales of the Oceans. The Killing is not for need as food ~ much of the meat is not even liked by the Japanese in their cusine ... Some Say it is their Culture or Tradition, but that does not make it Right.  Others say they are taking their fish, and for that they must die... 

I am Speaking of their Annual Slaughter ~ of Thousands upon Thousands of Entire Pods, the Painful and Horrendous Means of Capture & Death, and the Choosing of a Few Singled Out with Each Entrapment in the Taiji Cove, for High Dollar Sale for Amusement and Entertainment in Sea Aquariums in Far Away Places."

These Magnificent Sea Animals are not fish; they are mammals, and they are no more theirs (the Japanese town of Taiji) than the Ocean Belonging to Them. The Cetaceans (dolphins and whales) are Said to be Second to Human in Intelligence, Yet these Fishermen Continue to Search out and Drive the Pods of Dolphins into their Cove to Kill them and Sell them for Profit.  (revised for further clarification 1/6/10)


When they are No More, and have become Extinct, Will the World then take Notice, and Weep and Wonder Why? This Town is so Proud as to Let their Families Eat the Mercury Tainted Food rather than to Turn to Other Healthy and Humane Ways for a Living. But for Those who Care, We must Continue to Speak until this Atrocity no Longer Happens.


“Shout Out For the Dolphins of Taiji”

Cries of Anguish and Death
Reverberate across the Seas
Originating from Taiji
Taking Me Down to My Knees

Dolphins of the Oceans
What have they done?
They are Taking Your Lives
In the Land of the Rising Sun

From Your Ocean Home to their Cove
In a Death Run For the Kill
Relentlessly Driving Your Pods
For Your Blood they Will Spill

Oh Dolphins of Taiji
My God what they Have Done?
They Stab you in Numbers
And No Mercy is Shown.

Families, Unborn Babies,
It Means Nothing to Them,
The Power of Green Money
The Driving Force from Within.

And they Call You Pests
For that You Must Die
"Stealing Fish from Our Nets
Costs Us Money they Cry"

Your Blood they Do Spill
In the Cove of Taiji
And A Few Spared in Each Run
Are Sent Away for a Fee

To Swim in Concrete Pools
Entertaining the Masses
While their Friends are Cut Up
And Served in School Classes

Fed to the Children
Toxic Mercury from the Kill
Identified only As Meat
To the World from the Spill

Hearing Your Cries Our Sweet Friends
We Tell the World of their Shame
May the Fishermen of Taiji
Find no Pleasure in Their Pain.

The World Does Take Notice
Cove Slaughters Must be Halted
Let the Dolphins Swim Free
And their Defenders be Exalted.

© Cheryl E Gordon 12/25/10



If You wish to Help in Any Way, You can Write a Comment here, Post a Link on your blog or web, write the Japanese Embassy, write to the Japanese Newspaper (links are below).... Even Better, Go to Taiji to Help the Guardians, Be a Guardian, or Just Get the Word Out ... Anything is Better than Doing Nothing... Thank You!


Make Your Voice Heard to the Country of Japan ~ Tell them what You Think About Allowing Dolphin and Whale Hunting to Continue:

Link to the Japan Times Online where you can write your comments about Taiji and the Dolphins Directly: https://form.japantimes.co.jp/info/contact_us.html
Link to US Ambassador Ross on Twitter:
http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20101001-74.html
Japanese Embassy Names and Numbers:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=159578037405359&id=150758841615415

"My Style of Activism: What I Believe"

This is what I Believe about My Personal Activism and the Cause:

People are People, and Cultures are Cultures.  One cannot blame a particular people or a single person for a particular culture.  Not All People who do “Bad Things” are “Bad”. Sometimes people are cruel or irresponsible because they do not understand. There are also some who do not care, and some people do not hear, see or feel what I do.  All are different.  Then there are those I refer to as the "Walking Dead"… There is no hope for them…

I also believe that others just honestly cannot see past their own beliefs. They have tunnel vision or perhaps they are afraid to step outside their own box in fear the lid might close behind them. Yet if reminded & educated, and enticed over and over, a seed offered may find fertile ground.  Education and reinforcement of the value of life is so very important if we are to survive.

I am what one might call a peaceful activist or perhaps even a Pacifistic Activist.  After almost 60 years on this Beloved Planet I have found out that "name calling" never gets one to change.  So, when I become angry over cruel and ignorant behavior, I do my best not to resort to "cussing them out", but try instead to respond reasonably and appropriately in getting my message across. I try not to judge and call people names who do not believe as I do, as I do not know what is truly in their heart and mind.   But, should they call me names, so be it… Laying the truth on the table for people to digest is what I try to do. One cannot digest truth if it is forced down their throat, and when the tone is threatening, one most likely withdraws or attacks. He/she simply and determinedly will not listen.  Yet, when one fights back with name calling and cruel comments, I do know that a nerve has been struck.  If a nerve is struck, that means at least they are listening.  They may not understand or agree, but they are listening.

I believe we must fight for what we believe in.  It is best done without destructive measures.  One dictionary definition of fight that seems appropriate here is "to exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for."   I try my best to love people, and believe that hate is a cancer, and I am aware that not everyone will be a believer in the Cause.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

"The Whalers Have Been Shut Down"

First of all I must say, that I do not hold the Japanese People responsible for this practice, but the Japanese Fisheries and the Whale Hunters are the offenders, and I am relieved and ecstatic the lives of whales this year, have been spared in this sanctuary from the whale hunters/poachers.

Per Captain Paul Watson, of the Sea Shepherd, "The Japanese Fisheries Agency is saying that the whale hunt (in the Southern Ocean) has been suspended due to the interventions of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society..."

The Sydney Morning Herald @ smh.com.au. reads in part: "The sudden departure has raised hopes Japan may be moving to end its widely opposed, 23-year-old "scientific research" program, which has killed about 10,000 Antarctic whales.... The whaling industry is also suffering at home in Japan, with revenue falling as whale meat sales plummet, and with key figures in the Fisheries Agency of Japan forced to apologize for running a black market in the meat."

The Japanese Whalers have been in a Whale Sanctuary in their annual hunt with the factory ship, the Nisshin Maru, and three harpoon vessels under the auspice of Research since the latter part of last year.  But killing and selling for profit is suspected as their main purpose there. Now that their hunt is suspended, many whales have been saved from the harpoons of the whalers by Sea Shepherd and Sea Shepherd alone, relentlessly chasing their fleets and driving them from the Antarctic Region.

Click on the link below for the full commentary by Captain Paul Watson here:
 The Whalers have Been Shut Down @ http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/editorial-110216-1.html

Here is a link as well to a news release & video by The Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whale-watch/japan-believed-to-be-quitting-whaling-season-early-20110216-1aw0k.html

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Nichole McLachlan's "No Dolphins and New Plans" Education of the Masses"

Excerpts in parentheses are From Nichole McLachlan's Blog "The Path To Protect" @ http://nicolemclachlan.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/no-dolphins-and-new-plans/. Nichole is a Cove Guardian currently stationed in Taiji Japan where Dolphin Slaughter & Capture is the Routine. She states she will be leaving the cove in a few weeks, but her passion is secure for the Dolphins, and she will continue to fight for their lives.  This is an excerpt taken from her latest blog post, February 13th, 2011.

"My biggest passion is for the oceans- for protecting the world’s marine life, and in particular the world’s cetaceans. My other passion is to help the youth of the world realize the importance of speaking up for what they believe in- to stand up and fight for their futures… My goal is to educate young people, in order for them to make informed decisions about how they live amid their surrounding environment."

Nichole believes mankind is on the path to self destruction and turn-around is imperative for the inhabitant's of this planet's survival. She further states here,

"If the businessmen and politicians of today won’t stop the madness that is occurring worldwide- the businessmen and women, politicians, scientists and environmentalists of tomorrow’s generation must take a stand a few decades early- and let those in positions of authority know that we will not sit by and watch our future be destroyed before our very own eyes…"

Nichole promises us that within a few weeks she will be offering plenty of ways on her blog, that people can get involved to stop this continuing path of destruction.  I believe that she is passionate about the health and welfare of the ocean, and will continue to fight for this cause as well as the cause for the earth in it's entirety.  One way she is doing this, is through her "Youth Project" that is now underway.  It is one that she will reach out to educate the youth in ways they can get involved with the change needed @ Taiji Japan, that will save the dolphins from man's grasp and death, and in helping save the ocean and it's inhabitants from human ignorance and pillage. 

This is the link to the Youth Project Posting on her blog:
http://nicolemclachlan.wordpress.com/youth-project/

Friday, February 11, 2011

Thursday, January 27, 2011

"Sea Turtle Populations Drop Following Spill"

Sea Turtles are Especially Vulnerable to the April 2010, BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

January 27th 2011,
ECOWORLD, Nature and Technology, Reptiles:

Although the initial news is no longer new, The Devastating Outcome of this Infamous Spill Continues On ... "A new report finds that more turtles were killed or injured in the Gulf of Mexico in the time after the April 20th disaster than in any similar period in the past twenty years... “Of all the species affected by the oil spill, those for which I have the greatest concern are the sea turtles,” said study co-author Doug Inkley, senior scientist at the National Wildlife Federation.

For full article, click on the following link:  
http://www.ecoworld.com/animals/reptiles/sea-turtle-populations-drop-following-spill.html


EarthJustice.org
I believe that if one cannot control a negative outcome related to their action, one should not be doing it. Thank God, others feel the same and are willing and able to do something about it.  I just found this helpful link on the EarthJustice Blog Site relative to off shore drilling and oil spills.   They are dedicated to preventing more BP type Oil Spills through legal channels.  They write: "Earthjustice has been deeply engaged in curtailing the expansion of offshore drilling".... "Through a series of lawsuits, we aim to force federal agencies to do their jobs and stop being cozy with companies like BP, which was allowed to drill recklessly without an adequate plan to handle even a moderate oil spill, let alone the monster it let loose on April 20."

http://earthjustice.org/features/preventing-more-bp-type-oil-disasters?gclid=CMbT_6H02qYCFUHu7QodIT4s1Q


Monday, January 24, 2011

Behind the Tarp in "the Cove" of Taiji and Ric O'Barry Interview with Sting



"What is taking place behind the Tarp of the Killer Banger Boats of Taiji?

I have posted a link here for the Jan 24th 2001 Ric O' Barry News Commentary & Video.  One can see what actually Takes Place Behind the Tarp Cover of the Dolphin Drive Boats following the capture of dolphins from the  hunt in the Cove of the fishing village of Taiji Japan.  Some of you may remember Ric O'Barry as the former dolphin trainer for the 1960s TV show "Flipper,"  Since the show, he has learned much about wild dolphins and  is focused and adamant regarding protection of these wonderful intelligent sea mammals.  He is one Star who has not let his Dolphin Friends Down.

The Japanese fishermen have been accused previously of initiating cruel, prolonged and agonizing deaths of their dolphin captives in the Cove of Taiji.  Following the repeated accusations of their cruel killing tactics, they now perform their kills behind tarps strung across their boats, so others cannot see what they are doing.  They say they are humane in their slaughter of the dolphins they kill for food.  If so, then why have they added the cover of tarps?

Ric O'Barry has actually captured recent video footage of what happens behind the tarps. It is what many of us suspected.  The Video is Not for the Faint-hearted and is Deeply Disturbing if one has any Compassion for Dolphins.  The commentary and the video link is added here for you to follow if you wish.

What if there Were to be a "Sting Debate"?

On a more hopeful note, O'Barry has been recently noted talking with the British Star and Jazz Rock Musician, Sting, this being in the dolphins favor.  According to the Huffington Post, Sting vocalized his opinion while discussing with O'Barry, that people should not be eating dolphins, and that starting a debate is the best way he feels will help save the dolphins.

It is unfortunate that there seems to be be only a trickle of  Celebrities who have come forth to speak out against the Killing of Dolphins and even less who have made it to the Cove itself.  It has been noted that the few times celebrities did show up in the Cove, last year, the killings were halted.  Most likely this occurred because the media was there in full force with the stars presence there reaching out to international acclaim. But, there are no stars in Taiji now, and the killing continues there like clock work...

It would be awesome if Sting would actually choose this haunting site for his own public debate, to speak his mind to the world, encouraging a debate over the actuality of these dolphin horrors cascading like recurring Nightmares, over and over again in the Blood Red Killing Cove. 

Click the links below to read the full articles from the Huffington Post)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ric-o/behind-the-tarp-video-of-_b_812874.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/19/sting-ric-obarry-dolphins_n_810863.html

Saturday, January 15, 2011

It's Nature, Let's Discover: The Striped Dolphin

 This is an Informative Article on the Striped Dolphin from "It's Nature, Let's Discover. 

Did You Know that... "Unfortunately, the Striped Dolphin has failed live successfully in captivity, with animals usually dying within 2 weeks because they fail to eat.",

Or that Dolphin "Drives" still Kill Thousands of Dolphins a Year?

Friday, January 14, 2011