Found this Good Ocean Cause to Follow on Facebook:

http://www.causes.com/causes/791439-ocean-protectors

Jason de Caires Taylor ~ Underwater Sculptural Art & Conservation ~Artificial Reefs

Celebrating a unique Champion of the Seas, Jason de Caires Taylor, who through his underwater sculptural art helps to create artificial reef for our fragile and environmentally challenged Ocean.  His creative work draws people to the cause of the pressing need for protecting and caring for the ocean and the rest of our planet Earth:

Biography  (excerpt from his website ~ http://underwatersculpture.com/pages/artist/bio.htm
Born in 1974 to an English father and Guyanese mother, Taylor grew up in Europe and Asia, where he spent much of his early childhood exploring the coral reefs of Malaysia. Educated in the South East of England, Taylor graduated from the London Institute of Arts in 1998 with a BA Honours in Sculpture and went on to become a fully qualified diving instructor and underwater naturalist. With over 17 years diving experience under his belt, Taylor is also an award winning underwater photographer, famous for his dramatic images, which capture the metamorphosing effects of the ocean on his evolving sculptures. In 2006, Taylor founded and created the world's first underwater sculpture park. Situated off the coast of Grenada in the West Indies it is now listed as one of the Top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic. His latest creation is MUSA (Museo Subaquatico de Arte), a monumental museum with a collection of over 450 public sculptural works, submerged off the coast of Cancun, Mexico; described by Forbes as one of the world's most unique travel destinations. Both these ambitious, permanent public works have a practical, functional aspect, facilitating positive interactions between people and fragile underwater habitats while at the same relieving pressure on natural resources. Taylor's art is like no other, a paradox of creation, constructed to be assimilated by the ocean and transformed from inert objects into living breathing coral reefs, portraying human intervention as both positive and life-encouraging. Numerous publications and documentaries have featured his extraordinary work, including the BBC, CNN, USA Today, the Guardian, Vogue, New Scientist and the Discovery Channel, yet nothing can quite do justice to the ephemeral nature of his art; for each actual visit to his sites is both unique and subject to the dynamic, fluctuating environment of the ocean.

More on this sculptural artist from "Artist a Day":
Jason de Caires Taylor: Featured Artist a Day

Why Dolphins Should Not Be Kept in Captivity

A New Blog ~"Cetacean Freedom" 1st Post... A School Essay on Why Dolphins Should Not be Kept in Captivity by 15 year old, Amy-Jo Randalls
Great Info Here ~ Recommend visiting and reading.
Thanks Amy for Caring and Sharing.  I know you did quite a bit of research on this topic and I hope it reaches out and touches the hearts of many people.
Dolphins and Whales do NOT belong in Captivity

"Why Dolphins Should Not be Kept in Captivity"

The Life of the Plastic Bag

Have you Ever Wondered where that Haphazardly Discarded Plastic Bag Ends Up?

A Mocumentary Video on the Life and Travel of the Notorious Plastic Bag ~ credits to www.healthebay.org

The Majestic Plastic Bag:

"Song For the Ocean"

I just found a fantastic website with a positive thrust towards wellness and longevity for the Ocean .  It invites us all to take a step forward and sing along with Kirsten in her healing song for the Ocean.  I actually came across the song on facebook and was directed to the website ~ http://songfortheocean.com from there. 

"Song for the Ocean" and "Ethereal Matterial" on Facebook posted a poignant message for all the People of the World to take heed ... We must all take responsibility for the health of our Ocean and it's inhabitants. The song and video pretty much says it all so I am adding that link here at the bottom of this message. 

Kristen Calls out to Father Earth to hear the plea for healing and good welfare of the ocean and asks us to join in the song with our own well wishes for Mother Ocean.

She petitions us in her song, singing "This is the Song for the Ocean, Father Earth We are Calling Your Name.  We Know You are Taken For Granted But We Stand Here Committed to Change.  The Voices of the Children are Singing, Towards Tomorrows Horizon They Gaze,  Oh, This is the Song of the Ocean, Give Us Strength.."  ~ The message further unravels in a beautiful song she has written that is complimented by the ocean and ocean life in the background.
Please Listen and watch this Amazing Video for the Full Message:
Kristin is truly a Champion of the Seas!

Song for the Ocean
BY KRISTIN HOFFMANN  ~ My goal for the “Song for the Ocean” project is to get a minimum of 1 million people to join me in singing this song and together make this an official Anthem for the Ocean. As we sing, let’s hold the vision of a healthy planet, and make a commitment to the Earth and all it’s creatures, to be a part of positive change in whatever ways we can. You can sing this song on your own, in a group, a chorus, any way you can imagine. Videotape yourself or a group singing “Song for the Ocean” and upload your video to YouTube...I will add you to my favorites! I am going to keep a list of all people who sing on the song, so e-mail your names, and you can be one of the million voices! Also visit www.songfortheocean.com or http://www.youtube.com/user/SongForTheOcean

"For the Love of Dolphins"

Hello Ocean Friends.

I just found this poignant posting by JamieLynn2001 on the "Cyber Whale Warrior Blog" by Holise Cleveland titled   "For the Love of Dolphins" .   I recommend it to all.

I believe that is possible for one to gain insight into the captured dolphin's mind in "The Cove of Taiji" Japan, by seeing it through the mind of the dolphin, which is portrayed in the first half of this posting.   In the latter part of this blog post there is further explanation to the horrendous activity that takes place during the Taiji dolphin hunts.

Let it be also known that these hunts not only take a surplus of many dolphin lives, but also the lives of small whales that migrate through this region. (whales and dolphins are of the same family, but many people are unaware of this fact and think of them as separate)...  Unfortunately, one has not found a way to change their migratory courses, or been able to eliminate their dying days in the Cove by the hunters who kill them for dolphin meat and the sale of live dolphins for entertainment.

People are not allowed to intervene by Japanese Law.  They can only watch and record what takes place.  If they try to intervene, they are threatened with arrest.  Intervening may be as little as a reported "push"... Recently, and reportedly, one photographer activist was taken to jail for "intervening" in application of Japanese Law.  I have read that his trial date has been set for late January or February.  The dolphins are herded and taken in Japanese Waters, yet the dolphins are not Japanese.... They are mammals of the seas that travel through international waters.  They are loved by many, and hunted by few...  And generation after generation, by the many thousands, they continue to be deliberate targets of death and capture here in the Cove of Taiji.

And so with saddened heart, I fear the dolphins and whales, like so many other animals facing extinction today, will disappear via man's ignorance and greed in the not too distant future ~  if nothing is done to stop it.  And, I continue to pray in hope, that through written, video, and verbal expression to the world in continual public education and through public outcry, the Japanese will finally take responsibility themselves.  My hope is that they will then respond in a positive manner to halt this practice, changing a destructive path for the betterment of their own people, and in so doing, for the benefit of the world.

Here is that link again to the article:
"For the Love of Dolphins"

Thank you JamieLynn2001 for writing and posting this great article about the Dolphins of Taiji on the Cyber Whale Warrior Blog.  Your voice plays an important part of helping to create the necessary change for a better world for all of earth's inhabitants.  This is one small area of the earth, yet it plays an important role in all our existence.  The Ocean is a major & necessary part of our life, and the animals of the Seas all Play an Important Role in maintaining a Homeostatic Earth Environment.  We, the Human Race, are contaminating the ocean, and contaminating ourselves.  We continue to destroy and reap havoc on many, if not all life forms.   It is time for us to wake up and stop this insanity by taking an Active Role in correcting the wrongs that continue to be done in the name of progress and greed.   Human respect for the animals and their unique roles in life are a very real issue in maintaining and guaranteeing our own existence.

Empire State Building In Red in Support of Freedom & Life for Dolphins Hunted in the COVE

Bulletin: THE COVE team turns the Empire State Building Red! ... | causes.com - Mozilla Firefox http://ow.ly/7Y3VZ

"This weekend DolphinProject.org/Earth Island Institute's Ric O'Barry and THE COVE director Louie Psihoyos lit up the Empire State Building to raise awareness for THE COVE! The color red symbolizes the blood red waters of the cove in Taiji, Japan, where thousands of dolphins are brutally killed each year. Their meat, which contains toxic levels of mercury, is sold as food even though it's unfit for human consumption. Most people in Japan don't know this is happening."

Photos on Facebook of the Weekend Event of December 9th of Changing the Empire State Building's Colors to Red for Dolphin Awareness of the Killings and Captures in Taiji Japan, are Here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150616461939616.487616.120001599615&type=3

Read More Here:
http://dolphinproject.org/blog/post/empire-state-building-in-red-for-dolphins

Who Wants to Live Forever?

Excerpt: ... "This is an informational video to help bring the message out about conservation and features the Music of Queen. Erik Brush tells a poignient visual and musical story of the importance of getting involved. Also shares website info for www.erikbrush.com/ and www.seashepherd.org/

Set to the music and incomparable voice of legendary Queen singer and songwriter Freddy Mercury."

Erik Brush in his own words is a ..."wildlife artist turned conservation author and shark biologist.... fighting to protect sharks and the worlds oceans. I am a firm advocate of better education and positive solutions!"

"Fear in the Water" by Erik Brush

Fear in the water!

by Erik Brush on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 6:06pm (author, artist and conservationist)~ follow him @ http://www.erikbrush.com/ and on facebook

"The Ugliest of Monsters that you will ever find in our world is the darker side of the Human mind! - Self Quote."


I was swimming near a coral head in what seemed like a paradise on Earth. The warm waters of the reef fueling my body with energy and life and then there was a strange scent. I could feel fear filling me in a way that I could not explain. I looked around and then I saw them.

Two sharks lay on the bottom of the reef and crabs tugged and ate at the deformed bodies. I thought that they might have been born with deformities bit as I swam closer I saw that they were missing their fins. Only the upper tail fin remained and there were large gashes across their heads and necks where some great tooth or something sharp had bitten or cut the sharks.

A little farther more sharks lay on the bottom in the same or worse condition. It was terrible! I wondered if I knew these fish? Had I seen them in past encounters on the reef? I could not be sure. They seemed familiar to me and yet the scent and sight of death had shocked me and my focus was labored and I couldn't quite reason as well as I would have liked to on this gruesome day.

What kind of creature kills without eating what it kills? What kind of creature destroys life and discards it with such casual abandon? I couldn't understand this. I hunt to eat, not to maim or torment or discard what I take. That is not natural! It's just plain wrong and evil in its own right.

I left the area. It was too heartbreaking to stay and the death in the water may have pleased the crabs, but not me. It was a troubling sign. Looking around I could not see much life on the reef. The large fish were gone and the coral was dying. They say that this is due to acidification of the water which causes a condition known as coral bleaching. I wonder if they understand the link to sharks that is directly fueling this? I doubt it. They never mention sharks, whoever they are.

Swimming further I realize that I must cross a deeper expanse in order to find a better place to swim and study. Upon crossing the deep passage I could feel the flow of cooler water, but now there was a new scent wafting toward me. sounds screamed in a frequency that I can hear quite well and scents drifted to me of dying and dead marine life that seemed to vanish off into the distance for miles.

I came across the bodies of the dying or dead and had a feeling of dread replace the omni-present hunger that I felt. These creatures were all trapped. Floating at the same level with each other. There were dead turtles and dying tuna. A mahi and a few jacks. A barracuda, along with several dead and dying sharks. The caravan of weak or dead animals stretched for miles and miles.

It is strange to see this sight. But it is not the first time that the death line has suddenly been seen before me. I  suppose it is a popular trend with the strange beings who live above the water. In the old days the few remaining elders impart that the oceans were different. The water does not taste the same. The harvesters of all life were not so numerous. Not so greedy.

Today we live and swim in a waste or dying oceans. Our bodies filled with chemicals and trash. Our predators and enemies have become the predators and enemies of all life. Perhaps the skies above them have filled their bodies and minds with a sickness that makes them act so strange. We are all only targets and time is running out. It is becoming empty as fast as the oceans themselves.

It did not have to be this way. In fact it was never intended to be this way. For hundreds of millions of years nothing like these creatures has plagued the world with so much destruction and death. But the end will also bring about their end. In a way it is a comfort just knowing that they are too foolish to last. Too short sighted to understand how badly they have destroyed our world. But they will get it only when it is too late for themselves and for most of us.

So we watch and wait for nature to strike the last blow. It is inevitable. If you take more than you need, and decimate without allowing for other species to recover, then you destroy all chance for balance to continue. And when balance fails, then life fails. I do not know if my species will survive, but I know that some of my kind will escape the great destruction. That one day the parasite from the world above the water will perish and the denizens from beneath will recover. One day in the peaceful future there will be sharks once more thriving and ruling our oceans. And the evolutionary nightmare primates will not even be a memory among any of the survivors.

- Erik

Facebook LINK:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/erik-brush/fear-in-the-water/278832492129726

Examiner.com Article: Millions in Federal Taxpayer Funds Going to Mississippi "Dolphin Pimp"

by Sandy McElhaney

Woodbridge Animal Advocacy Examiner

I have included exerpts to this very informative article in the September 12, 2011 Washington DC Examiner News.  It seems obvious that there is a hemorrhagic misuse of federal funds going towards mismanagement of marine mammals in captivity and other pet projects.  ... "According to Citizens Against Government Waste, a whopping $16.5 billion went to Congressional pet projects in 2010" and  the startling highlight of this article is centered around Millions in Federal Taxpayer Funds Going to Mississippi "Dolphin Pimp" Moby Solangi who is supporting a “state of the art” dolphinarium for the citizens of Mississippi. ...  " 

In this article, it is noted and reported that "Leading the pack in discretionary spending is Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Thad Cochran.  In Fiscal Year 2010, Cochran earmarked 27 projects to the tune of $44,400,000.  Of that sum, $1,000,000 went to the Center for Marine Education and Research-Ocean Expo-Learning Center at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies."  The $75 million Ocean Expo is the brain child of Moby Solangi.  ... Richard O’Barry, star of the Academy award winning documentary, The Cove, has  characterized Solangi as a “Dolphin Pimp”.  Said O’Barry, “Solangi is one of the world's biggest traffickers in captive dolphins, and his track record is a litany of violent dolphin captures and exploitation. “ ....

It is my opinion and the opinion of many others from researching facts, that dolphins do not belong in captivity, and do not thrive in captivity.  I do not support a multi-million dollar industry in trafficking captive dolphins.  Do you?  Please read more from the article here:

http://www.examiner.com/animal-advocacy-in-washington-dc/millions-federal-taxpayer-funds-going-to-mississippi-dolphin-pimp

Sea World Tie to the Annual Taiji Dolphin Slaughter - "Fall From Freedom" Video

The following excerpt  is taken verbatim from the Seattle PI News August 29th, 2011

Author: Candace Calloway Whiting

Candace Calloway Whiting has studied and trained dolphins, seals, and orca whales. She is currently a volunteer at the Center for Whale Research at Friday Harbor.

"Narrated by Mike Farrell (M*A*S*H, Providence), "A Fall From Freedom" digs deep into the history of the captive dolphin and whale industry. Topics covered in the film include:

 -Sea World representatives secretly promoted the Japanese dolphin drives where thousands of animals are driven to shore and brutally killed, in order to provide their parks with replacement animals, says Dr. John Hall, former Sea World biologist.

-There is no educational value to having whales or dolphins in a captive environment, states former Sea World biologist Dr. John Hall and former Sea World killer whale trainer Dr. John Jett.

 -Contrary to the claims of many marine parks and aquariums, captive killer whales die far more frequently and at a far earlier age than they do in the wild, says Dr. Naomi Rose, biologist for Humane Society International.

 -Sea World has been involved in illegal and unethical actions to assure their parks are well stocked with killer whales, states former Sea World biologist Dr. John Hall.

 -The Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums has worked tirelessly to reduce government oversight on the health and well-being of captive whales and dolphins, states Dr. Naomi Rose.

 -Sea World representatives have claimed that whales and dolphins are not highly intelligent, sophisticated, and social animals. Dr. Lori Marino, a leading expert on killer whale intelligence and social dynamics, asserts that their intelligence and social dependence is second only to humans.

 -Sea World and other marine parks claimed that the rehabilitation and release back to the wild of Keiko, star of the Free Willy movie, was a failure from the start. Dave Phillips of the Free Willy-Keiko Foundation argues that the project was a rousing success, which proved that these animals can be taken from captivity, rehabilitated and returned to the wild."

http://blog.seattlepi.com/candacewhiting/2011/08/18/seaworld-is-tied-to-the-annual-taiji-dolphin-slaughter-in-this-provocative-film-watch-it-for-free-then-share-with-your-community/

Fall From Freedom Video:  http://vimeo.com/26041965
Fall From Freedom Trailer: http://vimeo.com/26041965

"Australian Dugongs In Peril"

9/22/11 Update on the Dugong and Sea Turtle Crisis in Australia: 

This is a recent video from "CollinwhocaresRiddell" on Facebook about the Dugong and Sea Turtle Crisis.  These important sea creatures are steadily and quickly reaching the point of extinction if man and the environmental elements continue to kill them at this alarming rate.  Although there is a limit on take for Australians, there is a loophole that is causing them harm... Unfortunately for them, the indigenous people of Australia are not under any ban for capture and kill quotas, and there is over-killing and cruelty enforced upon these helpless creatures by certain members of this group thereby pushing the animals towards endangerment and extinction.  Some of the Indigenous people have seen this peril and offer a moratorium.  But this is not law and is under their own intent.  Unfortunately, those in power do not seem to think this is even a problem so have not taken a stance to help by enforcing a moratorium.  So, Colin Riddell, Bob Irwin of Bob Irwin Wildlife Fund, and James Epong,  Dugong and Turtle Protection Officer, are calling on the people to help... They are asking ALL Australians to Support them on a Moratorium for Turtle and Dugong Hunting in Australia. 

Please see the video clip below for more info:

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150320757434604

Colin Riddell and Bob Irwin's Save Australian Dugong and Sea Turtles Site:  http://dugongandturtles.webs.com/

Article by "The Independent Nature"

Famine threatens Australia's gentle sea cows

Extreme weather has destroyed the dugong's feeding grounds – just the latest menace facing this already endangered species

By Roger Maynard in Sydney

Sunday, 28 August 2011

"An underwater famine is posing the latest threat to one of Australia's most endangered marine species, the dugong, which lives entirely on sea grass. At least 100 have starved to death in recent months and many more are likely to follow in the absence of their only food source.... "In addition to climatic and industrial threats to the dugong population, indigenous fishermen have also been accused of endangering the species. Next month a television campaign will be launched by animal activists who believe Australia's Native Title laws are allowing the "uncontrolled" and "unmonitored slaughter" of dugongs and turtles. Australians For Animals has accused some aboriginal groups of "appalling cruelty".

Campaign organiser Colin Riddell says: "We have a confirmed report of a dugong calf being tied to the back of a boat, its cries bringing in the mother so they can both be killed. We have reports in our office of indigenous groups going out in motor boats with a GPS to find dugongs. Once found, they radio their mates and entire pods of dugongs are slaughtered."

Dugong hunting has been an accepted part of Australia's indigenous culture for thousands of years. Their ivory and bones are used in traditional crafts and their meat, which is said to be similar to high quality beef, is regarded as a delicacy. The Native Title Act allows dugongs to be caught by aborigines for personal, domestic or non-commercial needs, but, according to Mr Riddell, some are being sold for profit. He claims the meat sells for nearly £100 a kilo and is even being exported.

Now he is urging the government to call a moratorium on dugong hunting until population numbers are established. "I don't have a problem with Native Title hunting if it's done sustainably," he insists. "But let's just see how many are left."...  (click on link below for full article)

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/famine-threatens-australias-gentle-sea-cows-2345167.html

Colin Riddell and Bob Irwin's Save Australian Dugong and Sea Turtles Site:  http://dugongandturtles.webs.com/