Year of the Ocean.. 2013?

So since I last wrote I have read a few articles regarding sharks and life in the ocean. The one that stood out was the article on Richard Branson's decision to help the oceans.

Richard Branson (head of the company Virgin) who is a very powerful and influential person has claimed 2013 to be the year  of the OCEAN!

Here is a part of his blog :) its a great blog to read and he is a great person to help raise awareness for the oceans.

http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/blog/2013-will-be-the-year-of-the-ocean

Summer 2013

I am super excited for my summer. This year I have decided that, because I loved working to build a turtle nursery, patrolling the beach and learning about the different turtles last year, I have decided that I really want to broaden my knowledge of turtles and what is threatening them so that I can spread awareness of how human activity is affecting not only the top predators such as sharks and tuna but also ocean reptiles and peaceful animals such as the giant manta ray.

The way I have decided to do this is by applying to a course in Mexico known as "Projects abroad".  Its a company which sends volunteers to work all around the world, working on what they want to focus on to make the world a better place. I decided to apply for 2 weeks in Mexico so that I could work with turtles along the pacific coast and also because I would love to improve my spanish at the same time.

Another good thing about it is that I need to raise funds to go and so I have to fundraise and do challenges, which is great practice for DORSAL. Also the challenge i am doing at the moment is 100miles in 60 days, running, I have asked family and friends to sponsor me if they would like to. Its great!  I am not a big runner but now having this goal I have to get out and run everyday which helps not only my focus in school but makes me so much happier. I would never admit it to my parents who have told me since i was little that exercise can make you a happier more alive person...Its awesome :) Now it has become one of the things I look forward to do everyday.

So that is was I have planned. Hopefully with this greater awareness I can educate people on the ocean as a whole and how it is so important, not only to the creatures in the ocean but also for land animals including humans.

If I can persuade you to do anything, other then raise awareness of the oceans plight,  it would be to run or do some sort of exercise everyday. It just makes you smile and laugh more :)

Olive Ridley turtle

Will people respond?

Recently in the London newspaper known as the Metro published shocking photos of sharks fins and a few paragraphs on what was happening and what was being done.

Below is a link on shark finning, it is pretty horrific yet in a widely read newspaper, which fingers crossed means lots of people have read the article.

http://metro.co.uk/2013/01/02/shocking-images-from-hong-kong-show-the-sharks-slaughtered-every-year-for-soup-3335911/