Kelly Slater and the whole story

As a young social media absorbing women I read the article about Kelly Slater (champion surfer) suggesting a culling of sharks near Reunion with sadness as he is known to be outspoken about shark conservation.
However, reading a post by Captain Paul Watson (Captain of Sea Shepherd) about the meaning behind Kelly Slaters words really hit me as it makes me realise that a lot of news only covered the emotionally triggering part of the story (which is how you get people attention) but a lot of people did and do not stop to read the full story.

Kelly Slater was reacting to the death of a young surfer at Reunion which is a place where shark attacks are frequent, when talking to Captain Paul Watson he stated that he didn't think culling sharks was the solution but that he (Kelly Slater) would like to work with conservationists, scientists and surfers to try to find a solution to the number of shark attacks.

The two articles I read are below, one against Kelly and one for him:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/24/surf-champion-kelly-slater-calls-for-daily-shark-cull-on-reunion
- The Guardian article on Kelly's Statement on shark culling

https://www.facebook.com/captpaulwatson/posts/10154791031245932:0
- Captain Paul Watsons statement and conversation about Kelly Slater's statement.

A spotted Eagle Ray on dive in the Galapagos

Vaquita

The Vaquita which is the most endangered porpoise is a tiny porpoise that keeps being caught in bycatch due to a... Chinese delicacy.
Because apparently dried (endangered) Totoaba fish's swim bladders are a delicacy and are sold for thousands to wealthy diners as they have supposed medicinal qualities.
Seeing as the swim bladder is a sac of gas needed for buoyancy, I might as well sell my kidney and fill it with air, as that would probably be more nutritious.

Population declined by 90% from 2011 in order to meet the demand for totoaba.
There are 30 porpoise left in the wild population.

This is with the protection of the Mexican navy and many conservation groups trying to ban gillnets and take them out of the ocean, but the Totoaba fishermen put thousands in the protected area.

They are trying to start a captive breeding program for these tiny porpoises but as they give birth to live young every two years, it will be difficult. But hopefully with awareness and support this path can help to save the Vaquita.

!!

Original Article:https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/27/science/vaquitas-dolphins-mexico-extinction.html?_r=0

Begin Again

You may be wondering why out of the blue and with such a sad post I start my blog again after 2.5 years. Well, its always been simmering in my mind. Ideas and posts have been brewing. My mind is always bubbling away but now it has definitely come back to the boil.
Maybe its because I got accepted into a Marine Biology course at university or maybe its because I feel more settled on my path; whatever it is I am as determined if not more determined to make sure that sharks are heard.

So heres to boiling passions.

Guess what the type of shark is?

In memory of Rob Stewart

I wrote the post below a few days after Rob Steward passed away peacefully below the ocean waves. He was someone I had always wanted to meet and someone who had a serious impact on my life as his documentary made me realise many things about the marine world and human civilisation but I think the most important thing was that he never gave up hope and in his book and other documentaries he truly believed that we as humans could and would change for the better of our world. His optimism was amazing considering what he faced documenting the slaughter of his favourite animal, but he never wavered he was beyond brave and now its up to us to continue his legacy and making sure that marine animals voices are heard no matter what.

Here is the post:

"My favourite conservationist and idol was found peacefully at the bottom of the ocean on Friday after more than 50 hours of searching. 

He was in the middle of making his second film Sharkwater: Extinction. To me, Rob Stewart was someone I aspired to be like, his first film Sharkwater (exposing the shark finning industry) was the first film I watched when it dawned on me that I wanted to be a marine biologist so I could study and save sharks. From then on my world became shark focused and I would wake up with a renewed passion to save and learn more about these beautiful creatures. 

His death is a great loss to the world of conservation and we must now fulfil what he was unable to do and bring awareness of the underwater world filled with magic and wonder. We must realise that without the oceans our planet will not survive. Without Rob Stewart’s film I may not have realised my passion and for that I am forever grateful. 

He took chances and now it’s up to us to keep on taking chances in this uncertain world and use our voices for those who are misunderstood.

Rest easy, ocean warrior."