Marine Life & Conservation
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW: Scubaverse talks with Brendan Kelly of Sea Shepherd about their campaign to stop the continued whale and dolphin slaughter in the Faroe Islands
THIS IS HOW MANY OF THE PEOPLE ON THE FAROE ISLANDS ENJOY THEIR FREE TIME.
Are you thinking of a holiday in the Faroe Islands this year? If you’re passionate about Marine Life and Conservation, you might want to think again, says Jeff Goodman…
They call it tradition; they call it a gift from god. But it’s not. It’s archaic, it’s barbaric, it’s sickening and it’s totally unnecessary. The Faroese call it the ‘Grind’. I call it shameful. Each year thousands of Whales and Dolphins are herded onto the shores of the Faroe Islands and butchered in the most stressful and painful way imaginable. Whole pods and family groups are terrorised by people looking for a bit of entertainment.
The Faroe Islands lie north of Scotland, half way between Norway and Iceland. The hunt was believed to have begun in the 15th century. Maybe it had purpose then. Food and oil to help mans survival. Today there is no need for either. In fact Whale meat, along with that from other marine species is positively not good for consumption as it holds high levels of PCB chemicals and Mercury – a legacy from our continual dumping of toxic waste at sea.
Today the Faroes is one of the wealthiest countries per capita in Europe. They have high standards of living and an almost zero crime rate. The Faroes tourist board boast of a beautiful destination – a great place for the family holiday. Funnily enough you will not see pictures of the Grind on the welcome brochures.
The Grind is not just a macho event for arrogant men, it is for the whole family to enjoy and take part in. Mum, dad, children, grandparents. It’s a real family day out. Creating terror and pain to another sentient species. Taking pleasure in driving heavy pulling hooks into blow holes. Proud of their skills at being able to saw through heads and spines with kitchen knives.
The conservation group Sea Shepherd along with other conservation organisations have tried many times to bring a stop to this senseless slaughter, but it never the less prevails. Now in 2014 Sea Shepherd is going all out to publicise this cruelty and bring the Grind to a halt. They cannot do this on their own. I ask you to support them. Social media has become a powerful tool for bringing people together and highlighting global problems. Share the facts of this crime against nature with all your friends. Be part of a culture that holds its head up high and says ‘we have had enough’. Sea Shepherd is not full of highly paid activists, but made up of volunteers, people like you and me. People who care about the planet on which we all live.
On the 18th of Feb 2014 I attended a brief presentation on the Grind given by Brenda Kelly, a volunteer supporter of Sea Shepherd. After the talk I ask him about the campaign ahead.
[youtube id=”lxdHr01BTuo” width=”100%” height=”400px”]
For more information, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/operaciongrindstop2014
Contact Sea Shepherd: GrindStop@SeaShepherdGlobal.org
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
-
News3 months agoHone your underwater photography skills with Alphamarine Photography at Red Sea Diving Safari in March
-
News3 months agoCapturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs2 months agoCreature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs2 months agoMurex Resorts: Passport to Paradise!
-
Blogs2 months agoDiver Discovering Whale Skeletons Beneath Ice Judged World’s Best Underwater Photograph
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months agoSave the Manatee Club launches brand new webcams at Silver Springs State Park, Florida
-
Gear Reviews3 months agoGear Review: Oceanic+ Dive Housing for iPhone
-
Gear Reviews2 weeks agoGEAR REVIEW – Revolutionising Diving Comfort: The Sharkskin T2 Chillproof Suit