Marine Life & Conservation
National Marine Aquarium Asked To Drop Fish From Menu
On the 19th Feb PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wrote to the Plymouth National Marine Aquarium calling on policy-makers to stop serving dead fish at in-house restaurants – a practice that contradicts the aquarium’s invitation to the public to appreciate the wonder of living fish.
I have long been aware of the pain and stress we put marine animals through when killing them for food, as well as the immense disregard for the fragile ecosystem that supports them. I know from personal experience the great work the Plymouth National Marine Aquarium does for marine research and public awareness of our oceans, but having a fish restaurant is sending confusing and mixed messages about conservation and animal welfare. Surely they should be leading the way into researching alternative food sources that can be equally financially beneficial as well as ethical.
If you are interested by the following article please write your own letter to Dr David Gibson, Managing Director, National Marine Aquarium or copy the one below and let him (and us) know your feelings. This topic will be opened up in our Forum Pages.
PETA – “Experts agree that fish are sensitive, interesting animals who feel pain and have complex social structures. No one – particularly a facility that is supposed to promote respect for sea life – needs to put them on the menu”, says PETA Director Mimi Bekhechi. “The rise of so many delicious, readily available faux-fish dishes means visitors can enjoy a tasty meal without slaughtering animals.”
Biologists have found that fish develop relationships with each other and grieve when their companions die. Some fish are capable of using tools, while others gather information by eavesdropping. These intelligent, sensitive animals are so good-natured that Dr Sylvia Earle, the world’s leading marine biologist, has said, “I wouldn’t deliberately eat a grouper any more than I’d eat a cocker spaniel”. PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”, encourage all caring people to choose tasty vegan options.
Their letter reads:
Dr David Gibson, Managing Director, National Marine Aquarium
From: Dawn Carr, PETA
10 February 2015
Dear Dr Gibson,
I’m writing from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) UK on behalf of all the fish in the sea to ask the National Marine Aquarium to end the sale of seafood in its cafés. The National Marine Aquarium advertises itself as a place where people can cultivate an understanding of and admiration for sea animals. Yet after inviting people to look on these glorious, fascinating animals in awe, it’s odd that your cafés then invite people to stick a fork in them. Serving fish in an aquarium is like serving monkey nuggets at a zoo.
Talk of “sustainable seafood” fails to consider the implications for individual fish, but the fact remains that the seafood in your cafés is made from living sea animals who treasured life and were needlessly subjected to pain and fear.
And human consumption of sea animals is the very cause of the catastrophic destruction of life in the Earth’s oceans. Fish farms introduce non-native animals into sensitive ecosystems, and commercial fishing ships “clear-cut” the ocean floor and inadvertently maim and kill billions of non-target marine animals, including porpoises and sea lions. By encouraging people to eat sea animals, you perpetuate the problem.
Although fish may not always express suffering in ways that humans can easily recognise, experts around the world agree that fish are sensitive, interesting animals who feel pain and have complex social structures. In fact, a 2014 study from the University of Cambridge showed that fish have good memories, work collaboratively to achieve goals and have cognitive abilities that can actually surpass those of dogs and some primates. Leading marine biologist Dr Sylvia Earle said, “You know, fish are sensitive, they have personalities, they hurt when they’re wounded”.
She has also said, “I used to eat all kinds of seafood, but I know too much now. Both about how I value them alive and as individual components of what makes the world work. I’d much rather see grouper swimming in the ocean than swimming in butter with lemon slices”.
I do hope you’ll agree with her and instead consider offering your visitors animal–friendly seafood options, such as fish-free fish fingers, faux-fish cakes and even vegetarian prawns. These options are delicious, environmentally friendly and free of the toxins and cholesterol found in fish flesh and – most importantly – no one has to die for them!
Please let us know that you’ve made the responsible decision to stop serving marine animals in the National Marine Aquarium’s cafés. I can be reached at DawnC@peta.org.uk or on 020 7837 6327, extension 226. Thank you for your consideration.
Kind regards,
Dawn Carr
Manager
Special Projects
The Plymouth Herald published a reply from the Aquarium in which Dr Gibson says:
“We work to educate consumers and our visitors on the importance of eating fish and seafood that has been sourced in a sustainable way, to help nurture a sympathetic understanding of our oceans.
“All fish and seafood served in the aquarium cafe is ethically sourced and MSC compliant.
“We have a robust purchasing policy in place that is proactive in sustainable and seasonal fish, ensuring we maintain the highest levels of sustainable fish sourcing practices possible.”
Dr Gibson said the aquarium aims to educate consumers on how best to source and eat fish and seafood responsibly.
He added: “We’ve also spearheaded a number of initiatives, including helping Plymouth to win the world’s first Fish2fork Blue Fish award and our current campaign for Plymouth to become a Sustainable Fish City.”
This statement from Dr Gibson is of a type I have heard many times before and in my opinion it simply tries to justifiey and rationalise the insidious demise of our seas.
What do you think? Head over to the Scubaverse Forums to let us know.
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.
Marine Life & Conservation
Shark Trust Asks Divers to help with Shark Sightings this Global Citizen Science Month
Whether you are stuck for ideas of what to do with the kids or are off on the dive trip of your dreams. You can get involved in Citizen Science Month and help the Shark Trust by providing vital data about sharks are rays both close to home and further afield.
In addition to reporting the sharks and rays you see on your dives, the eggcases you find on the beach, the Shark Trust is looking for some specific data from divers who are asked to report any Oceanic Whitetip and Basking Sharks.
Oceanic Whitetip Sharks
The Shark Trust are looking specifically for Oceanic Whitetip Shark sightings over the coming weeks and months. So, if you are diving anywhere in the world, please report your sightings via the website or app.
Website: https://recording.sharktrust.org/
App: Search The Shark Trust in your app store
The Oceanic Whitetip. Known for their incredibly long dorsal and pectoral fins, this species was once the most abundant oceanic-pelagic species of shark on the planet.
Large and stocky, they are grey or brown above, and white below and famous for their huge rounded first dorsal fin and paddle-like pectoral fins. The fins also highly prized within the shark fin trade. Whilst they are mostly solitary, Oceanic Whitetips do occasionally hunt in groups.
An inquisitive species, they were easy prey for fisheries. Combined with their low reproductive rate, they were inevitably at high risk of population depletion. And declines of up to 99% have been reported in certain sea areas. They are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Redlist (2019).
Conservation efforts to discourage further declines include listing on CITES Appendix II and CMS Appendix I. They’re also the only species prohibited from take by all the Tuna RFMOs (Regional Fisheries Management Organisations). However, these measures do not mean that Oceanic Whitetips are not still caught – whether targeted or as bycatch – in some parts of the world. With populations declining at such a high rate, effective implementation of management measures is essential to ensure that the species can recover.
If you are lucky enough to get an image of an Oceanic Whitetip and you record your sighting on the Shark Trust app or website YOU CAN WIN! All images submitted with sightings, that also give consent to use in conservation messaging, will be in with a chance to win an Oceanic Whitetip T-shirt and mug. The competition will run until the end of “Shark Month” in July – so keep those sightings (and images) coming in.
Basking Sharks
Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) season is upon us, and the Shark Trust is asking everyone to keep an eye out for these majestic giants over the summer months. If you see any, you can record your sighting to the Basking Shark Sightings database.
Each year, these mighty fish return to British waters to feed on plankton. You may see one, (or a few if you’re really lucky) from around April-October. They can be seen feeding at the surface of the water, where they look like they’re basking in the sun. Thus, their name!
Sighting hotspots around the British Isles include southwest England, Isle of Man, north coast of Ireland, and western Scotland. The Sea of the Hebrides is the most prolific sightings area in Scotland, but they have been spotted all around the coast and have even ventured into some of the sea lochs. The Shark Trust has received thousands of sightings since the Basking Shark project began, but more data is needed to truly understand what is going on with population numbers and distribution. You can help by recording your sightings this summer.
Great Eggcase Hunt
The Shark Trust has an Easter Egg Hunt with a difference for you to try. Take part in the Great Eggcase Hunt and get involved with a big citizen science project that helps shark, ray and skate conservation. And it’s an enjoyable activity for all the family.
The Shark Trust also want snorkellers and divers to record their underwater eggcase findings. Underwater records help pinpoint exactly where sharks and skates are laying their eggs and can help link to beach records. Learning the depth and substrate that they lay on also helps better understand the species.
Find out more: https://www.sharktrust.org/great-eggcase-hunt
Whether you are diving, snorkelling or exploring on the beach you can take part in Citizen Science Month and get actively involved in shark and ray conservation. Find out more: www.sharktrust.org
-
News3 months agoHone your underwater photography skills with Alphamarine Photography at Red Sea Diving Safari in March
-
News2 months agoCapturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs2 months agoCreature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs1 month agoMurex Resorts: Passport to Paradise!
-
Gear News3 months agoBare X-Mission Drysuit: Ideal for Both Technical and Recreational Divers
-
Blogs2 months agoDiver Discovering Whale Skeletons Beneath Ice Judged World’s Best Underwater Photograph
-
Gear Reviews2 months agoGear Review: Oceanic+ Dive Housing for iPhone
-
Blogs3 months agoThe Thrilling Encounter with Tiger Sharks at Beqa Lagoon’s ‘The Colosseum’ with Coral Coast Divers