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Marine Life & Conservation

Hilton Worldwide leads way in biggest ever voluntary underwater clean up to mark Earth Day 2014

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Teams of enthusiastic divers from across the UAE joined forces with Hilton Worldwide in Ras Al Khaimah this weekend for their second annual underwater clean-up drive as part of a worldwide event organised by Project AWARE to help protect the marine environment.

Over 50 divers from around the country geared up in wetsuits, dive equipment and tanks, trash bags and gloves to join the biggest volunteer programme of underwater clean-up in the country to help rid the sea off the Ras Al Khaimah coastline of debris and trash. Working in pairs, the dedicated teams recovered over 200kg of trash in just one hour. The haul contained a range of discarded items including plastic bottles and bags, ropes, nets, and other forms of debris. Meanwhile, non-diver volunteers assisted on land to receive the team after their clean up and to assist in discarding the collected rubbish.

Mohab Ghali, country manager, Ras Al Khaimah, Hilton Worldwide said: “This year’s underwater clean-up is one of the most high profile exercises in promoting sustainability ever seen in Ras Al Khaimah. The dedicated team of divers have a passionate interest in protecting their marine surroundings and I am delighted they have made such an impact in their second major initiative.”

Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa sponsored and hosted the event with over 80 divers and volunteers together, ranging from beginners to instructors and spanning 20 different countries.

After the morning’s clean-up, tired and hungry volunteers enjoyed a peaceful afternoon in the sunshine on the beach of the Hilton Resort & Spa where they enjoyed complimentary lunch and refreshments. A whole host of supporters donated various raffle prizes including hotel stays from all over UAE, Salalah in Oman and even the Seychelles, dining vouchers, spa, seaplane, cruises and more. Adventure Sports Centre, main partner of the event, provided the diving equipment, boats and, importantly their invaluable experience throughout the process ensuring proper set-up, organisation from boats to equipment, manpower and more.

Project AWARE is now in its second decade of underwater conservation and supports an unprecedented global movement of divers acting in their own communities to protect oceans and helping to implement lasting change. The committee members have now created Ras Al Khaimah Coastal Council to focus on the beautiful 65KM coastline in the Emirate, enjoyed every year by thousands of visitors to Ras Al Khaimah.

Emille Artigas, founder of the project, commented, “Our message and passions are clear, and our sole purpose is to make a difference. We want to protect the fragile marine environment, share the importance of reef ecosystems and contribute to the longevity of this beautiful underwater kingdom. It’s amazing to see that many share our passion, and finally, I applaud every member of the committee, who dedicated their time and enthusiasm to this worthwhile cause.”

The newly formed Ras Al Khaimah Coastal Council have lined up a series of conservation led initiatives for this year and will be calling on additional helpers to lend a caring hand throughout 2014 and 2015 to join in the building and funding of an artificial reef and also to protect baby turtles at hatching time.

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Evolution of Manatees in Florida

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Op-ed by Beth Brady, PhD, Senior Science and Conservation Associate, Save the Manatee® Club

Recent news articles and broadcasts have claimed that manatees are not native to Florida or only arrived on Florida’s west coast in the 1950s. These claims, based on limited anthropological records, point to where manatees were historically exploited by humans and assume that a lack of evidence means manatees were absent from certain areas. However, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence—it’s like looking for stars in the daytime; just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there. Moreover, genetic and fossil evidence indicate manatees have been present in Florida for the last 12,000 years.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which manages Florida manatee populations, has created a manatee timeline highlighting key dates and notable information about manatee presence in Florida (https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/timeline/). Historical records suggest that manatees have been observed in Florida as far back as the 1500s, with some details presented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife timeline aligning with evidence presented in the publication.

manatee

Manatee species, such as the African manatee and the Antillean manatee, continue to be poached by humans (Marsh et al., 2022). As a result, these species are difficult to observe in the wild and may adapt by foraging at night to avoid human encounters (Rycyk et al., 2021). This behavior could help explain why historical Florida manatee populations that were hunted by humans are absent from middens and rarely mentioned in historical accounts.

Further, the publication only briefly touches on the paleontological record and genetic evidence, which indicate that manatees have existed in Florida for a much longer period. Fossil and genetic evidence reveal a rich history of manatees in Florida. Manatees belong to the order Sirenia, which includes the Amazonian, African, and West Indian manatee species. While Sirenian fossils have been found globally, only Florida and the Caribbean contain specimens from every epoch over the past 50 million years (Reep and Bonde, 2006). The modern manatee, as we know it, emerged in the Caribbean about 2 million years ago (Domning, 1982).

The evolution of manatees during the Pleistocene epoch provides valuable insights into how environmental changes shaped their distribution and genetic diversity. During the Pleistocene epoch (2.59 million to 11,700 years ago), there were roughly 20 cycles of long glacial periods (40,000–100,000 years) followed by shorter interglacial periods lasting around 20,000 years. At the start of these warmer periods, Caribbean manatees migrated northward with the warming waters (Reep and Bonde, 2006). Water currents and thermal barriers isolated these manatees from populations in Mexico and the Caribbean, leading to genetic divergence. Fossil evidence indicates that Trichechus manatus bakerorum lived in Florida and North Carolina about 125,000 years ago but did not survive the last glacial period, which began 100,000 to 85,000 years ago (Domning, 2005). This subspecies was eventually replaced by modern Florida manatees.

This evolutionary theory is further supported by genetic evidence. Research indicates that Florida manatees trace their evolutionary origins to Caribbean ancestors that migrated northward over the past 12,000 years (Garcia-Rodriguez et al., 1998). A 2012 study by Tucker et al. reinforces this theory, showing higher genetic diversity in manatees on Florida’s west coast compared to those on the east. Over time, core populations migrated northward, with some groups moving south and east along the Florida coastline before heading north along the Atlantic. This migration pattern left the west coast population with greater genetic diversity, while the east coast population retained only a smaller subset. These findings suggest that the founding population of Florida manatees—arriving approximately 12,000 years ago—originated along Florida’s southwestern coast, which became the center of the state’s manatee population (Reep and Bonde, 2006). The process of vicariance further supports this hypothesis; as geographic and ecological barriers emerged, they likely isolated the Florida manatee populations from their Caribbean ancestors. This isolation likely limited migration back and forth between regions, fostering the establishment of local populations in southwestern Florida.

manatee

Manatees are not only a cherished symbol of Florida’s natural heritage but also a species with deep evolutionary and historical ties to the region. In sum, despite recent claims questioning their nativity, extensive fossil and genetic evidence confirms that manatees have been present in Florida’s waters for thousands of years, with ancestors dating back over 12,000 years. We agree with the authors of the published article that protecting these iconic creatures and their habitats is essential to preserving Florida’s unique ecological identity for future generations

Beth Brady is the Senior Science and Conservation Associate at Save the Manatee Club whose work focuses on manatee biology and conservation. She has her PhD from Florida Atlantic University and her Master’s in Marine Science from Nova Southeastern University.

savethemanatee.org

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Marine Life & Conservation

Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid

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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.

The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.

Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.

In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.

Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.

Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.

The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.

Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.

Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.

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