Marine Life & Conservation
Protect whales & dolphins from seismic blasts
Last Friday President Obama’s Administration announced that it has approved the use of seismic testing to explore for offshore oil from Delaware to Florida risking the lives of nearly 140,000 marine mammals. Seismic testing uses sonic cannons to find oil and gas deposits.
The blasts are 100,000 times louder than a jet engine.
This seismic testing poses an imminent threat to endangered marine species including the right whale and the blue whale as well as dolphin populations. Much opposition to this proposal has also come from the fishing industry as seismic testing would seriously impact the fish stocks on which recreational and commercial fishermen depend.
The endangered North Atlantic right whale species, of which there are less than 500 remaining, breeds off the coast of Georgia near the proposed blast zone.
Ignoring overwhelming public opposition and the potential for another disastrous oil spill on the East Coast, President Obama approved Mid-Atlantic seismic testing anyway. While the oil and gas industry claim this approval will revitalize the region with new jobs, it is directly threatening the tourism and fishing industries.
Doesn’t anyone in the White House remember the Deepwater Horizon disaster?
President Obama must be deaf to totally dismiss the vocal opposition of Americans after hearing from more than 100,000 citizens, receiving resolutions passed by 16 coastal cites opposing seismic testing, hearing from 50 members of Congress, 160 conservation and animal welfare organizations, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and 100 scientists.
The seismic testing is just the beginning of what could be in store for East Coast marine ecosystems. If exploration does result in oil rigs and drilling, it’s simply a matter of time before there is a devastating oil spill.
Although the situation seems dire, we cannot give up. If we’re silent on this fatal approval, we’re letting President Obama believe we’re okay with it.
Act now to stop the next offshore oil spill before it starts and protect marine life from seismic blasts.
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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.
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