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Marine Life & Conservation

SeaWorld plans to block shareholder vote aimed at ‘retiring’ killer whales

Published

10 years ago

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SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. intends to block shareholders from voting on a measure that urges the Orlando-based company to develop “coastal sanctuaries” and use them as retirement homes for its collection of captive killer whales.

The proposal was submitted by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in advance of SeaWorld’s first annual shareholders meeting, where shareholders will be asked to elect directors and vote on other company business. PETA owns 80 shares of SeaWorld stock.

But SeaWorld has told federal regulators it plans to ignore PETA’s request. The reason: Federal rules require shareholders to have held stock in a company for at least a year before they can submit recommendations for a vote. SeaWorld has been a publicly traded company for less than a year, making it impossible for any shareholder to meet that criterion.

“Because the proponent [PETA] had not — and could not have — held shares in the company for at least one year prior to the date on which it submitted the proposal, it is ineligible to submit a stockholder proposal at this time,” the company wrote in a recent letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The marine-park owner went public on April 19 of last year. PETA bought its shares in the company on the same day.

What’s more, SeaWorld says it plans to file its annual “proxy statement,” a document that must be mailed to shareholders before its yearly meeting and that must include any proposals to be voted on April 17, two days before its first anniversary as a publicly traded company.

To cover its bases, SeaWorld has asked the SEC for assurance that the agency will not take legal action should it exclude PETA’s recommendation from its proxy materials.

PETA, which has asked the SEC to deny SeaWorld’s request, accuses SeaWorld of hiding behind federal rules. The organization notes that it has held SeaWorld stock for as long as possible and that it does not intend to get rid of its stake in the company — which is currently valued at about $2,500 — before the annual meeting.

“SeaWorld shareholders should have an opportunity to improve the company’s reputation and preserve its future by making the progressive decision to transfer these intelligent mammals to sea sanctuaries where they finally have the opportunity to be whales again,” said Jared Goodman, PETA’s director of animal law.

SeaWorld defended its decision in a written statement Monday. “We owe it to our shareholders to conduct our annual proxy process in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations,” the company said.

 

Source: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/

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Invitation from The Ocean Cleanup for San Francisco port call

Published

2 weeks ago

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July 16, 2024

By

the ocean cleanup

6 years ago, The Ocean Cleanup set sail for the Great Pacific Garbage Patch with one goal: to develop the technology to be able to relegate the patch to the history books. On 6 September 2024, The Ocean Cleanup fleet returns to San Francisco bringing with it System 03 to announce the next phase of the cleanup of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and to offer you a chance to view our cleanup system up-close and personal.
We look forward to seeing you there.

To confirm your presence, please RSVP to press@theoceancleanup.com

PROGRAM

Join The Ocean Cleanup as our two iconic ships and the extraction System 03 return to San Francisco, 6 years and over 100 extractions after we set sail, to create and validate the technology needed to rid the oceans of plastic.
Our founder and CEO, Boyan Slat, will announce the next steps for the cleanup of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Giving you a chance to view our cleanup system and the plastic extracted.
Hear important news on what’s next in the mission of The Ocean Cleanup as it seeks to make its mission of ridding the world’s oceans of plastic an achievable and realistic goal.
Interviews and vessel tours are available on request.

PRACTICALITIES 

Date: September 6, 2024
Press conference: 12 pm (noon)
Location: The Exploratorium (Google Maps)
Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green Street), San Francisco, CA
Parking: Visit The Exploratorium’s website for details.
RSVP: press@theoceancleanup.com
Video & photo material from several viewing spots around the bay

We look forward to seeing you there!

ABOUT THE OCEAN CLEANUP
The Ocean Cleanup is an international non-profit that develops and scales technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. They aim to achieve this goal through a dual strategy: intercepting in rivers to stop the flow and cleaning up what has already accumulated in the ocean. For the latter, The Ocean Cleanup develops and deploys large-scale systems to efficiently concentrate the plastic for periodic removal. This plastic is tracked and traced to certify claims of origin when recycling it into new products. To curb the tide via rivers, The Ocean Cleanup has developed Interceptor™ Solutions to halt and extract riverine plastic before it reaches the ocean. As of June 2024, the non-profit has collected over 12 million kilograms (26.4 million pounds) of plastic from aquatic ecosystems around the world. Founded in 2013 by Boyan Slat, The Ocean Cleanup now employs a broadly multi-disciplined team of approximately 140. The foundation is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and opened its first regional office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2023.

Find out more about The Ocean Cleanup at www.theoceancleanup.com.

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Marine Life & Conservation

SHARK MONTH ARRIVES AT ROYAL WILLIAM YARD, PLYMOUTH

Published

3 weeks ago

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July 3, 2024

By

A shark has been spotted approaching Royal William Yard in Plymouth, much to the surprise of swimmers, paddleboarders and onlookers.

With its distinctive dorsal fin cutting through the water, the sizeable shark swam along the coastline, before turning to head inland towards Firestone Arch at Royal William Yard. The appearance drew a crowd, who were captivated for more than an hour by the unusual sight – and it was all caught on video.

The shark is one of many expected sightings at Royal William Yard over the coming weeks… because today marks the start of Shark Month!

In reality, the ‘shark’ spotted along the Plymouth shoreline was actually a custom-made model, created by the team at Royal William Yard and sailed underwater by Caroline Robertson‑Brown​​​​ from the Shark Trust, who donned scuba diving gear for the occasion.

The stunt took place to launch Shark Month in style and draw attention to the work of the leading international conservation charity, which is based in Britain’s Ocean City. Spectators were reassured that the water was safe and many entered into the spirit of the performance, swimming or sailing alongside the shark.

Shark Month will take place across Royal William Yard throughout July and will feature an extravaganza of art, entertainment and advocacy for everyone to enjoy. The packed programme of events starts with an art exhibition and ends with a trip on paddleboards with shark experts – with everything from a shark quiz to a Jaws screening in between.

Paul Cox, CEO of the Shark Trust, said: “There are often assumptions and misconceptions when it comes to sharks. This was certainly the case with the shark spotted at Royal William Yard! While the British coastline is home to many species of shark, this was not one of them. However, we’re thrilled it caught people’s attention, because seeing a shark is a special and memorable moment. That is precisely why we want to celebrate these incredible creatures, highlight the need for conservation, and ask for help to safeguard their future.”

For more information about Shark Month at Royal William Yard, visit the Shark Trust Website.

Images and video: Jay Stone

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