The Plight of the North Atlantic Right Whale: A Deep Dive with Oceana Canada
Release Date: 06/03/2024
Restoring Thailand's Coastlines: The Promise and Pitfalls of Mangrove Projects
How To Protect The Ocean
Key Considerations for Restoring Mangroves Site Selection: It is crucial to choose appropriate locations for planting mangroves. Areas that are prone to tidal flooding may not be suitable, as seedlings can drown. Historical mangrove sites may no longer be viable due to changes in land and sea levels. Long-Term Planning: Restoration efforts should focus on the longevity of the mangrove ecosystem. This includes monitoring the planted areas over time to ensure that seedlings survive and grow into established mangrove forests. Biodiversity: Avoid monoculture planting (e.g., only red mangroves) as...
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Cruise Ships and Ocean Pollution: The Hidden Impact of Scrubber Technology
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the environmental impact of cruise ships, particularly focusing on the use of scrubbers that release toxic chemicals directly into the ocean. Cruise ships are likened to floating cities, providing travelers with unique experiences while visiting various destinations. However, the pollution generated by these ships is often overlooked. A recent study highlights that many cruise ships, especially those operating in Alaska, utilize a technology called open-loop scrubbers to clean their exhaust. While these...
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Surfrider: 40 Years of Celebrating Community and Coastal Conservation
How To Protect The Ocean
The Surfrider Foundation has made a significant positive impact over its 40-year history, evolving from a grassroots organization focused on protecting surf spots to a powerful advocate for ocean and coastal conservation. Here are some key highlights of its achievements: Grassroots Mobilization: Surfrider has built a network of over 200 chapters and more than 100,000 volunteers across the U.S. and beyond. This grassroots model empowers local communities to address specific environmental issues, fostering a sense of belonging and collective action among volunteers. Major Legal Wins: The...
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Celebrating the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary: A New Era of Ocean Protection
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin shares exciting news about the establishment of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of California. This sanctuary is groundbreaking as it is the first of its kind in California to be co-managed in partnership with Indigenous peoples, specifically the Chumash people. Spanning 4,500 square miles, the sanctuary will prohibit oil drilling and protect numerous cultural resources, including the suspected remains of ancient submerged villages. The designation of this marine protected area...
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From Exploration to Ocean Solutions: How OceanX is Changing the Narrative on Ocean Conservation
How To Protect The Ocean
Dr. Vincent Pieribone, Co-CEO and Chief Science Officer of OceanX, discusses the organization's evolution and its shift in messaging. OceanX was founded by Ray and Mark Dalio, inspired by the need to celebrate and protect the ocean. Initially, the focus was on conducting exciting scientific expeditions and showcasing the beauty of the ocean through compelling media. However, as OceanX gained popularity and recognition, they began to receive requests from governments and organizations seeking solutions to ocean-related issues. This prompted a pivot in their mission to not only highlight the...
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Hurricanes, Politics, and Climate Change: Navigating the Stormy Waters
How To Protect The Ocean
Andrew Lewin discusses the intersection of politics and climate change, particularly in the context of recent hurricanes, Milton and Helene, that impacted Florida and surrounding areas. Andrew expresses frustration over the political responses to these natural disasters, highlighting how misinformation and conspiracy theories undermine genuine efforts to address climate change. He critiques the notion that the government is manipulating weather patterns to influence elections, arguing that such beliefs distract from the real issues, including the increasing intensity of hurricanes due to...
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From Academia to Entrepreneurship: Stephanie Manka's Journey in Wildlife Conservation
How To Protect The Ocean
Stephanie's Career Journey Early Interests and Education: Stephanie Manka, originally known as Stephanie Shuttler, began her academic journey with a major in biology, initially considering a career in medicine as a backup to her interest in acting. She discovered her passion for wildlife biology during a study abroad program in Africa, which opened her eyes to the possibility of a career in wildlife conservation. Academic Path: Stephanie pursued her PhD focusing on forest elephants and animal behavior, utilizing non-invasive genetics for her research. After completing her PhD, she undertook...
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4ocean: 40 Million Pounds and Counting - The Impact of 4ocean on Ocean Cleanup Efforts
How To Protect The Ocean
Alex Schulze grew up on a small island on the west coast of Florida, where he developed a passion for the ocean through activities like surfing, diving, and fishing. He initially pursued a degree in ocean engineering but later switched to business management and entrepreneurship after realizing he preferred hands-on work over desk jobs. Inspiration: The idea for 4ocean emerged during a surf trip to Bali, where Alex and his friends were confronted with the stark reality of plastic pollution on the beaches. This experience motivated them to find a way to fund ocean cleanup efforts. Initial...
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Inspiration to Action: How to Make a Difference for the Ocean
How To Protect The Ocean
How to Get Inspired and Follow Your Dreams to Act for the Blue Find Your Inspiration: Look for stories or examples of individuals and organizations making a positive impact on the ocean. For instance, the podcast host shares an inspiring interview with a co-founder of a successful organization that has made a significant global impact. This can motivate you to think about what you can do. Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt: Acknowledge that fear of rejection or failure is common. The host emphasizes that many people hesitate to pursue their dreams due to these fears. It's important to push through...
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She is talking about Oceanography on TikTok and has 98K followers!
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin interviews Dr. Paige Hoel, a recent PhD graduate in coastal eutrophication from UCLA and a popular science communicator on TikTok. With nearly 100,000 followers, Paige has gained recognition for her engaging storytelling about ocean science, particularly focusing on topics like the impacts of human activity on ocean health and the intricacies of coastal ecosystems. Paige shares her journey into oceanography, which began at a young age when she became fascinated by the ocean after watching a documentary about Dr....
info_outlineIn this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Luen speaks with Kim Elmslie, Oceanic Canada's campaign director, about the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale and what can be done to save them. The episode delves into the challenges facing the whale population and explores potential solutions to protect these majestic creatures.
Join the conversation on ocean conservation and learn how you can make a difference for the ocean's future.
Oceana Canada North Atlantic Right Whale Campaign:
https://oceana.ca/en/our-campaigns/protect-north-atlantic-right-whales/
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The North Atlantic right whale population has experienced a significant decline over the years, with historical estimates ranging from 10,000 to 21,000 individuals. However, due to commercial whaling in the late 1800s and 1900s, the population plummeted to as low as 100 to 200 whales. After the ban on commercial whaling in 1935, the population slowly began to recover, but it faced new challenges with industrialization, increased shipping, and fishing activities.
Recent years have shown a leveling off in the North Atlantic right whale population, indicating a potential stabilization after a period of steep decline. In a particular summer, 19 calves were born, offering hope for the species. This positive development is especially significant considering there were years with very low calf numbers or even no calves born at all. The fact that 15 calves were presumed alive from the previous summer's births is a promising sign for the future of the population.
The increase in calf births and the stabilization of the population suggest that conservation efforts and management strategies, such as mandatory slowdowns in shipping lanes and ropeless gear initiatives, may be starting to have a positive impact. These measures, along with the strengthening of regulations under the Fisheries Act, have contributed to creating a more favorable environment for the North Atlantic right whales to thrive.
While challenges like ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and the impacts of climate change still exist, the recent trends in the North Atlantic right whale population offer hope for the species' future. Continued efforts to protect and conserve these whales are crucial to ensure their long-term survival and recovery.
In a podcast episode, Kim Elmslie, the campaign director for Oceana Canada, discussed ongoing efforts to protect North Atlantic right whales from ship strikes and entanglements. Each year, measures are announced for both fishing and shipping as part of an annual management strategy. These measures include mandatory speed reductions in certain areas of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where the whales are known to frequent. Additionally, there are seasonal areas with mandatory speed reductions at the beginning and end of the year when the whales are entering or leaving the region.
One significant development is the consideration of more permanent regulations by Transport Canada. They are looking at establishing a more stable structure for measures like mandatory speed reductions, rather than announcing them annually. This move aims to provide a consistent framework for protecting the whales from ship strikes. The government plans to initiate a consultation process to gather feedback and input from stakeholders and the public before finalizing these regulations.
Advancements in the fishing industry regarding ropeless gear strategies have also been made. The Fisheries Act regulations have been modified to allow for a larger commercial use of ropeless gear. This technology aims to reduce the risk of entanglement for marine mammals, including North Atlantic right whales. By transitioning to ropeless gear, fishermen can deploy their traps without the need for traditional end lines that pose entanglement risks to whales. These regulatory changes demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing the threats posed by fishing gear entanglements to the endangered whale population.
Overall, the efforts to implement more permanent regulations, such as mandatory speed reductions and the adoption of ropeless gear strategies, reflect a commitment to long-term conservation and protection of North Atlantic right whales from ship strikes and entanglements. These regulatory measures, coupled with ongoing research and stakeholder engagement, are crucial steps towards ensuring the survival and recovery of this critically endangered species.
The government is taking steps to implement long-term solutions and regulations to address the threats faced by North Atlantic right whales. This includes changes in fishing gear regulations and whale watching practices. The Fisheries Act, which was restructured about five years ago, has played a role in strengthening regulations related to marine mammals. The act has been instrumental in funding initiatives aimed at protecting marine mammals, including North Atlantic right whales. Additionally, the regulations under the Fisheries Act have been modified to address specific issues such as entanglement of whales in fishing gear. For example, the requirement for end lines on trap lines, which are a common cause of entanglement, has been adjusted to allow for the use of ropeless gear. This change in regulations has paved the way for a larger commercial level of ropeless gear to be used, offering a potential solution to reduce entanglement risks for the whales.
Furthermore, the government has also made adjustments to regulations concerning whale watching practices. These regulations dictate how closely vessels can approach whales, especially endangered species like North Atlantic right whales. By extending the distance at which vessels can approach whales, the government aims to minimize disturbances to these vulnerable marine mammals. These regulatory changes demonstrate the government's commitment to protecting North Atlantic right whales and ensuring their long-term survival. The ongoing efforts to implement these regulations and long-term solutions highlight the importance of proactive conservation measures to safeguard the population of these critically endangered whales.