Endangered Species

(Dive Travel Business News - June 7, 2013) -- WASHINGTON— Wildlife conservation and animal-protection groups are applauding a National Marine Fisheries Service proposal to keep existing speed limits along the U.S. East Coast to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The current speed rule, which requires vessels 65 feet in length and greater to slow to 10 knots (about 11 miles per hour) in areas and at times when right whales are present, is set to expire December 2013.

The Humane Society of the United States, Center for Biological Diversity, Whale and Dolphin Conservation and Defenders of Wildlife petitioned the Fisheries Service to maintain the ship speeds in June 2012. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - May 23, 2013) -- Sea Shepherd Jacksonville - Manatees are beloved here in Florida, and we saw just how much at this year’s Manatee Festival in Crystal River raising awareness about the endangered animals. Aside from their lovable nature, manatees are important to the marine ecosystem as grazers of seagrass and other vegetation. However, the manatees that call Floridian waters home are facing serious and imminent threats.

Due to their declining numbers, protections have been established for them. The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 protect manatees under both state and federal law. Under these protections, it is illegal to harass, hunt capture or kill them in the United States, but they continue to face other threats including boat collisions, loss of habitat, pollution, fishing lines/nets and an annual toxic algae bloom known as red tide named after the color change it creates underwater. read more »

(DIve Travel Business News- April 16, 2012) -- This Earth Day and throughout April, Project AWARE and divers worldwide call on local communities to rally support for the protection of the world’s most vulnerable shark species by signing and organizing petition signatures to protect heavily traded species. Nearly 100,000 concerned divers and shark advocates have already signed their support for Project AWARE’s shark petition. But additional support is needed to ensure the voices of global shark advocates are heard.

Project AWARE Foundation and its global movement of divers are also producing the Big Shark Shout Out.  Big Shark Shout Out events will span the globe and include shark petition rallies, education events and seminars. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - April 22, 2010) -- At Beneath the Sea this past March, we heard it straight from Her Deepness, when legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle was conducting a seminar with renowned marine artist Wyland entitled, "Ten Years to Save Our Oceans."

Asked what is the one thing we can do to help the oceans in time, Dr. Earle's reply was:
"Don't eat tuna." read more »