Report Details the Black Market Bluefin Trade

Check out this investigative report that details how and why Atlantic bluefin tuna stocks have plummeted in the past few decades. A combination of lax oversight, fraud, and illegal fishing have all contributed to push this magnificent fish towards the edge of extinction. Below is a video preview of the report: An Atlantic bluefin tuna (Photo: flickr user Alexandre Dulaunoy)  Read More

Sylvia Earle VIDEO: Into the Blue Ocean

Sylvia Earle at the Tennessee Aquarium from Nature Films Network on Vimeo. An Ocean Advocate extraordinaire provides a wonderful and insightful talk about the state of the Oceans, and the inspiration she derives from it. Very cool.  Read More

“Since we’re here swimming in the drink”

The Triathlon at Pacific Grove This past weekend I completed an Olympic distance triathlon. My first. Highly recommend it. What happened immediately following was also memorable: I was interviewed within minutes of crossing the finish line! Seafood Watch You see, a number of my colleagues from the Monterey Bay Aquarium also raced. There was a good group of us out there, and together, we were “Team Seafood Watch.” I am relatively new to... Read More

Tuna and Salmon in the news

There are some interesting developments in the world of fish this week:  The FDA is nearly ready to approve the first genetically modified animal for human consumption. AquAdvantage salmon is Atlantic salmon spliced with a gene from ocean pout (an eel-like fish) that allows it to grow twice as fast as a normal salmon. The company that has developed this fish wants to use it in aquaculture operations, but there are concerns about the safety of the... Read More

US Supports Ban on Trade of Bluefin Tuna

As I reported a few weeks ago, the bluefin tuna may be listed as an endangered species at the next meeting of CITES in a few weeks. The US government is now officially supporting Monaco’s proposal to ban the trade of bluefin tuna in an effort to save the species from extinction, as announced by the assistant Secretary of the Interior Tom Strickland: “[In] light of the serious compliance problems that have plagued the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean... Read More

Bluefin Tuna, an Endangered Species

The U.N. panel that oversees the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) has declared that the export of Atlantic bluefin tuna should be banned in order to save the species from possible extinction. “In our opinion, the criteria for including the species in appendix 1 are met and international commercial trade in bluefin tuna should be prohibited,” David Morgan, head of CITES scientific unit, told a news briefing. Bluefin... Read More

Richard Ellis: Q & A

For most of his professional life, Richard Ellis has been an outspoken advocate for the world’s marine creatures. A prolific artist, author, naturalist, and activist, he carries a firm belief that the problems associated with his marine subjects are due to our lack of knowledge and awareness. “I am a person who uses every tool in the toolbox to try and make a point” A tireless crusader for the world’s ocean life, he has written and illustrated... Read More