The last source of wild food on the planet, the oceans are quickly being depleted as a source of food.
At the same time, they are the last remaining unclaimed resource. The farming of the oceans for food and energy and the mining for minerals has begun in earnest. Expect the 21st century to be an era of imperial claims and counter-claims as we carve the oceans up like the Great Powers carved up Africa in the late nineteenth century.
Geoff riffs on the frog deaths in the Royal National park, phytoplanktons and the need to Agitate, Educate and Organise.
There is no video for the Cage this week but the Hi fidelity is now available on the Soundcloud platform
Catch the full texti is on LinkedIn and blog at GeoffEbbs.com.
Sr Stephen Wroe of the University of New South Wales, backs up Valerie’s observations in the field with evidence from computer models that mimic shark bite. Hear him interviewed on the Generator by Rosy Whelan.
This compilation of interviews about life with Sea Shepherd mainly refers to Paul Watson’s work with whales. Of course, Watson has been actively involved in saving sea life in general and is central to Sharkwater, the film made by Rob Stewart. Find out more about Sharkwater .
Listen to The Generator talking to Paul Watson himself and people who have sailed with him.
One of the most awarded marine conservationists in the world, Valerie Taylor and her husband Ron have saved many species of fish and set aside many areas of the Australian coastline as marine parks.
With our current focus on sharks and the negative attention they get on Australia’s East Coast, this cut of the interview focuses on Valerie’s work with sharks.
Stay tuned for the full interview at sometime in the future.
Environment minister Peter Garrett used his federal powers last week to save Grey Nurse habitat in NSW. He insisted that the NSW Environment Minister Ian McDonald place conditions on the Trap and Line Fishing Export license to protect critical shark habitat. “With fewer than 500 Grey Nurse sharks surviving in NSW waters it was important that immediate action was taken,” said Upper House Greens MP Ian Cohen.
Last week, Yao Ming, the 7-foot-6 Shanghai-born N.B.A. star, declared at a Beijing press conference held by WildAid, the conservation group, that he would never eat shark fin soup again.
Mr. Yao stated that “endangered species are our friends.”
Swearing off shark fin may not sound like much to Westerners, but here in China, this most expensive delicacy has a long and honorable history.
Emperors loved shark fin soup because it was rare, tasty and difficult to prepare. The soup is served at wedding banquets by families eager to show appreciation to their guests. And Hong Kong and Beijing government officials — not to mention thousands of businessmen hoping to close the next big deal — swear they absolutely have to treat their guests to shark fin soup as a show of respect and honor.
“This is the very basic dish for business dinners in Hong Kong,” said Tan Rongde, 56, a banker. “If you don’t order that, you will lose face.”