World Wildlife Day; Getting Serious about Wildlife Crime

#seriousaboutwildlifecrime

www.wildlifeday.org

This Tuesday, 03-March-2015, Blue Temple Conservation will be celebrating World Wildlife Day. Introduced by the United Nations General Assembly, World Wildlife Day is held on the day of the adoption of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). As well as providing an opportunity for us to celebrate our privileged interactions with the world’s diverse forms of wild plants and animals, World Wildlife Day also seeks to raise awareness of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and the multitude of economic, environmental and social impacts that stem from crimes against wildlife. In recognition of this, we’ve investigated three contemporary issues that are having a significant impact on the world’s marine environment.

(Photo Source: Ocean.si.edu)

Extraction and Distribution of Shark Fins (Source: WildAid and Shark Savers)

Current estimates suggest that approximately 100 million sharks are killed every year. The removal of these apex predators is having a devastating impact on marine ecosystems the world over, upsetting the delicate balance that exists in these fragile environments. Close to 73 million of these sharks are murdered in support of the destructive and inhumane shark fin industry. As part of this industry, the most valuable piece of the shark, its fins, are removed and the remainder of the catch is often simply thrown overboard (up to 98% of the shark is wasted as part of this process). Shark fins are then distributed to those regions where demand for shark fin soup exists. It is important to note too that there is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that the end product provides any medicinal or health benefits for the consumer. If this practice is allowed to continue at current rates, many shark species (including, Hammerhead, Dusky, Bull and Tiger shark species) will be in danger of extinction. You can do your bit by signing WildAid’s shark pledge online and letting the world know that #I’mFINishedwithFINS.

Further information regarding finning can be found at Wild Aid and Shark Savers

(Photo Source: Science Daily)

Aquarium Trade of Tropical Fish (Source: Sea Shepherd)

Most of us are familiar with Finding Nemo and, perhaps more embarrassingly, Deuce Bigalow, and the prominence of tropical fish in each of these fictional movies. However, did you ever stop and think about the impact of the aquarium trade of tropical fish on the world’s marine environment. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society certainly has and their estimates indicate that more than 11 million reef fish and millions of other reef dwellers are removed from our ocean’s each year to support demand created by aquarium hobbyists in the United States, alone. Global demand sees these figures doubled. If this extraction continues unmonitored, the forecast for biodiversity in our ocean’s coral reef ecosystems is bleak with both species extinction and ecosystem collapse very real possibilities. You can make a difference by providing financial support for Sea Shepherd’s, Operation Reef Defense, or investigating the origins of tropical fish in your local pet store.

Further information regarding aquarium trade can be found at National Geographic

(Photo Source: Ensia.com)

Hunting and Poaching of Sea Turtles (Source: WWF)

The illegal trade and direct consumption of the world’s sea turtles coupled with further destructive human activities and the exceptionally high natural mortality of hatchlings and juveniles means that an increasing number of sea turtles are failing to live long enough to reproduce. If hunting and poaching practices are allowed to continue at current rates, the result will be a rather depressing forecast for the future of the world’s seven sea turtle species. As recognised by the World Wildlife Fund, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) now prohibits international trade in all sea turtle species and their parts. However, unfortunately, illegal trafficking persists. By supporting the WWF’s StopWildlife Crime campaign and refusing to buy products made from sea turtle parts, you can help to reduce the impact of hunting and poaching on the world’s sea turtle populations.

Further information regarding hunting and poaching can be found WWF's website

Sustainable Seafood

In 2015, our hope is to team up with local resorts to raise awareness within the tourist community through seminars and presentations, targeting different topics. One of the big topics will be Sustainable Seafood. A lot of people aren't aware of the negatives, or the benefits, in eating fish (not just saltwater, but freshwater too).

There are good reasons to make sure you get your (at least) two portions of fish a week, and it is so easy, it is amazing how many people don't do this. It is recommended that you have one oily fish and one white meat fish, though it is suggested that intake of oily fish is not overdone due to potential toxins, whilst white meat fish you can eat as much as you want (for the most part).
Oily fish are a fantastic source of Omega 3 fatty acids, a naturally occurring and important fatty acid that boosts your metabolism, can help reduce arthritis and join pain, reduce blood fats which will reduce the risk of heart disease, and some scientists consider them good for reducing depression. So there is plenty of reason to keep them in your diet.

Oily fish include: anchovies, mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna and whitebait. You want to ensure you get at least one portion of one of these fish every week, but remember not to overdo it!


Bioaccumulation

There are many toxins that can be found in the world, many of these are a result of industry and agriculture. Toxins such as mercury, PCB and pesticides find their way into the environment and waterways, which eventually lead to the sea. Unlike prehistoric ideas of the ocean being a giant never ending rubbish bin, these toxins find their way into the food web.

Bioaccumulation is a result of these toxins being ingested at the bottom of the food web in small quantities. However, a small fish will eat a lot of plankton or algae, which will multiply the amount of toxins in their body, then a bigger fish will eat several of these fish, and a bigger fish will eat several and a bigger fish will eat several until you get to the top of the food web, Tuna, Sharks etc have to eat a lot of fish to sustain themselves. This is called bioaccumulation.

Toxins like mercury have been shown to affect baby development, and can lay dormant in body fat. It is not healthy, so you want to avoid eating excess amounts of oily fish, but particularly careful for fish higher up the food chain. If in doubt, eat small fish, Sardines are small, full of oily goodness, quick to reproduce and have relatively low levels of toxins. Compared to Tuna, which is endangered, massive and full of toxins.


Sustainable Fisheries

Bioaccumulation is sustainable more to your health and lifestyle than the oceans. So what can we do to make sure our diets aren't harming the oceans. This is quite simple. Before you buy a piece of fish or shellfish, THINK. Ask yourself two questions:


1. Is this fish endangered or threatened?

2. Was it caught in a sustainable manner?



1. It has been well documented that unsustainable fishing practices have left our oceans devastated. The North Atlantic Cod was once a mainstream fish eaten readily across North America and the UK. Then because of the extent of our fishing, we ran them to near extinction. Tuna are an excellent example as well, years of eating Tuna has led to certain species being endangered and in decline.
Avoid endangered fish species for your next meal, consider these tasty alternatives instead

• Anchovies
• Haddock
• Flounder
• Herring
• Halibut
• Salmon
• Sole

2. This is simple, if you are not sure, ask your fishmonger or check the packaging for one of these logos

Take time next time you are in the supermarket to look for these or other identifying marks that signal the fish was caught sustainably. and remember, we want you to eat fish, just not too many, and in a sustainable way!


What do you call a Fish with no eyes?

Fsh.

(or a Cavefish, which are a bizarre species of fish that live in darkness and have evolved with no eyes)