Our dear friend, the webmaster for Undercurrent has been complaining about his empty blog queue. Burt and I have been busy with personal stuff rather than the scuba world because we just moved across the US to a new home. But, I haven’t written a blog in months, so I thought I would write about … Read more
In June 2011, Oregon passed legislation that prohibits the distribution and possession of shark fins within its state. Oregon House Representative Brad Witt, House District 31, sponsored House Bill 2838, which declares that an individual may not “possess, sell or offer for sale, trade or distribute a shark fin” within the state. Bill 2838 effectively … Read more
I heard from a few people who thought that my blog about illegal fishing Komodo National Park was depressing. I agree. If we can’t protect marine life in one of the world’s most iconic parks, is there any hope? Burt and I have been thinking about this problem for a long time, especially for the two … Read more
…nearly two decades of conservation work were being challenged by fishermen who had cast nets on two of Komodo’s most prolific reefs. Where were the authorities, where were the patrol boats that were supposed to stop illegal fishing within park boundaries? No one seemed to know.
A call I got recently from Dr. Chip Scarlett of Austin, Texas got my attention. “You have to drop what you’re doing and check out these white shark photos on this guy’s website,” he gushed enthusiastically into my speaker phone. “C’mon, Chip,” I yawned. “I’ve seen more white shark images than a sea lion at … Read more
