Lawsuit Launched to Protect Endangered Whales From Gulf of Mexico Oil Exploration
Lawsuit Launched to Protect Endangered Whales From Gulf of Mexico Oil Exploration
biologicaldiversity.org, February 10, 2011
Record numbers of killer whales
Record numbers of killer whales
irishtimes.com, February 10, 2011
Ocean Alliance is Ramping Up for the 2011 Gulf of Mexico Research Expedition: Year 2!
We are all dependent on the ocean–for food, transportation, economic gain, leisure and to enhance the quality of our lives. Despite this dependence, we continue to pollute our oceans and cause great damage–not only to the life within them, but also to their ability to provide us with beneficial services. Ultimately, damage to the oceans damages our health and the health of future generations. Our own failure to understand the consequences of allowing pollutants to enter the oceans is among the greatest threats to this amazing natural resource and the life it sustains.
As part of its dual research and public education mission, Ocean Alliance has been studying and raising awareness about the “silent” long-term effects of chemical pollutants on the health of sea life, especially marine mammal populations, for more than three decades. Our long-term ecological research involves the worldwide collection of baseline toxicity data from marine species inhabiting different levels of the ocean food chain.
Our Gulf of Mexico Research Expedition began in July, 2010, immediately following the release of vast quantities of oil and dispersants into the Gulf as a result of the BP oil disaster. The first phase of this multi-year research expedition surpassed our initial goals (see Year 1 Gulf of Mexico Research Expedition Highlights below). Year 2 of the field season is fast-approaching and Ocean Alliance staff are hard at work preparing for what will be a critical phase of this ongoing study of the yet unknown short- and long-term impacts on whales (and the Gulf food chain as a whole) of oil and dispersants in the Gulf.
Year 1 Gulf of Mexico Research Expedition Highlights
• Ocean Alliance, in partnership with the Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology at the University of Southern Maine (USM), conducted the first phase of the Gulf of Mexico Research Expedition from aboard the Odyssey, our 93-foot, steel-hull ketch, equipped with a cell-culture laboratory.
• 52 whale biopsies from Humpback, fin, sperm, and Bryde’s whales were collected over the 115-day expedition
• 50+ DNA, skin, and blubber samples were obtained from the whales
• 40 whale cell lines were cultured
• 82 fish samples, 57 invertebrate samples, 6 dolphin blows, 100+ hours of acoustic recordings, 90 liters of seawater (from 2 depths) at 15 sites and 6.3 kilograms of sediment from 10 sites, were collected
• First known culture of Bryde’s whale cells was established
• Baseline pollutant exposure data set for whales in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic was established
• Baseline DNA damage assessment is currently underway
• Chemical dispersant, oil and metal toxicity testing has begun
Why is Year 2 of the Gulf of Mexico Research Expedition Necessary?
Now that we have successfully established a baseline pollutant exposure data set for whales in the Gulf of Mexico, it is critical to collect subsequent data sets to monitor ongoing changes over time as the oil and dispersants make their way up the Gulf food chain. Though the presence of oil may no longer be visible to the human eye, scientists believe that a large percentage of the oil and dispersants released during the BP disaster persist in the Gulf ecosystem. With ongoing monitoring, we will better understand the potential long-term effects of oil and dispersants on the Gulf ecosystem and the many stakeholders who rely on the Gulf’s rich natural resources.
We need your support to continue monitoring the health of whales in the Gulf!
Ocean Alliance is launching a campaign to fund Year 2 of the Gulf of Mexico Research Expedition. We need to raise $285,000 to fund the operation of the research vessel Odyssey and her crew for this year’s 3-month field season. Though it may sound expensive, we operate Odyssey on an extremely efficient budget. Many of the research crew work as volunteers and much of the equipment is donated.
You really can make a difference! Contribute any amount–every bit helps! Donating online is easy through our secure site.
Thank you for your support, and please check back for the latest updates on the Ocean Alliance Facebook page, and on our web site at www.oceanalliance.org.
(Blog by: Ilana Schoenfeld, Director of Education, Ocean Alliance)
Some rare right whales prefer Maine in winter
Some rare right whales prefer Maine in winter
boston.com, February 7, 2011
Scientists visit California coast to take whale census
Scientists visit California coast to take whale census
usatoday.com, February 5, 2011
Whales Return to NYC
Whales Return to NYC
newser.com, February 5, 2011
The cultural life of whales
The cultural life of whales
guardian.co.uk, January 30, 2011
Off California coast, a bumper gray whale season
Off California coast, a bumper gray whale season
news.yahoo.com, January 27, 2011
Roger That: Endangered Whales Heard Loud and Clear Near Greenland
Roger That: Endangered Whales Heard Loud and Clear Near Greenland
ouramazingplanet.com, January 25, 2011
New Hybrid Whale Discovered in Arctic
New Hybrid Whale Discovered in Arctic
news.nationalgeographic.com, January 25, 2011