Published by Ocean Conservancy This is an exciting week for the ocean planning geeks here at Ocean Conservancy. We are kicking off an entire week of blogs highlighting real-world, local examples of how ocean planning is helping our ocean work. We are celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Plans being finalized. We are […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy It’s been nearly six months since I left the shores of Hawaii for the nation’s capital, ready to embark on a new journey as a Roger Arliner Young Marine (RAY) Conservation Diversity Fellow. I can still remember landing at Reagan National Airport, filled with trepidation, with one suitcase and my backpack. New […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Whether you care about the Arctic, marine mammals, seabirds or endangered sea life—a piece of legislation is moving through Congress that would threaten them all. We can’t let this happen. The House of Representatives is about to vote on H.R.4239, a bill that would weaken ocean protections and intentionally pave the way […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy It’s the season of gratitude, and all of us at Ocean Conservancy couldn’t be more thankful for the progress we’ve seen in 2017. We’ve been met with some incredible challenges, road bumps and unexpected obstacles, but none of these have stopped us. With a backbone made up of the support of countless […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy As I eagerly prepare my Thanksgiving oyster stuffing to cap off Virginia’s Oyster Month, I am particularly thankful for the hardworking men and women who raise my oysters. Virginia is now the East Coast leader for shellfish production, and that’s because of a persevering industry. Playing a foundational, behind-the-scenes role are the […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has officially announced that they are providing more than $100 million in new projects to restore the Gulf of Mexico. These 19 new projects will protect our natural treasures from around the Gulf, from the super-salty Laguna Madre in south Texas to the pristine Bon Secour National […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Are there really whales in New York Harbor? With my trusty camera in one hand and my notebook in the other, I boarded the American Princess on a two-fold assignment: interview Paul Sieswerda, founder of New York City’s own citizen science-based whale research and advocacy organization called Gotham Whale, and photograph a […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Last month we celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). It has been at the foundation of our nation’s environmental policies since it became law in 1972, yielding some pretty remarkable results. Dolphins, whales and sea lions can flip, flop and play anywhere near U.S. coastlines, free of potential […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Red king crab from the Bering Sea is a dinner plate delicacy, and known to many of us through The Deadliest Catch, where hardy commercial crabbers battle the elements to haul in big catches and even bigger paydays. As climate talks heat up in Bonn this week, this seafood star is also […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy In light of National American Indian Heritage and Alaska Native Heritage Month, I had a conversation with Kelsey Leonard of the Shinnecock Indian Nation on the importance of our ocean to her tribe, the first ocean-based currency (wampum) and how ocean planning gives them a seat at the table. © Kelsey Leonard Leonard […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Winter is coming! So while we’re between seasons of Game of Thrones, we’re watching what’s happening in another cold place: the Arctic Ocean. And now is a good time for an update on what’s going on with oil and gas operations there. First, the good news: in 2016, the Obama administration finalized […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Get ready, because November is Manatee Awareness Month! You may know West Indian manatees are one of the most adorable and graceful creatures in areas like the Gulf of Mexico, but there are some things about them that may truly surprise you. These nine facts will lead you to an even greater […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Ocean Conservancy RAY Diversity Fellow Emily Okikawa recounts her experience listening to the words of Nai’a-Ulumaimalu Lewis and her thoughts on the enmeshing of conservation and Design Thinking. Nai’a Lewis is all grace and poise and power when she takes the stage. As she begins to chant, the chatter in the conference […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy This past Saturday morning, several members of the Ocean Conservancy team traveled to Annapolis to participate in local oyster restoration efforts. Though only a forty minute drive from Ocean Conservancy’s Washington DC headquarters, the sleepy docks of Annapolis, Maryland feel like an entirely different world. Busy city streets give way to tree-lined, […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy We’re pretty focused on science here at Ocean Conservancy, but who doesn’t love a scary story or a creepy mystery on Halloween? Gather around with your closest friends and share these spooky urban legends of the sea—if you dare. From disappearing ship crews to man-eating seaweed and legendary dragons, we’ve rounded up […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy A few weeks ago, I was privileged to participate in a “Climate Change Roundtable Discussion” convened by Alaska Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott. The roundtable brought together representatives of industry, government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and communities to think creatively about steps that could be taken by the State to address the challenges being […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Fall, for me and for many Floridians, is when fishing reaches its peak. I was born and raised on the barrier islands of Brevard County, Florida and grew up fishing in the Indian River Lagoon and out of Port Canaveral since before I can even remember. There is nothing more glorious than […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy On October 27, our nation marks Navy Day in honor of the service, courage and commitment of the United States Navy. In honor of Navy Day, I wanted to highlight the little-known but vitally important role that the U.S. Navy plays in ensuring one of America’s greatest natural resources—our ocean—keeps working to […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Last month I had the wonderful opportunity to spend 3 weeks on a research ship that travelled back and forth across the Gulf of Mexico from the coast of Mississippi to the southern tip of Texas. Our goal was to record the bird, marine mammal and sea turtle species and where they […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Let’s not undermine the MSA in the name of short-term gain The Senate Commerce Committee just held another hearing on the potential reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the law that governs how many fish US fishermen can catch. But the panel didn’t adequately represent what science tells us about how to […]