Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education

Great news at the end of a good year . . .
Sunday, 16 December 2007

Hello, and Happy Holidays, fellow ocean lovers!

It's been an exciting month here at COARE....

An amazing new project called Shark Angels has come
together, and COARE is proud to sponsor it.  32 years
after Jaws showed a defenseless woman being dragged 
underwater and devoured by an insatiable monster, 
three women have come together to debunk that largely 
fictitious image.

The three Shark Angels are engaging, attractive, and
professional young women who are passionate about sharks
and horrified by the rate at which man is destroying
them.

On the heels of and inspired by the film Sharkwater,
this short feature documentary seeks to further
demystify sharks and undo much of the demonification 
they have suffered.  COARE is not only a sponsor of the
project, but our own Executive Director, Christopher
Chin, served as lead topside camera and underwater "B"
camera for the project, and continues to donate his time
to help edit and promote the production.

 ---

Speaking of incredible underwater imaging, world
renowned underwater photographer and filmmaker Marty
Snyderman has joined COARE's Advisory Board.  Marty has
been championing marine conservation for decades, and 
we are thrilled to have him lend his experience, passion, 
and cinematographic eye to our endeavors.  You can be
sure great things will be coming from this new
collaboration.

 ---

Across the pond....
The European Commission has released its Community 
Plan of Action (CPOA) for sharks.  This consultation
document proposes many elements of change including 
catch limits in line with scientific advice, special 
attention to endangered species, measures to strengthen 
the ban on shark finning, means to regulate and reduce 
bycatch, and educational programs to promote awareness 
among fishermen and the public.

While in its early stages and open for comment until
mid-February, this landmark document will begin to open
many eyes to the plight of sharks and shark-like
species, and is expected to be offered as an official 
Communication to the European Council and Parliament by 
the end of 2008.

 ---

And back home, in COARE's "backyard"...
Amazing progress has been made in the California Marine
Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative.  COARE continues 
to work with other conservation groups to support the 
most effective and sensible proposal for Marine Protected 
Areas (MPAs) along California's North Central Coast.  The 
process is an arduous one, with other interested parties
fighting hard to keep conservation to a minimum.  The
overall number of proposals under consideration by the
Regional Stakeholder Group (RSG) has been reduced (with
COARE's still a strong contender), and a number of the 
remaining proposals are starting to converge.  

 ---

So.... the holidays are upon us, and your calendars are
probably filling with party plans.

If you're entertaining, it's a great time to spread the
word by explaining to your guests why you're no longer
serving that former favorite shrimp cocktail.

Parties are also famous for generating tons of plasticware
waste.  Please consider using real cutlery and/or
dinnerware.  It might mean an extra dishwasher cycle,
but you'll feel good about it.  =)   If you really must
use dispoasble dinnerware, please seek out corn-based
compostable cutlery.   ... what a great conversation
piece.

We wish you happy holidays... and happy oceans!

 - Your friends at COARE

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