C O A R E: Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education (COARE)

Thankful for the Ocean . . .
Thursday, 04 December 2008

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Contents:
  - MPAs mean bigger fish
  - stakeholders added to RSG
  - US Navy vs. Whales
  - Santa Jaws
  - Holiday spirit
  - SFOFF
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Hello, fellow ocean lovers!

Here in the US, we recently celebrated Thanksgiving -- 
and there is certainly a lot for which we are thankful.

For one, we're thankful for Marine Protected Areas.
While it seems like common sense that protected habitat
in MPAs would foster larger and more plentiful fish, it's
reassuring and useful to hear official measurements.
This month, California Department of Fish and Game
biologist John Ugoretz presented a report to the Channel
Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council
documenting more and bigger fish inside the areas of the
Sanctuary that were closed to fishing five years ago.

 ---

Speaking of the Channel Islands, they'll be examined
closely by the South Coast process of the Marine Life
Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative in the months to come.

If you've been following the MLPA process, you know that
we're just getting started with the South Coast study
region, but that COARE has been quite involved in the
development and the support of the North Central Coast 
proposals and the Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA),
which is currently in the final stages of consideration 
by the California Fish and Game Commission.  

As for the South Coast, we reported the naming of the 
South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group (SCRSG) in last 
month's newsletter, and we're pleased to announce that 
another seven members have been added, expanding the
Stakeholder Group to an even more representative body.

"These new members complete the group and bring an
in-depth knowledge about local resources and uses to
help redesign marine protected areas within the study
region," according to Ken Wiseman, Executive Director of
the MLPA Initiative.

We're grateful for all of our colleagues involved in this
process, because without them, the design and creation
of these MPAs would not be possible.

 ---

Unfortunately, not all official decisions regarding
Southern California waters have been positive for the
ocean's creatures.

This month, the United States Supreme Court overturned
earlier decisions to limit the Navy's use of sonar
training exercises off the Southern California Coast.
The Court admitted there were harmful aspects of the 
sonar, but nevertheless ruled in favor of military
training over the environment.

Chief Justice Roberts, and Justices Scalia, Kennedy,
Thomas, and Alito formed the majority opinion, voting
for the Navy.  Justices Breyer and Stevens were
partially, but not entirely in agreement, while Ginsburg
and Souter filed a dissenting opinion.

The following New York Times article provides a nice
summary:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/washington/13scotus.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

If you would like to read the official court opinion,
you can find it here:
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/08pdf/07-1239.pdf

 ---

Turning our focus eastward, to the other side of the
country, the Mote Aquarium (located in Sarasota,
Florida) has a mascot that's really getting into the
holiday spirit.  Gilly the Shark is all decked out with
his Santa hat and coat, and will be taking photos with
visitors to the Aquariium.

Creating another positive shark experience for children,
this "Santa Jaws" will be in the Aquarium Courtyard from
noon to 2pm each Saturday from November 29th through 
December 20th (every Saturday from Thanksgiving through 
Christmas).  

If you're in or near Sarasota, check out the following
link for more information, and go pay them a visit:
http://www.mote.org/index.php?src=events&submenu=Events&srctype=profile&refno=1491

 ---

Speaking of holiday spirit and gift giving, we'd like to
ask a favor.  These are tough times economically, and
COARE is feeling the crunch too.  Our programs and
projects certainly rely on your gifts, but there are
also many costs behind the scenes.

One example is the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival
(SFOFF).  Last year, we shared a table with the Ocean
Conservancy, and had a successful and worthwhile
presence.  In fact, a number of our current subscribers
first learned about COARE at the 2008 SFOFF. 

We've decided to have our own table this year, but there
are several costs associated with that.  For example, in
addition to the table reservation ($100), we have to
purchase passes for the volunteers who man the booth,
and of course, there are costs involved with printing
and advertising for the event.

Please consider making a donation to support our efforts.

There are now more ways to contribute to COARE.  Our
original electronic donation system was through PayPal,
and this continues to be a cost effective and simple
option.  You can use the Paypal option to charge your
contribution to a credit card even without a PayPal
account.   Visit our donations page for more
information (http://coare.org/give).  

Another donation option is through NetworkForGood,
which offers advanced giving features like recurring
donations.  The downside to NFG is that they charge a
higher percentage transaction fee.  Your entire
contribution will be tax-deductible, but a bit less of
it finds its way to us.  Last, but not least, one can 
always write a check.

Remember, all contributions to COARE are tax-deductible,
and if you make them by December 31st, they will count
towards your 2008 tax year deductions.

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Regardless of whether or not you're able to contribute,
we'll look forward to seeing you at the 6th Annual San 
Francisco Ocean Film Festival.  It's just a few months 
away (19-22 February 2009) and should be a fun filled
weekend, so mark your calendars!  If all goes well,
we'll look forward to seeing you stop by COARE's table!

 ---

Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends, 
family, and colleagues.  If you received this newsletter 
second hand, we encourage you to subscribe directly by 
visiting http://coare.org/subscribe


Wishing you healthy oceans,
 - Your friends at COARE

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