Dolphin stranded in Odiongan, Romblon. Philippines

DolphinDude writes "A doctor from Odiongan, Romblon reported to abs-cbnNEWS.com yesterday that a spinner dolphin got stranded in the area on Tuesday, June 30, 2009.

Abs-cbnNEWS.com reader Kurt Tan sent photographs of the sea mammal as fishermen tried to help bring it to deeper waters."

Dolphins enjoy blue waters, black ties. IL, USA

lauricedeephd writes "VIPs get preview of Shedd Aquarium's new marine mammal show

What do you get when you combine a surreal Middle-earth set, Cirque du Soleil-like scarf dancers, men in penguin suits, and ... oh yeah, dolphins? The Shedd Aquarium's new marine mammal show: Fantasea.

Guests of the 2009 Fantaisie de la Mer Gala on Saturday night were given a preview of the production, which is still in rehearsals and the mammals (the beluga whales and dolphins primarily) are still in the training process. The show doesn't open to the public until later this summer so the trainers and producers have time to work the kinks out."

Whale Wars Interview.

lauricedeephd writes "Have you ever wondered just what it would be like to try to stop a whaling ship? Whale Wars, the riveting documentary reality show, currently in its second season on Animal Planet, takes viewers behind the scenes of the high-adrenaline, and often extremely dangerous, anti-whaling campaigns of Captain Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd crew.

Shannon Mann, a Canadian Sea Shepherd crew-member, has spent several seasons defending whales on the high seas. We caught up with Shannon to ask her a few questions about life on the Sea Shepherd and just how did a gal from the Prairies end up defending whales on the world's most notorious anti-whaling ship. "

Phthalic symbol: Important symbol of pollution is broken down by microbes.

lauricedeephd writes "Immobilized microbes can break down potentially harmful phthalates, according to researchers in China, writing in the International Journal of Environment and Pollution. The microbes might be used to treat industrial waste water and so prevent these materials from entering the environment.

Phthalic Acid Esters (PAEs), commonly known as phthalates, are widely used as additives in polymer manufacture as plasticizers. They do not readily degrade in the environment and so have become widely distributed in natural water, wastewater, soils, and sediment."

Whale of a Time with P&O Ferries. UK

lauricedeephd writes "Diver, UK -- Whale watching trips led by conservation experts have been scheduled on four special mini cruises with P&O Ferries this summer.

The three-night trips cost from £99 per person, with departures from Portsmouth port in July (7th and 10th) and September (17th and 20th.)"

Mackay gets ready to welcome migrating whales. Australia

DolphinDude writes "With more than 11,000 whales expected to make their way up Queensland’s coast this winter, Mackay’s Marine Animal Release Team (MART) is preparing for their arrival and any entanglements between whales and offshore marine equipment."

Fin Whale Washed Ashore. Ucluelet, Canada

DolphinDude writes "A 35-foot-long whale that washed ashore near the entrance of Ucluelet Harbour late last week was a fin whale not a sei whale, says a Department of Fisheries and Oceans specialist.

Lisa Spaven, a marine mammal research coordinator, told the Westcoaster.ca Tuesday that fin whales are listed under the Species at Risk Act as threatened, appear to be similar to sei whales but are more common to local waters than sei whales."

Poet's CD boost for dolphin group. Scotland, UK

DolphinDude writes "A Banff poet and songwriter has battled chronic illness to produce a new CD of poetry to benefit a local dolphin group.
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John Mackie completed the recording to mark the completion of a major project, helping to design and build a wildlife and memorial garden at Spey Bay, which incorporates some of his poetry carved into wooden sculpture."

Seal's close call with killer whale in Patagonia.

DolphinDude writes "An astonishing sequence of images showed the orca emerging from shallow icy waters towards the shore in an attempt to feed on the seal pup.

Rob Lott , a photographer and conservationist, travelled to Patagonia to study and photograph the foraging behaviour of a pod of 18 orcas."

State draws zones for coast wind farms. MA, USA

DolphinDude writes "Dozens of wind turbines could sprout within sight of the Massachusetts shoreline under a first-of-its-kind state blueprint with the promise of generating both electricity and controversy.

The draft plan, scheduled to be released today, would allow a series of small wind farms of up to 10 turbines each in coastal waters that stretch 3 miles from shore. Substantially larger farms - similar to what’s proposed in Nantucket Sound - could be built off Cape Cod near Cuttyhunk Island and adjacent to another tiny island several miles off Martha’s Vineyard."

Dolphins delight Whitby trippers. UK

DolphinDude writes "Excited trippers have been treated to the rare sight of bottlenose dolphins frolicking off the North Yorkshire coast.

Holidaymakers on the beach at Whitby were able to watch the amiable creatures as they zoomed in and out of the waves."

New Bill good for dolphins and fishing industry. NZ

DolphinDude writes "New Zealand’s iconic dolphins, sea lions and albatrosses have renewed hope for their protection with the drawing of a Green Party Bill from the Members’ ballot today.

“I am delighted that this Bill has been drawn at such a crucial time for protecting our marine animals, and protecting our economic credibility as an exporter of sustainable fish products,” said Green Party Co-Leader Metiria Turei."

Study: Coastal seagrass increasingly being lost.

lauricedeephd writes "Coastal development and declining water quality are threatening seagrasses worldwide, researchers report. A study of coastal grasses around the world shows that 58 percent of the seagrass meadows are in decline, according to a report in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Seagrass provides habitat for coastal life and helps reduce the impact of sediment and nutrient pollution."

Commentary: For the Whales We Weep Before Forever We Sleep

lauricedeephd writes "Commentary by Captain Paul Watson

The Issue of Safety at Sea.

lauricedeephd writes "Every year the International Whaling Commission brings up the issue of Safety at Sea despite the fact that the IWC has no jurisdiction, authority, or expertise regarding this issue.

Japan maintains that the activities of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society pose a threat to the safety of Japanese whalers."