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May 2006 |  |
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Protecting our ocean wilderness through public stewardship www.farallones.org |  |
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IN THIS ISSUE Budget for Marine Sanctuaries Slashed Sharing the Waterways with Whales Sanctuary Explorers Camp: Project Insight In the News: Magnuson-Stevens Act Wildlife Spotlight: 
 25th Anniversary GalaOn the Sea’s Side is a tribute to those supporting ocean stewardship and conservation of the sanctuary, its wildlife and habitat, and the future health of this ocean wilderness. Join us Wednesday, May 31st at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio to bestow FMSA's Ocean Hero award honoring Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, Congresswomen Lynn Woolsey and Nancy Pelosi. See the invitation here. Whale WatchingWitness the Gray Whale migration against the spectacular backdrop of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary on May 14th. Trips cost $85 non-members/$78 members and leave from San Francisco for a full day of seabird and marine mammal sighting 7:30 am to 4 pm. For more information and registration, email kmclaughlin@farallones.org or call 415-561-6625 ext 310. 25th Anniversary Lectures and Excursions
Click here for the full schedule of lectures and excursions. For reservations and registration, email ddevlin@farallones.org or call 415-561-6625 ext 311. Kayaking in the SanctuaryExperience the beauty and mystery of the sea with kayaking trips with FMSA June 4th with a Tomales Bay paddle. Click here for the full schedule of kayaking trips. For more information and registration, email kmclaughlin@farallones.org or call 415-561-6625 ext 310. Sanctuary Explorers Camp!Join kids ages 8-13 in exploring your sanctuary with our day camp, August 7-11. Hands-on activities, field trips and amazing adventures await. For more information, to register, and to see pictures of camp in action, click here!>>
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Budget for Marine Sanctuaries Slashedby Linda Hunter, executive director Sharing the Waterways with Whales
Sanctuary Explorers Camp: Project Insight
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© 2005-2006 Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association. All Rights Reserved. |
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In February, Upwelling revealed details about the failing grade that the Bush Administration received on a report card issued by the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative. The Initiative is a collaborative effort led by Admiral James D. Watkins and the Honorable Leon E. Panetta, chairs of the U.S. Commission and Pew Commission, respectively. The primary goal of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is to accelerate the pace of change that results in meaningful ocean policy reform. In the category of funding: Joint New Funding for Ocean Policy and Programs – the Administration received an F grade. 
Gray whales periodically enter the San Francisco Bay during their long migrations north to the Bering Sea in Alaska, returning from their breeding grounds in the lagoons of Baja California. Unfortunately, because these whales migrate so close to shore, they often end up in shipping lanes. On Thursday, April 20, a dead gray whale was discovered floating in the Bay. It had been shipstruck, but whether that was the cause of death is not known. 
According to the Marine Fish Conservation Network, only 13% of all federally managed fish stocks are at heathy population numbers. Yet earlier this month, the House Resources Committee considered revisions to the nation's primary fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation Management Act that would allow continued overfishing against scientific advice. So why would members of Congress support the slashing of requirements that ensure ending fishing at unsustainable rates, the rebuilding of depleted fish populations, and protection of essential fish habitat? 
Great and snowy egrets, some of the most beautiful and bizarre birds found in America, were stalked by hunters for their long, soft breeding feathers to satisfy a nineteenth century fashion trend. In the 1890’s, outraged by the resultant destruction of the egret hunts, a group of Boston society women began gathering over tea to discuss what steps should be taken to save the birds and their habitat. From these talks the modern Audubon Society was born.