Happy New Year and 2013 Year in Review

I hope you all have had a good 2013 and a Happy New Year!  I was just reflecting back on the year and thought I would invite you all into my crazy new world.

Around last March I started a new blog at http://oceanadvocatefl.wordpress.com/.  At the same time, I got heavily involved in marine mammal conservation and ending captivity.  For a recap please visit my last post.

I would love to have you join me this year at the new blog, on Facebook or Twitter (links are in the post)
Let's make 2014 the end of cetacean captivity and the beginning of true conservation for our oceans!

Ocean Advocate has Moved!

I hope everyone is having a great time with the A-Z Challenge.  I appreciate those of you who stopped by to leave words of encouragement and for new followers.

After much thought I have decided to move Ocean Advocate to Wordpress.  I've had some minor problems with Blogger and I thought it was a good time for a fresh start anyway.  My first post is up and you can check it out here:  http://oceanadvocatefl.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/is-it-time-for-seaworld-to-move-away-from-the-whale-business/

Ocean Advocate will continue to bring news about marine life in Florida and around the world, as well as anti-captivity news.  I hope you will join me.

Don't forget to also "Like" Ocean Advocate on Facebook at:  http://www.facebook.com/oceanadvocatefl
and follow on Twitter @oceanadvocatefl

I'll see you there!

No A-Z for Me

Today starts that annual A to Z Challenge.  Are you ready?

Unfortunately I will not be participating after all this year.  I am in the middle of my latest project and there is just not enough time in the day.

Good luck to all you who are taking the challenge!  I hope 2013 is the best year ever.

Blackfish Premiere at Miami Film Festival

Blackfish-the Movie made it’s Florida premiere at Miami Film Festival on March 3, 2013.  Since reading the early buzz on the film I couldn’t wait to see it.   Growing up in the Orlando area, SeaWorld was always my favorite park to visit.  I was in awe of the beauty and power of the killer whales.  As so many others, I dreamed of being a whale trainer one day.  I could spend hours watching them and studying the every move of everyone who worked with them.  Little did I know what was happening behind the scenes.

Blackfish opens with the haunting 911 calls after Dawn Brancheau was brutally attacked and killed by Tillikum, SeaWorld’s now infamous killer whale.  The film proceeds to document a series of unfortunate events and early warning signs that were hidden and ignored for the purpose of greed. 

Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite tastefully chooses to tell the story without the addition of sensationalism.  Using only original footage and personal interviews of former trainers who have worked with Tilikum and other whales at SeaWorld and other various marine parks, the story unfolds.   Cowperthwaite adds expert input from other professionals to pull together a clear picture of what happens behind the scenes and the long term impacts.

“Just the facts” is the format for Blackfish.  After seeing and hearing the facts, no one with a conscience could possibly visit SeaWorld in the same light again.  

Wrap up in Taiji

It has been relatively quiet in Taiji since my last post and the season officially ended on Monday.  

There was only 1 day of killing in the past 2 weeks.  On February 20 a pod of Risso dolphins were herded into the Cove and slaughtered.  This put the Japanese over their allotment by 7 Rissos.  Apparently, they didn't care.  For a group who has no respect for life, I'm not surprised.

On February 19, 2 Russian beluga whales have been brought to Taiji in a trade for 4 bottlenosed dolphins.  The beluga whales will be included in the collection of captive dolphins and whales in the Taiji Museum.  The dolphins were transported by truck this morning to their new destination.

It has been a sad season in Taiji but with increased awareness and pressure, hopefully more people in Japan and the rest of the world have a deeper understanding of the horrible actions that happen in The Cove.

This Week in Taiji and other opportunities

The killing continues in Taiji this week.

Last Thursday two separate pods of Pan Tropic Spotted dolphins, 47-49 total, were corralled 15 miles into the cove.  A total of 9 were taken captive:  4 went to the Taiji Dolphin Base and Dolphin Resort and the other 5 went to harbor sea pens.  Only 3 of these survived and the other 2 were taken to the butcherhouse along with the other 36-38.  Thrashing and screaming, the video footage is now archived at taiji.ezearth.tv

Friday through Sunday, there were no new pods brought in.  Instead of hunting, the dolphin killers assisted with the transfer of the 90 dolphins that were in sea pens waiting for their journey to captivity and built additional sea pens to hold more captive animals.

Monday, a large pod of 100-110 Striped dolphins were herded into the cove.  80-90 were slaughtered one by one while the remaining members of the pod swam in their blood awaiting their turn.  HORRIFIC!  Twenty of these were driven back out to sea, although their chance of survival is slim due to the stress they endured.

Yesterday a pod of 17 Risso dolphins were netted into the cove.  One drowned in the net before being noticed while the others were slaughtered.

Thankfully, today the boats remained in shore.  BLUE COVE DAY!

If any of you live in the Jacksonville area, Sea Shepherd is showing "Eco-Pirate:  The Story of Paul Watson" on Saturday night.  For more info, CLICK HERE

For anyone who is a fan of Paul, please consider signing this petition to help keep him safe.  Paul is the founder of Sea Shepherd and currently has 2 Interpol Red Notices against him:  One in Costa Rica and one in Japan.  These notices are politically motivated.  Paul is currently on board with the latest campaign in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary fighting Japanese whalers while filming the next season of Whale Wars.  This petition is requesting that the US not extradite him.  You do not have to be a US citizen to sign but you do need to complete a quick registration procedure.  You can find the petition HERE

If you live in the Miami area, check out the BLACKFISH screenings at Miami Film Festival March 3 and 10.  CLICK HERE for more details.  Tickets are now available.  

Don't forget to "Like" my Ocean Advocate Facebook page or Ocean Advocate on Twitter Here.  Thank you to new followers.  Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, do something, GET INVOLVED!

Blackfish - The Movie

BLACKFISH - the name given to killer whales by Native American fisherman and ...
A documentary directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite premiered at Sundance Film Festival at the end of January to rave reviews.  After it's first showing, Magnolia Films and CNN have already bought distribution rights.  The film will be widely distributed through Landmark Theaters around the country this summer and shown on CNN in the fall.  Soon after, the film was acquired by Madman to be released in Australia and New Zealand.

Blackfish starts with the capture of Tilikum, the 12,000 pound whale responsible for the 2010 death of Dawn Brancheau at SeaWorld Orlando.  The capture is followed by Tilikum's violent history, including two other deaths, as well as video of other attacks by the whales at SeaWorld that were previously hidden by the park in an effort to preserve the captivity industry.  Former trainers report that they were also left in the dark about the dangers caused by Tilikum and the other whales.  It has been billed by Sundance as the film that exposes "the species cruel treatment in captivity" and the "growing disillusionment of workers who were misled and endangered by the highly profitable sea park industry".  

Next up, Blackfish will be shown at Miami Film Festival which runs March 1-10.  Check it out at 
http://www.miamifilmfestival.com/