Dogbreath
Well-Known Member
This is literally one of thwe coolest things to ever happen in recent years.
Finding Coral Expedition Sets Sail
06/08/2009
Jennifer Lash, Finding Coral Expedition leader (left) and Science Team member Greg Workman, DFO.
The Finding Coral Expedition set sail from North Vancouver today (June 8) on a two week research expedition led by Living Oceans Society to explore deep sea corals off the coast of British Columbia. The science team is looking forward to their first dive which is slated for Wednesday, June 10, at Goose Trough to a depth of 200 meters, off the northern end of Vancouver Island.
Before they sailed, Jennifer Lash, Executive Director of Living Oceans Society and leader of the expedition, hosted journalists on a tour of the Cape Flattery, the expeditions’ research vessel, and the Deep Worker mini subs that Jennifer and the science team will pilot. The team is planning to explore the depths at six different sites.
The Science Team and the subs.
Deep sea corals in B.C. are virtually unprotected and remain vulnerable to impacts from bottom trawling and other harmful fishing gear. From 1996-2002 over 295,000 kg of corals were caught in bottom trawling nets. Living Oceans Society is concerned that these fishing practices will affect commercial fish stocks and the health of the ecosystem.
“Around the world, countries are learning more about deep sea corals and taking the necessary steps to protect them from destructive fishing practices,” says Jennifer. “In Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California deep sea corals have been given substantial protection. We want to see the same care given to the corals in British Columbia and we hope that this research expedition will go a long way to making that happen.”
Map of Pncima and the Great Bear Rainforest. Click on map to open larger version.
In March 2009, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) launched a marine planning process for the ocean realm adjacent to the Great Bear Rainforest called the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (Pncima) [link to LOS PNCIMA page]. Living Oceans Society is advocating that this be the process for fishermen, First Nations, environmental groups, scientists, DFO and others to work together to conserve the deep sea corals and build a broad strategy to conserve the health of this spectacular region. And the information gathered from the Finding Coral Expedition will help inform those discussions.
Today Jennifer said, “I hope that on Oceans Day 2010, we are celebrating the protection of the corals that are so important to our ocean.”
http://www.findingcoral.com/finding_coral_expedition_sets_sail_0
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finding Coral Expedition Sets Sail
06/08/2009
Jennifer Lash, Finding Coral Expedition leader (left) and Science Team member Greg Workman, DFO.
The Finding Coral Expedition set sail from North Vancouver today (June 8) on a two week research expedition led by Living Oceans Society to explore deep sea corals off the coast of British Columbia. The science team is looking forward to their first dive which is slated for Wednesday, June 10, at Goose Trough to a depth of 200 meters, off the northern end of Vancouver Island.
Before they sailed, Jennifer Lash, Executive Director of Living Oceans Society and leader of the expedition, hosted journalists on a tour of the Cape Flattery, the expeditions’ research vessel, and the Deep Worker mini subs that Jennifer and the science team will pilot. The team is planning to explore the depths at six different sites.
The Science Team and the subs.
Deep sea corals in B.C. are virtually unprotected and remain vulnerable to impacts from bottom trawling and other harmful fishing gear. From 1996-2002 over 295,000 kg of corals were caught in bottom trawling nets. Living Oceans Society is concerned that these fishing practices will affect commercial fish stocks and the health of the ecosystem.
“Around the world, countries are learning more about deep sea corals and taking the necessary steps to protect them from destructive fishing practices,” says Jennifer. “In Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California deep sea corals have been given substantial protection. We want to see the same care given to the corals in British Columbia and we hope that this research expedition will go a long way to making that happen.”
Map of Pncima and the Great Bear Rainforest. Click on map to open larger version.
In March 2009, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) launched a marine planning process for the ocean realm adjacent to the Great Bear Rainforest called the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (Pncima) [link to LOS PNCIMA page]. Living Oceans Society is advocating that this be the process for fishermen, First Nations, environmental groups, scientists, DFO and others to work together to conserve the deep sea corals and build a broad strategy to conserve the health of this spectacular region. And the information gathered from the Finding Coral Expedition will help inform those discussions.
Today Jennifer said, “I hope that on Oceans Day 2010, we are celebrating the protection of the corals that are so important to our ocean.”
http://www.findingcoral.com/finding_coral_expedition_sets_sail_0
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