Halibut Herald October 10

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ALIBUT HERALD October 10, 2008

Bits and Bites Orca whale trio perform in formation

Orcas are known for the precision of their displays in sealife centres around the world but rarely are such performances witnessed in the wild. However, wildlife photographer Rolf Hicker captured this trio off Northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia. "When you are photographing orcas the main thing you need is patience as you have to wait till they approach you," explained the 42-year-old, who has spent the past decade and a half photographing the mammals. "In order to get good pictures you need to be always ready, I always have one eye glued on the viewfinder while the other eye is searching for signs like blows or special activities. "My experience helps me to stabilise my body on the always moving boat, experience kicks in to make it easier to "predict" what the orcas next move would be." The picturesque Northern Vancouver Island is a unique setting where whale watchers can witness resident, transient and offshore orcas. READ ON HERE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/10/08/eaorca108.xml

****************************** Nature loss 'dwarfs bank crisis' The global economy is losing more money from the disappearance of forests than through the current banking crisis, according to an EU-commissioned study. It puts the annual cost of forest loss at between $2 trillion and $5 trillion. The figure comes from adding the value of the various services that forests perform, such as providing clean water and absorbing carbon dioxide.

The study, headed by a Deutsche Bank economist, parallels the Stern Review into the economics of climate change. It has been discussed during many sessions here at the World Conservation Congress. Some conservationists see it as a new way of persuading policymakers to fund nature protection rather than allowing the decline in ecosystems and species, highlighted in the release on Monday of the Red List of Threatened Species, to continue. READ ON HERE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7662565.stm

****************************** IRON BOUND More than 8,000 conservationists and policy makers are in Barcelona, Spain, for the IUCN World Conservation Congress. Held once every four years, the gathering is viewed as a landmark event where future conservation strategies are developed. One such issue discusses the topic, “Could "polluting" the marine environment restrain rising temperatures and rising carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere?” According to Margaret Leinen, chief scientist of the company Climos, it could; and the magic pollutant is iron filings. Placed in the oceans, the theory goes that they will stimulate the growth of phytoplankton, tiny marine plants, which will then photosynthesise more CO2 out of the atmosphere and down into the water column. The idea has been around for a long time and studies date back at least a decade, without having given us a definitive answer to whether it will work. At a seminar here on ocean geoengineering, as the approach is known, Ms Leinen told us of her company's plans to seed trial sites of ocean hundreds of kilometres across, and - under the auspices of independent scientists - conduct studies that would satisfy academics, regulators and investors. Scientifically, the issue is not whether the mechanism works - it does - but what else happens afterwards. How deep will the carbon be carried, through physical or biological paths? How long will it stay stored? Will the plants' decay produce methane or nitrous oxide, more potent greenhouse gases than CO2? Investors will want to know simply whether it can turn a profit - which hangs on whether it is shown to work, and so whether it qualifies for carbon credits. READ ON HERE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7654721.stm

Check out more delightful sea photos here: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photo graphy/photos/colorful-sea-creatures.html

More News Links Aquaduct Bike Purifies Water as you Pedal

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/10/08/aquaduct-bike-purifies-water-as-you-pedal/

Eco-battle emerging over fish and multibillion-dollar resort http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=925fe169-d9fb-4302-b539664648537296

'Deepest ever' living fish filmed http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7655358.stm

Dubai battles illegal sewage dumping off beach http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=/data/theuae/2008/October/the uae_October157.xml§ion=theuae

For more giant sea creature photography, go here: http://photography.nationalgeographic.c om/photography/photos/giant-seacreatures/great-white-and-diverphotography.html

Library News New Books: • Out of Our Minds: learning to be creative - Ken Robinson (2001) • Mechanics and Physiology of Animal Swimming – Linda Maddock, Quentin Bone and Jeremy M.V. Rayner (eds.) (2008 edition) • The Ultimate Question: driving good profits and true growth – Fred Reichheld (2006) • Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: an entrpreneur’s odyssey to educate the world’s children – John Wood (2006) • The Whale Scientists: solving the mystery of whale strandings – Fran Hodgkins (2007) • Frogs – Thomas Marent (2008) – stunning frog photos! New DVDs: • Life In Cold Blood (250 min., 2008, BBC Video) – hosted by David Attenborough Adieu! So long, and thanks for all the fish! Thanks to everyone for making these past seven months a fun learning experience – I’ve really enjoyed contributing to the work that you all do and being part of this unique place. I had some unforgettable experiences, like seeing the baby beluga being born and co-producing the Green Team Fashion Show – not the sort of things you usually expect to see and do at work as a librarian – which is part of the wonderful environment you all create here. All the best – Jenny Fry

Archival Photo

Japanese Sea Nettle (Chrysaora fuscecens), photo by Lee Newman - August 17, 2006

Green Team Ride-Sharing for Employees of the Vancouver Aquarium The Vancouver Aquarium has its very own Ride Share site for Aquarium employees! Jack Bell Ride-Share allows you to find ride matches with coworkers to fill your personal car, find a driver to carpool with, or use a Jack Bell fleet vehicle! This calculates both costs and greenhouse gas savings at the same time! Registration is restricted to email addresses ending in @vanaqua.org. Register today! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Go to http://vanaqua.ride-share.com/en/my/ Register for free with your @vanaqua.org email address Enter your home address Search for matching commuters with adjustable search options Click matching commuters to suggest a ride-share Start ride-sharing!

Quick Tip: Did you know that approximately 45% of commuters in Metro Vancouver travel alone in their vehicles? Ridesharing with just 1 other person would eliminate over 1 million cars a day crossing in and out of Metro Vancouver. This is equivalent to 1.6 million litres of gas saved, and 4000 tonnes of greenhouse gases not emitted. Other sustainable modes of transportation: Don’t forget, every day is a good day to walk, bike, or swim to the Aquarium! Did you know that the Vancouver Aquarium has shower and locker facilities as well as secure bike storage for cyclists? Secure bike storage is found on the east side of the building near the Grounds office, and the shower and locker facilities are in the washrooms on the 1st floor (basement) of Aquaquest.

Events

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Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE October 30, 2008, 7:0PM The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts 777 Homer Street, Vancouver Aquarium Tickets available @ Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.ca or 604-978-4444 Special pricing available for groups of 20 or more. Contact: [email protected] or 416978-3633 www.janegoodall.ca

Continuing Studies in Science at Simon Fraser University is pleased to invite you to the third Canada Ocean Lecture “Lament for a Nation’s Oceans” presented by Dr. Jeff Hutchings, Dalhousie University on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue, SFU Vancouver, 580 W Hastings Street. The lecture is free and open to the public but reservations are recommended as seating is limited. Please reserve a seat by emailing [email protected]. The abstract and biosketch are available on our website under “news and events” at http://www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science

For Sale

Staff Appreciation