Halibut Herald October 8

H

ALIBUT HERALD October 8, 2009

October 8-10 are Cephalopod Awareness Days!

Well, in some circumstances they are food: http://www.seachoice.org/profile/179/view

Here’s some blogs who are dedicated to sharing the wonderful world of Cephalopods! • • • • • • • • •

The Cephalopodcast (science edu & ocean info) - http://cephalopodcast.com The Cephalopodiatrist: it turns out that squid is not a profession - http://cephalopodiatrist.com/ Crash Octopus (sweet art) - http://www.crashoctopus.com/ Indie Squid Kid (various neat paraphernalia) - http://www.indiesquidkid.com/ Odd-Fish (funny comics) - http://www.odd-fish.net/viewing.php?comic_id=146 Cephalopod Tea Party (more sweet paraphernalia) - http://cephalopodteaparty.blogspot.com/ Vulgar Army: Octoprop to Octopop - http://vulgararmy.com/ Noadi’s Art (cephalopod inspired jewelry) - http://noadi.blogspot.com/ Pharyngula (biologist & professor view of evolution & more - http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/cephalopods/

Stephen Fry Searches for Manatees

Stephen Fry admires the Amazonian manatee in captivity, and then goes in search of them in the wild. Manatees could once be found in great herds but are now officially "vulnerable to extinction" - with just a few thousand remaining in the world. Fry and zoologist Mark Carwardine have been tracking down some of the most endangered animals on the planet in a sixpart series. READ ON: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8238699.stm

Biologist Calls for Judicial Inquiry on Salmon Decline

The Kakapo’s ‘Funniest Ever’ Mating Ritual

When Stephen Fry goes in search of the rare kakapo - "the old night parrot of New Zealand" - he finds himself privy to an unusual mating ritual which is "one of the funniest things he has ever seen". READ ON: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8281382.stm?ls

A Little Less Mystery in the Migration of Eels “When eels are leaving coastal areas, we don’t know anything,” said Kim Aarestrup, a senior researcher at the National Institute of Aquatic Resources at the Technical University of Denmark. “They virtually disappear.” But Dr. Aarestrup and his colleagues have eliminated part of the mystery of eel migration. Using small devices attached to eels, they have tracked the eels from the west coast of Ireland for part of the 3,000-mile trip to the Sargasso Sea. READ ON: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/science/29obeels .html?_r=2&ref=science

Oldest Living Things in the World

For years, aboriginals along the Broughton Archipelago on the north end of Vancouver Island have watched wild salmon numbers dwindle. On Saturday, they were joined by hundreds of people at the Vancouver Art Gallery who share their concern that one of B.C.'s most treasured resources is being wiped out. This year, returns on wild salmon fell off dramatically. Biologist Alexandra Morton wants a judicial inquiry. She says it's the only way to get the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to explain what went wrong. READ ON: http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/ CTVNews/20091003/bc_fish_farms_0910 03/20091003/?hub=BritishColumbiaHom e

About the Barren Lands Caribou Blog Besides the canonical Bristlecone Pine, there are many other organism on earth that will outlive you. Photographer Rachel Sussman has been traveling around the world to find and photograph them. I’m surprised by the number and variety of long-lived organisms. I very much like that she includes the low lifes — lichen and so forth. You can keep up with her investigations with her intelligent blog: http://oltw.blogspot.com/. SOURCE: http://blog.longnow.org/2009/09/29/oldes t-living-things-in-the-world/

In the Barren Lands Caribou Blog, CBC North reporter Loren McGinnis is going "on the land" with 20 students from St. Patrick High School in Yellowknife. The group is spending six days at MacKay Lake Lodge, 250 kilometres northeast of the city, to fish, track caribou and take part in Dene cultural activities. READ ON: http://www.cbc.ca/north/features/caribo u-blog/

Bubble Trouble

Leafy and Green Genius!

One green girl's story of ditching shampoo altogether; she (and her gorgeous new hair) never looked back.

As high raking season approaches, check out the concept behind PowerRake, a human-powered substitute for rakes and leaf blowers.

Just Outside San Francisco, a Wild Coastline

JUST 10 miles south of San Francisco, the California coastal highway emerges from a landscape of subdivisions and suburban commercial strips to confront the Pacific Ocean in all its most imposing and treacherous grandeur. The road — Highway 1, far north here of the famous Big Sur stretch better known to tourists — weaves through a dense eucalyptus grove, ascends a steep incline, passes through a jagged gap between two steep rock walls, and emerges as a ribbon of clifftop roadway known locally as Devil’s Slide. READ ON: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/trav el/04explorer.html

“The problem with shampoo is that most of it contains sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate as a foaming agent. Both are detergents capable of degreasing engines. Not surprisingly, they are also skin irritants. The charge against them by the no-’pooers is that they strip the hair and scalp of natural oils, creating an artificial demand for moisture that only commercial shampoos and conditioners can fill.” READ ON: http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/beautyfashion/stories/bubble-trouble

The PowerRake operates on a quite simple, user-friendly level: using a conveyor belt system, the wheeled device picks up errant leaves with a set of rakelike metallic teeth and sends them to a handy, removable catch-sack. When the sack becomes full, empty it at your compost heap, and voila! No more mess. READ ON: http://www.mnn.com/thehome/gardeninglandscaping/blogs/leafy-and-green

No Impact Man on Early Show

(If you haven’t heard of him yet, watch the vid!) Colin Beavan and his wife Michelle Conlin talked to The Early Show about their no impact year, and all the unexpected joys and benefits that not making waste, eating locally and not using carbon producing transportation brought to their family. READ ON: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/20 09/10/06/no-impact-man-talksabout_n_311190.html

A New (Old) Use for Clam Shells

WATCH VIDEO IN CANADA HERE (GRR! CBS.COM): http://www.metacafe.com/watch/cb3qxTLn4__seSE09wX3kw_

Toilets Help Stop Overpopulation: Here’s How

Maldives Government Holds Parliament Under Water in Protest

While doing research on the subject through Water.org, I came across some interesting data that said that girls in third world countries who have access to clean, private and working toilets, have less children. WHY IS THIS? READ ON: http://www.twilightearth.com/children /toilets-help-stop-overpopulationheres-how/

Next week his cabinet will hold its first meeting underwater. The ministers will don wetsuits and air tanks and meet in "parliament" 20 feet under the sea. It's all part of his efforts to draw the attention of the world's leaders to the gravity of global warming, in the lead up to the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. READ ON: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/maldi ves-government-under-water.php

More than 2.1 million bushels of surf clam shells — formerly a waste product from seafood processing plants — has been laid down on reef sites since 2005 by a task force that includes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dept. of Environmental Protection and the Rutgers University Haskin shellfish laboratory. Just covering 1.5 percent of the reef areas with fresh shell, so baby oysters have a hard place to attach, has boosted growth in the bay's oyster stock by 25 percent, DEP biologist Jason Hearon said during a news media tour of the Ship John Shoal oyster area. Eight boats worked the beds Thursday where 169,000 bushels of clamshells were planted in 2007. READ ON: http://www.app.com/article/2009100 1/NEWS03/91002020/1007/NEWS03/ A+new+use+for+clam+shells+

CALLING ANYONE WITH A BLOG? BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION AND REGISTER YOUR BLOG TODAY!

http://www.blogactionday.org/

Halloween Bake Sale

www.vanaqua.org/tttc

The Youth Council will be hosting a Halloween Bake Sale on Friday October 23rd from 10:30-2:30pm. They will be raising money for the Youth for Youth Program, which is a youth council initiative to bring students from low income schools to participate in one of our awesome school programs. They are looking for donations of baked goods to sell that day, so if there are any bakers out there that would like to donate please drop it off at volunteer services on Friday October 23rd by 10:30am. For more information, please contact Mari Otomo at [email protected]. Looking forward to all those yummy treats!

http://www.thegp2project.org/

Meeting India's Tree Planting Guru

Almost a BILLION trees planted in one day in India's Bihar region. The power of One. Evidence of Mr Raju's success could clearly be seen on 30 August, when he organised 300,000 villagers from over 7,500 villages in northern Bihar to engage in a mass tree planting ceremony. READ ON: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8257563.stm

Bill Nye the Science Guy: Real Men Love Torque Steer

Nye is one of 500 Americans testing BMW's Mini-E electric car, and he thinks if you're going to drive a red-blooded sports car you should be ready for some quirks. I bumped into him on the street and caught the encounter on video. READ ON: http://www.mnn.com/transportation/cars/blogs/bill-nye-thescience-guy-real-men-love-torque-steer

Guide to Recycling in Vancouver: A few helpful links!

Why are Green Companies Ditching the Chamber of Commerce? You may have heard about some big corps (Nike, Apple, etc) backing out. Find out why…

The US Chamber of Commerce is the largest not-for-profit business organization in the world. It represents over 3 million companies. It's arguably the most powerful lobbying group in the nation. And it's doing everything it can to stop climate legislation. READ ON: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/workconnect/green-companies-chambercommerce.html?campaign=daylifearticle

Basics Of Blue Box Recycling Program http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/solidwaste/recycling/bluebox.htm Useful printout of above image: http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/solidwaste/recycling/pdf/blueboxbrochureenglish.pdf How To Set Out Your Recyclables http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/solidwaste/recycling/howto.htm

Quick Rebound From Marine Mass Biggest Dam Removal Project In History On Its Way Extinction Event, New Findings Show

In 1980, Luis Alvarez and his collaborators stunned the world with their discovery that an asteroid impact 65 million years ago probably killed off the dinosaurs and much of the world's living organisms. Now, researchers from MIT and their collaborators have found that at least some forms of microscopic marine life — the so called "primary producers," or photosynthetic organisms such as algae and cyanobacteria in the ocean — recovered within about a century after the mass extinction. READ ON: http://www.oceanleadership.org/2009/quick-reboundfrom-marine-mass-extinction-event-new-findingsshow/

When the Klamath dams come down it will be the biggest dam removal project the world has ever seen. It is exciting to see the momentum behind this historic river restoration effort - one that promises to not only restore the health of the river, but also boost local economies and revitalize communities. READ ON: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/biggest-damremoval-project-history.php

Farmers Use Vending Machines to Sell Produce

48 Year-Old Blogger Has Gone 9 Years Without Spending Money In an effort to save money and labor, a farm in Germany has begun selling fresh, local produce from vending machines. READ ON: http://www.mnn.com/food/farmsgardens/stories/farmers-use-vending-machines-to-sell-produce

Green Sturgeon Gains Habitat Protection From Monterey Bay to Canadian Border

Daniel Suelo wasn't poor, a victim of bad luck, mentally ill, or even uneducated. He just decided that he wanted to have nothing to do with money. So he gave up consumer culture altogether, and for the last 9 years, he's survived by living in a cave in Utah, and dumpster diving, foraging, fishing, and occasionally hunting for food. READ ON: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/48year-old-blogger-gone-9-years-withoutmoney.php?dcitc=TH_rotator

READ ON: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/ne ws/press_releases/2009/greensturgeon-10-08-2009.html

Eco Etiquette: Can You Be An Environmentalist Without Being Vegetarian? “As far as I'm concerned, an environmentalist is anyone who is making concrete changes to protect our natural resources and spread the message of conservation to the billions of people who reside on this planet.” READ ON: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/j ennifer-grayson/eco-etiquettecan-you-be_b_312038.html

Archival Photo

Klaus Michaelis with Charlie the Harbour Seal, 1969.

Library News For more library news, book reviews, access to our online catalogue and much more, visit us on the aquanet: http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/default.aspx Get your up-to-the minutes news via RSS feed from the library’s What’s new pages. Currently, there are two What’s new pages running a variety of interesting news feeds What’s New – Animals and Nature – for news about birds, reptiles, marine mammals, and places such as the Arctic http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/WhatsNewAnimalsandNature.aspx What’s New – Business and General – for news about business, finance, tourism, visitor experience and marketing http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/What%27sNewBGN.aspx News on Environmental conservation and education will soon be available via the Conservation Current http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/ConservationCurrent/Pages/Default.aspx Did you know that the Library has access to over 100 journals and magazines?? At least 80 of these are available full text online. For a complete hyperlinked list, visit the library journals page on Aquanet: http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/Journals.aspx As well, you can find new books and movies listed on this page of Aquanet: http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/LibraryCatalogue.aspx

Events

http://ripeforthereading.wordpress.com/what-is-ripe/

http://community.wwf.ca/localicious/WhatsLocalicious.cfm From Earth to Ocean: Stories from Gwaii Haanas

Parks Canada has identified the waters around Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (Queen Charlotte Islands) as a potential national marine conservation area reserve. To present the stories of Gwaii Haanas, Parks Canada has partnered with The Vancouver Aquarium to offer a unique speaker series open to the public. Participation is free, though seats are limited. Each engaging event allows audience members to explore a different aspect of the region and understand the benefits of its protection. Starting in September, join us to find out more about: Session 2: Icons of the Pacific Monday October 26 A look into the history and journey of whales throughout Gwaii Haanas and why protecting these habitats benefits us all. Moderator: Don Enright, National Parks Interpretation Specialist, Parks Canada

Investigate the diverse marine life within Gwaii Haanas and delve into the history of whaling in the Queen Charlotte Islands and the journey of the iconic killer whale and graceful humpback that can be seen off the coast of Gwaii Haanas. Learn how national marine conservation areas are of value to the diverse marine life and their habitats. Speakers include: • • •

Kathy Heise: “Historical Whaling in Gwaii Haanas” Lance Barrett-Lennard: “Orcas and Humpbacks” Caitlin Birdsall, Cetacean Sightings Network

Reservations close on Monday, October 19th Admission is free. Please RSVP to: [email protected] or phone 604-659-3432

Session 3: Changing Seascape Monday November 16 Learn about ancient Haida villages, changing sea levels and how historical trade practices have all played a role in shaping today’s Gwaii Haanas. Session 4: Healthy oceans, healthy people Monday December 7 Whether it’s dining out or reporting a whale sighting, your actions can make a difference to our oceans. Join us for this special conclusion to find out what you can do to help Each session takes place at The Vancouver Aquarium from 7 – 9 pm. Please enter at the AquaQuest Administrative Entrance. To confirm your seat, email: [email protected] or call 604-659-3432. Please identify which session you would like to attend. Seating is limited.

http://www.petropolis-film.com/

http://vimeo.com/channels/22348 http://vorg.ca/2971-Interesting-Vancouver-2008-Recap http://industrialbrand.com/blog/unconferences_very_interesting_indeed

http://interestingvancouver.com/

Local 350.org Events!

See below for some of the events happening October 24, 2009 in Vancouver. Check the website for events happening worldwide on this critical day for OUR PLANET.

EVENT WEBSITE: http://www.b ridgecoolpla net.ca/en/

EVENT WEBSITE: http://www.3 50.org/node/ 5833

ALL REGISTERED

EVENTS APPEAR IN ORANGE http://www.3 50.org/map

http://fishopolis.com

http://www.roundhouse.ca/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=133

SUSTENANCE will feature artwork by VanAqua’s own Cam MacDonald (C&E). http://www.cammacdonald.ca/home.htm

http://www.gaininggroundsummit.com

http://oneofakindvancouver.com/

Classified Fishy Home for SALE! Lightly-Used Marineland Eclipse 6 Gallon Aquarium Complete with integrated light, pump, easy-to-change filter, biowheel (to control nitro-waste levels), owner's manual and “how to” literature 2 dip nets (medium and small) “Auto” siphon Elite 799 air pump, with tubing and spare bubble stone MagFloat magnetic floating (go figure!) acrylic surface cleaner 1/2 bottle each of Sera kH-plus and Aqua Plus for tap water pre-treatment $80 all in Interested? Contact Jonathan @ 3590, or [email protected].

http://www.cov erealty.ca/listin g_detail2995255.html