Not this year's Picture of the Year, see below - but I found it cute! Source.
Here we go again!
2012 has come and gone and what remains are the results - good and bad!
For us at BAD, it has frankly been a rather mixed bag.
And above all, we're still standing: the bills are paid, the staff have a
secure job - and most importantly, the
SRMR is thriving and delivering data for research, and
sustainable income to its stakeholders whilst remaining a safe haven for its
Sharks!
But unfortunately there have been really bad news, too.
But like I said last time, this is really not about us.
Is is about others - and here is the first batch of the infamous nominations!
:)
But first a caveat.
This is a blog reflecting personal opinions - not Journalism!
Thus nobody here is claiming that this is the Truth - whatever that may mean
in this sharky context! I do make an honest effort to learn about and convey
the latest scientific insights when posting about biology and research, to the
point that much gets vetted by selected researchers - but otherwise, I actually
pride myself for saying it like I see it: strictly subjectively, in a highly
opinionated way and completely devoid of political correctness both in content
and in style - and let's be frank: that's why you read this blog! :)
Also, keep in mind that I'm posting from a remote island smack in the middle of
the Pacific, and I thus raise no claim of even remotely seeing, let alone knowing
everything! So if anybody should feel that I may have overlooked him or others, bear with
me: I may not have noticed or may have forgotten.
Or I may simply not care -
for that cause or for that person!
So without further ado!
The Good
Warning!
Even this section will contain some mild criticism - live with it!
1. Track back: reconfirmed
I stand by what I said there
This year's conservation posts have once again focused on the very same issues
and generally reaffirmed and refined some of the same general principles.
With one addendum I am really passionate about.
This includes acting preemptively wherever there is overfishing, this by
drastically reducing quotas and in the case of Sharks,
by enacting bans and establishing sanctuaries; and by
demanding that the burden of proof be reversed, whereby it would be up to
the
the fishing industry (and
the trade) to come up with substantiated proof that their
activities are fully sustainable and legal - much like a good old fashioned
environmental impact assessment that has become so ubiquitous whenever anybody
wants to tamper with nature on land!
Too far out there and too controversial?
Again: please do peruse the links and if you believe that rationally (= as
opposed to emotionally), this is a fallacy, tell me why - but should you agree with my standpoint,
please do spread the word!
Yes it won't happen tomorrow - but it will happen if we keep talking
about it!
And now to the line-up!
I must once again say, I largely stand by last year's nominations - but of course
that was then and in some cases, things have obviously changed.
So there - are you ready?
- The
Pew Environment Group's Global Shark Campaign remains the most impressive Shark Conservation Org.
This is largely due to their awesome achievements in helping establish a
further string of Shark sanctuaries, namely American Samoa, the Cooks (! -
see below) and Kosrae, and in having been very much at the forefront in
the enactment of new Shark protection measures in Venezuela, in the
European Union and at the WCPFC. And yes they may have been involved in
more and yes I may have forgotten some - Angelo?
And they once again scoop the Best Shark
Conservation Resources nomination as their reports remain
simply the best, e.g. this one!
But it sure has not been all smooth sailing!
The fishing industry has caught on to their MO and is fighting back
vigorously by casting doubt on the effectiveness of those measures, and stupid commentators are gobbling up and propagating
that disinformation. This has been one of the major contributors to the Fiji
fiasco, see comments in part two.
And on a strictly personal and probably terribly subjective note, I do
bemoan the departure of Matt and accordingly, I sense a lack
of leadership and at the same time, signs of unproductive picomanagement;
and I just cannot get myself to like what I perceive to be the increasing
populism (= dumbing down) of
their outreach via the social media.
And yes I shall certainly leave it at that!
It is certainly debatable and ultimately, who am I to say - the results
speak for themselves, and this despite of those real or perceived pewculiarities!
- The Shark
Savers have continued to be simply brilliant.
You can check out their yearly recap here.
Love
the patrol boat: so much good for so little money! And I want to once again
thank them for their invaluable support of the
GFSC where I must commend the indefatigable
Samantha for having made a tremendous
contribution! Thank you!
And then there is of course the terrific
Manta Ray of Hope project, see
below!
- Stefanie Brendl!
We've finally met and I now like her even more!
As always, she is working hard behind the scenes. I'm not in a position to
divulge details - but do expect something real cool in the not-too-distant
future!
But this year, the title of Most impressive individual Shark Conservation
Advocate goes to somebody else - and I'm quite certain that she would
agree with my choice!
- What about last year's Most promising Shark Conservation Newcomers?
David
has really done himself proud, especially with A Ray of Light but also his terrific PSAs
The Sanctuary and Love Sharks Love Fiji. He is still desperately
trying to finally get a major break but he has certainly not been sitting
idly but instead, continued to stack the chips in his favor with a new production
company, upcoming new websites and shortly, new attempts at marketing and
crowd funding. And thankfully, there have been a few jobs allowing him to
pay for the bills on the way.
But he deserves better - so please, if you should be mulling a shoot and
are looking for a brilliant all-in-one movie maker: do think of him!
And the others?
I see
that Christine is still with Neil and trust that she is behind some of his
stellar media outreach; but I frankly don't quite know what she is
currently doing - but whatever it is, I wish her well.
Same for Madi Pip - however she is off my list. As an example of alas
many, check this out - that's not something I would ever
want to be seen endorsing in so many ways! I'm sure you understand - and
if not, wait for part two!
Yes I'm frankly disappointed!
- Best
Shark Facebook Page: Shark Savers
Once again, a difficult choice - but that (and
the Shark Year Magazine, see below) is the ressource I inevitably
find myself consulting when I want to inform myself about the latest
conservation- and research-related Elasmobranch news.
Shark Defenders on the other hand has shifted
towards more and more populism, see my comments above under Pew. Alas -
but then again, that's just my personal perception.
- Most
impressive individual Shark Conservation Advocate: Mary O'Malley.
She's gonna hate me for this because like the vast majority of real
conservationists including her predecessor Stefanie, she has no interest
whatsoever in standing in the limelight but prefers to shine through her
achievements instead of her announcements and self promotion. But let
there be no doubt that whenever something is really good, she has
likely had a hand in it!
Among several others, one of her most recent projects is Manta Ray of
Hope, see above - and if the Mantas will have any chance at this
year's CITES convention, it will undoubtedly be the result of her
tireless work and networking where once again, I discern no ego but
instead, nothing but the genuine wish to reunite and motivate others to
pursue a common goal in the most efficient and effective way.
And I want to say this: it's about bloody time for some public accolades!
No not this poor little laudatio on an obscure Shark blog, nor this
truthful and loving hommage by Stefanie - I'm talking about something
major, some Shark and Manta Hero award or the like! DaMary gets
nothing - but the Boo Boo keeps getting nominated?!?
C'mon you award folks - do something!
- Most
impressive Shark Conservation Achievements, ex aequo: Cook Islands Shark Sanctuary and French Polynesia
Shark Sanctuary.
Just awesome!
I did not at all expect the declaration by French Polynesia - and knowing how
rigidly the French manage these matter in their DOM-TOMs, this will incidentally result in the
exact opposite of a SINO, this also owing to the vigilance of the dive
operators and the researchers of the ORP!
And in view of all the alleged shenanigans, I was of the firm opinion that
the Cooks were a lost cause - so huge kudos to its visionary president Henry Puna, to Pew but also to
Steve and Jess of PICI
- details here!
- Best Blog Posts on Shark-related Issue: the
coordinated Deconstruction of the infamous Oxygen Myth.
I must say, I'm mighty proud of this effort!
And it has been loads of fun, too - to wit here,
here, here, here, here, here, here, here
and here! Simply brilliantly epic!
And... have we been successful in eradicating that stupidity?
Check part two! :)
And i did love love love Cristina's posts on the Shark Savers community pages!
- Most promising Shark Conservation Newcomer: Michelle
Wcisel
I have no clue whether she's to be considered
"new" - but I've only caught
on to her this year.
And I must say, I like what I see - and so will hopefully you once you explore
the links, including those of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust where she
works!
- Ocean Hero of the Year: Tony Burke, current
Australian Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and
Communities
This is the guy who has had the courage and the
vision to establish what could well be the largest network of contiguous MPAs in the world - and
this against the stiffest political resistance. Backbone and Leadership in
politics - stuff the Americans can only dream of!
Bravo!
But Harold Martin of New Caledonia is certainly a close
second!
- Best Conservation Org: Pew Environment Group
Check this out - bloody impressive!
Not really convinced about the part about Rio+20 where I once again had
the impression that nothing tangible was achieved - except, of course, for
the decision to reconvene = further millions spent on junkets and a
further stupendous incremental carbon footprint!
But again, that would be me and I've frankly stopped caring.
On the other hand, the list is just awesome!
Would there be anybody else coming even remotely close?
Maybe the ubiquitous WWF, or CI with their tremendous Seascapes? Or the fantastic IUCN that achieves so much - and this silently and
completely collaboratively?
Maybe - but for 2012, I stick with my choice!
- Best Shark Book: Domeier on Great Whites
When it comes to GWS, this is really the bible, with each chapter being a
peer-reviewed paper by the most eminent GWS researchers. Don't talk GWS
biology if you haven't read it - and you can get it cheaper here!
- Most inspirational Visitors,
in no particular order: Le Didier, Stefanie, Tanya, Samantha,
ozzie Sam, Lill, Stephen and Takako, Cristina,
Demian
and Debra, Jaap and Taryn (you know who you are!), Lucia and Andre - thank you!
My deepest apologies to those I may have forgotten - it has been a very long
year and my faculties of recollection have become somewhat fuzzy!
-
And a special h/t to you RickMac
for being so sharp, erudite and witty, and for what you do for our oceans -
truly you are one of our unsung heroes!
- Special Thanks
to you Doug and Emily for always having been there for Ron
and Val; to you Gary
and Brenda, for always being there for us, and to you Juerg , for the
always stimulating excellent cooperation – would you believe it, 10 years now! To you Drew,
Nani, Papa and Rusi, for so many fabulous years of loyal friendship and
adventure!
3. Not nominated
- Blogs - both about
Sharks and about marine topics in general
This is a tough one as I continue to peruse many of them, especially
those in the Blog Roll on the side bar. But, I am sensing some widespread fatigue
that echoes my own - see the
very different monthly counts in the Blog Archive that reflect my work
load (turns out that retired really means re-tired) but
also, my faltering mojo!
Yes SFS cranks out the occasional brilliant post like here;
yes DNS publishes the occasional epic rant against the latest pseudoscience; yes the
Monster continues its valiant fight against climate change denialism - but
I sure miss the randalierende Wolf and Patric's incisive sharkasm!
And then, there's the competition by the one-liners on the zillion FB
pages and by those tweets - and the frustration at the seemingly
unstoppable creeping progress of the Dolphinization of the Shark
Movement.
The question is, are we merely preaching to the converted in some global
circular echo chamber whilst being overrun by that deluge of
truthiness and idiocy - and if so, should we be investing our time more
productively on other projects?
- Other Media -
journalism, pics, television and movie.
Nothing truly extra-extraordinary has caught my eye - probably my fault
for not having paid attention!
Phewwww.... that's it I think!
And now, over to the infamous Part Deux!
I'm currently multitasking and honestly drowning
in urgent stuff - so bear with me if it'll take a while, as it's gonna be long.
But it's gonna be
interesting!
And that's a promise! :)
PS: Dang I've forgotten one - again!
So there: granted, that was late in 2011 - but still!
PS2:
Time Danaos et dona ferentes!
In case you thought that being nominated here is
good - think again! Public praise by DaShark might just be the beginning of your demise! :)
PS3: Wolf
here!
PS4: Check out Part
Two, Part
Three and Part
Four!
