Golden Ray photos of amazing mass migration

From an article by in the Nick Allenin the Telegraph:

Looking like giant leaves floating in the sea thousands of Golden Rays are seen here gathering off the coast of Mexico.

The spectacular scene was captured as the magnificent creatures made one of their biannual mass migrations to more agreeable waters.

Gliding silently beneath the waves they turned vast areas of blue water to gold off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Sandra Critelli, an amateur photographer, stumbled across the phenomenon while looking for whale sharks.

She said: "It was an unreal image, very difficult to describe. The surface of the water was covered by warm and different shades of gold and looked like a bed of autumn leaves gently moved by the wind.

"It's hard to say exactly how many there were but in the range of a few thousand.

"We were surrounded by them without seeing the edge of the school and we could see many under the water surface too.

"I feel very fortunate I was there in the right place at the right time to experienced nature at his best."

Measuring up to 7ft (2.1 metres) from wing-tip to wing-tip, Golden rays are also more prosaically known as cow nose rays.

They have long, pointed pectoral fins that separate into two lobes in front of their high-domed heads and give them a cow-like appearance.

Despite having poisonous stingers they are known to be shy and non-threatening when in large schools.

The population in the Gulf of Mexico migrates, in schools of as many as 10,000, clockwise from western Florida to the Yucatan.

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Caribbean Monk Seal Declared Extinct

From a media release issued by Ocean Conservancy:

Washington, DC - Today, the National Marine Fisheries Service declared the Caribbean monk seal to be officially extinct. Once hunted as food and for their oil, the loss of this species is a reminder of the stress that humans put on fragile ocean animal populations. Also vulnerable to extinction are two remaining monk seal species; the Hawaiian monk seal and Mediterranean monk seal. Challenges from climate change and marine debris -- floating trash and discarded or lost fishing nets and lines threaten the survival of ocean animals worldwide, including monk seals.

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CEA works to create sea turtle refuge in Akumal

A report from Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA):

Threats to the local populations of endangered sea turtles are increasing as tourism development grows in the Riviera Maya. Akumal is characterized by its marine and coastal environments, representing a favorite habitat for sea turtle populations [Caretta Caretta(Loggerhead), Chelonia mydas (Green) and Eretmochelys imbricada (Hawksbill)]. They use the beaches, grasslands and reefs as nesting sites, feeding, breeding and growing areas. Akumalgets its name from these phenomena – “The Place of Turtles" in Maya.

Sustainable use of our natural resources is one of our main challenges in Akumal. We are working to increase environmental awareness in the community, of the importance of habitat and species protection, and wise use. Our main goal is the conservation of the coastal marine ecosystems and the species that inhabit them, especially the sea turtles.

Therefore, it is necessary to establish official protection on Akumal’s marine environment. Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA), with the Akumal Development Council, local hotels and businesses and marine tourism operators, the National Protected Areas Commission (CONANP) and the Port Captain, along with the support of the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA), has worked over the past several years to develop a local management program for the bays, and has recently initiated a process with the Wildlife Agency of the Ministry of the Environment to establish a Sea Turtle Refuge in Akumal, co-managed with the community, through its local environmental organization - Centro Ecológico Akumal. . . .

Sea Turtle Refuge and Community based Marine Management Program
In response to these threats, and in demonstration of the commitment of the local business and tourism community to protect their natural resources, a program was developed, with three broad objectives:

1) Control and manage the use of Akumal’s natural resources;
2) Rescue, preserve and learn about marine ecosystems in the bays of Akumal;
3) Protect the sea turtle population.

The Refuge initiative proposes the creation of refuge area for the sea turtles, from Aventuras Akumal in the south, all the way to Yal Ku Lagoon in the north, encompassing all of what is known as Akumal. This proposal would allow each bay to be managed by a local committee, in coordination with CEA, responding to each bay’s unique characteristics.

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Ocean in Focus: Conservation Photography Contest

Photo contest from the Marine PhotoBank:

SeaWeb's Marine Photobank and Project AWARE Foundation invite you to submit your compelling ocean-themed photos to the Ocean in Focus Conservation Photography Contest, which opens on World Ocean Day, June 8th, 2008, and runs through September 30, 2008.

We challenge you to enter your most engaging environmental photos that illustrate the pressing marine issues and the solutions that aim to reverse the rapid decline of our ocean’s health. Beautiful wildlife imagery is abundant and often implies that our oceans are healthy. This contest is a unique opportunity for you to illuminate the challenges our ocean faces. Photo entries may depict environmental issues including, but not limited to: unsustainable fishing practices, pollution and debris, ocean dumping, oil spills, global warming and climate change, the effects of sea level rise, coastal development, endangered and threatened ecosystems.

Grand Prize!
-Seven nights accomodations at the Plaza Resort Bonaire with six days of unlimited shore diving for two, with Tuesday night beach BBQ and round-trip airport transfers — a total package worth approximately US $1,700.
- A $250 Gift Certificate to Backscatter Underwater Video and Photo.
- A signed copy of "Wild Ocean" by authors Dr. Sylvia Earle and Wolcott Henry.
- Carbon Offsets through NativeEnergy from your home and car for one year plus carbon offset for one round-trip air flight valued at US $192.

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The Atlantic Ocean’s largest coral reef

The WWF, formerly World Wildlife Fund, launched a new site on the Mesoamerican Reef:

The Mesoamerican Reef is unique in the Western Hemisphere not only for its size, but also because of its array of reef types and luxuriance of corals. It hosts more than 65 species of stony coral and more than 500 species of fish, including the mammoth whale shark—the largest fish in the world. An ancient natural system dating back 225 million years, the reefs function as a natural barrier to storms and hurricanes and are critical to the survival of plant and animal species. Compared with many other parts of the Caribbean, the reefs here are in relatively good condition.

The reef -- that stretches nearly 700 miles from the northern tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to the Bay Islands in northern Hondurasis -- is part of a larger interconnected system of currents and habitats that stretch throughout the Caribbean Basin and beyond and is one of the region's greatest natural assets. Its massive structure provides an important defense against storms and coastal erosion, while the living reef and associated ecosystems support recreation and commercial fishing.

WWF has placed a high priority on protecting the Mesoamerican Reef. For the past two decades, World Wildlife Fund has been on the ground and in the waters of the Mesoamerican Reef ecoregion to ensure this Caribbean treasure is preserved for future generations.

WWF's vision: Enhance the health of the Mesoamerican Reef’s diverse ecosystems and provide sustainable livelihoods for local people.

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Submit photos for 2009 sea turtle calendar

From the Caribbean Conservation Corporation and Sea Turtle Survival League (CCC):

CCC is looking for talented photographers for the first Sea Turtle Calendar Contest. Last year, CCC's calendar was a big success. We want to do it all over again, but we need your help!

Contributing your pictures is a great way to give back to conservation. The sea turtle calendar helps remind people, all through the year, about the importance of these unique animals to ocean and coastal ecosystems. It also includes pertinent sea turtle dates, like nesting seasons and World Sea Turtle Day.

To participate, please submit any of your sea turtle images to newsletter@cccturtle.org by October 1, 2008, following the criteria below:

- The image must be submitted by the photographer or include written permission for submission from the photographer;
- Submit only images that follow turtle-friendly guidelines (i.e. no flash images of nesting sea turtles, no images of humans touching sea turtles, etc.);
- Images must be high resolution (300 dpi or more);
- Include a brief description of the image, location, date it was taken and the photographer's name.

There may be up to 13 winners, including the coveted cover image. Photos will be judged by CCC staff, and winners will be announced on October 31, 2008. By submitting your image to newsletter@cccturtle.org before October 1, 2008, you are granting CCC rights to use your photography for the 2009 Sea Turtle Scenes Calendar only. CCC will not use your image for any other purposed without your written permission.

Winners will receive a CCC Logo Tote back and recognition in Sea Turtle Scenes. So remember, keep your eyes and camera ready to capture sea turtles in action this summer!

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Food for life (eat well and do good at the same time)

From The Ocean Project:

Where our food comes from and how it is grown or caught does affect the health of our world’s ocean. Each of us can use our power as a consumer to become part of an “ocean-friendly” solution.

Most commercially valuable ocean species are overfished, and many types of ocean fish farming are highly damaging to coastal environments. Additionally, some of the most serious threats to our ocean come from land-based sources, including industrial agriculture operations. Whether or not you eat seafood, you can do our ocean a big favor by eating organic, local and less-processed foods.

Get the details on how to eat sustainably.

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