Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Deuxcents

(19,694 posts)
1. Good grief. I remember many years ago when I supported Sea Shepherd, the fight
Sat Apr 20, 2024, 10:50 PM
Apr 2024

To eliminate those nets that stretched for extremely large areas because they were entrapping everything and killing them. Unnecessary and dangerous to the crews and overfishing our resources. We just never learn and when it’s almost to the point of extinction, it’s too late. I hope this effort is successful because the loss will be another tragedy to the balance of nature

LT Barclay

(2,734 posts)
2. Sea Shepherd is the only group pulling the nets, and they are still in there and have had some violent confrontations
Sat Apr 20, 2024, 10:59 PM
Apr 2024

with the fisherman in the area. The only other group that is having an impact (in my opinion) is the Earth League International formerly known as the Elephant Action League. The try to break the network that is trafficing in the totoaba swim bladders.

You can now contribute directly to the campaign that is trying to save the vaquita. It is Operation Milagro at SSCS. I'm kind of frustrated with most of the other groups because they are either 1. ignoring it or 2. just talking with little action. The only other recent good news is that the tiny population is stable, with the last survey showing 13 individuals with 1 calf. There was a successful lawsuit to get the US to impose more sanctions on Mexico (questionable value).

The U.S. could do more:
https://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/magazine/entry/missed-opportunity-vaquita-whistleblowers

This was a puppet show my family did at a family camp hosted by Jean-Michel Cousteau:

?si=_toD3QaANunOrlAn
When I finally have a job that isn't draining the life out of me, I'd like to start performing this and the other 2 I wrote for the same camp at other venues. I hope to have the others posted soon.

LT Barclay

(2,734 posts)
3. Sea of Shadows is an amazing documentary on the issue. Funded by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.
Sat Apr 20, 2024, 11:06 PM
Apr 2024

I would only disagree with her in that I believe that the effort to protect the vaquita has been anemic and half-hearted. But there is a new tactic being used. Concrete blocks with exposed rebar is being intentionally placed in the vaquita reserve to hold and destroy nets as they are being placed. Sea Shepherd has seen a 90% decrease in nets in the area.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Vegetarian, Vegan and Animal Rights»Save the Vaquita Petition