For you whale watchers out there, there's good news regarding the right whales that migrate along the U.S. East Coast. It was reported last week by the New England Aquarium that a record number of calves were reported for this spring. At 39 calves, that's considerable improvement from 2000 when only one calf was born.
The right whale - known by that name because whalers considered it the "right" whale to hunt due to its high level of whale oil and fat - travels nearly 1,000 miles down the East Coast to give birth in the warmer waters of Georgia and Florida. This coastal migration made them any easy target for whalers or even accidental encounters/rammings by ships, adding to their diminished numbers which are as a low as a staggering 400 worldwide.
While still heavily protected or regulated for commercial use, whales have fallen off the public radar compared to their heyday in the 70's. This has enabled countries, like Japan and Norway, with long-standing traditions in commercial whaling to chip away at the current regulations and that is posing a threat to populations of whale species that have improved over the years but are still very tenuous at best.
You can learn more more the current status of whales at large at the American Cetacean Society web site.
There will be a screening of Island of the Great White Shark on July 17th at the Harvard Museum of Natural History (my parents would have been so proud). All kidding aside, I am very honored that the museum chose to have this event - this was not a solicitation on my part, they approached me.
I'd like to think that it's because the documentary resonates with people other than die hard shark lovers. Hopefully the realistic portrait of white sharks, the ongoing research, and the conservation message presented in the film will reach as many people as possible, especially those people who are convinced that great white sharks are the Darth Vader of all sharks.
I will not be in attendance at the screening, but Dr. John Mandelman, resident shark expert from the New England Aquarium, is scheduled to be there for follow up questions and discussion about shark issues. Things couldn't be in better hands. So, if you're in the Boston/Cambridge, MA area next Thursday, check it out.
On 05/07/08, RTSea wrote: Richard Theiss just returned from Boston, MA where a successful screening of "Island of the Great White Shark" was held at the New England Aquarium. Accompanying him was Mauricio Hoyos, the shark researcher featured in the film. Both Mauricio and Richard were interviewed on 5/05/08 by WGBH (Nova) for the Greater Boston series, hosted by Emily Rooney.
The New England Aquarium was a most generous host and has a wonderful staff of committed marine conservationists (my thanks to Vickie Cataldo, Dr. John Mandelman, Dr. Greg Stone, and Tony LaCasse). And the people of Boston have a great fascination and interest in sharks, in no small part due to the fact that Boston was the home of the late Peter Benchley who became quite a shark advocate in the years following the success of "Jaws." Peter's original writings reflected the attitudes of the times and as his popularity put him in the limelight and in continual contact with developing science, he came to be a very prolific writer on behalf of sharks.
This is what new research findings and media presentations like "Island of the Great White Shark" hope to accomplish - to sway public opinion in favor of realizing the important role these animals (indeed, many marine animals) play in maintaining a healthy ocean, and the need to protect them. We all grew up a little afraid of sharks, but now fear must give way to appreciation and respect.
The event was sponsored by the Aquarium's Lowell Lecture Series.
On 03/09/08, RTSea wrote: "Island of the Great White Shark" - RTSea's recently completed documentary chronicling the great white sharks of Isla Guadalupe, Baja and the ongoing shark research taking place there - can be seen at upcoming screenings/lectures at the following aquariums:
March 30th - Aquarium of the Pacific "Divers Day", Long Beach, CA
May 5th - New England Aquarium, Boston, MA
June 18th - National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD
Stay tuned, more aquarium screenings are being scheduled and the film will be available on DVD shortly.
"A primal scene of unearthly beauty. Excitement and information pepper this film." - David McGuire, Sea Stewards
"Richard Theiss has a unique ability to communicate science, conservation and entertainment." - Ania Budziak, PADI Project Aware Foundation
On 02/13/08, RTSea wrote: Island of the Great White Shark - the latest documentary from RTSea Productions had a series of exclusive premiere screenings at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA. The audience response was very enthusiastic and during the Q&A that followed the screening, it was clear that the audience now saw the sharks in a different light and were concerned about conserving and protecting these amazing animals.
A screening is scheduled for May 5th at the New England Aquarium and more screenings at leading aquariums are being arranged. Stay tuned - DVD availability is in the works.
"I think you have created a remarkable film." - Dr. Jerry Schubel, President/CEO, Aquarium of the Pacific
"Beautiful videography, good graphics and information." - Dr. Bob Hueter, Director, Mote Marine Shark Research
"We absolutely loved the film." - Liz and Kevin Sullivan, Pacific Explorers Dive Club
For you whale watchers out there, there's good news regarding the right whales that migrate along the U.S. East Coast. It was reported last week by the New England Aquarium that a record number of calves were reported for this spring. At 39 calves, that's considerable improvement from 2000 when only one calf was born.
