Issue 70 - March 2021

Sawfish News by Tonya Wiley

a woman holding a sawfish in a river — Florida Bay 2016 TW with sawfish credit Dana Bethea

Tonya grew up far from saltwater in Michigan and North Texas but developed a love for the ocean during family vacations to Florida and caught her first shark while fishing with her dad in Charlotte Harbor. Following a stint in the US Navy, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Fisheries from Texas A&M University at Galveston. She completed an internship with the White Shark Research Institute in South Africa, and then a temporary research project on endangered suckers with US Geological Survey in Oregon. Tonya has worked for the Coastal Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a Marine Finfish Hatchery Technician, Ecosystem Management Technician, and Fisheries Outreach Specialist; and for Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Shark Research on the Sawfish Research Project leading field surveys for endangered smalltooth sawfish from Tampa Bay to the Florida Keys. Tonya is now the President of Havenworth Coastal Conservation, founded to promote the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources through research, outreach, and education.

Tonya has been conducting conservation biology studies of sawfish since 2001, including research on the endangered smalltooth sawfish in Florida, becoming an authority on the biology and ecology of the species. She is an appointed member of, and team leader for, the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Smalltooth Sawfish Recovery Implementation Team, a multi-institutional panel of experts working to protect the remaining sawfish population in the US and prevent the species from going extinct.

With the monthly “Sawfish News” article Tonya will bring you interesting facts about sawfish, updates on current research projects, explanations of management tools such as the Endangered Species Act, descriptions of ways you can be involved in the recovery of sawfish, and other information about this fascinating fish.

Tonya lives with her husband, Chris, on Terra Ceia Bay and enjoys any activity that gets her on the water or outside including fishing, boating in their Robalo 246 Cayman, snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking. Her favorite place to fish is in Everglades National Park, particularly Ponce de Leon Bay.

Tonya can be reached at 941-201-2685 or Tonya@havenworth.org

You can follow Havenworth Coastal Conservation:
Web:  www.havenworth.org
Facebook:  @HavenworthCoastalConservation
Twitter:  @coastalelasmos
Instagram: @coastalelasmos

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Issue 70 - March 2021

SEVENSEAS Cleanup Trip at Bang Khun Thian March 14, 2021

We had been planning on this trip since January. At first, we were to take a trip to Samed Island for beach cleanup. Due to COVID-19, we had to cancel our plans from time to time. However this month, we decided to take a short trip to Bang Khun Thian for a small cleanup for SEVENSEAS.

When viewed on a map of the Bangkok special administrative area, the district of Bang Khun Thian looks like the hind legs of a leaping elephant. This flat and wet district extends from the southwest corner of the city for some 25 km, finally bumping into a four-km expanse of muddy seacoast threaded by numerous canals, seafood farms and what’s left of a once-sprawling mangrove swamp.

Anyways, we walked around the area before we decided to pick the location for our cleanup. We chose The Kham, the area, which is close to the bikeway where watery domain where houses sit up on stilts, many locals rely on boats to get around and high tide can deliver ankle-deep water several km inland. Nearly all of the coastal forest was cleared last century to make way for rectangular ponds used for farming fish and shrimp. Unfortunately, due to pollution, some of the aquaculture sites are no longer viable for seafood farming.

From afar, the area may look neat and clean but after our observation, we found out that there are many plastic bottles, snack containers, plastic bags, and glass bottles (some of them even have urine in them. Marks threw up once because he was surprised by those…), etc. We manage to pick up around 60 kilograms of all kinds of trash here. We tried to sort out what we had picked up, but unfortunately, there was not a single trash can or garbage area for us. We had to cross the street and walk to the market nearby for that.

We hoped that this COVID situation will get better soon so we could do more for our monthly cleanup events. Please support our work by making a DONATION for SEVENSEAS Media on The Ocean Foundation or join us in a future event, which we will keep you posted on our Facebook page and Weekly Newsletter.

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Issue 70 - March 2021

Whistleblower Advocates Launch GoFundMe Campaign for Fishrot Whistleblower Jóhannes Stefánsson

Poisoned whistleblower seeks medical treatment prior to testimony in corruption probe

On March 1, 2021, Whistleblowing International, ANA LOGO, and the U.S.-based Whistleblower Network News, National Whistleblower Center launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Fishrot whistleblower Jóhannes Stefánsson. Stefánsson is the former Director of Operations in Namibia for Icelandic fishing company Samherji. He worked with anti-corruption authorities and the media to expose a fishing rights bribery scheme in Namibia. Samherji CEO Thorsteinn Mar Baldvinsson is under investigation for allegedly approving bribes, estimated at $10 million, to Namibian politicians and companies to illegally obtain offshore fishing rights. Namibia’s justice and fisheries ministers resigned and were arrested on corruption charges, along with several other prominent Namibian figures. Last month, Namibian President Hage Geingob was linked to the scandal. Baldvinsson stepped aside but was later reinstated by Samherji. Multiple investigations are underway in several countries, and new revelations of criminality are still coming to light.

Since blowing the whistle, Stefánsson has faced severe retaliation. He not only lost his job but has also survived multiple attempts on his life and believes he has been poisoned. Set to return to Namibia to testify this April, Stefánsson says that he continues to pursue justice in the face of danger.

The whistleblower groups formed an international coalition to assist Stefánsson in his plight for justice and, more importantly, help him get immediately treated for poisoning. He has been unable to receive adequate poisoning treatment in Iceland and is financially unable to seek treatment internationally. Whistleblowers like Stefánsson are integral to rooting out corruption worldwide, and they need help doing it.

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Issue 70 - March 2021

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – March 2021 – Issue 70

2041 ClimateForce Antarctic Expedition Environmental Impact, Considerations, and Outcomes

a group photo of people on a ship in Antarctica

First, we appreciate when Expedition participants are keeping their environmental footprint in mind. And yes, this Expedition does have an impact. It will realistically be at least several decades until humans are able to travel to these remote regions with zero impact – the technology (especially as it pertains to transportation) is just not 100% clean yet, unfortunately. Read more…

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Sawfish News by Tonya Wiley

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Birch Aquarium Celebrates Baby Weedy Seadragons’ First Birthdays

This week marks one year since two Weedy Seadragons were hatched at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. In honor of the thriving babies, Birch Aquarium is celebrating by launching a live Seadragon Cam, hosting a Facebook Live chat with the head of the seadragon program, and launching an exclusive collection of Weedy Seadragon merchandise in a new online store. Read more…

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Students Invited to Enter Art Contest Focusing on “Seafarers: at the Core of Shipping’s Future”

Students in grades K–12 are invited to participate in the annual calendar art contest sponsored by the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and the Inter-American Committee on Ports of the Organization of American States (CIP-OAS). The theme for this year’s contest. Read more…

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How Horseshoe Crabs have Survived for Eons in NY and NJ & Why They’re Vital to Human Health and Safety

With the worldwide race to develop and manufacture vaccines came a renewed interest in horseshoe crabs. The sea creatures, which are over 350 million years old and known as “living dinosaurs,” have been critical to the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Here’s how they have been surviving in the waters off of New York and New Jersey – and why they’re in danger. See The Video…

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Feature Destination: Take a Journey to Antarctica: 2041 ClimateForce Expedition

With the mounting call to focus on the importance of climate change dominating headlines and global policy agendas, 2021 is the ideal year for the launch of the 2041 ClimateForce Antarctica Expedition. Read more…

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Zanzibar Whip Coral Shrimp – Jack’s March Underwater Photograph

There’s this cognitive leap, though, that occurs for divers when they learn to find and appreciate the nudibranch. It’s a bit of a chicken and egg scenario, but this leap happens around the same time as divers learn to slow down and control their air consumption. Read more…

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What’s Happening to The Most Remote Coral Reefs on Earth?

Reefs in the Chagos Archipelago had some of the highest coral cover observed on the Global Reef Expedition.

In the middle of the Indian Ocean lies some of the last coral reef wilderness on Earth. The Chagos Archipelago, a collection of atolls, including Earth’s largest – the Great Chagos Bank– is home to reefs that have been largely undisturbed by humans for the last 50 years. Read more…

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New Books on Conservation and Protecting our Planet

These are some of the best books focusing on the conservation and preservation of public land. There is so much more to find out about America’s Water, the beauty of the Underwater World, and stories about those who dedicated their life to our planet and conservation. See more…

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Manta Rays & Whale Sharks Gain Full Protection Under New Fisheries Law in Mozambique

After 20 years of research and lobbying efforts, the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) is thrilled to announce a major legislative victory for ocean life in Mozambique. A new commercial fishing law enacts sweeping protections for several threatened species, including whale sharks, manta rays, and all mobula species. Read more…

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New Research Shows Noise Pollution is Hampering Communication of a Number of Different Species

a sea bird is screaming on the beach with people in the background

Research led by Queen’s University Belfast has found that man-made noise changes the signals of animals, hampering their communication with each other. The meta-analysis study found animals exposed to human-made noise had to adjust their acoustic signals when competing for mate attraction, to repel rivals, and parent-offspring communication, all of which have a crucial role in their survival. Read more…

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Why Journey on the 2041 ClimateForce Antarctic Expedition?

Journey to Antarctica with Robert Swan, one of the world’s greatest living explorers, and the first person to trek to both the North and South Poles. His experiences at the Poles allowed Robert to witness the effects of climate change firsthand and shifted his life’s purpose to working toward solutions to mitigate the greatest threat that our planet faces. Read more…

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What Does Recovery Mean for Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish?

Following the population decline of smalltooth sawfish in the United States and the 2003 listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a team was assembled to recover the population of this endangered species. But what is recovery and how do we achieve it for smalltooth sawfish? Read more…

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Embracing the Wild: Conservation on Scotland’s Isle of Islay by David Dinsley

The winter sun sits low in the January sky. A bright beam illuminates the sea before me, and a crisp intermittent breeze can be felt, reminding me it doesn’t spring yet. In the water below, an otter moves through the glare, skirting the rock edge, where land meets water. With smooth and slinking movements, it soon vanishes out of sight. Read more…

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Eye in The Sky: New NASA Satellite may Help Prevent HABs

Increasing ocean surface temperatures are contributing to more frequent harmful algal blooms (HABs) which are wreaking havoc on the blue economy. Fortunately, NASA will soon deploy a new technology that will drastically advance our ability to monitor, study, and prevent HABs, protecting both the environment and the economy. Read more…

Review Of Siam Aquarium (Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World)

Upon heading back to the Siam Aquarium at Siam Paragon Shopping Center in the heart of Bangkok, I must say I was very surprised. Obviously, an aquarium situated in the center of the busy metropolis of landlocked Bangkok would not be able to compete with other aquariums, like the Sydney Aquarium, located right on the water, but Siam Aquarium holds up. Read more…

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Are Electric Motorcycles Really Better for The Environment?

The age of the electric vehicle is truly here. Electric cars have come a long way in recent years, but are electric motorcycles growing in popularity? What is the benefit of these? Is it really any better than buying a gas motorcycle in the long-run? Read more…

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The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.

To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here.

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here.

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