SeaWeb's very own Kristian Teleki was interviewed by Al Jazeera today for a fantastic red and pink coral story. Kristian did the live satellite feed after the news package was broadcast. Great piece on the fear within the industry over the potential CITES listing, but as WWF points out in the piece, coral is disappearing in the Mediterranean and things have to change. A CITES listing is the best hope for the industry. But they don't see it that way. In fact, they've distributed no less than 3 documents that are borderline slanderous, claiming the proposal is a "cut and paste job gone wrong," that populations all over the world are probably fine, and that local management of red and pink coral is just dandy! Oh, if only it were true.The Pew/Oceana/Save Our Seas event was tonight at the Sheraton. Unfortunately, we got word that Japan bussed off all the head of the delegations over to the Japanese embassy where they ALLEGEDLY served bluefin tuna. Nice! No matter, there was still great representation at the event. Sylvia Earle spoke and also a minister from the Maldives, who was excellent. Oh and I met Nick Clark from Al Jazeera, who is quite the charmer. Next up is SeaWeb's Coralliidae reception (Al Dafna Foyer, just outside Committee 1) with guests Dr. Andy Bruckner from NOAA and Ernie Cooper from TRAFFIC. Be there or be square.
Thank you for your posts! Did you confirm whether Japan actually did serve bluefin? What a punch in the face.
ReplyDeleteYou all are making us proud! It is REALLY nice to see the US in the right place and leading the charge during an international meeting. Keep up the good work and thanks.
ReplyDeleteRemember that the Romans believed coral could protect children from harm, as well as cure wounds made by snakes and scorpions and diagnose diseases by changing colour. Coral are magical and powerful animals that deserve to be protected so that they will be around for the next generation of children who will need all the protection that they can get!
Thanks for the kind words and your support. No confirmation yet on whether or not bluefin was being served last night at the Japanese event; I hope to get confirmation today.
ReplyDeleteJapan Red Coral from Rudra Centre are non treated and of superior quality approved by Vedic astrology.
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