Category Archives: Global Ocean

Work done with Melanie Salmon and her Charity based NGO.

Cetaceans: the evolution on a HUGE prespective (and comments on activism)

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This was the 2nd lecture I gave at the Univeristy of Peniche, this time for an event called the ‘Darwin Day’. Obviously the main theme was evolution, but I opted for giving an insight on 5 main species on cetaceans, their abilities and evolution mechanisms. This was merged with comments about the contemporary whaling debate and an explanation of why these mammals even though they developed incredible means for orientation and adaptation to the aquatic realm are still endangered due to humans. The problem relies on 3 main nations (Japan, Iceland and Norway) and their obstinate crave for whaling. The problem was shown, possible solutions and a discussion was generated in relation on what we can do as individuals and the issue of the status quo between governments and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Read the summary (portuguese only)
View powerpoint presentation (portuguese only)

Sao Tome and Principe (part I)

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During March last year (2007) the international community that struggles to safeguard the place of cetaceans on this planet was alarmed by the possibility of Sao Tome and Principe join Japan in their loop-hole inside the International Whaling Commission (IWC). News of this kept coming and so Global Ocean (an UK based Charity) decided to send me there last November and do a first on-site recognition of the problem.
After planning the political and social strategie it was decided that the work would have 3 focused areas of action:
1) Government
2) The Tourism Sector
3) Press

Sao Tome and Principe

The first aim was to show the government that there are more reasons not to support whaling than the opposite, the other was to alert the damages and impact the involvement of Sao Tome and Principe on the whaling issue could have on the touristic sector (on expansion in the islands). Ultimately warn the public through the press the image their government is giving to the world and how bad that is for the country.
The foremost Goal? Prevent Sao Tome and Principe of joining the IWC.

Read my interview to the main newspaper of Sao Tome (Portuguese)

Arrested and Deported

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That is why I like travelling! The uncertainty of what we will find, by leaving behind a frontier and entering a new realm…
I almost didn’t get to St. Kitts to start with; Melanie (Global Ocean) forgot to pay my ticket and I was left stranded in Lisbon , but only for a day. On the 16th she had everything sorted and I took off around 0845 to arrive around 2020 at the Marriott Resort and Casino in St. Kitts Island, Caribbean.
Little I knew what awaited me! The 58th anual meeting of the IWC was a pool of a diverse and antonym stimulus, from both the whalers and conservation governments. I witnesses with a reminiscence of anger and despair the St. Kitts declaration to be approved by a simple majority (33 against 32), being this the first Japanese victory in 2 decades!

I also had the opportunity to meet people who I’ve met through books and e-mails, but now I have a visual reference for each of those names.
I also got arrested and deported after taking part in a Greenpeace action. Got locked up for 38 hours; and even though I wasn’t charged of anything… I was not presented to court… BUT I was pronounced guilty! And convicted to immediate deportation!
For now find out more on the Greenpeace Weblog. I’ll write some pages on this after finish writing my memories of South America.

IWC Meeting Caribbean + Smack Down

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As the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in St Kitts concluded its proceedings today, a peaceful protest carried out by Greenpeace was abruptly broken up by the authorities, who arrested ten activists and ship crew from the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise. The protestors were attempting to highlight the number of whales killed during the last whaling season in the so-called Southern Oceans Whale Sanctuary. (…) “To have arrests happen over a peaceful protest is ludicrous – the real safety issues are on the high-seas where whales are under threat and are being killed on an on-going basis,” said Mike Townsley, Greenpeace International spokesperson. “It’s about time the IWC and nations of the world take heed and realise that this slaughter cannot continue. Greenpeace is on the side of good by protecting whales and the environment they live in.
“Greenpeace is a peaceful protest organisation and we will return to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary later this year, where we will continue to defend the 935 minke whales and ten fin whales which are the target of the Fisheries Agency of Japan’s grenade tipped harpoons,” concluded Townsley. (read more here)

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View video from action here

Read also Mike Townsley report from prison:
PART I (Sleepless in Smack Down)
PART II (Come back soon)

Observer at IWC 58th Meeting (St. Kitts)

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I’ll be at St. Kitts and Nevis from the 15th of June to the 22nd for the IWC meeting. This came after an invitation from Global Ocean (represented by Melanie Salmon) and the efforts from Dan Morast, Leslie Busby , and Sidney Holt . It is an honour for me to receive such call and my only hopes are that I’m at the high standards this situation demands. I wish to express my profound appreciation and gratitude to those who made possible my journey to St. Kitts and Nevis.

Visit the new website about the whaling theme. With fresh news from around the world, some considerations, the history and controversy surrounding the IWC and a culprits zone where you can see the countries who are voting with Japan listed, and much more.
Arm yourself with knowledge go to www.nowhaling.com
More news on the whaling issue after the 58 th IWC meeting.