A couple days ago I got a behind the scenes tour at Sea World! Let me tell you it was A-MAZING! I got to meet with Jason Dees who train Sea Lions and Maria Love who trains the Beluga Whales (they love to whistle). They were so nice and had a lot of really cool things to share. I also got a chance to meet with Jenny Mairot, who is the Curator of Animal Training for Sea World of Texas, she was really great and also told me so much about what it takes to become a trainer. She also shared many of the things Sea World is doing to help protect these amazing creatures. This was the highlight of my summer. Take a look at some of the pix below:

I’ve been attending this camp for the last few summers and it’s soooo much fun – You should totally go if you’re even a little bit into the Ocean or learning about the coolest critters!

SEA WORLD SUMMER CAMP

I have been crazy for Sealife as long as I can remember (I started this website, duh), but i’ve recently had many discussions, and even some arguments over the documentary “Blackfish”. To be perfectly clear, I’ve been to Sea World many times and have even been to several weeklong, overnight camps, so you kinda know how I already feel, but having been there, meeting the trainers, and going behind the scenes, the movie Blackfish just didn’t seem right. It wasn’t that I was just disagreeing with some of the stuff they talk about in the movie, it just all seemed to be coming from one side, making it look like Sea World and the trainers are only doing bad things and are just in it to make money. I know that’s not true.

Think about it. Anytime anyone comes to you and only has bad things to say about someone else, especially when you know that person has done some really nice things, it just doesn’t make the person saying all the bad things look very good either.

Anyway here’s an article from CNN that talks about the good things that Sea World does and continues to do:

READ IT HERE.

The only thing I ask is to do your research and make up your own mind, but please don’t base it 100% on the person that’s just telling you the bad things.

So if you know me you know I’m kinda obsessed with Sea Turtles, ok not kinda… but completely obsessed. This is a great article – read this first then hit the whole article – it’s not too long I promise.

Named for THE color of their fat—a result of their exclusively vegetarian diet as adults—green sea turtles come ashore each year to nest as they have done since the age of the dinosaurs.

One of the world’s seven species of sea turtles, the green is one of the five that feeds and nests in the United States, along the eastern shores of Florida. After traveling hundreds of miles to the beaches where they were born, females haul onto the sand at night to dig nests for up to 200 soft, leathery eggs. In a couple of months the eggs hatch and the hatchlings make a dash for the sea. One in 100 will survive the decades-long stretch to maturity. Those that do make it can live for almost a century.

Please read the whole article HERE.

Vietnam’s environmental police have seized a record haul of over 1,000 endangered sea turtles which were being prepared for illegal export to China, an official said on Tuesday.

Read more about it HERE.

 

This is a really awesome TEDx Kids talk from a kid who’s got a really cool idea on how to remove and recycle all the plastic currently polluting our oceans:

 

This is an Anti-Bully video project my friend Saira and I did for our Drama Class at Basis San Antonio – Hope you enjoy it.

This is from National Geographic – the full article is here.

1. Mind Your Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy Consumption
Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when you can and being conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few things you can do to get started today: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and bundle up or use a fan to avoid oversetting your thermostat.

2. Make Safe, Sustainable Seafood Choices
Global fish populations are rapidly being depleted due to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing practices. When shopping or dining out, help reduce the demand for overexploited species by choosing seafood that is both healthful and sustainable.

3. Use Fewer Plastic Products
Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine animals each year. To limit your impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in nondisposable containers, bring your own cloth tote or other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle whenever possible.

4. Help Take Care of the Beach
Whether you enjoy diving, surfing, or relaxing on the beach, always clean up after yourself. Explore and appreciate the ocean without interfering with wildlife or removing rocks and coral. Go even further by encouraging others to respect the marine environment or by participating in local beach cleanups.

5. Don’t Purchase Items That Exploit Marine Life
Certain products contribute to the harming of fragile coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing items such as coral jewelry, tortoiseshell hair accessories (made from hawksbill turtles), and shark products.

6. Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner
Read pet food labels and consider seafood sustainability when choosing a diet for your pet. Never flush cat litter, which can contain pathogens harmful to marine life. Avoid stocking your aquarium with wild-caught saltwater fish, and never release any aquarium fish into the ocean or other bodies of water, a practice that can introduce non-native species harmful to the existing ecosystem.

7. Support Organizations Working to Protect the Ocean
Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Find a national organization and consider giving financial support or volunteering for hands-on work or advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local branch or group and get involved in projects close to home.

8. Influence Change in Your Community
Research the ocean policies of public officials before you vote or contact your local representatives to let them know you support marine conservation projects. Consider patronizing restaurants and grocery stores that offer only sustainable seafood, and speak up about your concerns if you spot a threatened species on the menu or at the seafood counter.

9. Travel the Ocean Responsibly
Practice responsible boating, kayaking, and other recreational activities on the water. Never throw anything overboard, and be aware of marine life in the waters around you. If you’re set on taking a cruise for your next vacation, do some research to find the most eco-friendly option.

10. Educate Yourself About Oceans and Marine Life
All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues facing this vital system, the more you’ll want to help ensure its health—then share that knowledge to educate and inspire others.

Ever since I saw finding Nemo for the first time – I fell in love with Sea Turtles and Crush of course – here’s another article I wanted to share about helping save them:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/saving-the-worlds-most-endangered-sea-turtle-14657081/

The nice people at Defenders.org published this handy guide:

Click to access five-things-you-can-do-to-save-sea-turtles.pdf