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Science
Friday > Archives
> 2001
> April
> April 20, 2001:
Hour One: Oceans and Fisheries
April 22nd marks the 31st anniversary of Earth Day. In this hour
on Science Friday, we'll be taking a look at a part of the Earth
that takes up some 70 percent of its surface -- the oceans.
Oceans are more than just a place for beach houses. They're a habitat
for thousands of species, play a huge role in the planet's chemical
balance, help shape the world's weather, and more. But are we doing
enough to make sure that the oceans are healthy? Author David Helvarg
argues that our planet's oceans are imperiled as never before, at
risk from reckless development, pollution, and the lack of governmental
policies to protect them. We'll talk to him about his new book,
"Blue
Frontier: Saving America's Living Seas." |
Purse seine net catch, Eastern Atlantic Ocean
(NOAA/ Joel Prado)
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We'll also talk with Mercedes Lee, Assistant Director of Audubon's
Living Oceans program, about the state of the planet's fisheries. Although
some fish species are being harvested sustainably, overconsumption of
other species is still a problem. The Audubon Society's Seafood
Lover's Almanac attempts to help consumers chart a course through
the many seafood choices available, pointing out fishing techniques,
nutrition information, and more.
Bluefin tuna, Sardinia, Italy, 1998.
(NOAA / Antonio Pais)
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We'll also check in with marine biologist Barbara Block. Dr.
Block is part of an ambitious program called the Census
of Marine Life, a decade-long effort to assess and explain
the diversity, distribution, and abundance of species in the world
oceans. Scientists involved in the program plan to electronically
tag thousands of marine animals, from seals to seabirds to squid,
and monitor their behavior and location over the course of the
study.
Block's work uses 'pop-off' electronic tags attached to fish
such as tuna. After a certain amount of time, the tags detach
from the large fish and float to the surface, where they can beam
their load of data up to orbiting satellites. The work promises
to provide more detailed information about tuna, which are capable
of traveling as much as 100 miles in a day.
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A roundup of fish, fisheries, and oceans in this hour - call in
with your thoughts and comments at 1-800-989-8255, and share your opinions
online in our Listeners'
Lounge (registration
required)
Guests:
Mercédès Lee
Editor,
Seafood Lover's Almanac
Assistant Director, Living
Oceans Program
National Audubon Society
Islip, New York
David Helvarg
Investigative Journalist
Author,
"Blue Frontier: Saving America's Living Seas"
Washington, DC
Barbara Block
Charles & Elizabeth Prothro Professor in Marine Sciences
Hopkins Marine Station
Stanford University
Pacific Grove, California
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
Census
of Marine Life
Audubon:
National Audubon Society Living Oceans Program
Scientists
launch the world's first marine life census : 11/00
NOAA
Home Page - Fisheries
IATTC_home
CITES
First Page
EPA:
Oceans and Coastal Protection Home
OCEANS
AND LAW OF THE SEA
Compendium
of Legal Texts
This segment produced by: Karin
Vergoth
Web Producer: Charles
Bergquist
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