An interview with Michelle Paddack, Ph.D.  By KATHERINE CURE, who is a coral reef researcher and field coordinator for the Oceanic Society in Belize.

A recent study showed declines in coral reef fish along the entire Caribbean. The study, which pooled data from over 300 reefs and 273 fish species, shows declines in both fish we catch and those we don’t. These falling species numbers are thought to be happening in response to massive declines in coral cover along the region since the 1970s.

Download our new PDF brochure previewing our expeditions for 2010. 

Airing on Monday, April 13, is Episode 2 of Open Road TV with Doug McConnell, with an exciting segment on Midway Island.

Click HERE to see the presentation, and HERE to see the schedule on KQED Public Broadcasting Network.

Legendary ocean researcher Sylvia Earle shares astonishing images of
the ocean -- and shocking stats about its rapid decline -- as she makes
her TED Prize wish: that we will join her in protecting the vital blue
heart of the planet.

Film Explores Farallon Refuge's Wildlife, Human History
and Conservation Future

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service releases draft of the Comprehensive
Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the
Farallon National Wildlife Refuge for public review.   Read complete press release.

The draft Plan articulates conservation issues and presents management
alternatives for the remote refuge, located 28 miles off the coast of
San Francisco, in San Francisco County.

Highlights of the plan:

Twenty-seven miles west of San Francisco lies a group of islands that few people know exist:  the Farallons.  Yet it is a true wilderness area, with an extraordinary variety of wildlife on and around the islands.

SAN FRANCISCO - World-renowned marine scientist and deep-sea dive record-holder Dr. Sylvia Earle will lead an Oceanic Society expedition to Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize, to foster public awareness regarding the importance of marine protected areas and to discuss potential solutions for preserving oceanic biodiversity. Worldwide oceans face increasing threats from higher water temperatures, rising sea levels, overfishing and escalating ocean acidity. Yet, there is reason for hope.

In Cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Oceanic Society is producing a film, Farallon Islands Past, Present and Future, to raise public awareness and foster a conservation ethic about the Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.. Produced as a DVD to allow widespread distribution, it will emphasize the importance of continued protection of this important and sensitive habitat.