Oceanic Society, Quarters 35N, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 9, 2008
CONTACT: Oceanic Society, Birgit Winning, 415.441.1106, ext. 27, winning@oceanicsociety.org
Fish and Wildlife Service, Gerry McChesney, 510-792-0717, Gerry_McChesney@fws.gov

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.

September 9, 2008:  NUTRIENT-RICH WATERS OF THE GULF OF THE
FARALLONES BECOME A MARINE WILDLIFE FEEDING BONANZA

Best Oceanic Society Whale Watch Trips in 25 years

Endangered Blue Whales seen on Oceanic Society’s Farallon Islands Nature Cruise
San Francisco, CA. Two blue whales, the largest animals ever to inhabit the earth, were seen feeding near the Farallon Islands to the wonderment of the whale watchers participating in the June 21st Oceanic Society's Farallon Islands Nature Cruise. Blue whales are endangered and have still not recovered their world-wide population numbers despite a moratorium on commercial hunting of all large whales since 1986.

San Francisco, CA. - May 14, 2008. The Oceanic Society announces the start of the 24th season of Farallon Island Educational Whale Watching Cruises. The Sanctuary is host to Blue and Humpback Whales, Dolphins, and sustains Seals, and Hundredss of Thousands of Seabirds.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, January 11, 2008 - Honolulu: After a six year hiatus, Midway Atoll is being reopened to week-long excursions. Imagine yourself on a tiny island in the midst of the Pacific, surrounded by a million nesting seabirds and the remnants of a battle that changed the course of World War II, and within the largest marine conservation area in the world.