Humboldt Penguins and a Diverse Array of Colorful Corals

WINTER 2011 oceana.org Oceana

A Song For The Oceans Jeff Bridges joined Oceana supporters at the SeaChange Summer Party.

PLUS Victories for the oceans in the U.S., Belize, Chile and Europe. Oceana campaigns to protect and restore the world’s oceans. Our team of marine scientists, economists, lawyers and advocates win specific and concrete policy changes to reduce pollution and to prevent the irreversible collapse of fish populations, marine mammals and other sea life. Global in scope and dedicated to conservation, Oceana has campaigners based in North America, Europe and South and Central America. More than 400,000 members and e-activists in over 150 countries have already joined Oceana. For more information, please visit www.oceana.org.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OCEAN COUNCIL Dr. Kristian Parker, Chair Susan Rockefeller, Chair James Sandler, Dr. Andrew Bevacqua 9 10 12 Vice Chair Carolyn Marks Blackwood January Jones One of Chile's marine Oceana studies the swims again Simon Sidamon-Eristoff, Pierce Brosnan biodiversity hotspots Gulf of Mexico after with Oceana for has been saved from a the worst oil disaster Secretary Deborah Buck a new PSA. proposed power plant. in U.S. history. Valarie Whiting, Treasurer Ann Colley Keith Addis, President Dan and Beth Cort Herbert M. Bedolfe III Andrew and Sydney Davis Ted Danson Michael Dershewitz César Gaviria Barbara Ettinger and Sven Huseby © OCEANA | Tim Calver © OCEANA | Eduardo Sorensen © OCEANA | Cárlos Suarez María Eugenia Girón Christina Falco and Michael Frumkin Stephen P. McAllister Kelsey Grammer Michael Northrop Lea Haratani Daniel Pauly Julie Hill winter 2011 | contents Susan Rockefeller Hardy Jones Features Departments Heather Stevens J. Stephen and Angela Kilcullen Sam Waterston Larry Kopald 12 Into the Gulf 10 Saving Punta de Choros 1 CEO’s Note 16 Events Eve Kornyei Andy Sharpless Oceana's Geneva board Willa and Ted Lutz Chileans speak up and help OCEANA Oceana's international team headed suggests the meeting, the SeaChange Julie Tauber McMahon Chief Executive Officer to the Gulf of Mexico to study the defeat a coal-fired power plant conservation heir to Summer Party, a Buck Aaron Peirsol Andrew Sharpless near beautiful Punta de Choros. Teddy Roosevelt. dinner and Sam Waterston Nicole Polizois marine ecosystem in the wake of Executive Vice President at The Explorers Club. Linus Roache the Deepwater Horizon blowout, the & General Counsel 9 Diving Back In James Simon Lois Robbins worst oil disaster in U.S history. 2 Making Waves Anne Alexander Rowley 18 Donor Profile Senior Vice President, Actress January Jones reprises The latest North American Oceans Ruthie Russ & Chief Scientist Mark Ryavec her role as an ocean advocate while campaign victories Karen Cahill describes Michael Hirshfield, Ph.D. Starr Scott filming with Oceana in Belize. from Oceana's why ocean conservation Oceana is published by Oceana Inc. For questions or comments about international team. has meaning for her family. Vice President, Kelly T. Smith Oceana, or to subscribe to Oceana, please call Oceana’s membership European Oceans and Seas Victoria Stack department at +1.202.833.3900, e-mail [email protected] or 6 Protecting A Pacific Gem Xavier Pastor Danielle Steakley write Oceana, Member Services, 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, 5th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20036, USA. 4 News & Notes 19 Chef’s Corner Vice President, South American Peter Stranger The world's fourth largest no-take Oceans & Antarctica Susan Trees Oceana’s Privacy Policy Your right to privacy is important to Oceana's 2010 Gaël Orieux introduces Alex Muñoz marine reserve has been created Toby Walker, Camper & Nicholsons Oceana, and we are committed to maintaining your trust. Personal in Chile's waters. Ocean Hero Award sustainability to his Vice President, Belize Annett Wolf information (such as name, address, phone number, e-mail) winners and more. French customers. Audrey Matura-Shepherd includes data that you may have provided to us when making a Nicole Woody donation or taking action as a Wavemaker on behalf of the oceans. Vice President, Strategic This personal information is stored in a secure location. For our full Marketing & Communications EDITORIAL STAFF privacy policy, please visit Oceana.org/privacypolicy. 5 Q & A 20 Parting Shot Matthew Littlejohn On the Cover Senior Editor Paul Greenberg Board member Ted Danson Vice President, Global Suzannah Evans Please recycle. wrote Four Fish visits the Arctic for a frigid Development Online Editor Jeff Bridges serenaded to unite foodies foray to the front lines of Bettina Alonso Emily Fisher Printed with Eco-Ink — low volatility vegetable oil-based the crowd at Oceana’s Graphic Design ink on 25% post-consumer recycled, processed chlorine SeaChange Summer Party. and fishies. climate change. Director, Pacific free paper produced using 100% wind power in a carbon Susan Murray Heather Ryan neutral process. © OCEANA | Sabrina BonVillain

2SPRING | WINTER 2010 2011 OCEANA.ORG OCEANA.ORG | 3 CEO'S NOTE

A Chilean Teddy Roosevelt?

“What we need is a Teddy Roosevelt for miles long and an average of only 110 example. It’s time Teddy Roosevelt the oceans.” It’s a sentiment I’ve often miles wide. Its Pacific Ocean territory had some company up there on the heard from blue water colleagues. We is more than twice its land area. conservation pantheon. may now have one. He grew up abroad, took office recently, is a Harvard Equally important, his country is home Thank you, as a supporter of Oceana, graduate and has a name that is hard to one of the world’s most productive for your help while we have campaigned for Americans to pronounce. It is not fisheries. Its economy is booming. Its in Chile for victories that restore Barack Obama. democracy is young. and protect abundant oceans. Our campaigns – together with our allies – President Teddy Roosevelt, an avid (if The place is Chile. The man is President set the stage for President Piñera. We nearsighted) hunter and outdoorsman, Sebastián Piñera. And the moment in could not mount them without your put policy-muscle into the inchoate the history of this country would seem generous support and continued loyalty. yearnings of a young conservation very familiar to the young American movement. His leadership created not president from a century ago. For the oceans, just protected places, but defined a philosophy to sustain nature against In four decisions this year, President industrial-scale exploitation. His Piñera has begun to chart a marine conservation achievements earned policy-making course that merits a Andrew Sharpless him a station in the small pantheon of comparison with President Roosevelt. CEO, Oceana © Tim Calver people who make a fundamental and He created the fourth-largest “no permanent contribution to the planet. take zone” in the world around Sala y Gómez Island. He stopped the But Roosevelt’s conservation agenda construction of a huge power plant ended at the water’s edge. He left 71 near Punta de Choros that would have percent of the planet’s surface available destroyed a marine sanctuary. His to a successor who might aspire to join government has established sensible him in the pantheon by becoming a regulations on the salmon farming Give Today salt-water conservation hero. companies whose overcrowded ocean pens spawned a fish epidemic But the “Teddy Roosevelt for the of viral anemia. And his economic Oceana’s accomplishments wouldn’t be possible oceans” title will not be easily won. minister has, for the first time, cut the quota for the country’s most without the support of its members. You can help During his tenure in the White House, important commercial fishery – jack Roosevelt designated 150 national mackerel – so that it’s in line with Oceana fight to restore our oceans with your forests, five national parks and the first scientific recommendations. Oceana is grateful for the grants, contri- 18 national monuments. Altogether, he financial contribution. butions, and support it has received from provided federal protection for almost Although there is much more to be dozens of foundations and companies and 230 million acres, a land area equivalent achieved, this is not a bad start. thousands of individuals. Oceana wishes to the east coast from Maine to Florida. to thank all of its supporters, especially its I commend President Piñera for his founding funders as well as foundations and individuals that in 2010 awarded Oceana Call us today at 1.877.7.OCEANA, visit www.oceana.org/give or use the envelope provided in this magazine Perhaps no one since has seized extraordinary leadership in ocean grants totaling at least $500,000: Arcadia to make a donation. Please contact us if you are interested in planned giving that could support Oceana’s that opportunity because it was just conservation. He has taken actions Fund, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, work and also provide you with income and potential tax benefits. Oceana is a 501(c)(3) organization and too intimidating. that will benefit the millions of Chileans Oak Foundation, The David and Lucile contributions are tax deductible. who depend on healthy and abundant Packard Foundation, Robertson Foundation, From the south comes a candidate oceans for jobs or food. And we hope Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Sandler Foundation, Zennström Philanthropies, and to meet the Roosevelt standard. He that other presidents – perhaps even Ricardo Cisneros. For more information, governs a country seemingly designed that other Harvard graduate with the please see Oceana’s annual reports at by an oceanic obsessive – it is 2,600 strange name – will be inspired by his www.oceana.org/annualreport. Protecting the World’s Oceans

OCEANA.ORG | 1 MAKING WAVES MAKING WAVES

Illegal driftnets curtailed in the Mediterranean Sea Europe protects thresher and hammerhead sharks

This summer, Oceana made great strides In another victory for ocean conservation, In a groundbreaking move proposed by Oceana’s report ,“The Race for in its campaign to eliminate illegal Morocco passed an amendment in the European Commission, the Indian Threatened Sharks,” underscores the driftnets from the Mediterranean Sea. August banning the use, possession, Ocean Tuna Commission became the need for shark conservation. The report manufacture or sale of driftnets starting first regional fisheries organization to states that while 21 percent of the The nets have been banned by both in 2011. With 300 vessels using driftnets, protect three species of thresher sharks. world’s shark species are threatened the United Nations and the European Morocco has been one of the most by extinction, European Union shark Union for years, but many vessels have notorious users of the wasteful gear The European Commission is fisheries have been entirely continued using them. Thousands of in the Mediterranean. advocating a complete ban in the unmanaged until a few years ago. marine creatures, including whales, European Union on catching and killing dolphins, sharks and sea turtles are A month later, Turkey followed suit, thresher and hammerhead sharks. trapped and killed by this indiscriminate announcing it would stop using the fishing gear each year. destructive fishing gear in 2011. In 2009, Oceana identified at least 30 Turkish Jack mackerel saved from overfishing in Chile In June, Italian fishermen from the port vessels using driftnets in the Aegean and Driftnets were banned by the U.N. and the of Bagnara Calabra surrendered their Mediterranean to target swordfish and European Union years ago, but many Mediter- Jack mackerel, the most important com- nomic Development and Tourism a report illegal nets after a nearly year-long albacore, and there are an estimated 70 ranean countries continued to use the nets. mercial seafood fishery in Chile and analyzing the annual quota set for jack blockade of the port by the Italian Coast to 150 vessels operating in the country. a main source of fish meal for Chile’s mackerel during the past 10 years. Guard. In August, Oceana inspected large salmon farming industry, has been ports in southern Italy and Sicily and These three decisions bring Oceana protected from overfishing after an The study, using data that Oceana confirmed that fewer boats used closer to the goal of eliminating driftnets investigation by Oceana revealed that obtained through Chile’s Freedom of the driftnets. from the Mediterranean by 2013. the government was ignoring its own Information Act, shows that between scientists’ recommendations. 2003 and 2010 the National Fisheries Council set the annual quota for jack Belize issues a total ban on destructive trawling The Chilean government announced a mackerel at much higher catch limits drastic reduction in the fishing quota than were recommended by the Institute In December, the Central American and untargeted fish species. Bottom for jack mackerel and other fisheries for Fisheries Development. In fact, in nation of Belize announced a ban on trawlers, which drag weighted nets on starting in 2011. The decision came after 2009 the quota was 87 percent higher all forms of trawling, one of the most the seafloor, destroy coral reefs in Oceana sent the Ministery of Eco- than recommended by the agency. destructive fishing methods in the world. an instant. With the decision, Belize joined just a few countries in the world which have In addition to its ecological importance, completely protected their waters the Mesoamerican Reef has incalculable Sharks, sea turtles win international protections from bottom trawling. value to Belize’s tourism industry and At the annual meeting of the Interna- Lastly, ICCAT began the process of pro- classified as threatened by extinction in culture. Home to some of the Atlantic tional Commission for the Conservation tecting shortfin mako sharks, one of the parts of the Atlantic Ocean, according to Oceana has now helped protect 1.4 Ocean’s only atolls, it is one of the most of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in November, world’s fastest-swimming shark species. the International Union for Conservation million square miles of the oceans popular diving sites in the world. vulnerable sharks and sea turtles won The Commission now has a hammer of Nature. from trawling in the Atlantic, Pacific much-needed protections. to make countries submit catch data and Arctic as part of a global campaign The ban was made possible by Oceana's on shortfin makos – if they’re not Sea turtles also won protections with against destructive fishing. campaigners in Belize, who opened ICCAT banned all fishing for oceanic submitting data by 2013, they can’t a Commission decision that includes Top row: Oceana CEO Andy Sharpless, Oceana’s office there one year ago. Led whitetip sharks in the Atlantic Ocean. fish for the species. requirements to use hook-removal and Oceana board chairman Dr. Kristian Parker The historic decision protects Belize’s by Oceana’s vice president for Belize, These sharks, one of the great predators fishing line disentanglement gear. The and board member Ted Danson, Vice-President During the ICCAT meeting, Oceana new measures also require reporting on for Belize Audrey Matura-Shepherd and Ovel section of the Mesoamerican Reef, the Audrey Matura-Shepherd, Oceana of the sea, are often targeted for their Leonardo, Chairman for the Northern Fisher- largest coral reef system in the western worked with Prime Minister Dean fins. As a result, their numbers have presented a report conservatively sea turtle catches in ICCAT fisheries as men Cooperative. Bottom row: Oceana board hemisphere and a UNESCO World Barrow and the Northern Fishermen plummeted by 99 percent in some areas. estimating that more than 1.3 million well as initiate a process to assess the member César Gaviria, Hon. Rene Montero and highly migratory sharks were caught in harm caused to sea turtles by ICCAT Hon. Manuel Heredia. Heritage Site. Trawlers are notorious Cooperative to protect the reef, its ICCAT also prohibited possession or for indiscriminately killing marine life, marine inhabitants and its contribution sale of hammerhead sharks caught in the Atlantic Ocean in 2008 without any fisheries and establish further protec- including sea turtles, marine mammals to Belize's heritage. ICCAT fisheries. Like oceanic whitetips, international fisheries management. The tive measures in the future. Up to 350,000 hammerhead shark populations have report also showed that of the 21 highly sea turtles are accidentally caught by dropped dramatically under intense migratory shark species reported caught longline fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean fishing pressure. in ICCAT waters, three-quarters are and Mediterranean Sea every year.

2 | WINTER 2011 MAKE WAVES: www.oceana.org/act OCEANA.ORG | 3 NEWS & NOTES Q & A

Oceana released a report detailing the effects of oil spills on sea turtles after the Gulf of Mexico Paul Greenberg oil disaster threatened several species of turtles, all of which are threatened or endangered by extinction. The report describes how oil and the dispersants used to break up the oil can harm sea turtles, both by coating the skin and through ingestion. More than 450 sea turtles were found dead Journalist, novelist and lifelong angler Paul Greenberg’s latest in the months following the oil spill, as reported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Many more book, Four Fish: The Future of the Last Wild Food, explores the other dead turtles may never be found. history of unsustainable hunting and capture of seafood through the lens of four familiar species: salmon, sea bass, cod and tuna. In September, Oceana released the results of a nationwide poll on offshore drilling conducted by David Binder Research. The book, which is part history, part memoir and part call-to- The results show that the American public strongly supports action, has won praise from conservationists and foodies alike. a precautionary approach to offshore drilling: 88 percent of the American public thinks it is important to have a science-based approach to decision-making and for response capabilities to be Oceana’s online editor Emily Fisher talked to Greenberg in place before any drilling occurs, even if it slows the timeframe The Deepwater Horizon blowout in April released about Four Fish. for oil drilling. When asked about drilling in the Arctic, more 4.9 million barrels of oil than 70 percent were concerned about the risks. into the Gulf of Mexico.

Why salmon, sea bass, cod and tuna? that, unfortunately, is where tuna What do you think is the most often dwell. Oceana released a new report on the benefits of offshore wind development important step that could be taken Salmon, usually farmed Atlantic salmon, in September. “Untapped Wealth: Offshore Wind Can Deliver Cleaner, to stop the unsustainable harvest is like the corn of the sea, grown on Did writing the book change the way More Affordable Energy and More Jobs Than Offshore Oil” details the of our seas? every continent now, save Antarctica, you think about seafood and fishing? potential for offshore wind energy in the eastern United States, including even though it historically never lived Do you ever eat fish? a state-by-state analysis. Oceana’s report found that offshore wind power Individual consumer choice is good south of the equator. in U.S. Atlantic waters could generate about 30 percent more electricity but it's not enough. We have to get the I eat fish all the time and I still fish. But than offshore oil and could supply nearly half of the current electricity big chains to stop buying depleted fish. Sea bass, that catch-all name that I fish less often and I fish with a very generation for east coast states. But over and above that, there are also describes so many fish, has become the clear understanding that what I am very important government regulations market niche of the white, meaty fish. doing when I fish is hunting wild game. to think about. We need more marine The name "bass" itself is a cover for a I make use of the entire fish when I Oceana is proud to host the Chris Corna Reef Fund (CCRF), a memorial fund set up last year protected areas – we protect less than troubling fish swapping game where we catch a fish and try to overall kill less to honor the late Christian Corna, an avid scuba diver, underwater photographer, restaurateur 1 percent of our ocean territory versus progressively replace depleted species fish and use more of the fish that I do and community leader. In July, CCRF gave Oceana a generous bequest from the estate of 10 percent of our land territory. That with new ones and give them the same kill. I make heads into sauce, bones into Chris’ mother, Barbara. Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless expressed his gratitude for the needs to change. name so that consumers don't notice stock, and what I can't eat I grind up generosity of the Corna family. the swap. and use as fertilizer in my garden. Anything else you want Oceana Among other efforts, Oceana will post campaign news on CCRF’s Facebook page to engage more readers to know about you or Similarly, cod represents an even more people in the fight to save our coral reefs. If you want to support the coral reefs about which Chris Four Fish? massive example of fish swapping. There has been a food was so passionate, you can make a CCRF donation or follow the CCRF community on Facebook. Only with cod, you're talking about the reform movement I would say to every Oceana reader that swapping of literally billions of pounds it's not enough to have this closed echo of fish for a whole array of both farmed going on in this country chamber of marine conservationists and wild fish that fill a similar for nearly 40 years now. talking to one another. There has been a flesh niche. food reform movement going on in this We need to tie fish and country for nearly 40 years now. We need Finally I looked at tuna because of the seafood reform to that to tie fish and seafood reform to that global rise of sushi and what that meant groundswell. And, well, I wrote Four Fish for the wildest part of the ocean – the groundswell. to be that bridge between the foodies high seas. Their far-flung peregrinations and the fishies. So if you are a fishie and A sample of Chris Corna's underwater photography. used to be the thing that saved them I think that fishing has a real role to play you know a lot of foodies, try to bring from human exploitation but now it's the in conservation. If fishermen come to them onboard to the fishie cause. Oceana’s New York office moved to a new, larger location at 909 Third Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, thing that's leaving them most exposed. see themselves as stewards as well as hunters, then they can be sentinels who NY 10022. You can also reach the office by phone, at 212.371.5013. It is extremely difficult to regulate the no man's land of international waters, and keep watch over the ocean.

4 | WINTER 2011 OCEANA.ORG | 5 A Pacific Gem,

Following an expedition by Oceana and partners, Chile announced the creation of the fourth PROTECTED largest ‘no take’ marine reserve in the world. By Emily Fisher

© OCEANA | Matthias Gorny n early October, Chilean Michel García, a resident diver of corals and sponge fields. The area Convention on Biological Diversity – the island, noted the importance of President Sebastián Piñera an- Easter Island and a former member of also contains the highest density including Chile – agreed to protect 10 proactively protecting places like Inounced the creation of a 58,000 Jacques Cousteau’s team and Matthias of the Galápagos shark anywhere percent of their exclusive economic Sala y Gómez. square mile marine reserve around Gorny, science director for Oceana in in Chile. zones by 2012. Sala y Gómez Island, an uninhabited Chile. The scientists saw a diversity of "By carefully studying the function patch of land near Easter Island in the marine wildlife, and noted that some The expedition team identified red While the designation is a huge of marine ecosystems without Pacific Ocean, over 2,000 miles west of species were far more abundant than in corals that have never been seen in victory for Chile and the ocean, human intervention, we can help Chile, that has been called one of the neighboring Easter Island. the area around Easter Island, and the Oceana is hopeful that the Chilean recover those that are damaged and world’s last untouched marine places. Easter Island butterfly fish, which is government will expand the Sala y generally better preserve the oceans endemic to Chile. Using a remotely Gómez Marine Park to 200 nautical that cover more than two thirds of As the world’s fourth-largest no-take The expedition team operated vehicle, the group also miles, which would cover all the our planet,” he said. marine reserve, the highest level of recorded the first ever high-definition seamounts in the island’s exclusive identified red corals © OCEANA | © Michael García protection for an ocean ecosystem, images of the seabed, more than 100 economic zone. the waters around Sala y Gómez will that have never been meters deep. be protected from fishing and all other seen ... and the Easter Oceana and National Geographic are commercial activities. Following the expedition, and after planning a follow-up expedition to the Island butterfly fish, considerable advocacy work by island in 2011 to develop a baseline of The announcement came as a which is endemic. Oceana and National Geographic, the biological information and survey the direct result of Oceana’s work in the fisheries committee of the Chilean seamounts that are not included in the region. In March, Oceana, National Senate recommended establishing current park. Geographic and the Waitt Foundation “This is directly due to the pristine a 417, 000 square kilometer (160,000 embarked on a preliminary expedition nature of a place that has been square mile) marine protected area Dr. Enric Sala, a marine ecologist and

to Sala y Gómez. The expedition isolated from fishing and tourism, around the island in August. National Geographic Ocean Fellow © OCEANA | Matthias Gorny was almost canceled because of which have had destructive impacts who joined Oceana’s expedition to Sala y Gómez Island, an isolated outpost in complications caused by Chile’s on the marine ecosystems of Easter With President Piñera’s decision, the Pacific, is home to an incredible array of enormous 8.8-magnitude earthquake Island,” Gorny said. Chile’s total marine protected area marine wildlife. in late February. ballooned from 0.03 percent of Sala y Gómez Island is part of a chain the nation’s ocean to 4.41 percent. With President Piñera's decision, Chile's total The expedition’s scientific team included of seamounts ranging from 8.4 to 13.1 Meanwhile, less than 2 percent of the marine protected area ballooned from 0.03 Dr. Carlos Gaymer, biology professor million years old, which have been global ocean is currently protected, from La Universidad Católica del Norte, identified as hosting deep-sea stony although the Parties to the UN percent of the nation's ocean to 4.41 percent.

6 | WINTER 2011 OCEANA.ORG | 7 Last year, you swam with Caribbean What message do you think your reef sharks. This year, you swam diving with whale sharks can send to with a whale shark. How was this the world? experience different? That sharks are amazing animals and This experience was different in a that most, like whale sharks, are not couple ways. The energy was different interested in us. We know this because for me in Belize because I knew we had the science shows it – whale sharks eat to first find the shark, and then hopefully plankton. There is no shark that really time it right where we could get in the views us as lunch or dinner. That’s why water and experience swimming with shark attacks and bites are, thankfully, the animal and capture it on film, so very, very rare. And sharks play a critical there was an element of excitement role in our oceans as top predators. on that level. I also wasn't as nervous Without them, things go out of balance. because, not only was I very aware that And, now tens of millions of sharks are whale sharks aren't a danger to us, but caught, mostly for their fins, every year. it was my second go-around in the wild with sharks so I was more comfortable So it’s silly to be scared of them. in my surroundings. We should be scared for them.

Whale sharks are the world’s largest I wasn't intimidated so fish, measuring up to 40 feet long, but they eat plankton – among the much as in complete By Suzannah Evans world’s smallest creatures. Were and utter awe. Seeing an you at all intimidated by diving with these huge animals? animal of that size in the ctress January Jones was raised in South Dakota, far from the ocean, wild is incredible. And Abut she has always felt an affinity for sharks. After making a name I wasn't intimidated so much as in complete and utter awe. Seeing then to be able to swim for herself in Hollywood as Betty Draper on the award-winning series an animal of that size in the wild is with them? “Mad Men,” Jones joined Oceana in the fight to save sharks from extinction. incredible. And then to be able to swim alongside it? It’s a feeling that’s very hard How can people become involved to to put into words. There was a peace help you and Oceana save sharks? Jones’ first foray into the underwater world saw her swimming with that came over me and a feeling of hope and joy that was intoxicating. I was free Learn more about sharks. Oceana.org is Caribbean reef sharks to film an Oceana “Scared for Sharks” campaign diving so I was obviously holding my a great resource and there are several PSA. Now, she has partnered with Oceana again, this time to draw breath but I didn't want to surface. great books out there, like “The Devil’s Teeth” by Susan Casey. You should also attention to the world’s biggest shark – the massive whale shark. She What was the most unexpected thing sign up to become an activist. You can traveled to Belize earlier this year to swim with the gentle giants. about your dive? help push forward legislation and policy that can help save sharks. It sounds The most unexpected point of the dive funny, but sharks really need a lot more came at the end of the first dive day. We allies and friends right now. had just decided to give up at finding a shark for the day and were about halfway in and in much shallower waters when one of the crew spotted a shark. It was amazing how fast the boat stopped, all To join January and Oceana the gear went back on, and we were in the in the fight to save sharks, water! And it turned out perfect because visit www.oceana.org/join the water wasn't deep and the visual and sign up to become an clarity was excellent. And it turned out to Oceana Wavemaker. be the only interaction with a whale shark on the trip so we were ecstatic.

8 | FALL 2010 OCEANA.ORG | 9 Chilean citizens spoke en masse this fall when they protested the construction of a power plant near Saving Punta de Choros Punta de Choros, a stunning marine reserve.

By Suzannah Evans

BY EMILY FISHER

Images: © OCEANA | Eduardo Sorensen Wildlife that calls the Punta de Choros area home includes the South American sea lion, Humboldt penguins and a diverse array of colorful corals.

The Choros-Damas and Isla Chañaral close to the reserves, it would have the proposed power plant. “As President, on domestic energy policies for the expeditions in the proposed site in marine reserves, located near Punta used more than 20 million gallons I am happy to be able to preserve a natural future and to take solid steps towards order to provide information on the de Choros on the northern coast of of sea water every hour, causing the sanctuary, which I have seen with my own renewable energy sources. Chile has biodiversity of the area. The scientific Chile, are characterized by a rocky death of larvae, plankton and other © OCEANA | Cristóbal Díaz de Valdés eyes,” he told a national paper. unbeatable natural conditions for the findings demonstrated the risks of the shore that is a nesting habitat for 80 marine species. Oil spills from ships Thousands of Chileans marched in the streets of development of renewable energies.” proposed power plant’s construction. percent of the world’s endangered carrying coal to the plants would seep several cities in a spontaneous display of protest “This decision mends an error that against the power plants. Humboldt penguins. The reserves are to the reserves in just a couple of would have caused irreversible damage Oceana also recruited popular Chilean Talso home to blue whales, dolphins hours, and the local currents would to an extremely rich ecosystem, as actress Leonor Varela, who filmed and an enormous population of retain pollution within the area. de Choros. Less than a year later, well as to the livelihoods of local a public service announcement on Chilean abalone, one of the country’s Mercury emissions from the plants conservationists were stunned when communities who depend on its the rocks of Punta de Choros, asking most important seafood species. would contaminate Chilean abalone, the Regional Environmental Committee natural resources. We must feel very President Sebastián Piñera to keep damaging a fishery critical to the voted to approve the power plant closest proud of this achievement, which his campaign promise to protect the This is one of Chile’s best places for region’s economic health. to Punta de Choros. resulted from the massive and peaceful marine reserves. Varela became an watching marine wildlife – tranquil, demonstrations in favor of a major outspoken advocate for the reserves beautiful and abundant. But the most immediate damage could Oceana and its allies called upon environmental and social cause,” © OCEANA | Cristóbal Díaz de Valdés and used her Twitter account to gather come from the anti-fouling chemicals the Chileans to show their opposition to said Alex Muñoz, vice president for support as rallies began to take place. Leonor Varela and Alex Muñoz. But it became the center of a very plant would dump into the ocean every the project through the press and social Oceana’s South American office. human drama late this summer, day, along with thousands of gallons of networks like Twitter. People took to Oceana’s campaign Alex Muñoz, Oceana’s vice president when thousands of Chileans banded hot water that would irrevocably damage the streets. Thousands marched in Despite this important victory, Oceana teamed up with the local for Chile, became one of the foremost together in multiple cities to protest a rich marine ecosystem almost without numerous cities across the country, Oceana’s campaign is not over, community near Punta de Choros to voices calling for the protection the construction of a 540 megawatt parallel in the world. toting signs and chanting in peaceful according to Muñoz. “Let’s not prevent the construction of the of Punta de Choros. After the coal-fired power plant near the opposition to the power plant. forget that another coal-fired power coal-fired power plant. In July 2010, decision to move the power plant was marine reserves. The Oceana Board of Directors visited plant project is being proposed Oceana proposed creating a Marine announced, Muñoz became the first Punta de Choros in September 2009, As a result of that citizen movement, for La Higuera, close to Punta de and Coastal Protected Area of environmentalist ever to appear on The power plant, owned by Suez kicking off Oceana’s campaign against on August 26, President Sebastián Choros, in addition to 10 more on Multiple Uses in the area next to Chile’s “Tolerancia Cero,” a national Energy, threatened to wreck the the construction of a series of proposed Piñera announced that he had forged an a national level,” he said. “This is Punta de Choros. Oceana conducted TV interview program on par with the Punta de Choros area. Located power plants in the vicinity of Punta agreement with Suez Energy to relocate the perfect time to prompt a debate three underwater scientific U.S.’s “Meet The Press.”

10 | WINTER 2011 OCEANA.ORG | 11 Picture this: It’s 6:30 a.m. aboard the Oceana Latitude, but © OCEANA © OCEANA | Carlos Suarez © OCEANA | Eduardo Sorensen there’s no time to enjoy the sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, the sun INTO THE is nowhere to be seen – just flashes of lightning followed by crashes of thunder. During the expedition, Matthias There are 14 hours of work on deck to Gorny, Oceana’s science director for be done, complicated by pelting rain, Chile, used an underwater robot to bolting winds and swells that send the discover black “wormholes,” or piles of boat pitching from side to side. sediment produced by marine worms. Normally, they are white; the discovery It was all in a day’s work for the crew of of black wormholes could indicate that the 170-foot Oceana Latitude. Dr. Jeff abandoned oil wells are leaking. © OCEANA | Carlos Minguell © OCEANA Short, Oceana’s Pacific science director Clockwise from top left: The Oceana Latitude; oil rigs dotting the scenery in the Gulf; Oceana scientists GULF prepare an experiment to test plankton; a green sea turtle spotted near Florida; and oil in a Louisiana and one of the world’s leading experts Oceana also collaborated with a university WHAT LIES BENEATH on oil spills, designed an experiment to tag sharks. Working with the shark team marsh in the days following the Deepwater Horizon blowout. to map the oil plume around the from the University of Miami’s R.J. Dunlap BY EMILY FISHER Deepwater Horizon. Marine Conservation Program, led by Timeline: The Evolution of An Offshore Drilling Disaster Dr. Neil Hammerschlag, Oceana tagged Over the course of 10 days, even during and sampled Caribbean reef sharks and A chronological look at the policy changes surrounding the monsoon-like conditions, Dr. Short nurse sharks near Florida’s Dry Tortugas. Oceana spent two months on the water in Gulf of Mexico oil disaster. and his team dropped buoys with In addition to collecting data from each the Gulf of Mexico investigating the effects shark, the tags can provide information on hydrocarbon sensor strips up to 6,000 July 14, 2008: President George Bush allows a 26-year moratorium on feet deep near the site of the blown migration, abundance and mortality. of the Deepwater Horizon oil well blowout and offshore oil and gas drilling to lapse, opening up thousands of miles of out well. After the team collected the U.S. coastline to drilling. documenting the creatures and habitats at risk. test strips, they were sent to a lab to be The tags can also help identify these analyzed for toxic hydrocarbons. sharks later as those that were near February 11, 2009: Oceana board member Ted Danson testifies before a U.S. the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, Congressional committee and calls for a reinstatement of the moratorium. Dr. Short’s was just one section which could help to determine the March 9, 2009: Oceana releases “Toxic Legacy: Long-term Effects of of Oceana’s two-month research long-term impacts of the oil spill on Offshore Oil on Wildlife and Public Health” to mark the 20th anniversary expedition in the Gulf of Mexico this shark populations. of the Exxon Valdez disaster. summer to assess the impacts of the oil well blowout and document the creatures Dr. Short’s experiment – and the entire March 31, 2010: The Obama administration lifts a moratorium on offshore drilling in and habitats that coexist with the maze expedition – was marked by long days. the Atlantic from Delaware to the central coast of Florida, and opens new areas of the “We could not have pulled it off without of rigs producing oil in the Gulf. southeast Gulf Coast and the Alaskan Arctic. the crew,” Oceana marine scientist Dr. The expedition was an international Kim Warner said. “Everybody pitched in April 20, 2010: The Deepwater Horizon oil rig explodes in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 effort led by Oceana’s chief scientist and worked really, really hard, from workers and spurring a historic oil gusher. sun up to sun down.” and vice president for North America, May 6, 2010: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar suspends offshore oil and gas production on Dr. Michael Hirshfield and Oceana’s Virginia’s coast. vice president for Europe, Xavier Now that the expedition is over, Oceana’s Pastor, and it included scientists, divers scientists have scattered back to their May 27, 2010: President Obama announces plans to suspend Arctic offshore drilling, and underwater photographers from parts of the globe to analyze the results cancel lease sales in the western Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Virginia, suspend activity Oceana’s U.S., Chile and Spain offices, of their experiments. They hope to on 33 exploratory wells and extend the moratorium on deepwater drilling for six months. as well as academic scientists. release findings in early 2011. September 19, 2010: BP declares the Deepwater Horizon’s Macondo well “effectively dead.”

“Most of the public’s attention was on the September 30, 2010: Secretary Salazar announces new rules governing offshore drilling visible oil on the surface of the Gulf and 'We want the public for oil and gas, including stricter standards on drilling and workplace safety. the beaches and marshes,” said Hirshfield. to understand the October 12, 2010:The Obama Administration lifts the deepwater drilling moratorium, “We want the public to understand the originally set to expire on November 30. impacts of the unseen, underwater oil that impacts of the unseen, damaged marine wildlife and habitats in underwater oil.' December 1, 2010: In a reversal, the Obama Administration the Gulf and will likely continue to do so announces a decision to remove thousands of miles of coastline, including the Atlantic, for years to come.” - Dr. Michael Hirshfield Pacific and eastern Gulf of Mexico, from drilling plans.

12 | WINTER 2010 OCEANA.ORG | 13 EVENTS EVENTS

SeaChange Summer Party Oceana's Board of Directors in Geneva

In September, the must-attend event in Orange County, California, The SeaChange Summer Party was co-chaired by Oceana Oceana’s staff, funders, board members and supporters was Oceana’s third annual SeaChange Summer Party. More board member Valarie Whiting and Ocean Council member Eve gathered in Geneva for a series of events around the Oceana than 350 guests enjoyed sunset ocean vistas while reviewing a Kornyei. Oceana President Keith Addis spoke and played a key board of directors meeting. Ambassador Tim Yeend of fabulous silent auction and meeting special guests Jeff Bridges role in organizing the event. Other guests included Oceana Australia hosted a reception at the Australian Mission to and Pierce Brosnan. Guests gathered for a seated dinner and a board members Ted Danson and Sam Waterston, Morgan introduce Oceana to the locally-based international community surprise performance by Jeff Bridges at the Tuscan-inspired Freeman, Diane Lane, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Kristin Bauer and other Geneva leaders. Members of the board had a highly home of Karen and Bruce Cahill in Laguna Beach. and Eric Balfour. engaging discussion with World Trade Organization Director-General Pascal Lamy. The forum was an indispensable Seventeen-year-old actor Graham Phillips, an Orange County The SeaChange Summer Party was made possible through opportunity to discuss global fisheries depletion and how native, performed several musical selections accompanied by the generous support from various distinguished local the WTO can stop the government subsidies that drive Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown. The event raised and international businesses including the Harriet E. overfishing of the world’s oceans. more than $1,000,000 for Oceana. Pfleger Foundation. The week concluded with a workshop by board member and renowned fisheries scientist Dr. Daniel Pauly on the state © OCEANA | Miguel Bueno of the world’s oceans for the WTO delegations and World Trade Organization Director-General Pascal Lamy, center, met with members of Oceana’s board of directors and executive committee. international organizations.

From left: Oceana board member Sam Waterston, Morgan Freeman and board member Ted Danson; Danson, Jeff Bridges, Keith Addis, President of Oceana’s Board of Directors, Oceana CEO Andy Sharpless and board member Valarie Whiting; Eve Kornyei, Pierce Brosnan and Whiting. Buck Home Soirée

On September 22, Ocean Council member Deborah Buck and husband Christopher Buck graciously welcomed guests into their gorgeous Manhattan home for dinner and a conversation on the issues facing the oceans. © OCEANA | Miguel Bueno © OCEANA | Miguel Bueno

Ocean Council Chairwoman, Susan Rockefeller, and Oceana Dr. Daniel Pauly gave a presentation on international fisheries. Ambassador Tim Yeend and Oceana CEO Andy Sharpless. Vice President of Global Development, Bettina Alonso, spoke passionately about the urgency of ocean conservation and how Oceana is taking measurable action to ensure healthy oceans The Explorers Club for future generations. © Jon Dee Chandra Jessee, Julie Hill and Vanessa Noel. On September 20, Oceana board member Sam Waterston delivered a lecture at The Explorers Club in New York City entitled “Counting the Ways Oil and Water Do Not Mix.” The lecture was attended by a sold-out crowd who had many insightful questions concerning the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, which were fielded both by Waterston and by Oceana Executive Vice President Jim Simon.

Deborah Buck, David Rockefeller, Susan Rockefeller and Bettina Alonso. Susan Rockefeller, Starr Scott and Danielle Thomas. Oceana board member Sam Waterston and Oceana Executive Vice President Jim Simon with Lorie Karnach and Anne Doubilet of The Explorers Club.

14 | WINTER 2011 OCEANA.ORG | 15 Make every day DONOR PROFILE EARTH DAY

Oceana is a member of EarthShare, a federation that represents the nation’s most respected environmental and conservation charities in hundreds of workplace giving campaigns across the country. Karen Cahill

EarthShare’s payroll contribution program allows donors to direct their contributions to Oceana; to any combination of EarthShare’s members; or to all of them through one general gift to EarthShare! To find out more about how you and your workplace can support Oceana through an EarthShare campaign, please email [email protected] or visit © Ann Chatillon EarthShare’s website at earthshare.org. LEFT to RIGHT: Karen, Brent, Kira and Bruce Cahill.

Contributed photo or three years, Karen Cahill has Bruce, are part of her dedication to environment. That is why Oceana is so hosted Oceana’s SeaChange ensuring her own children have a important to our family and why we FSummer Party with her husband healthy ocean – in addition to the other will continue our support for years Bruce at their Laguna Beach home. important causes the Cahills support. to come!” © OCEANA | Félix Aguado First introduced to Oceana by board member Valarie Whiting, Cahill and One campaign that holds particular her entire family have become an 'We have an obligation appeal for Cahill is Oceana’s fight to integral part of Oceana’s California end destructive bottom trawling, a support network. to our children to stop fishing technique that involves dragging this destruction of our a weighted net across the seafloor, The SeaChange Summer Party has destroying anything in its path. raised nearly $3 million for ocean environment. That is why conservation and, in the process, Oceana is so important “I support all of Oceana's endeavors, become Orange County’s premier but I think that one holds special charity event. With honorees including to our family and why we meaning for me,” she said. Since its Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman and will continue our support inception, Oceana has helped to protect Glenn Close, it’s hard for Cahill to more than a million square miles of pick just one outstanding moment. for years to come!' ocean seafloor from trawling – much of it in the Pacific. 1% for the Planet is a growing “I think the most special moment global movement of over 1,400 for me personally was the 40-minute “Here's the bottom line as my husband Cahill plans to continue hosting the member companies – small impromptu concert at this year’s and I see it,” she said. “We are making SeaChange Summer Party. “My goals and large – in 38 countries that event by Jeff Bridges,” she said. “The amazing progress on the cure ratio for SeaChange are very simple,” she donate at least 1% of sales to weather was amazing, we had already of children's cancer; we are putting said. “One is to continue to raise environmental organizations. As raised an unparalleled amount of the Mind Research Institute's math awareness of the ocean's problems a 1% non-profit partner, Oceana money and his voluntary generosity may accept donations from programs into schools across the and the attainable solutions Oceana members of the 1% network – a was unbounded and unique.” country and raising scores by 33 continues to provide, and two, to raise network growing every day. Over percent; we are reducing childhood as much money as possible to support 2,100 non-profits worldwide are A Southern California native, Cahill crime with our Boys and Girls Clubs Oceana's amazing work.” included in the 1% program, and has fond childhood memories of nationwide – but if we don't leave our over $50 million has been funneled summers spent on the beach and body children a planet, what good does it do? toward nonprofit partners to date. surfing in the Pacific. Her contributions “We have an obligation to our children © OCEANA | Carlos Suárez to Oceana, along with her husband to stop this destruction of our

16 | WINTER 2011 OCEANA.ORG | 17 CHEF'S CORNER PARTING SHOT

In November, Oceana board member Ted Danson traveled to Barrow, Alaska, to visit with Gaël Orieux By Sophie Jouan the local Inupiat community, many of whom survive as subsistence hunters. Their way of life is already under threat from melting sea ice and rising waters as a result of climate change. An oil spill would devastate their livelihoods and community, and yet the oil As executive chef in the Michelin-starred restaurant Auguste on industry is pushing to drill here. Paris’s Left Bank, Gaël Orieux places a premium on sustainability. The message Ted heard from the people of Barrow was clear: Science before drilling. He recently became the sponsor of the European campaign "Mr Days later, he traveled to Anchorage and testified before the Bureau of Ocean Energy Goodfish," whose aim is to make the public participate in the Management, Regulation and Enforcement against expanding offshore drilling in the Arctic. conservation of the marine resources by choosing the right fish; Photo courtesy Gael Orieux its slogan is “Good for the ocean, good for you.”

Orieux is a professional diver whose disregarded the safe fishing limits of its the most important thing is to do well culinary focus has always had a marine stock. But today we’re aware of it, and when cooking it, and show people influence. He became aware of seafood that’s why I decided to cook only with that these alternative fish can be sustainability when the five-star sustainable seafood.” scrumptious as well.” restaurant he worked at struggled to source some of its fish, such as turbot. Orieux’s clientele at Auguste have responded well to his menu, which “We need to change our way of includes many lesser-known and consuming and to adapt our activities therefore lesser-fished species. to respect the environment. Here in France, we forgot that a long time ago, “They are pretty surprised by the fact To learn more about Auguste, visit in most of the restaurants, turtles that they don’t know the species that www.restaurantauguste.fr. To learn were in the menu,” he said. “Now, this I’m proposing in the menu,” he said. more about Mr. Goodfish, visit the species is endangered because we “But they’re always satisfied because website, www.mrgoodfish.com.

Pout with muscat grape pulp candied in violet mustard

2 pieces of pout of 600 gr Pout Preparation Porcini Preparation 40 gr grape seed oil Cut pout in fillets, remove bones Remove unusable parts of the and keep refrigerated. mushrooms with a small knife Grape Pulp and then rinse them with water by 100 gr. of grape nutmeg Grapes Pulp Preparation cleaning with a small brush. Once 20 gr. butter Pull grapes apart from the cluster. In the mushrooms are clean, cut them 500 gr. grape nutmeg a saucepan mix the grapes with the in half lengthwise. Chop the garlic ½ L port red cinnamon stick, the bay leaves, some in small pieces and put it aside ½ L red wine four-spice mix, juniper berries, lemon for later use. 1 cinnamon stick juice and orange, finish by adding the 1 bay leaf port wine and red wine. Cook on a very Finishing and Presentation four-spice mix to taste low flame until only 1/3 of the liquid is Add salt and pepper to the fish Juniper Berry to taste left. Remove the cinnamon stick and fillets and fry slowly in grape 1 piece of orange blend it all. Add salt, pepper, purple seed oil. At the same time, fry the 1 piece of lemon mustard and pass through a thin mushrooms in butter adding a touch 40 gr. of purple mustard strainer. Peel the Muscat grapes by of minced garlic. Heat the grape slowly removing the skin using a pulp and give the other grapes a Trim small knife. quick fry in butter. 400 gr. of porcini mushrooms 50 gr. of butter Ted Danson and Oceana Pacific 1 garlic clove Director Susan Murray near the tip of the world in Barrow, Alaska. © OCEANA | Will Race

18 | WINTER 2011 OCEANA.ORG | 19 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, 5th Floor Washington, DC 20036 phone: +1.202.833.3900 toll-free: 1.877.7.OCEANA

Diverse corals flourish in the Choros-Damas Marine Reserve in Chile.

Give today at Oceana.org/give You can help Oceana fight to restore our oceans with your financial contribution. Call us today at 1.877.7.OCEANA, go to our website www.oceana.org/give and click on “give today” or use the envelope provided in this newsletter. You can also Oceana’s accomplishments wouldn’t be invest in the future of our oceans by remembering Oceana in your will. Please contact us to find out how. All contributions possible without the support of its members. to Oceana are tax deductible. Oceana is a 501(c)(3) organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service.