Image via University of Hawaii at Manoa, Credit: Virginia Carter

As corals face a daily bashing through warm, polluted waters, the scientists at University of Hawaii at Manoa and the Smithsonian Institution are building up a bank of frozen sperm and embryos of Hawaiian coral species, just in case. The diversity of coral species is vital to Hawaii’s marine ecosystems, providing the habitat necessary for the survival of the myriad of fish, crustacean and plant species around the islands. So of course, researchers want to do all they can to protect them from extinction. In theory, the frozen cells can be unfrozen even 1,000 years in the future to restore populations.

Read more …

Source: Jaymi Heimbuch, treehugger.com

Brosnan Attacks Obama Over Whales Promise

Whaling in the Faroe Islands

Pierce Brosnan is taking aim at U.S. leader PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA in a new public service announcement for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

In the PSA, the former 007 reminds Obama of promises he made about protecting sea-life when he was a presidential candidate.

Brosnan says, “As a candidate, you promised to end illegal whaling, and we applauded your leadership, but recent reports reveal your administration supports an international proposal, which gives Japan, Iceland and Norway the license to kill whales.”

Read more …

Source: ContactMusic News
Photo Source: Wikipedia

Hawaii has become the first state in the nation to ban shark fins.

Gov. Linda Lingle on Friday signed a bill prohibiting the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins, which are used in pricey Chinese dishes.

Exceptions will be made for researchers who have obtained a permit from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Lawmakers hope the new law will help prevent overfishing and extinction of sharks harvested for their fins.

Many Chinese consider shark fins to be a delicacy, served in high-end Chinese restaurants in soup and as fillets in gravy.

The bill passed the state Legislature earlier this year with broad support.

Source: CBS News