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September 2007, Vol. 3, No. 1
In this issue:
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Sky High Images Show Destruction From Bottom Trawling
  (© DigitalGlobe 2007; From Kyle Van Houtan PhD)
The surface of mars? An abstract art piece? This is actually an image of dozens of
bottom trawlers in China in rows with giant plumes of sediment behind them.
Bottom Trawling is considered one of the world’s most destructive fishing methods. So when Marine Photobank member, Dr. Kyle Van Houtan found satellite images that visually demonstrate the intensity and impact of bottom trawling, we immediately posted them for you to view and download. It all began when Van Houtan was completing his thesis research on the nesting success of sea turtles and wanted to check the influence of shrimpers, who trawl the bottom for their catch. Since his first discovery, he has found dozens more images.
These images illustrate the extent to which humans go to extract resources from the sea. "Here the analogy of trawling with terrestrial ploughing is compelling, with the vessels forming parallel rows like combine harvesters in a vast field of grain," said Van Houtan of this image.
Not only do bottom trawls send giant plumes of sediment into the water column, they also destroy and harm sea-floor creatures and other organisms in their path. Van Houtan collaborated with world-renowned fishery scientist Dr. Daniel Pauly and published an article in Nature magazine which gained media attention worldwide. They are now working on further studies to determine how much sediment is actually churned up by bottom trawlers.
See More Images>
Check Out Van Houtan's Google Earth Tour>
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Photo Story: Precious Corals At Risk
.jpg) This story highlights the plight of red and pink corals. These are some of the most valuable of the coral species and are being used to make jewelry such as necklaces and earrings as well as home decor items and even lamp stands.
This demand is driving exploitation and threatening their survival. In fact, shallow colonies have been so heavily exploited that fishers are now targeting deeper water colonies using bottom trawls (see above story). Unfortunately, precious red and pink corals are not included in international agreements that can effectively monitor and regulate their trade.
Too Precious To Wear, a newly formed SeaWeb campaign aims to address this issue by engaging jewelry producers, retailers and consumers as partners to protect coral species. Learn more at www.tooprecioustowear.org.
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Recent Photos Added to Our Collection
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Greenpeace contributed three compelling images taken by Malcolm Pullman – They demonstrate the truly destructive nature of bottom trawling. This five foot tall coral was plucked from the seafloor and thrown overboard as waste. More Greenpeace Photos>.
Pol Klein – These images highlight the challenges facing coastal habitat and the dire need to address poverty worldwide. This image shows a latrine in Liberia which dumps directly into an estuary. P. Klein's Photos>.
Maria Honig – Honig's images taken aboard sailboats and fishing vessels show firsthand accounts of the longline fishery in South Africa. M. Honig's Photos>.
Chip Baumberger - His images highlight research at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution on algal blooms in coral reef systems that are caused by sewage outfalls and agricultural runoff. C. Baumberger's Photos>.
Alexandra Barron – Alexandra's images show her up-close encounters with white sharks and other species. She is currently based in the Maldives as manager of a small, independent field reef conservation research facility . A Barron's Photos>.
Marcia Moreno Baez – These images highlight her research in the Gulf of California, Mexico and illustrate the delicate balance between fishing activities and marine species. M. Moreno Baez's Photos>.
Lucy Kemp – Her images illustrate her research experiences in South Africa on seabird colonies and at sea observing fishing practices. L. Kemp's Photos>.
Cedric Guigand – During a series of research cruises looking at the early life history of billfish by the University of Miami, Guigand was able to take images such as this larval billfish. C Guigand Photos>.
Lance Ferris – Lance Ferris of Australian Seabird Rescue Inc. and his team of volunteers took photos to help people understanding the human induced causes of marine wildlife deaths as shown in this image of a sea turtle that died from mistakenly consuming plastic and other debris floating in the ocean. L. Ferris' Photos>.
John T. Everett – John hosts a website full of marine images (www.oceanart.us). He has contributed several to the MPB that highlight pressing ocean issues. J. Everett's Photos>.
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Parting Shot: Trashed
The phrase "Because out of site = Out of mind" takes on a whole new meaning. This image taken by Oliksandr Kalinichenko just after a storm shows a large volume of trash washing downstream (left) and out to sea in the Dominican Republic. When this debris breaks down into small pieces it is often mistaken for food by sea turtles, seabirds and other species.
More of Kalinichenko's Photos>
Submit Your Parting Shot>
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The Marine Photobank is a program of SeaWeb
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