Oceans of Nothing

By: Chevaughn Bolden and Ryne Oshiro 

With the population of fisherman being on the rise, the number of fishes in the ocean have been rapidly decreasing. Nowadays fisherman have been getting careless and not respecting that there is no need to overfish and instead of taking only what is needed, they have been taking more leading to the decline. This hasn't been a all of sudden type of instance. Since 1999, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program in California has been handing out pocket guides that list sustainable harvested seafood.  This may be a good thing for the United States, but this isn't only occurring here. Other countries such as Japan, India, China, and England have also been struck with the overfishing. It is a work in progress for the Aquarium, but as they raise awareness it needs to go WORLDWIDE.

Over the past 30 years, the fish export has grown with incredible numbers. The trade has about 30 million tons which is made to about $71 billion dollars. Within the numbers, about 90% of big predators  in the ocean (cod and tuna) have been out of existence. Industry analyst Howard Johnson stated "There's now a global effort to reduce or eliminate fishing practices that aren't sustainable. With that increased awareness, these projections just aren't realistic." This world has evolved  to everything having to be sustainable. Johnson is right about raising awareness for this topic. More than 29% of fish species have already collapsed and the trend is increasing. Stores and restaurants such as Wal-Mart and Red Lobster have been making commitments to sell sustainable harvested seafood. And so you can "Seafood differently".

People need to understand that fishes in the ocean are decreasing, it not only starts in the U.S but should start spreading to around the world. As stated by Brian Halweil, "it would be wonderful if everyone started eating sustainable seafood." Although this is the very beginning of spreading awareness, this will become a huge deal if they spread awareness and statistics will show whether or not that they are doing a good job or not. Something as big as this topic should be shared worldwide.

Mid-Quarter Essay

                                                                                                                     Che’Vaughn Bolden

                                                                                                                                         Period 4

                                  Endangered Animals of Hawaii

Hawaii’s species population has decreased rapidly over the past couple of years.  There are 44 endangered animals out of 317 endangered species today this year.  Such as The Hawaiian Monk Seal, Nene Bird, and Green Sea Turtle. Hawaii native species are becoming extinct to the islands in which we live today.

According to National Geographic “The Hawaiian Monk Seal is named for its folds of skin that somewhat resemble a monk’s cowl, and because it is usually seen alone or in small groups”.  The Hawaiian name for the monk seal is “ ‘Ilio holo I ka uaua” which means, “dog that runs in rough water.  “Like other species of warm water monk seals, the Hawaiian monk seal has a tenuous grasp on survival”.  Humans have moved into the locations that monk seals frequented.  Hawaiian monk seals have also been a victim of fisheries.  The biggest threat to Hawaiian monk seals is tiger sharks.  The sharks prey on these monk seals.  Because of this many Hawaiian monk seals are endangered and even with protection efforts we have, the population of this species is “believed to have fallen more than ten percent per year since 1989”.

 According to Sea Pics “The Nene Bird is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and the official bird of the State of Hawaii since 1957. It is the world’s rarest goose with only around 1,000 living in the wild”.  The Nene bird became rare and closely extinct from hunting by Native Hawaiians, and introduction from predators, like mongoose and cats by European Settlers.  According to Konica Minolta, “At one time, there were only 30 Nene Birds in existence due to hunting and attack by other animals brought to the island”.  Thos is a big difference in population because there was once a sight throughout the Hawaiian Islands, that there was a population reaching 25,000 birds in the 18^th century.  The decrease in population came from immigrants from Europe arriving on the islands of Hawaii bringing cats and mongoose.

According to National Geographic “Green Sea Turtles are reptiles whose ancestors evolved on land and took to the sea to live about 150 million years ago.  They are one of the few species so ancient that they watched the dinosaurs evolve and become extinct”.   The green sea turtle is named not for color of the shell, but for the greenish color of their skin.  The dangerous time for green sea turtles is when they make their journey from their nest to the sea because of the multiple predators such as, crabs and flocks of gulls, which prey on hatchlings.  According to Conserve Turtles “The population estimate of green sea turtles are 88,250 nesting females”.

In conclusion, Hawaii native species are becoming extinct to the islands in which we live today.  The very few endangered species of Hawaii such as Hawaiian monk seal, green sea turtle, and the Nene bird   are endangered and becoming extinct from the cause of their predators which is humans, crabs, gulls, and sharks.  And this isn’t just a little decrease in population; this is a major decrease such as from 25,000 to 30 Nene birds left.  This issue is important because the decrease in population of our species decreases our lifestyles.  For example, if the fish in the sea decreased humans would have less fish to eat. So, the important issue is that Hawaiian native species are becoming endangered and extinct and humans need to do something about it. 

Oceans of Nothing

Oceans of Nothing
By: Ryne Oshiro & Che Vaughn Bolden

With the population of fisherman being on the rise, the number of fishes in the ocean have been rapidly decreasing. Nowadays fisherman have been getting careless and not respecting that there is no need to overfish and instead of taking only what is needed, they have been taking more leading to the decline. This hasn't been a all of sudden type of instance. Since 1999, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program in California has been handing out pocket guides that list sustainable harvested seafood.  This may be a good thing for the United States, but this isn't only occurring here. Other countries such as Japan, India, China, and England have also been struck with the overfishing. It is a work in progress for the Aquarium, but as they raise awareness it needs to go WORLDWIDE.

Over the past 30 years, the fish export has grown with incredible numbers. The trade has about 30 million tons which is made to about $71 billion dollars. Within the numbers, about 90% of big predators  in the ocean (cod and tuna) have been out of existence. Industry analyst Howard Johnson stated "There's now a global effort to reduce or eliminate fishing practices that aren't sustainable. With that increased awareness, these projections just aren't realistic." This world has evolved  to everything having to be sustainable. Johnson is right about raising awareness for this topic. More than 29% of fish species have already collapsed and the trend is increasing. Stores and restaurants such as Wal-Mart and Red Lobster have been making commitments to sell sustainable harvested seafood. And so you can "Seafood differently".

People need to understand that fishes in the ocean are decreasing, it not only starts in the U.S but should start spreading to around the world. As stated by Brian Halweil, "it would be wonderful if everyone started eating sustainable seafood." Although this is the very beginning of spreading awareness, this will become a huge deal if they spread awareness and statistics will show whether or not that they are doing a good job or not. Something as big as this topic should be shared worldwide.