Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Concerning Fish (in general): Think this through...

5:33 PM
Once again, industries are demanding a change in fish quotas with increasing fish stocks. Well let's think about this proposal, shall we?

For years and years we've driven fish populations down into the ditch, then with much reluctance some countries decide to impose quotas. And guess what? They WORK. Why else would they have been suggested?!?!? Guess what industries want to do now? Increase fishing quotas. Do you understand what that will do to fish populations? Plummet them right back down to the dark ages. Why? Because more fish are being fished! Again!

I am astounded.

Save the fish y'all- yup still, no.

Wikimedia commons (labeled for reuse)

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Concerning Racehorses: About time.

4:00 AM
Finally, drug rules are starting to be adapted. I would say that I'm happy, but it's marred by the fact that it should've been done earlier! These sorts of activities, that require an animal to participate (without choice might I add), need to put the animal's safety first. It's different for people. They consent with participating, you can have them be put in as much danger as you want, as long as they consent to it. If it's their choice I don't care. The issue with horse racing, is the horses never gave consent. They never said they wanted to endanger their life, with little in terms of gratitude. And for this reason, the least, the BARE minimum, that we must do, is provide adequate protocols to ensure their safety. For goodness, sake, if they aren't going to be allowed to make their own decisions, at least make sure they don't needlessly risk their life, every time they go out onto a track.

flickr (labeled for reuse)

Monday, October 27, 2014

Concerning Racehorses: Poison. What's next?!?!

4:58 PM
Top Venezuelan racing horse Rio Negro, has been poisoned: with a dose of cortisol that could've killed him. This industry has been allowed to run rampant, to the point of threatening everyone involved in it. And the horses are suffering the blunt of it. Not only are they forced to race, to the point of death, pumped full of drugs, and generally mistreated, they are now embroiled in racing politics. This industry can no longer be considered a sport. In order to get an upper edge someone has poisoned the forerunner of upcoming Derby. Rio Negro, is now battling for his life.

When will these animals be allowed to live? Since we discovered their use, they've been under their power. When, will people decide that they've done enough? Suffered enough?

Wikimedia commons (labeled for reuse)

Concerning the Planet: "It doesn't concern me."

4:30 PM
Go on keep on emitting carbon dioxide, and eating fish.

Because who needs this?
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Or this?
Flickr (labeled for reuse)
Or this (I'm aware some of you probably still don't care- it's coming, don't worry.)
Scifundchallenge.org (labeled for reuse)
What about this?
Pixabay (labeled for reuse)
I'm sure you won't mind living without this.
Wikipedia (labeled for reuse)
Finally, I'll just jump a couple of steps. What about this? You don't mind living like this- I'm sure.
geograph (labeled for reuse)
Please, think about you're giving up- and what you're forcing everyone else to give up too.
Researchers aren't telling tall tales, to get you to stop- they're telling you what will happen. This is our future. I hope you can live like this.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Concerning Sharks: They're endangered! How do you not know this?!?!?

4:30 PM
Well, this article appeared in my inbox today. So let me get this straight: millions of sharks are killed every year for a soup, and now they are being used as a supplement, by this joyous company. Seriously? So this species is threatening collapse, so that people can show off to their friends and now digest food quicker. Really? Are you joking me? If you want to lose weight, for goodness sake exercise! It saddens me that humanity is so chronically lazy, that instead of laying off the fast food, and actually moving around a little, they now grind up the cartilage of sharks and shove it into a pill. Are you serious?!?!

This should be their slogan: Killing sharks since 1945, to battle human laziness.

Wikipeda (labeled for reuse)

Concerning Seaworld: Now for the "hysterical reasoning"

3:00 AM
Wikipedia (labeled for reuse)
Alright, I'm being a little unfair when I call it "hysterical", but you've got to admit that much of popular media isn't relying on scientific fact. In a previous post I talked about why I believe, in current conditions, orcas shouldn't be held in captivity, drawing upon actual scientific research (brain size etc). Now, it's time to make the less factual argument.

Since the release of Blackfish the public have been demanding change. Even, Blackfish, itself doesn't use a lot of scientific research, it tells a story. The story of Tilikum. An orca forced to live out his life in misery: alone, afraid, captive. It's hard to see an animal in such evident distress.

Did you know that there is no recorded incident of an orca attack in the wild? There are dozens, if not hundreds of (reported) incidents in captive orcas. This should tell you something about their psychological state.

The way that you get the public to support something, isn't through in-depth studies and research papers (honestly, it's quite a challenge to read some of them). To get the public to support you, you need emotion. You need them to feel anger, or sadness over a topic. Show them as a young orca is ripped away from his mother, Tilikum's ragged skin from attacks, and his dormant form in a pool. This is how the media garners support. You've got to show them something they'll understand, something they'll relate to.

This is their secret. Your welcome.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Concerning Swordfish: Not another one.

6:30 PM
Wikipedia (labeled for reuse)
I've been largely focusing on the overfishing of Tuna, but keep in mind there are more. Here's one. Swordfish. Experts estimate that their population is 70% below, what is should be. That my friends, is not good news. Another apex predator being driven towards extinction. Not shall we say, ideal... Remember my posts about how the disappearance of tuna might effect the oceans, add the swordfish to the picture.

Global fish stocks, are declining astronomically. The big issue with these large predatory fish, such as sharks and swordfish, is their slow maturation. Many sharks and swordfish that are caught, haven't yet reproduced, this only helps accelerate their, currently, inevitable extinction.

Concerning SeaWorld: Well that's just 'fantastic'.

2:00 AM
Pixabay (labeled for reuse)
I just read about SeaWorld's idea of picking up the funds. I've already written about their idea to build bigger cages for their orcas; and here comes their next idea. Get ready for it. It's coming. Halloween program. Yes. To tackle the problems they've been facing with Blackfish, they don't decide to improve conditions for the orcas, nope. They throw a party. Excuse me? Did I hear that right? Come again. 
Alright, I've written about, how SeaWorld is not the 'bad guy', I pointed out their other accomplishments and goals. But please. Please. If there is a specific issue that the public, researchers, are concerned about TACKLE it DIRECTLY. Don't throw a party to solve all your issues. And if this somehow convinces the public to forget about their previous complaints, you may find it successful, but those orcas will continue to suffer. Distraction may get the job done, but don't, for a moment, think that it's the right thing to do.