Kia Kaha, Kia Toa
Be strong, be a warrior.
My Backyard From the Chapters Junior Activists
Partners Getting involved
Issue 1 l My Backyard
Sweden
Devastation in the Baltic Ocean
Our very few coral reefs are being trawled on a daily basis by foreign fishing fleets, leaving total devastation behind them. There are protected zones and no one is allowed to fish there, but there is barely anyone actually protecting and patrolling them. That is one of the reasons why we decided to launch a chapter in the far north.
Once, several years ago we had a thriving number of Atlantic blue fin tuna along the coast. Due to the number of big blue fins, in 1939 fishermen arrived from all over the world to join one of the biggest tuna fishing games in the world. It didn’ t take long until all of the blue fin tuna was completely gone.
We are still facing these very problems today. The thriving fish are being fished out. The Baltic ocean has turned into a swamp due to pollution.
Currently there are few organizations in Sweden that are confident they can make a real impact on defending the oceans surrounding us.
Earthrace is one that does believe we can make a difference, another is Djurens Rätt Malmo, with which we are now working against shark finning.
Since we began there have already been ten articles in the Swedish newspapers about the shark finning industry. We’ ll soon be announcing an easy way for everyone in Sweden to participate and take action, so keep your eyes on our facebook page!
Anti-captivity actions
Photo by Daniel Botelho
There are eleven captive dolphins at Kolmarden Djurpark and Zoo in Sweden, where they invite you to‘ enjoy a world-class dolphin show or experience a breathtaking ride on the Dolphin Express roller coaster”.
Working with our chapters and groups around the world, Kolmarden can expect a roller coaster ride this year courtesy of our anti-captivity campaigning.
Widening our borders In addition to our work in Sweden, we’ re gradually working our way around Scandinavia into Denmark and Norway.
The Faroe Islands, where the pilot whale Grinds take place, is under the sovereignty of Denmark of course – not that Denmark does anything to try and stop it happening – while Norway continues its whaling traditions.
20 vessels registered for last year’ s four month whaling season in Norway, which starts in May each year. There was a total number of 1,286 minke whales allowed to be harpooned.
Join in, join us Our Swedish chapter is actively
looking for hard working and passionate volunteers to help us with everything from reporting on restaurants serving shark fin soup, updating our facebook page and translating. So please get in touch if you’ re interested.
Contact Earthrace Sweden: alexander @ earthrace. net
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