WHAT DOES THE OCEAN MEAN TO YOU?
To help encourage a growing network of children and
young people from around the world that care about preserving and protecting the oceans, he is launching a competition for Earthrace Junior Activists to help him find a
new generation of writers and journalists.
Anyone up to the age of 18 can submit an
essay or short story (no more than 500
words) based on ‘what the oceans mean to
you’. There are some amazing prizes including a model remote control replica of
the Earthrace boat.
Pete, himself the author of two best-selling
books including ‘Whale Warrior’ about his time in Antarctica and Japan, said, “I can tell from the many letters,
emails and messages that I receive from children and
young people all over the world that they are as concerned
about the state of the oceans as I am.
“I hope this challenge will
encourage many more
young people to really
think about what the
oceans mean to them and
to take actions to help
protect them.
“Their words will inspire
others of all ages to follow their lead and begin to understand how important marine life and the environment are
for all us, whether we live near the ocean or not”.
The Earthrace Junior Activists Club was started in 2008
while Earthrace was racing around the world. It’s run by
Earthrace volunteers Alison Banks, Natalie Borghardt and
new Junior Activist Captain, 16 year old Zach Affolter.
There are now well over 1,200 young members
who all share a passion to help protect the
oceans and marine life.
There are four age categories for the ocean
writing challenge: Under 10; 10-12 years, 13-15
years; and 16-18 years.
As well as the main
prize of the Earthrace
remote control boat, there are
more prizes of a remote control
shark, signed copies of Pete’s
book ‘Whale Warrior’, Junior Activist t-shirts, caps, bumper stickers, signed
posters, plush
Maui’s dolphin toys, wristbands
and heaps of other cool stuff up for grabs.
Entries will be judged by Pete himself and they should be
sent by email to alison@earthrace.net by the closing date
of 31 August 2014. All entries must include the name of
the author, age, email address and mailing address.
All winners will be notified no more than one month after
the closing date. Winning entries will be posted on the
Earthrace Junior Activist facebook page and be published
in a future issue of ‘Our Backyard’.
A ground-breaking bill that would prohibit the display of orcas in California, stop wild captures in
US waters, end captive breeding programmes, and force places like Sea World and Six Flags to
retire their whales to sea pens ,has begun its journey through the US Congress.
The Orca Welfare and Safety Act (AB2140) was drafted by Assemblyman, Richard Bloom, and
supported by 38 US Congressmen. Since it was first announced, the California Assembly, Water,
Parks and Wildlife Committee have agreed to send the bill to interim study to obtain more information on the science associated with captive orcas. It’s expected that the bill will now be revisited in the mid-2015 sessions.
According to the Earth Island Institute, “The future of AB 2140 and orca captivity in California will be determined by how strongly the
public insists that the bill be implemented”. The bill exempts the holding of orcas for rescue or research purposes, but mandates rehabilitation and return to the wild where possible and using best available science. Violations of the bill’s provisions, if it becomes law, will
result in fines of up to US$100,000 and up to six months in a county jail.
In other parts of the US, things are not going well for marine parks either. South Carolina already has a law prohibiting the public display
of whales and dolphins (est. 1992), while Maui County, Hawaii, passed a similar measure in 2002. Senator Greg Ball, (NY) introduced a
bill that seeks to prohibit the confinement of killer whales in aquariums and ‘sea parks’ for any reason, whilst in late February 2014, the
City of Malibu, California issued a formal proclamation acknowledging the intelligent and emotional lives of whales and dolphins, and
their right to freedom and safe passage in the worlds’ oceans.
You can help, wherever you are, by adding your name to this petition set up by Jean-Michel Cousteau, President, Ocean Futures Society.
6