Also by Willie

Turtle recall

Posted by Willie - 23 May 2013 at 9:00am
All rights reserved. Credit: Hilton/Greenpeace
An Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) swims in the open blue ocean of the Pacific.

When I heard it was World Turtle Day, I hatched a plan. I know that to an international audience ‘turtle’ covers  a multitude of reptile species, but rather than getting all Queens’ English-y over what is a tortoise, a terrapin or a turtle, I thought this was a good opportunity to focus in on the seven amazing species that roam our oceans – the sea turtles.

Top 10 weird wildlife: immortal jellyfish, gender-swapping fish and pink dolphins

Posted by Willie - 22 May 2013 at 3:09pm

Today is International Day for Biological Diversity. An opportunity to celebrate and wonder at the amazingly diverse variety of species we share the planet with. This year it has a water theme, so we’ve been having some fun over on Twitter, and here’s our pick of the weirdest and most wondrous watery wildlife you definitely need to know about.

Deal or no deal on Europe's fishing laws?

Posted by Willie - 20 May 2013 at 5:47pm
All rights reserved. Credit: Greenpeace
Will politicians net a fair fishing deal?

While considering how to write a blog on the latest developments on Europe’s bumpy road to fisheries reform, I decided to take a step back in time. Eleven months ago I wrote this blog explaining where the discussions were at, what was still on the table, and outlining a number of areas of concern.

It’s crunch time (again) for Europe’s fish ministers

Posted by Willie - 13 May 2013 at 12:56pm
All rights reserved. Credit: Greenpeace
A full page ad calls for Benyon to support sustainable fishing

If you listen to Ronan Keating much (I don’t) – you’d be familiar with the concept that Life is a Rollercoaster.

But for some of us, it’s a bit more accurate to liken the process of reforming Europe’s failed fish laws to that particular fun-fair ride : full of twists and turns, highs and lows, moments of hopeful elation, followed by moments of abject panic and fear. And sometimes making us reach for a sick bag.

How are you celebrating World Penguin Day?

Posted by Willie - 25 April 2013 at 10:39am - Comments
All rights reserved. Credit: Mauthe/Greenpeace
This Gentoo penguin is celebrating - are you?

It’s World Penguin Day today, April 25th, and I simply can’t imagine a world that didn’t have penguins in it. So in order to celebrate our funny fine-flippered friends I thought it would be good to pull together some fun facts about penguins. Some are fun, some are facts, and some are both at once.

Good riddance to bad fishing

Posted by Willie - 14 March 2013 at 6:10pm - Comments
All rights reserved. Credit: Greenpeace
The Margiris is sent packing

Over in Australia, our colleagues have just seen off an unwanted supertrawler, the Margiris. This monster of a boat has been sent packing after an unprecedented campaign by Greenpeace, local fishermen and NGOs, which resulted in the government banished it from fishing in Australian waters.

The floating factories finishing off our fish

Posted by Willie - 28 February 2013 at 5:36pm - Comments
Activists intercept the world’s second largest factory fishing trawler, the FV M
All rights reserved. Credit: Greenpeace

Q: when is a fishing boat not a fishing boat?

A: when it’s actually a floating factory.

No, it’s not a good joke. It’s not much of a joke at all.

Hardcore prawns: trashing tropical seas for a cheap treat

Posted by Willie - 28 February 2013 at 5:24pm - Comments

When I was little, salmon and shrimps were posh, fancy food, served up at celebrations and the like. Fast forward a few decades and both of those have descended to becoming everyday food, available in pre-packed sandwiches and cheap meals in every supermarket.

But cheap and available at what real cost?

Saving the Southern Ocean: the penguins need you!

Posted by Willie - 21 February 2013 at 5:33pm - Comments
King Penguins in the St. Andrews Bay on South Georgia in the Atlantic Ocean
All rights reserved. Credit: Markus Mauthe / Greenpeace
Antarctica's land needs protecting, but so do its oceans

Antarctica is special. It’s home to globally recognisable species that we, as a planet, value. It’s a continent apart from all others, and it’s a place we have all pledged to protect for the future.

But this isolated continent is surrounded by a sea, the Southern Ocean, that doesn’t yet have the protection it needs.

Krill intentions: how low can fishing go?

Posted by Willie - 21 February 2013 at 5:14pm - Comments
Red Krill Oil, advertised by Carol Vorderman
All rights reserved. Credit: www.bioglanredkrilloil.com
No fishy taste? Claims that krill fishing is sustainable are hard to swallow

It’s a sad day, but I think I have run out of krill puns. Well, I’ve been banging on about this for a few years now, and since Happy Feet 2 basically unleashed every krill joke possible, courtesy of Matt Damon and Brad Pitt, there’s not a lot left.

And that, dear readers, is my worry about krill itself.

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