Dear Voice of the Whale Friends,
2008
RE: www.whaleofatime.org
Find out about Whale of a Time Projects
Read Whale of a Time Blog
Become a Whale of a Time Artist at the Whale of a Time Artist Space
Dear Friends of the Whale,
Whale of a Time is running sculpting workshops for the youth and the community based on environmental issues. The Whale of a Time Workshop is designed to educate creatively by engaging the students with environmental issues and in particular with endangered species. The Whale of a Time Workshop is a unique opportunity for people to create their individual clay models of their favourite animal species. The workshop aims to create an environmentally conscious community while connecting people of all age groups with nature and helping to raise awareness to protect our environment and our oceans.
We promise you’ll have a whale of a time using your creativity, learning new skills sculpting in clay, using sculpting tools while working from your imagination and from images and 3d models of animals. The workshop can be hired for your youth centre, private and public events, shows, festivals and fund raising events.
Nature is creativity. Creativity comes from nature. We're interested in developing this creative project, letting it grow and branch out to the heart of the community of London, and other cities in the UK and abroad. We like cities as we feel that there is a need to bring the spirit of nature to the citizens that have least experience with wildlife.
Learning creatively enriches our experience, gives understanding and meaning and helps to solve social and environmental problems. By creating a positively charged creative community we're creating a generation that learns to connect and understand the deeper meaning of life. Being actively engaged and expressing one's passion through art, music, film, poetry or photography and by focusing on environmental issues we can bring an environmentally conscious and positive change into our community.
Whale of a Time nourishes a healthy community strengthened by social and environmental values. The creative community project will help to give focus on important issues for the youth of today and tomorrow. It will create opportunities, get kids off the streets, and reduce crime. The community is based on a positive and motivating spirit, putting a smile on people's faces, realising their creative potential and finding our roots with nature as human beings.
Whale of a Time exists to enrich our global culture with the spirit of nature, to achieve cultural change and build on a beautiful relationship with our environment. Artists in prehistoric times drew their inspiration from nature and wildlife. The earliest known European cave paintings date from 32,000 years ago in Chauvet in southern France. These paintings tell us about animal species, hunting and predatory animals, human rituals and their perception of the world. Culture reflects the human condition and it is the platform of inspiration and creative development. Become a Whale of a Time Artist and join the Whale of a Time Community.
In the Whale of a Time Community are artists from many backgrounds including art, music, film and documentary, photography, writing and poetry. You can become a Whale of a Time Artist and create your personal profile and upload your biography and artwork and share your inspirations with the world, leave comments in the forum and read news in our blog. We organise gigs, exhibitions, parties where Whale of a Time Artists can showcase their talent. Join the Whale of a Time Community today and become a Whale of a Time Artist and get your message through!
Whale of a Time is devoted to supporting successful stewardship of our planet, to create a peaceful, morally just, humane and sustainable culture, while ensuring survival of all species drawing from the example of peaceful stewardship of the oceans by the Great Whales. Our primary objective is to empower individuals to create change within our society through art, music, writing, performance and film. Whale of a Time is inspiring people to express themselves through art. Many species have been perceived as endangered because of hunting, habitat loss and degradation, chemical and noise pollution, global climate change, unmonitored by-catches, accidents and disturbance. We need to think of ways in which we can change our attitude and behaviour for their and our benefit. We are creating art that focuses on the beauty of nature. We believe that only if we understand the true beauty we can appreciate what we have and have the will and passion to save it.
Our secondary objective is to influence governments via public demand giving rise to policy change. Whale of a Time is devoted to maintain freedom and respect for all life forms and to live in harmony with the Earth's ecosystems. Whales are the world’s largest, most ancient, highly intelligent and most peaceful creatures who have no natural predators except humans. They live twice a human life time, and they dominate the oceans peacefully whilst maintaining their environment in a sustainable way. They don’t kill larger and other intelligent life forms. The whale is our icon for success in evolution. We're having a whale of a time and hope that you'll be part of the Whale Of A Time Community and share your creativity and work on your mission to create a peaceful relationship with Earth. What's your mission?
Get your Artist Space now!
Think of something creative to do.
Get all your friends involved.
Get started on your project today.
Have a Whale of a Time!
Peace xxx:)
wild dolphins
Have a Whale of a Time!
Whale of a Time Team ;)
2007
Participate in the The Visual Petition
The Visual Petition Statement
I .................................... in solidarity with the global surfing culture acknowledge that this is the 11th hour for our ocean kin. Surfers have a unique bond forged in the waves with marine mammals, and now like no other time we need to be a voice and a force of direct action for our friends of the sea.
As we see the wanton destruction of the worlds last great forests, pollution of the air and the crippling of rivers and waterways, the Whale, wonderous monarch of the sea has become the greatest symbol of the fragility of our mother earth- mother ocean.
Yet as we enter the the 21st century Whales, Dolphins and Seals continue to be under brutal attack. Not only in the Canadian Arctic, Norwegian fjords and Icelandic Seas, but even in the greatest remotest wilderness the Antarctic where despite treaties and declaration of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary Japan has relentlessly escalated its factory ship war on Whale Nation.
This escalation along with the unrelenting slaughter of Dolphins, notably over 20,000 Dolphins annually in Japan waters, means that surfers have drawn a line in the sand. Enough is enough.
I fully believe that we as ocean loving individuals have the power to implement change, I will endeavour to raise this collective power who wish to honour Nature. Surfing culture has a huge multi media voice, and the global strength of surfers can manifest change and see Whales and Dolphins fully honored and protected into the future.
We will no longer tolerate this attack on the Whales in our shared domain. We will stand up and step in to see an end to the genocide of our beloved Dolphin, the greatest symbol of the freedom and joy of surfing.
For more information and more ways to take action go to www.savejapandolphins.org
Poodwaddle.com
June 2007
RE: Patented harpoon pins down whale age
Collaboration with Eskimo hunters shores up theory on long-lived whales.
A 100-year-old patented harpoon point, a dead bowhead whale and a unique collaboration between traditional hunters and scientists has helped to prove the theory that northern-latitude whales are among the world's longest-lived mammals.
...whales could be more than 200 years old…
Read more news @ www.nature.com
RE: Join the Powercut on 1 July 2007 & Stop Global Warming!!!
www.onehournopower.com
RE: Basking Sharks at the Scottish Coast!!!
The Wildlife Trust's Basking Shark Survey (www.wildlifetrusts.org)
This gentle giant is the largest fish to be found in the coastal waters of the British Isles. Measuring anything up to 12 metres long, and weighing up to 7 tonnes, it feeds on animal plankton, filtering 1,000 to 2,000 cubic metres of seawater per hour to extract its tiny prey. (Read and watch a video here)
Caution urged to protect Sharks (BBC News Update 2 June 2007)
The sharks come every summer to feed on plankton… (Read more)
Shark warning for boat owners! (BBC News Update 1 Jun 2007)
BBC reports, that Boat owners are asked to watch out for basking sharks to stop the whale from being injured"
Call to Protect Basking Sharks! (BBC News Update 4 Oct 2006)
BBC reports, that "About 300 basking sharks have been spotted in Scottish waters and wildlife experts said they need more protection. Gary Robertson spoke to Simon Milne of the Scottish Wildlife Trust about the call for new legislation help marine wildlife." (Listen to recording here)
Basking Sharks drawn to Scottish coast (BBC News Update 16 Sep 2005)
BBC reports that, "the basking shark, the UK's biggest fish, is being found in larger numbers than ever before off the Scottish coast." (Watch video here)
Read more about the Basking Shark here
RE: Hermanus Whale Festival, 21st - 24th September 2007
www.whalefestival.co.za (Read more)
The Hermanus Whale Festival is held annually to celebrate the return of the Southern Right whales to the waters of Walker Bay and the arrival of Spring!
Hermanus has a unique natural environment and is best known for Whale Watching. Join in the music and rhythm of the festival waves and welcome the whales!
Special guest, Captain Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd will reveal plans for putting a stop to the massacre of Southern Right whales by the Japanese whalers.
11th June
RE: www.whalesrevenge.com
Support this ambitious campaign to gather 1 million signatures for a petition to stop whaling. Click here
Every year thousands of precious mammals are slaughtered in the name of so-called 'scientific research'.
8th June
RE: Happy World Ocean's Day!
Sign petition here
3rd - 15th June
RE: CITES - The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in the Netherlands
The CITES Convention is taking place between 3 - 15 June. Read more about the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES which is hosted in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Read more about CITES @ The Netherlands
31th May 2007
RE: CITES Resolution
A majority vote in favour of the CITES Resolution has effectively overturned the St. Kitt's resolution from last year's IWC. The St. Kitt's resolution, which effectively declared that a ban on commercial whaling was no longer needed, has now been overturned!
RE: Southern Atlantic Whale Sanctury defeated
The proposal by Brazil and Argentina for a Southern Atlantic Whale Sanctury was sadly defeated - it didn't achieve its 3/4 majority to pass.
Complementary information:
A "species" is considered endangered if it is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A species is considered threatened if it is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future.
Greenpeace blog
IWC Vote, BBC News
CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
read more at Wikipedia
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, IWC
Dowload document in PDF format here
read more at Wikipedia
28th - 31th May 2007
RE: International Whaling Commission Conference in Alaska
International Whaling Commission is taking place between 28 - 31 May. Read more about the 59th meeting of the Conference of the members of the IWC which is hosted in Alaska, USA (Anchorage).
IWC Official Website - Scientific Permits - Why murder a whale in the name of science?
News update of the IWC Meeting in Alaska - by Environment News Service
December 2006
RE: Extinction of the Baiji
The Baiji has gone extinct. (read more)
Be the Voice of the Whale!
What can you do to save endangered species?
What can you do to save life in the oceans?
Start your campaign today and get everybody involved to protect endangered wildlife and its habitats.
Be my friend and support the Voice of the Whale network.
Peace.
Voice of the Whale

ABOUT WHALES:

The Moral Imperative For Whale Protection by Dr. Robbins Barstow, Director Emeritus, Cetacean Society International click here
Introduction to Cetaceans: www.solcomhouse.com/whales.htm click here
17th Annual European Cetacean Society Conference By William Rossiter click here

WHALE COMMUNICATION:

Listen to the highly developed communication of whales and dolphins. We may not be able to translate the language but it certainly shows how sophisticated and creative these beings are.
Article at www.whalesong.net click here
Article at www.damninteresting.com click here

COMMERCIAL WHALING:

Images

Whaling harpoon click here

Videos:

Ember click here
Thorn click here
Salt and Wasabi click here
Sockeye click here
Toby fights for his life click here

NOISE POLLUTION:

Whales depend on sound for navigation and communication for finding food. Both traffic and industrial activity can increase underwater noise which can reduce the whales' ability to communicate.
Japan , Norway, Canada, Greenland, Russia, Denmark, Iceland and South Korea continue whaling to various degrees.

WHAT YOU CAN DO!

BE A WHALE OF A FRIEND

BE THE 'VOICE OF THE WHALE'

This is your chance to protect the whales.

Please take a second and save a whale's life. The key governments in the debate need to hear from you that you demand that the International Whaling Commission works to protect whales. Sign the letter here

1. No killing of intelligent creatures and endangered wildlife.

Whales and dolphins are mammals and are the equivalent aquatic intelligent species to human beings. Ensure their permanent survival for the future.

2. No over-fishing of the oceans.

Bring in strict regulations and controls of wildlife and the world's natural resources.

3. Compulsory membership of the International Whaling Commission.

All countries that make use of the oceans' wildlife resources are obliged to work together to ensure sustainable use of natural resources within the world's community and protect endangered wildlife.

Countries against protection of whales

Japan, Iceland, Norway, Russian Federation, South Korea, Antigua & Barbuda, Benin, Dominica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cambodia, Cameroon, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Kiribati, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauretania, Mongolia, Morocco, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Togo, Tuvalu

Countries for protection of whales

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Greece, Finland, France, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA

Countries undecided whether to vote for protection or killing of the great whales:

China, Denmark, Oman

BE THE VOICE OF THE WHALE

Express your concern, write a letter to the Ministers of Fisheries, Coastal Affairs, Agriculture...

Norway:

Government website: www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/fkd.html?id=257
Minister of Fisheries & Coastal Affairs: Helga Pedersen
Personal mail:
General email: [email protected] Postal Address:
The Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs
Postbox 8118 Dep,
N-0032 Oslo
Ambassador in London: Mr. Bjame Lindstrom
Email: [email protected]
Norwegan embassy in London click here

Japan:

Government website: http://www.maff.go.jp/eindex.html
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Toshikatsu Matsuoka
Email:
Ambassador in London: Mr Yoshiji Nogami
Email: [email protected] (Ambassador's secretary)
Japanese embassy in London click here

Island:

Government website: http://www.government.is
Minister of Fisheries: Einar Kristinn Guðfinnsson
Personal email:
General email:
[email protected]
Postal Address:
The Ministry of Fisheries,
Skulagata 4,
150 Reykjavík,
Iceland
Ambassador in London:
Email:
Iceland embassy in London click here
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Dep't of Nat. Res. & Environm. Aff:
Thórir Ibsen (Director)
Personal email: [email protected]

Russian Federation:

Government website:
Minister of Agriculture / Federal Agency for Fishery:
Email:
Ambassador in London: Yury Viktorovich Fedotov
Email:
Russian embassy click here
Embassy email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Tel: 0207-229-80-27

South Korea:

Government website:
Minister of Fisheries:
Email:
Ambassador in London: Dr. Yoon-Je Cho
Email:
South Korean embassy in London click here
Embassy email: [email protected]
Tel: +44-(0)20-7227-5500

China:

Government website:
Minister of Fisheries
email:
Ambassador in London: H.E. Mme. Fu Ying
email:
Chinese embassy in London click here
Tel: 020-72994049

Denmark:

Government website: www.fvm.dk
Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries: Hans Christian Schmidt
Personal email: [email protected]
Ambassador in London: Birger Riis-Jørgensen
Personal email:
General email: [email protected]
Danish embassy in London click here

Oman:

Government website: www.omanembassy.org.uk
Minister of Fisheries
Email:
Ambassador in London:
Email:
Oman embassy in London click here
General email: [email protected]

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Big Whale Kisses xxx