And now some bad news...

The high from George being granted a reprieve was short-lived.  Today we are faced with the news that Iceland is mulling over a decision to resume whaling.  Yup.  You read that right.  After nearly two decades of respecting the incredible ocean dwelling mammals the local government is all for starting up the slaughter machine.

What would be the purpose of such a barbaric practice?  Well, you could always ask Japan which uses the IWC as a shield in its aggressive whaling expeditions.  An antiquated law stating you can hunt whales for scientific purposes is a weak reason for killing.  And almost all whales that are caught in Japan end up in the fish market.  So then...what is the scientific purpose behind whale fin soup?  Of course, diverting your attention to whale-killing is a good way to distract you from noticing Japan's egregious overfishing practices. 

What to do about it?  Get involved.  There is no shortage of organizations that are supremely passionate about ocean-dwelling inhabitants.  Sea Shepherd is but one of them.  A significant difference between organizations like Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace is the Sea is like the PETA of the oceans.  It works to directly confront and disable commercial fleets that hunt and cripple ocean populations.  We're not for violence, but we are for action.  

So we're going to start the new year by guilting.  Please consider an action to help the earth get the justice it deserves.  We're not asking for a pound of flesh, the fish have already done that for you, we're just asking for compassion.  Think of it this way, we get angry at aliens for abducting us and poking at us with rods...why are we ok with doing it to our own earth?

Finally, some good news!

Things are off to a good start this year! How, you ask?  In a previous post your friendly neighborhood lobster was discussed, and the fine folks at PETA and City Crab have decided that it was proof enough to let George, the crustacean on your right, to go free.

Actually, the post had absolutely no bearing, but City Crab made the wonderful gesture to release George into the old lobster home.  Specifically Kennebunkport, ME where he shall live out the rest of his days doing...nothing.  The town in which he's headed to today has outlawed lobster fishing, so he's more or less guaranteed peace.

George has been estimated to be 140 years old and weighs in at over 20 pounds.  He would've faced imminent doom for $100 (plus 8.75% tax).  This blog thanks the crazy people at PETA as well as profusely thanking the folks at City Crab for doing the right thing.  Now of course if they could just do the right thing for all the lobsters there... 

p.s. - just how big is George?  Check out this photo of a fisherman releasing him into the wild:

Once again, the administrator is sorry.  Why we can't up this blog is beyond us, because we've had nothing to do the past two months.  

We promise a fun and festive entry in the coming days.  It is the New Year afterall, and hope springs eternal for the conservation and prosperity of all things ocean-dwelling.