H ALIBUT HERALD

October 10, 2008

Bits and Bites

Orca whale trio perform in formation

Orcas are known for the precision of their displays in sealife centres around the world but rarely are such
performances witnessed in the wild.

However, wildlife photographer Rolf Hicker captured this trio off Northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

"When you are photographing orcas the main thing you need is patience as you have to wait till they approach
you," explained the 42-year-old, who has spent the past decade and a half photographing the mammals.

"In order to get good pictures you need to be always ready, I always have one eye glued on the viewfinder while
the other eye is searching for signs like blows or special activities.

"My experience helps me to stabilise my body on the always moving boat, experience kicks in to make it easier
to "predict" what the orcas next move would be."

The picturesque Northern Vancouver Island is a unique setting where whale watchers can witness resident,
transient and offshore orcas.
READ ON HERE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/10/08/eaorca108.xml

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Nature loss 'dwarfs bank crisis'
The global economy is losing more money from the
disappearance of forests than through the current banking
crisis, according to an EU-commissioned study.

It puts the annual cost of forest loss at between $2 trillion and $5

trillion.

The figure comes from adding the value of the various services that
forests perform, such as providing clean water and absorbing carbon dioxide.
The study, headed by a Deutsche Bank economist, parallels the Stern Review into the economics of climate
change.

It has been discussed during many sessions here at the World Conservation Congress.

Some conservationists see it as a new way of persuading policymakers to fund nature protection rather than
allowing the decline in ecosystems and species, highlighted in the release on Monday of the Red List of
Threatened Species, to continue.
READ ON HERE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7662565.stm

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IRON BOUND
More than 8,000 conservationists and policy makers are in
Barcelona, Spain, for the IUCN World Conservation Congress.

Held once every four years, the gathering is viewed as a landmark

event where future conservation strategies are developed. One such
issue discusses the topic, “Could "polluting" the marine environment
restrain rising temperatures and rising carbon dioxide concentrations
in the atmosphere?”

According to Margaret Leinen, chief scientist of the company Climos,

it could; and the magic pollutant is iron filings.

Placed in the oceans, the theory goes that they will stimulate the
growth of phytoplankton, tiny marine plants, which will then
photosynthesise more CO2 out of the atmosphere and down into the
water column. The idea has been around for a long time and studies
date back at least a decade, without having given us a definitive answer to whether it will work.

At a seminar here on ocean geoengineering, as the approach is known, Ms Leinen told us of her company's
plans to seed trial sites of ocean hundreds of kilometres across, and - under the auspices of independent
scientists - conduct studies that would satisfy academics, regulators and investors.

Scientifically, the issue is not whether the mechanism works - it does - but what else happens afterwards. How
deep will the carbon be carried, through physical or biological paths? How long will it stay stored? Will the
plants' decay produce methane or nitrous oxide, more potent greenhouse gases than CO2?

Investors will want to know simply whether it can turn a profit - which hangs on whether it is shown to work, and
so whether it qualifies for carbon credits.
READ ON HERE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7654721.stm

Check out more delightful sea photos here:

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photo
graphy/photos/colorful-sea-creatures.html
More News Links
Aquaduct Bike Purifies Water as you Pedal

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/10/08/aquaduct-bike-purifies-water-as-you-pedal/

Eco-battle emerging over fish and multibillion-dollar resort

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=925fe169-d9fb-4302-b539-
664648537296

'Deepest ever' living fish filmed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7655358.stm

Dubai battles illegal sewage dumping off beach

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=/data/theuae/2008/October/the
uae_October157.xml&section=theuae

For more giant sea creature

photography, go here:
http://photography.nationalgeographic.c
om/photography/photos/giant-sea-
creatures/great-white-and-diver-
photography.html
Library News
New Books:
• Out of Our Minds: learning to be creative - Ken Robinson (2001)
• Mechanics and Physiology of Animal Swimming – Linda Maddock, Quentin Bone and Jeremy M.V.
Rayner (eds.) (2008 edition)
• The Ultimate Question: driving good profits and true growth – Fred Reichheld (2006)
• Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: an entrpreneur’s odyssey to educate the world’s children –
John Wood (2006)
• The Whale Scientists: solving the mystery of whale strandings – Fran Hodgkins (2007)
• Frogs – Thomas Marent (2008) – stunning frog photos!

New DVDs:
• Life In Cold Blood (250 min., 2008, BBC Video) – hosted by David Attenborough

Adieu!
So long, and thanks for all the fish! Thanks to everyone for making these past seven months a fun learning
experience – I’ve really enjoyed contributing to the work that you all do and being part of this unique place. I
had some unforgettable experiences, like seeing the baby beluga being born and co-producing the Green Team
Fashion Show – not the sort of things you usually expect to see and do at work as a librarian – which is part of
the wonderful environment you all create here. All the best – Jenny Fry

Archival Photo

Japanese Sea Nettle (Chrysaora fuscecens), photo by Lee Newman - August 17, 2006
Green Team
Ride-Sharing for Employees of the Vancouver Aquarium

The Vancouver Aquarium has its very own Ride Share site for Aquarium employees! Jack Bell
Ride-Share allows you to find ride matches with coworkers to fill your personal car, find a driver
to carpool with, or use a Jack Bell fleet vehicle! This calculates both costs and greenhouse gas
savings at the same time!

Registration is restricted to email addresses ending in @vanaqua.org. Register today!

1. Go to http://vanaqua.ride-share.com/en/my/
2. Register for free with your @vanaqua.org email address
3. Enter your home address
4. Search for matching commuters with adjustable search options
5. Click matching commuters to suggest a ride-share
6. Start ride-sharing!

Quick Tip:

Did you know that approximately 45% of commuters in Metro Vancouver travel alone in their
vehicles? Ridesharing with just 1 other person would eliminate over 1 million cars a day crossing
in and out of Metro Vancouver. This is equivalent to 1.6 million litres of gas saved, and 4000
tonnes of greenhouse gases not emitted.

Other sustainable modes of transportation:

Don’t forget, every day is a good day to walk, bike, or swim to the Aquarium! Did you know that
the Vancouver Aquarium has shower and locker facilities as well as secure bike storage for
cyclists? Secure bike storage is found on the east side of the building near the Grounds office,
and the shower and locker facilities are in the washrooms on the 1st floor (basement) of
Aquaquest.
Events

******************************
 Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE
October 30, 2008, 7:0PM
The Centre in Vancouver for Performing
Arts
777 Homer Street, Vancouver Aquarium
Tickets available @ Ticketmaster
www.ticketmaster.ca
or 604-978-4444

Special pricing available for groups of 20 or

more.
Contact: marilyn@janegoodall.ca or 416-
978-3633

www.janegoodall.ca

Continuing Studies in Science at Simon Fraser University is pleased to invite you to the third Canada Ocean Lecture -
“Lament for a Nation’s Oceans” presented by Dr. Jeff Hutchings, Dalhousie University on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at
7:00 pm at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue, SFU Vancouver, 580 W Hastings Street.

The lecture is free and open to the public but reservations are recommended as seating is limited. Please reserve a seat
by emailing cs-science@sfu.ca.

The abstract and biosketch are available on our website under “news and events” at http://www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science
For Sale
Staff Appreciation