Orca, Octopus and Ocean News Round-up June, 2024
Happy Canada Day to orca and ocean lovers everywhere
This year, I celebrated Ocean’s Week with my first-ever reading from my upcoming book Octopus: Ocean - Geniuses of the Deep at Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria. A few days later I received this amazing endorsement from Craig Foster - star and producer of My Octopus Teacher & co-founder of the epic Sea Change Project.
"Mark Leiren-Young's book gives young readers a wonderful sense of many aspects of the world of octopuses in a very clear, concise and interesting way. It makes the reader think and educate without preaching. This book is a door to the magnificent world of the octopus, a door that if opened and explored will bring much joy and connection."
The book arrives in the world next year - but it’s available to order now…
And Skaana released two great episodes in June covering orcas & octopuses
The Beyonce of Octopuses and The OctoKing on Why Octopuses Needed a Publicist
Sy Montgomery (Soul of an Octopus) and Warren Carlyle (founder of OctoNation) on octopuses taking over the media, the origins of OctoNation, why octopuses needed a publicist and some of the secrets of octopus from their new book Secrets of the Octopus that accompanies the National Geographic TV series. First of a two-part interview about all things octopus!
Getting the Poop on Orca Genetics, Species, Names and Really Old Whales With NOAA Scientists Tom Jefferson & Kim Parsons
NOAA scientists Kim Parsons & Tom Jefferson on orca species, orca survival, orca scat, really old whales, the return of harbour porpoises, the fight for vaquitas and so much more in the second part of a special two-part episode on the two soon-to-be official species of orcas who call the Salish Sea home.
And now our ocean news for June…
Shatner $#@!s on Fish Farms
If you haven’t seen this, you really have to: Shatner (and Canuck legend Kirk McLean) Vs. Fish Farms
K’awat’si Economic Development Corp. Vs. Shatner:
B.C. First Nations want apology from William Shatner, Ryan Reynolds after salmon farm video goes viral - CHEK News
Federal Government Vs. Fish Farms. Sort of.
Feds delay closure of B.C.'s open-net salmon farms until 2029 - CBC
Orcas in trouble
Feds urged to use emergency order to save endangered orcas - Capital Daily
Speed restrictions, B.C. fishery closures, aim to protect southern killer whales - CHEK
Comment: Do this to save killer whales and wild salmon from extinction - Pausing ocean-based chinook fisheries in Alaska and B.C. would immediately increase chinook abundance for southern resident killer whales by 25 per cent. - Times Colonist
Mass mortality: A fish scientist follows a tip about die-offs at B.C. salmon farms - Times Colonist
Viral videos of whale close-ups not good for whales or tourist expectations, say operators - Chek
BC Green MLA Adam Olsen speaks out for orcas - An orca calf reminds us to protect our seas - National Observer
The Humpback Comeback
Entangled whale rescued off Vancouver Island returns with new calf - CHEK
Humpback focused on feeding comes within oar length of startled kayakers - Times Colonist
Whaling Returns to Washington
Washington’s Makah Tribe could once again harpoon whales as US waives conservation law - CHEK
From Orca Pods to Cephalopods
Secrets of the Octopus Trailer
Visiting the Kraken at Home - meet come colossal squid - Hakai
David Shiffman on the 49th anniversary of Jaws
40 Years of Bad Science: How Jaws Got Everything Wrong About Sharks
And this is just cool…
One of world’s rarest whales sighted off California coast - Seattle Times
Deep Sea Mining Vs. All of US
John Oliver covers Deep-sea Mining on Last Week Tonight
Orcas Everywhere audiobook on Audible and Spotify:
And The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Audible and Spotify
