Thursday, April 30, 2009

The virus formerly known as swine flu

The WHO (World Health Organization) says it's "the virus formerly known as swine flu" and it is henceforth represented by an unpronounceable image (see photo below):

Bad gull

Nature, red in tooth and claw...and beak.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Bad fish

Fish can be bad if you're a fan of biodiversity in lakes. Or at least it's bad to have fish in every lake.

Scientists have found that we're killing biodiversity with our love for fish and our penchant for plunking fish in every lake, pond, puddle, or stream. In Maine, for example, scientists believe that only about 50 lakes are fishless out of about 6,000 lakes.

What happens when we add fish? Various amphibians and invertebrates get eaten up and vanish. Swing by the Journal of the North American Benthological Society if you want to read more.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Fish farming entrepreneur


Here's a story about a young man with a passion for farming fish. Love him or hate him, Brian O'Hanlon is the kind of person who has the energy to conceive of a future that's different than the status quo.

Is he a friend or enemy of conservation? Some who hate fish farming would call him an enemy because of his zeal for fish farms. But I like anyone who can envision a new future, and I hope his energy helps to make a better world in our shared future.

I think fish farming is a key part of our ocean future, and we need to learn how to do it and do it well. That will require energetic entrepreneurs like Mr. O'Hanlon.

And I'm dying to know, who's that ZZ Top character in the background? Some sort of fish guru?

What's happening in this picture?


The first person to guess what's happening to me in this picture wins a prize. No fair if you've already seen this picture elsewhere and know the answer. Post your answers in the comments, please.