Help the Elkhorn Coral

Help the Elkhorn Coral!

     Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Elkhorn Coral. The tissue of Elkhorn Coral is covered with zooxanthellae, a type of algae that has a symbiotic relationship with coral. The zooxanthellae produce food for the coral by photosynthesis, while the coral gives the algae shelter and space for sunlight.

     Elkhorn Coral is a great home for other sea life because a) they can outgrow competitors in their tropical reef habitats because of their light structures; b) Elkhorn Coral colonies are simultaneously hermaphroditic, being able to reproduce young with themselves because they are both sexual and asexual (their offspring will be exact clones as their mother/father); and c) Elkhorn Corals, whenever hungry, can prey for fish and plankton using their long tentacles.

     However, despite these advantages and adaptations to survive, the Elkhorn Coral is critically endangered. Because of disease, natural disasters, coral bleaching, human activity, and pollution, the Elkhorn Coral is disappearing. The main factor is global warming. The climate change causes the waters in the ocean to heat up, which the zooxanthellae do not like. This causes coral bleaching. With the disappearances of zooxanthellae, the corals are vulnerable to disease. The climate change also causes more hurricanes, harming the coral reef habitats. The bacteria from human pollution also cause more diseases for the Elkhorn Coral. Destructive fishing practices and human waste harms the reefs.

     There are many ways for you to help. You could:

1.       Start a petition and get people to sign it.

2.     Educate people and tell them about it.

3.     Use less electricity and fossil fuels. Try walking or biking instead of driving around in cars. Don’t use electricity when you don’t need to.

4.     Start throwing away your trash and stop increasing pollution.

5.     Don’t destruct coral reefs by fishing or any other human activity.

Help the Elkhorn Coral!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Olive Ridley Turtle!

Help the Olive Ridley Turtle!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Olive Ridley Turtle. Weighing 75-100 pounds, the Olive Ridleys have an olive green color. They measure to two feet long, the smallest and most abundant of marine turtles. They maintain the health of coral reefs and sea grass beds. The nutrients of their scat pack to grass beds and reefs. They give safety to seabirds when they rise to the surface by letting them perch on its shell for a while.

          Even though the Olive Ridley is the most abundant, they are still endangered. Their status is vulnerable. Global warming is a contributing factor of their declining population. The temperatures of the nesting areas have risen. This changes the gender of the sea turtles, resulting in more females than males. The warm heat gives fewer places for them to forage for food. Pollution and coastal development always causes problems for marine turtles.

          There are many ways to support the Olive Ridleys. You could:

1. Tell someone
2. Start a petition
3. Clean up beaches and don’t pollute
4. Boycott products made from turtles
5. Use cars less and save electricity

Help the Olive Ridley Turtle!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Loggerhead Turtles!

Help the Loggerhead Turtles!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Loggerhead Turtles. The Loggerheads, or caretta caretta, is a heavy species of marine turtles. They use their strong jaws to crunch their prey, such as sea urchins and clams. In the Mediterranean, their population is abundant, and often times nest in Greece and Turkey. Their species have been on Earth since prehistoric times, about 100 million years. They play an important role in the wildlife cycle. The nutrients from their scat become sediments to the ocean floor and small microorganisms take shelter on their shell. More than 100 species of plants and animals have been found on one shell of a Loggerhead.

          These crucial fellows are disappearing though. They are critically endangered. Although they are not hunted for their meat and shell like other marine turtles, the Loggerhead is endangered because of bycatch. Bycatch is when an unwanted animal is caught in fishing nets used for seafood instead. Every year, about a thousand Loggerheads are caught in nets meant for shrimp. Coastal and human development risks their lives. When baby Loggerheads are hatched, they expect the moon’s light to guide them to the sea. However, city lights bring them the wrong way, and they die. If they don’t die, a person might take them in as a pet, which is illegal. Their nests are disturbed by human activity.

          There are many ways to help. You could:

1. Start a petition
2. Tell someone
3. Clean up beaches and stop pollution
4. If you live on the coast, turn off your lights after 10 PM.
5. If you eat seafood everyday, take a break

Help the Loggerhead Turtles!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Leatherback Turtles!

Help the Leatherback Turtle!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Leatherback Turtle. The Leatherback is a heavy turtle. They weigh about 600-1500 pounds and are up to 6 feet long, the largest of their turtle family of the ocean. Unlike other marine turtles, their shells are leather-textured, hence their name. They migrate across the oceans, Atlantic and Pacific. They are vital for the ecosystem because of their consummation of jellyfish, balancing the jellyfish population. They attract tourists, which promotes ecotourism.

          However, their population is no longer stable. They are critically endangered, and are the world’s most endangered marine turtle species. Because plastic appears like jellyfish, these turtles might accidentally swallow plastic and choke to death. They get caught in fishnets and hooks when migrating across seas. They also are losing their habitat due to human activities and development. The nesting areas are being disturbed through vehicles and activity. Tens of thousands of eggs are being collected as a hobby. In fact, in Southeast Asia, it is legal to collect their eggs and sell them. Now, the Leatherbacks are locally extinct in Indonesia.

          There are many ways to help. You could:

1. Start a petition
2. Tell someone or write an article for the newspaper
3. Start cleaning up beaches, or better yet, anywhere.
4. Boycott products made from Leatherbacks, such as eggs.
5. Don’t disturb their homes, like nests or coral reefs.

Help the Leatherback Turtles!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Hawksbill Turtle!

Help the Hawksbill Turtle!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Hawksbill Turtle. The Hawksbill Turtle is known everywhere for the beautiful pattern on their shell. They get the name from their beak, which resembles a lot like a hawk’s. They weigh 100-150 pounds and measure to be three feet long or smaller. Living in deep coral reefs and tropical waters, they feast upon sea anemones and sponges. They are vital for the coral reef systems. They eat off the coral that surfaced in the water, letting fish to feed and swim with more space. Along with other marine turtle, the Hawksbill has been present on the Earth practically 100 million years. However, they won’t be here for long.

          They are critically endangered, almost gone in the wild. One reason for their danger is illegal trading and poaching. Even though many countries prohibit the trading of their shells, people still poach them to use the shell for jewelry and decoration. Bycatch also threatens the Hawksbill, along with many other endangered animals. Pollution risks their lives, especially when the baby turtles swallow harmful trash, such as plastic.

          There are many ways for you to help. You could:

1. Tell someone
2. Start a petition
3. Boycott the use of their shells
4. Lessen your diet on seafood
5. Help pick up trash along the beach or other ocean areas

Help the Hawksbill Turtle!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Green Turtle!

Help the Green Turtle!

        Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Green Turtle! Chelonia Mydas is a marine reptile turtle that lives in the coral reefs around the world and the Galapagos Islands. From 150-400 pounds, they measure to about 3 feet long. One of the largest marine turtles, they are herbivorous and are named not for the color of their shell, but because of their green cartilage and fat. They are found in tropical or subtropical waters of the sea, and are one of the most admired turtles in the world.

          But soon, they will no longer be on this Earth. They are endangered and their population is decreasing. Bycatch is one major cause of their risk. Bycatch is when an unwanted animal is caught in fishnets and hooks solely for the capturing of seafood. Green Turtles migrate across the ocean to nest their eggs. They are frequently caught in fishnets and gillnets for these occasions. Because of human activity, the beaches needed for their nests are being taken or damaged. Sea grass beds, the Green Turtle’s main food source, are in danger of sedimentation and pollution. Green Turtles and their eggs are being harvested for various reasons. All these contributing factors are making the Green Turtles disappear.

          But there are many way for you to help. You could:

1. Start a petition and get people to sign it
2. Tell someone
3. Boycott Green Turtle eggs or other products
4. Clean up beaches and avoid damaging their nests
5. Abstain from seafood for a while (optional)

Help the Green Turtles!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Galapagos Turtle!

Help the Galapagos Tortoise!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Galapagos Tortoise. This extraordinary animal weighs to be about 700 pounds with a length of 4 feet—the largest living tortoise in the worl. These extremely rare animals are only found in the wild in the islands of Galapagos, west of the South American country Ecuador. The naturalist Charles Darwin studied these magnificent creatures during his trip to the Galapagos Islands and today has been one of the most adored creatures of the Earth.

          However, their population is decreasing slowly. Their status is vulnerable, and the last Pinta Island Galapagos Tortoise about the age of 100 years died at the Charles Darwin Research Station. What can cause such major impact? Invasive species introduced to the islands are taking up their resources. Domestic cats and dogs sometimes prey upon the baby tortoises. Domestic cattle and other farm animals graze the grass the Galapagos Tortoises need to eat and cover for hiding their nests from predators. Whalers, merchants, and on some occasions, pirates slaughter the tortoise for its meat.

         All these are causing the Galapagos Tortoises to slowly disappear. But you can help! You could:

1. Tell someone
2. Write an article in the newspaper
3. Start a petition to help them
4. Donate to the Charles Darwin Research Center and other organizations.
5. Boycott the Galapagos Tortoise meat.

Help the Galapagos Tortoise!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Crisp Pillow Coral!

Help the Crisp Pillow Coral!

Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the crisp pillow coral. The crisp pillow coral has an unusual look to it. Because of their intricate ridges around their round shape, they look much like a human brain (not to confuse with brain coral). They live in colonies together and grow up to twenty centimeters tall. What makes the crisp pillow coral so unique is that it is the only species in its genus (Anomastraea). Their polyps have many small tentacles that grab for food around them in the water. Their range is around the East coast of Africa, a small coastal area around Southern Asia, around some small islands and Madagascar, and waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula.

Despite its brilliant uniqueness, the crisp pillow coral is endangered. Currently, the IUCN declared it vulnerable. Reasons for its increasing disappearance is all because of global warming, a man-made issue.  The rising heat causes coral bleaching, which means vital algae for the colonies is taken away. Now, the corals are vulnerable to harmful diseases. Destructive storms caused by climate change damages the coral reefs, leaving only few to survive. Pollution, fishing, human activity, and invasive species introduced by people also participate in the declining population. A species of starfish preys primarily on the crisp pillow coral because of loss of other coral reefs, due to climate change and global warming.

However, there are many ways for you to help. You could:

1. Spread the word. Tell people about the crisis.
2. Stop polluting the earth. Use less fossil fuel and save electricity.
3. If you snorkel/reef often, try not to damage the coral reefs.
4. Start a petition and get people to sign it.

Help the crisp pillow coral!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL 

Help the Killer Whales!

Help the Killer Whales!

    Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the killer whales. Killer whales, or orcas, are actually in the dolphin group, but still are whales (because the suborder with dolphins belong in the whale order). These orcas are what many people consider majestic, but many people still believe that these gentle creatures are murderers, and no they do not randomly attack. Since the killer whale is a large species, they have a large diet. The organisms in their food include squids, seals, seabirds, and sometimes, whales. Each pod of killer whales have a distinct communication call, so a mother killer whale can easily contact back with her baby.

    Currently, it is unsure by scientists if the orca whale is endangered. However, it is believed by some that their population is decreasing and they one day will be extinct. The main reasons of a declining population would be most likely habitat loss and decrease in food source. The habitat loss is likely to be cause by pollution because of human activities. The trash we give out pollutes the ocean, making it sometimes unable to live in. The food source also can be because of climate change, again, caused by humans. The warmth of the ocean waters can cause some organisms to migrate to different areas of the ocean, which causes some of the prey that the killer whale depends on to migrate also. Soon, they would have no more food left.

    There are many ways for you to help. You could:

1. Spread the word. Tell someone.
2. Start a petition and get people to sign it.
3. Stop using so much fossil fuel. Try walking or biking for a change.
4. Pollute less and start picking up more trash.

Help the killer whales!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Atlantic Cod!

Help the Atlantic Cod!

         Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Atlantic Cod. The Atlantic Cod was once an abundant species of fish. The Atlantic Cod has a tannish-gold color with yellow fins that shine in the water. There long, slender body could easily be seen in the high waters because of their beautiful glinting color. This fish was traded and sold widely in markets, even the colonial times during the seventeenth century. The fish was so plentiful the people back then didn’t bother of conserving the Atlantic cod.

          However, the present day has a lack of Atlantic cods in the world. The Atlantic cod is currently endangered and scientists believe that they will soon be extinct. Organizations helping this species of fish agreed to make an Atlantic cod fish watch, which means that fishermen can make sure they aren’t fishing too much of them. People are working to keep the Atlantic cod thriving so they will be soon hunted as food once more, but not too much to endanger them again. 

          There are many ways to help the Atlantic cod. You could:

1.     Limit eating so much Atlantic cod if you already.

2.    Try eating a different species of fish that is more abundant in the oceans.

3.    Donate to organizations that help this fish, such as NOAA.

4.    Spread the word about the Atlantic cod.

5.    Boycott foods with the Atlantic cod.

6.    Start a petition and get people to sign it.

Help the Atlantic cod!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Bluefin Tuna!

Help the Bluefin Tuna!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about the Bluefin Tuna. The Bluefin Tuna is a type of oceanic fish that is endangered since the past few decades. The three species of Bluefin Tuna are Atlantic, Pacific and South. The Atlantic is the most endangered type of Bluefin Tuna. They swim really fast and dive thousands of feet down. They make the ocean unique. However, because of us, they are declining.

          In Japanese restaurants, the Bluefin Tuna is a popular food for sushi and sashimi. They are eminent for their indescribable taste in seafood.  But they’re just seafood. But an important factor is that they are an important predator for fish in the ocean. They balance the system of the fish food chain. Without them, the food chain would be corrupted.

          Because people love the Bluefin Tuna so much, fishermen overfish and pirate fish (illegal fishing) the Bluefin Tuna. Because of the overfishing, the Tuna have become endangered. All three species of Bluefin Tuna are declining. Everyday, the population for the Bluefin Tuna decreases. Eventually, the population will be down to 0.

          But there are ways to help them. You could:

1. Donate. The Ocean Foundation started a fund called the Tag-a-Giant Fund. It’s about helping the Bluefin Tuna.

Link: https://www.oceanfdn.org/donate?project=tagagiant-fund

2. Start a petition. Get people to sign it.
3. Spread the word. Tell people about the Bluefin Tuna crisis.
4. Stop eating so much Bluefin Tuna. You might not know it, but in Japanese restaurants, they serve many dishes with Bluefin Tuna. Also, don’t buy their meat at the markets all the time.
5. If you fish the Bluefin Tuna, don’t! They need your help, and you could make a difference.

Help the Bluefin Tuna! They deserve to live on this planet!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the dolphins!

Help the Dolphins!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about the dolphins. Dolphins are many people’s favorite animal. In fact, it is one of Victori’s favorite animals too. But we might not see them in the future. Some species of dolphins are extinct!

          The first reasons some dolphins are becoming extinct is because of bycatch. Fishermen accidentally catch them into their nets. And the fishermen were just trying to catch some tuna!  

          Another reason is dolphin food. In some places, people serve dolphin seafood. You probably don’t eat dolphin seafood, but it happens in Japan and the Japanese government allows it. Yes, they serve dolphin sushi!

          The third reason is because of pollution. You see a surf dude throw a water bottle onto the shore. But soon, the waves come up and splash the beach. Then poof! Water bottle gone. Dolphins usually eat the trash, including plastic bags, soda cans, and other objects. The pollution also increases the acidity level in the water. And dolphins live in the water! Also, when people ride on boats, the propeller could scrape the dolphin.

          There are many ways to help. You could:

1. Stop littering! In fact, don’t litter at all.
2. Start a petition
3. Spread the word
4. Pick up trash
5. Donate to charities

All these ways could help dolphins all the time! Help the dolphins!

-Idea=Gift=Love IGL

Help the marine mammals!

Help the Marine Mammals!

       Hello, this is IGL and this topic is about helping marine mammals. Every year marine mammals are caught from the ocean and brought to entertainment parks. They are ripped from their natural lives and brought to a prison for them.

          The tanks for marine mammals are too small and they need natural ocean water. These marine mammals of course do not enjoy performing their awkward dance moves. They could never realize how it would be like living in the habitat they are supposed to be in.

          You could help in just small ways but could do a lot. You could:

1. Spread the Word
2. Stop swimming with dolphins
3. Stop watching aqua parks

These ways could help in so much benefit. Help the marine mammals!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Stop the Canadian Seal Hunt!

Stop the Canadian Seal Hunt!

          Hello, this is IGL and this topic is about stopping the Canadian Seal Hunt. Every year the Canadian government orders fishermen to kill thousands of seal pups. They sometimes kill them by beating them, using guns, or using the traditional hakapiks.

          Seals are killed for their fur and oil. Their bodies are left on the ice to rot. The population of seals is decreasing because of the Canadian Seal Hunt. Stop this cruel hunt now! You could:

1. Boycott (along with Ke$ha as to early 2013)
2. Spread the word
3. Help foundations and organizations that are against the Canadian Seal Hunt

Help save the Canadian seals and stop the Canadian Seal Hunt!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL