Sea•thos Foundation

Robb Havassy paints the way a perfect wave breaks: smooth, controlled lines that are as gentle as they are strong.

It’s not hard to tell that Havassy, 42, takes most his inspiration from the ocean. Growing up in Southern California and graduating from UC Irvine with a degree in Psychology, Havassy didn’t begin his painting career until his late 20s. But his love for the ocean immediately began coming  through in his style and subject matter. The majority of his work is focuses on ocean landscapes and surfers, and he has been known to paint on driftwood and surfboards in leu of canvas.

Throughout his career, Havassy has maintained a strong alliance with surf culture. An avid surfer himself, he’s collaborated with several industry giants such as Hurley and Reef and has also put on countless art showings in conjunction with surfing events.

“I’m inspired by the ocean, surf, people and beauty that surrounds me when I’m home painting and enjoying my time with family and friends or traveling the globe gathering inspiration,” said Havassy in describing his recent apparel line. “This entire collection is built for those like me who are inspired by art, an active lifestyle and whose lives reflect an awareness and sensitivity to socially and environmentally relevant issues.”

Havassy has also done his part to give back to the ocean that has influenced him so much. He’s helped raise over $200,000 dollars in art donations and other charitable work, partnering with groups such as Heal the Bay, Surf Aid International and Surfrider Foundation.

To check out more of Robb Havassy’s work, read about upcoming events, and order prints, head on over to his website.

 

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When seen from below the water, surfers and swimmers are mistaken for sea turtles by sharks, and the splashing of water entices them to attack. A new 3d device known as the Electronic Shark Defense System (ESDS) may enable surfers and other ocean goers to enjoy the ocean without fearing sharks.

Attached to a surfer’s ankle, the device sends electonic pulses through the water which are detected by a shark’s sensory system. The electronic pulses interefere with the gel in a shark’s nose and keeps them out of the signal area.

The device  turns on automatically when in water, lasts up to 9 hours before recharging, and weighs only 7 pounds.

ESDS was envisioned by the owner of Z to A Innovation,Wilson Vinano, Jr.- a long time Honolulu surfer who wants to ensure that waters are safe. The product was given a 3D system and made ready for the market by 3D innovations.

Viano said, “From the extreme testing that was conducted, we know this device works and keeps sharks away from the user.”

ESDS has entered the market and is selling in the United States for $299 without a leash and $335 with a leash. A similar device in Australia is selling for over $700.

So far, there is no information suggesting that the device is harmful to sharks.

To learn more about ESDS, visit 3D Innovations.com

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On Monday, the National Park Service announced that single-use plastic bottles will no longer be sold within the Grand Canyon National Park. The ban will go into effect within the next 30 days as the park’s vendors use up their remaining supply.

A similar effort was thwarted in late 2010, when park officials balked at a potential ban due to pressure from Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola, who owns the Dasani water brand and has donated over $13 million dollars to the parks, expressed concerns over the implementation of a straight ban rather than increased recycling programs.

The park has already begun the construction of additional water filling stations for reusable bottles.

Plastic bottles are said to make up 20% of the waste within the Grand Canyon National Park, as well as 30% of it’s recyclables. In addition to waste within the parks, plastic bottles often end up in the ocean by way of the Colorado River. Another example of how plastic, even when sourced from hundreds of miles inland, is a major contributor to marine pollution.

Check out the Seathos store to purchase a reusable bottle for your next trip to the Grand Canyon!

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Little Blue Penguin

Scientific name: Eudyptula minor

Fun Facts: The Little Blue Penguin, also known as Fairy Penguin and Little Penguin, is the smallest penguin species in the world!

It grows to only 13 inches in height, 17 inches in length, and on average weighs only 3.3 pounds!

While typically only diving up to 2 meters and for 21 seconds, the Little Penguin can dive as deep as 20 meters and can stay under water for as long as 60 seconds!

Home: The Little Blue Penguin breeds along the coast of New Zealand, the Chatham Islands, and southern Australia.
Populations have also been reported in certain areas of Chile and South Africa.

Physical Features: Like all penguins, the Little Blue Penguin has flippers instead of wings. Their belly is white while their head and back side are a grayish blue. Their feet are pink with black soles and webbing.

Behavior: Little Blue Penguins are no stranger to the ocean. They spend all day at sea from sunrise to hunting into the evening, but they also spend time on land.

Little Blue Penguins live in large year-long colonies. The female penguin matures at 2 years old and the male matures at 3 years old.

Each mating partner makes burrows on land to raise their chicks. Partners remain faithful to each other only during breeding seasons.

The Little Penguin has a long life span for a sea bird, living up to 6.5 years in the wild and up to 25 years in captivity.
 
Food: Little Penguins swim and dive extensively to hunt for fish, squid and other small sea creatures.

Conservation status: Fortunately, their conservation status is at the “least concern” level which means that they are not endangered!  There are roughly 350,000-600,000 little penguins world wide.

Predators, including cats, dogs, and reptiles, are their biggest threat. Many measures are taken to protect colonies of little blue penguins from predators such as using sheepdogs to ward off foxes and wild dogs.

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Over the course of the last three weeks, 129 common and Atlantic white sided dolphins have stranded themselves in the shallow waters of Massachusetts’ Cape Cod Bay.

Beachings are common this time of year, yet the volume of dolphins stranded this past month is staggering. On average, between December and March, roughly 230 marine mammals (dolphins, whales, seals, etc.) strand themselves over a 700 mile stretch between Cape Cod and Rhode Island. In just a month’s time, this particular event has led to over 100 dolphin beachings along 20 miles of coastline.

While no clear explanation has been offered, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has hinted that stress caused by human impact may be partly to blame for incidents such as this. Other factors such as changes in tidal activity and weather play a significant role in the beachings.

Backed by the IFAW, a huge rescue effort is underway to save these dolphins. Over 300 volunteers have made their way to Cape Cod Bay, working tirelessly to safely transport the animals back to the ocean. However, the IFAW is already running out of the allocated budget it has for funding such efforts. This past Friday, Katie Moore, the manager of marine animal rescue and research for the IFAW and head of the organization’s Cape Cod Stranding Network, stood before Congress and made a case for federal assistance.

“We’ve already depleted about half of our budget for the year and we still have 11 months left in 2012,” said Moore, “We’ve seen half as many animals strand themselves this month as we usually do in an entire year.”

Moore’s meeting with Congress was hosted by congressman Edward Markey (D-MA) who released a statement urging congress to act on this marine tragedy.

“Dolphins are recognized as intelligent creatures and something troubling and tragic is occurring in Massachusetts’ waters and on her beaches,” said the congressman. “That’s why we need to give our best scientists and rescuers all the resources they need so they can apply their intelligence to discovering the cause of these deaths and save as many dolphins as is possible.”

While scientists scramble to find an answer to why such an elevated number of dolphins are stranding themselves, volunteers continue to work around the clock. Despite their efforts, 75 animals have died already, with 37 being successfully released back into deeper waters.

To keep up to date and for ways to get involved, check out the IFAW’s website.

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Florida Everglades

In honor of World Wetlands Day, today’s “Places to Sea” is, fittingly, a wetland.

The Florida Everglades cover more than 4,300 square miles of the southern tip of Florida. Stretching from the state’s Gulf Coast to the Atlantic, it is an immense ecosystem consisting of forests, marshes, swamps and coastal wetlands.

A designated “Wetland of International Importance,” the area is home to a wide array of wildlife including panthers, crocodiles, alligators, snakes, manatees and over 350 bird species.

While the Everglades are primarily comprised of inland, non-tidal wetlands, they are bordered by two large coastal wetlands, the Ten Thousand Islands and Florida Bay. The Ten Thousand Islands rest on the National Park’s westernmost edge, along the Gulf of Mexico. The chain of islands, numbering more in the hundreds rather than “thousands” as the name suggests, is largely uninhabited and home to a National Wildlife Refuge.

Florida Bay, on the Atlantic coast, is a shallow bay (only 4-5 feet deep on average) full of mangrove trees and lush sea grass. The sea floor itself is lined with coral and sponge. Sea turtles and manatees are common marine residents of the 800 square mile bay.

Due to factors such as climate change and human impacts (pollution and development), the Everglades are currently undergoing a restoration project to improve the overall health of this expansive wetland. Approved in 2000, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP) has pledged an estimated 9.5 billion dollars in restoration efforts, which focus on redirecting fresh water to dryer marshes and bogs within the park.

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