Oceans 4Ever

Happy 2010, ocean lovers!

We’ve been away too long, and have missed everyone in the ocean blogging community. But new year, new blog and we’re ready to get splashing again!

Alexa has a thing for Belugas. So, naturally, when we found out that Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is about to introduce their Beluga calf to the world this Sunday, January 24th, at Shedd’s new Oceanarium, (which we visited the day it opened last May) we had to share.

The five-foot four, 185-pound calf, the fifth successful Beluga birth for the Shedd, was born to Pujii (poo-EE-jee) on December 14.  He meets his public this Sunday, and will continue bonding with Mom, nursing and interacting with “roomies” Naya, Mauyak and Shedd’s 24-hour marine mammal team for everyone to see.

Starting TODAY through March 12, visit the Shedd website (above) for a special coupon to bring your babies to meet this baby and get one free child pass with the purchase of an adult pass to the Shedd.

Witness his entry into the world, aka birth,  here:

Let us know if you go! He’ll be in the water waiting for you Sunday at Noon CST in the “Icy North” in Shedd’s Oceanarium. Send us your baby Beluga pics and we’ll post them up here.

And be sure to follow his baby Beluga steps on Shedd’s interactive animal page.

Up next: get crazy with us tomorrow for a very exciting Freaky Fish Friday. You won’t be disappointed (even if you don’t know Japanese)!

Who cares if it’s almost Tuesday? Today’s MADM urges you to put your favorite ocean champion in the spotlight by nominating him or her for Oceana’s Ocean Heroes Award.

Now through May 8th, you can nominate yourself or someone you know who you think exemplifies an ocean do-gooder, and help Oceana celebrate World Ocean Day (June 8).

Oceana experts will choose the list of finalists for the award, and voters may cast their votes between May 18th and 31st. There is no age limit for nominees.

Oceana will announce the first, second and third-place winners June 8th.

Splash on over to Oceana’s nomination page and put forth your candidate now.

Happy Earth Day, everyone!

Since we’ve opened the week by talking about ocean threats as part of Earth Week on O4E, we’d like to add another to the pile. This may seem needlessly depressing, but we’re doing so because anyone can help the problem of ocean, or marine debris, as it’s also called, by being mindful every day in very simple ways.

We think everyone should do it.

Hey, it’s a start. So let’s get started!

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration put together this brief video as an overview of marine debris. Look for the mention of a popular sea creature who’s being directly affected by debris, one who you’ll see a lot more of this week on O4E.

Let’s Get Kids Involved

Kids can help, too!

Teachers and parents, get started teaching kids about this problem by downloading the NOAA’s marine debris program’s activity book, which is available in both a printable and screen-only version.

You can also download a basic marine debris facts sheet, a land-based debris sources fact sheet a fishing and a boating fact sheet, along with many more resources on the marine debris site (linked above).

Let’s go right now!!

Tell us how you are making a difference for ocean health this Earth Day by leaving a comment on this post.