H ALIBUT HERALD

November 7, 2008

Bits and Bites

Wonders of the Microscopic World

Brainbow’ Transgenic Mouse Hippocampus Crystallized Mixture of Resorcinol, Methylene

Blue and Sulphur

Pleurosigma (Marine Diatoms) Recrystallized Vitamin C

On October 16, respected imaging magnate, Nikon, announced this year’s Small World Competition winners. Top entrants
ranged from lab-dwelling experts in light microscopy to hobbyists keen on the tiny side of life. Submissions, numbering near two-
thousand, included magnified glimpses of slugs, crustaceans, algae, and even a CD case, artistically showcasing the invisible
wonder hidden within earth’s natural and manufactured ecoverse.
READ ON/MORE PICS HERE: http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/wonders-microscopic-world/3275
The Coolest Apartment Block on Earth

Viennese artist, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, has designed what has become one of the more unique and
visually stimulating buildings in the world. With over 1000 unique windows, individualized handles on windows
and doors, a living roof, café, parking garage, restaurant, bar, playground, and a running stream, the
Waldspirale in Darmstadt, Germany is an architectural wonder. Upon first glance, second and third, one is
simply enchanted and astonished.

The apartment building contains 105 apartments, with no two windows alike. The overall design
follows Hundertwasser’s dogma ‘gegen die gerade linie’ (against the straight line), and its off-
center placement of windows is aptly described as ‘aus der reihe tanzen (dancing out of line).
Each of has a personality of their own, and no two are alike. A ‘green’ roof, including varied plant
species, beech, maple and lime trees, a grand selection of deciduous shrubs and a bed of grass,
crown this organic architectural masterpiece. And, within the courtyard, a running stream gently
trickles through a children’s playground.
READ ON: http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/coolest-apartment-on-earth/2541

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Blue Planet: Copenhagen’s Amazing New Aquarium

Inspired by the swirling

currents of the ocean, a new
state-of-the-art aquarium
due to open in Copenhagen
is modelled on a giant
whirlpool, giving one the
opportunity to view marine life
in its element. But are we
witnessing a new breed of
environmental
entertainment?
The building is based around a
central ‘round room’ around which
different sequences of rooms ‘whirl’,
each with its own unique journey into
the murky depths. What is most
striking is the care taken over the
design’s integration into its
surroundings and context: a giant
glass ceiling refracts shimmering
patches of light onto the walls, giving
the impression of being underwater.
The feeling is heightened by the fact
that to look up is to acknowledge
that one is effectively at the bottom
of a deep whirlpool.

Movement through the building is,

like water, not static but instead
directed by a strong current - the
lack of boundaries between different
sections even reflects the perceived
unity the oceans of the earth share.
Approaching on the ground, one will
experience the building as floating in
a circular reflection pool and a walk
through its interior is a travel through several organic worlds. The vast beauty of the marine world is here
displayed with a respect for its natural state.
READ ON: http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/the-blue-planet-copenhagens-amazing-new-
aquarium/1400

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CHIANG MAI ZOO - Aquarium Shuts Temporarily After Official Opening
CHIANG MAI Technical
glitches have forced the new
600-million-baht aquarium at
the Chiang Mai zoo to close
temporarily only a day after its
official opening on Sunday. Zoo
director Thanapat Pongpamorn
said the aquarium was ordered
closed yesterday after it was
found that water in the
aquarium was too muddy
because the water treatment
system was not working
properly. Besides, an automatic
ticket vending machine developed problems and needed to be reprogrammed, he added.

The aquarium opened its doors to visitors on Sunday after an opening ceremony presided over by Prime
Minister Somchai Wongsawat. Claiming to be the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, it is a joint collaboration
between the Zoological Park Organisation and MarineScape (Thailand).

Roj Thuwanasin, chairman of MarineScape, explained that the water was muddy because it was being pumped
in from a natural water source. The treatment machine was not working fast enough, he said. Staff are fixing the
problems and the aquarium is expected to reopen on Nov 15, Mr Roj said.
 More than 50 ticket-holders were turned back and refunded.

Located on a 10-rai plot in the sprawling zoo, the aquarium takes up a space of 13,895 square metres and is
4.5 metres deep, with a holding capacity of 8,000 cubic litres of water. It houses more than 8,000 aquatic
animals of 250 fresh and sea water species kept in two separate compartments. It also features a 133-metre-
long tunnel - the world's longest. Its construction started four years ago during the Thaksin Shinawatra
administration.

More News Links

How To Heat Up Your Room Using Just a Candle:
Kandle Heeter!
http://www.greenoptimistic.com/2008/11/06/candle-room-heater/

Featured in the WWF Newsletter

READ ON: http://assets.wwfca.panda.org/downloads/livingplanetfall2008.pdf

The Cute Show: Baby Walrus, Brooklyn NYC

Video Short:
http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1478198709

Belugas in Japan Aquarium

Video Short:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCAUleX5h8A
&feature=email
Marine Mammal Rescue Update
Look how big I am!
Daisy, the porpoise, is
no longer on a 24 hour
watch, Yay
everyone!! We have
slowly been extending
her feeding schedule to
allow her, and us, some
free/resting time at night
without
feeding. We have
successfully extended
this time to 8 hours. Our
lil’ girl is growing up! She
is still being fed every 2
hours during the day and
seems to be really
benefiting from "sleep
mode" time at night by
showing us how active
she can be during the
day. Because of her
huge strides in health
and weight gain, now
almost 26 kgs, she will
no longer need extensive observations done. Staff are now doing her observations a few times a day and
monitoring her status.
In addition to her increased activity and weigh, she has now started the “weaning” from formula to whole fish!
With assistance from our staff, she is being given one small herring five times a day in just prior to her tube
feeding. This will slowly increase over the next couple months.
She still enjoys getting visitors so that they can toss around her toys and give her belly and flippers a rub. If any
of you would like to visit Daisy, please feel free to give us a call (604-258-7325) to let us know when, and come
on down and toss her noodle for her to she soooo loves!
Marine Mammal Rescue Staff
(Picture Courtesy of MMR volunteer Zzachry Charland-Snow)

Library
New Journals/Magazines/Newsletters:
Conservation; 9(4) Oct. – Dec. 08
National Geographic; November 2008
Natural History; November 2008
Nature: 2Oct2008
Science and Children; 46(3) November 2008
Wildlife Conservation; 111(6) November 2008

New Books:
A Complete Guide to Arctic Wildlife by Richard Sale (2006) – Available for in-library use only
Back to Nature Guide to Tanganyika Cichlids 2nd edition by Al Konings (2005)
Back to nature Guide to Malawi Cichlids 2nd edition by Al Konings (2003)
Fishes: An Introduction to Ichthyology – 5th edition by Moyle and Cech (2004)
Lake Victoria Basin Cichlids: a Complete Pet Owner’s Manual by Smith
The Cichlid Fishes: Nature’s Grand Experiment in Evolution by Barlow (2000)
Arctic Dream by Lopez (1986)

New Movies:
Black Coffee: a Documentary of the Unique and Volatile History of Coffee; 2005
The World According to Monsanto: From Dioxin to Genetically Modified Crops, a Multinational with Your Interest
at Heart, NFB (2008).

Archival Photo

Splasher, Terry McLeod 1966-67

Green Team
Sustainability Challenge!
Enter to win great prizes!!!

Participate in Ocean Wise month by eating at an Ocean Wise restaurant! Bring in your
receipt(s) to win great prizes - $100 gift certificates for an Ocean Wise restaurant,
as well as an Ocean-friendly cook book. Drop off your November receipts in the Green
Team suggestion box in the Lounge. Please highlight the Ocean Wise item you ordered,
and write your name and extension (or email) on the back of the receipt. The prize
draw will happen during the first week of December.

Look for a restaurant: http://www.vanaqua.org/oceanwise/

Presented by The Green Team and Ocean Wise

******************************

November is Ocean Wise Month

Dining out can make a world of difference!

Help us spread the word and celebrate sustainable seafood this

November with our 1st Annual Ocean Wise Month!

A number of Ocean Wise events are happening this month, so be

sure to visit the Ocean Wise website at:
www.vanaqua.org/oceanwise

In addition you will notice Ocean Wise themed gallery

programming, activities, shows and other activities throughout
the aquarium.

Ocean Wise Month Dine-out is

happening throughout the BC
Lower Mainland giving diners the
chance to win 52 Ocean Wise
restaurant gift-certificates, simply by choosing the Ocean Wise
identified menu item from participating Ocean Wise Month
restaurants.

Note: Staff and their immediate family of Vancouver Aquarium

and participating Ocean Wise restaurants can not enter the Dine-
out draw. However the Green Team and Ocean Wise are having a
Vancouver Aquarium staff only Ocean Wise Month draw – the
prizes? $100 gift certificate to Chambar and a sustainable
seafood cookbook! Enter by bringing in your receipt from any
Ocean Wise restaurant during November (ballot box is the
“Green Team Feedback” box in the Level 2 AquaQuest
lunchroom).
1st Annual BC Sustainable Seafood Chowder Competition

Thanks to
everyone who
helped and came
out to support the
Ocean Wise
chowder cook-off
on Monday. It
was a fantastic
success! The
finalists were:

William Tse,
Goldfish Pacific
Kitchen
Jonathan
Boerboom, Nu
Restaurant
Jack Eng,
Coast Plaza
Hotel
Quang Dang, C
Restaurant
Ross
Johnston,
Fairmont
Waterfront
Hotel

The judging was

very close! We
are excited to
announce the
winner was Chef
Quang Dang
from our
founding Ocean
Wise partner
restaurant, C
Restaurant!
Chef Dang will
be working with
Raincoast
Trading to
develop his
winning Smoked
Sablefish
Chowder into a
canned product.
Look out for the
canned product
next year at
your local IGA,
Capers and
Nesters stores!
 “Green Bite” Ocean Wise Month Fact:

AVOID POND FARMED BLACK TIGER PRAWNS

Mangrove forests are among the most threatened habitats in the world. They may be disappearing more quickly than inland tropical rainforests, and
so far, with little public notice!

Today, less than half the world's original mangrove forest cover remains. As much as 50% percent of mangrove destruction in recent years has
been due to clear cutting for shrimp farms.

Mangrove deforestation by shrimp farms are contributing to both environmental and socio-economic issues:

• fisheries declines due to loss of vital habitat including nursery grounds, shelter (including loss of sustenance fisheries for local communities,
which in the undeveloped world is quite often their only protein source)
• pollution and degradation of clean water supplies
• salinization of coastal soils
• erosion and land subsidence (as seen with the 2004 tsunami)
• release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Boom and Bust Industry & Exponential Expansion

About 3.7 million acres of tropical coastal mangroves have been converted to shrimp farms, destroying important habitat for fish, birds and people.
So much waste builds up in the farm ponds that the farmers have to move on, leaving the water polluted and mangrove forests destroyed and the
land sterile. Meanwhile, the previous destructive patterns predominately found in Asia - both environmental and social - continue to be repeated in
the "new frontier" shrimp countries of Latin America, Africa & the Pacific Islands.

Consumer Demand
- The Number 1
Seafood Item in
North America!

The fate of
remaining mangrove
forests now rests in
the hands of these
consumers from
wealthy nations
which import these
luxury shrimp
products. Since a
highly profitable and
expanding market is the driving force behind the shrimp industry, a worldwide reduction in consumer demand for unsustainable farmed shrimp is
called for.

What can you do?

Change consumer demand and choose Ocean Wise! Support sustainable prawn practices and choose ocean-friendly prawns such
as BC trap-caught spot prawns.
Find out more about which prawns to buy: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?gid=20

And remember to support your local Ocean Wise restaurant!

www.oceanwisecanada.org
Bike to Work Week is Back!!! November 17-23
The VACC wants to help you and
your workplace make the move
from fair-weather cycling to all-
weather cycling! Get your
workplace team together and
start logging your commutes
now. Log your commutes from
November 17th to 23rd and win
great prizes!

http://www.vacc.bc.ca/index.php?task=btw2.main

******************************
Ride-Sharing for Employees of the Vancouver Aquarium

The Vancouver Aquarium has its very own Ride Share site for Aquarium employees! Jack Bell
Ride-Share allows you to find ride matches with coworkers to fill your personal car, find a driver
to carpool with, or use a Jack Bell fleet vehicle! This calculates both costs and greenhouse gas
savings at the same time!

Registration is restricted to email addresses ending in @vanaqua.org. Register today!

1. Go to http://vanaqua.ride-share.com/en/my/
2. Register for free with your @vanaqua.org email address
3. Enter your home address
4. Search for matching commuters with adjustable search options
5. Click matching commuters to suggest a ride-share
6. Start ride-sharing!

Quick Tip:

Did you know that approximately 45% of commuters in Metro Vancouver travel alone in their
vehicles? Ridesharing with just 1 other person would eliminate over 1 million cars a day crossing
in and out of Metro Vancouver. This is equivalent to 1.6 million litres of gas saved, and 4000
tonnes of greenhouse gases not emitted.

Other sustainable modes of transportation:

Don’t forget, every day is a good day to walk, bike, or swim to the Aquarium! Did you know that
the Vancouver Aquarium has shower and locker facilities as well as secure bike storage for
cyclists? Secure bike storage is found on the east side of the building near the Grounds office,
and the shower and locker facilities are in the washrooms on the 1st floor (basement) of
Aquaquest.
Events
 ***********************************************
BC TOURISM INDUSTRY AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Do you know of a tourism business practicing industry excellence? Be sure to nominate them in one of the nine
categories for the 10th Annual BC Tourism Industry Awards. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and
award presentations will take place during the BC Tourism Industry Conference on February 12, 2009 in
Vancouver.
Award categories:

· Tourism industry leader of the year · Tourism media

· Best tourism marketing campaign · SuperHost® customer service
· Environmentally responsible tourism · Technology in tourism
· Foresight sustainability award · Employees first
· Sport tourism community legacy
Find award nomination forms and criteria on Tourism BC's corporate website at www.tourismbc.com. Previous
nominees may resubmit as appropriate. Deadline for nominations is November 28
***********************************************
16th Annual BC Marine Mammal Symposium
Saturday, November 29, 2008 – 9:30am – 5:00pm
Sponsored by the UBC Marine Mammal Research Unit and Whale Watch
Operators Association Northwest
University of British Columbia Science Visualization Room; Ground Floor, Aquatic Ecosystem Research
Laboratory (AERL); 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6T 1Z4; Telephone: (604) 822-8181

Registration fee:

· Advanced: $0 (pre-register by Nov 21: (consortium@zoology.ubc.ca)

· Late: $5 (cash only at the door)

Join us for presentations as well as discussion on issues that concern us all.

This meeting is open to researchers, educators and businesses involved with marine
mammals and anyone in one or more of these categories is welcome to attend.

Please email Pamela Rosenbaum @ consortium@zoology.ubc.ca before November 21, 2008,

to indicate that you plan to attend. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, but we need to know
how many people to plan for. There will also be a social evening (6:00-9:00 pm) where beer and pizza can be
purchased.

The Agenda will be distributed at the meeting. Please email Pamela Rosenbaum @
consortium@zoology.ubc.ca
before November 21, 2008 if you would like to make a five minute presentation about your research.
Longer presentations on topics of general interest are welcomed. We would also like to know
if there are any issues that should be discussed by the group at large.

We look forward to hearing from you and you seeing at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2008

***********************************************
The Vancouver Aquarium
connection is that Marcel
Gijssen, BC Waters Aquarium
Biologist, rode along on part of
the journey.

The Long Road North is a film

playing as a part of the
Vancouver International
Mountain Film Festival. It is the
beautifully shot, fascinating and
funny story of Gwendal
Castelan's bicycle journey from
Patagonia to the Canadian
Arctic. The film was an official
selection of the Vancouver DOXA
Documentary Film Festival, nominated for "Best of the Fest" award at France's Strasbourg Film Festival,
and received the Audience Choice Award at the Townsend film festival.

This is a great film and it is about "green travel" at its best. It will be shown on Nov. 20th, 7 pm (doors at 6), at
the Centennial Theatre, 2300 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver. Tickets: $15 in advance, $17 at the door,
available at the Theatre (604 984-4484) and at www.vimff.org. For more info and previews:
http://www.longroadnorth.com/