"Evening for the Oceans"!!

[oceanXplorer]

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Hey All,

The following is an invitation to a super fun event for a great cause in Key West on June 10th. Check it out and if you have any questions, let me know..

Ben

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JOIN OCEANA FOR AN “EVENING FOR THE OCEANS”​

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CALLING ALL DIVERS, SAILORS, FISHERMAN, SWIMMERS, BIRDERS, AND LOVERS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS AND THE OCEANS!​

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Join Oceana, one of the world’s premier ocean conservation organizations, for an evening of education, community, and fun as we join forces to work together for the protection of our oceans. ​

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We’ll supply the food, drinks, and opportunities to make a difference – you supply yourself and a desire to meet others who care about our Oceans and ocean habitats and ecosystems.​

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Who: Oceana and our friends and allies in the Florida Keys

What: “An Evening for the Oceans” – Fun, community, education, activism!

When: Sunday June 10th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm

Where: Doubletree Grand Key Resort
3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd. Key West, FL 33040
Phone: 800-222-8733 or 305-293-1818

Why: It’s time that those of us who care about healthy oceans gathered together to act on our passions and concerns. This gathering is an opportunity to meet others, learn more, and make a difference as the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meets in Key West the week of June 11th to discuss issues that all of us care about including protecting the vast and mysterious deep water ecosystems of the South Atlantic.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:​

SUZANNE GARRETT, Policy Fellow & Dive Program Coordinator,​

MARGOT STILES, Marine Scientist & SE Region Coordinator, or ​

DAVE ALLISON, Campaign Director ​

202-833-3900​

The Issue: In the deep waters of the South Atlantic Ocean amazing and diverse coral and sponge ecosystems have been untouched by man, until now. For thousands of years these mysterious and wondrous places have held secrets of the deep oceans and provided a living link to the oceans of the past. Now increasing pressure from bottom trawling is threatening and destroying these places. We are losing ecosystems we barely understand as bottom trawls destroy what nature spent centuries creating. Oceana is working with divers, recreational fisherman, academic researchers, and those who love wild and free oceans to protect deep water coral and sponge ecosystems. Oceana is mounting a campaign to pressure the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council to do the right thing and protect these special places from destructive bottom trawling. Weneed your help to ensure that deep water ecosystems are protected for the future of our oceans.

The Solution: A Fishery Ecosystem Plan in the Southeast

The South Atlantic Council is preparing to vote on coral protection and an overall Fishery Ecosystem Plan that limits the use of destructive fishing gear such as bottom trawls and dredges.

What You Can Do:
·[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Visit Oceana’s party on Sunday and then attend the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council “Hospitality Event” the evening of Monday June 11th (probably around 6:00pm) to speak informally with Council members regarding these issues. The Hospitality Event will be held in the Doubletree Grand Key Resort as part of the June 11th - 15th Council Meeting in Key West.

• Please help us by writing to George Geiger of Florida, the Council Chair and ask him to:

1. Adopt the Fishery Ecosystem Plan and Comprehensive Amendment in 2007
2. Protect the seafloor from trawling in areas identified as Coral HAPC and Snapper Grouper EFH
3. Limit exploration with destructive fishing gear by establishing Allowable Bottom Trawl Areas

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Chairman Geiger, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council​

4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201
North Charleston, SC 29405​

Email: chancesarecharters@juno.com​