pull! push! Adventures in Internet land :-)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
And In Other News...
Clue search after Thai air crash
"At least 88 people were killed when the aircraft, operated by a Thai budget airline, skidded off a runway in heavy rain on the southern island of Phuket." [via BBC NEWS]
Family tribute to (Colin) McRae and son
"Mr McRae, 39, his son Johnny, friend Ben Porcelli, 6, and Graeme Duncan, 37, died following a helicopter crash in Lanarkshire on Saturday." [via BBC NEWS]
Alan Greenspan claims Iraq war was really for oil
“I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil” [via Times Online]
Oil industry 'sleepwalking into crisis'
"Former Shell chairman says that diminishing resources could push price of crude to $150 a barrel" [via The Independent]
World's Worst Polluted Places [via The Blacksmith Institute]
Why old rockers are back on stage
"DINOSAURS might be revived in one of two ways. Fiction suggests applying the techniques of genetic engineering to DNA extracted from bloodsucking prehistoric insects trapped in amber. To resurrect the dinosaurs of rock, however, all you need is a fat cheque and a block booking at a vast stadium." [via Economist.com]
"At least 88 people were killed when the aircraft, operated by a Thai budget airline, skidded off a runway in heavy rain on the southern island of Phuket." [via BBC NEWS]
Family tribute to (Colin) McRae and son
"Mr McRae, 39, his son Johnny, friend Ben Porcelli, 6, and Graeme Duncan, 37, died following a helicopter crash in Lanarkshire on Saturday." [via BBC NEWS]
Alan Greenspan claims Iraq war was really for oil
“I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil” [via Times Online]
Oil industry 'sleepwalking into crisis'
"Former Shell chairman says that diminishing resources could push price of crude to $150 a barrel" [via The Independent]
World's Worst Polluted Places [via The Blacksmith Institute]
Why old rockers are back on stage
"DINOSAURS might be revived in one of two ways. Fiction suggests applying the techniques of genetic engineering to DNA extracted from bloodsucking prehistoric insects trapped in amber. To resurrect the dinosaurs of rock, however, all you need is a fat cheque and a block booking at a vast stadium." [via Economist.com]
Labels: accident, death, environment, Iraqi, music, news, oil
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Accident At Bushy Park
Barbados Free Press posted a report on the accident at Bushy Park that ocurred this morning.
I called a friend of mine who is an avid motor sports fan, and who is, at the time of this post (1653 hrs) at Bushy Park. Details are still sketchy as I could barely hear him over the sound of the passing race cars. From what I could understand, sometime around 9 AM, a ten-wheeler dump truck rolled down a hill (to the left of the spectator's stand) and injured eight people, two of them suffered serious injuries. The ten-wheeler also struck a few motor vehicles on the way down.
Judging by the background noise while speaking to him via cellphone, the races were not called off and got underway by around 10:30 AM.
I called a friend of mine who is an avid motor sports fan, and who is, at the time of this post (1653 hrs) at Bushy Park. Details are still sketchy as I could barely hear him over the sound of the passing race cars. From what I could understand, sometime around 9 AM, a ten-wheeler dump truck rolled down a hill (to the left of the spectator's stand) and injured eight people, two of them suffered serious injuries. The ten-wheeler also struck a few motor vehicles on the way down.
Judging by the background noise while speaking to him via cellphone, the races were not called off and got underway by around 10:30 AM.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Barbados: Reports Of New Collapse!
UPDATED ON AUG 28, AT 11:11 AM B'DOS TIME:
If you're looking for photos/video of the collapse/disaster area from the media, blogs, etcetera, click here.
ORIGINAL POST:
From Barbados Free Press:
"10:49pm Barbados Time - Monday 27, 2007 - Voice of Barbados Radio
New Collapse At Rescue Site
Voice of Barbados Radio live reporting now. Not sure how bad.
Attorney General Dale Marshall is being briefed and he will then speak to the media.
Barbados Defense Force team members about to go back down into the hole!
Rain is starting to impact the recovery efforts."
If you're looking for photos/video of the collapse/disaster area from the media, blogs, etcetera, click here.
ORIGINAL POST:
From Barbados Free Press:
"10:49pm Barbados Time - Monday 27, 2007 - Voice of Barbados Radio
New Collapse At Rescue Site
Voice of Barbados Radio live reporting now. Not sure how bad.
Attorney General Dale Marshall is being briefed and he will then speak to the media.
Barbados Defense Force team members about to go back down into the hole!
Rain is starting to impact the recovery efforts."
Barbados: Apartment Collapses Into Cave. The (Incomplete) Story In Pictures
Above: Photo from Barbados Underground and Cheese-on-bread! Originally from The Nation (I think).
Above: Photo from Barbados Free Press, originally from The Barbados Advocate.
Above: A picture from Barbados Free Press, originally from The Nation newspaper. Read their story: "Just a matter of time!"
Above: Four pictures submitted by a reliable friend. The pictures themselves were taken by Steve Sandy. The first two pictures show construction or excavation works going on in the area immediately behind(?) the collapse. From what little I've heard and know, the construction or excavation was in progress before the collapse.
Above: A video of the Brittons Hill cave-in from Voice of Barbados Radio (VOB 92.9)
Above: Two pictures from Barbados Free Press. The first shows, what appears to be, the rescue team. The second, personnel in the cave.
Above: Another picture from Barbados Free Press. According to BFP, the photo was from Nation News. Notice the car being hauled out of the cave. Notice the size of the car in comparison to the size of the cave.
Above: A picture from Barbados Undergound.
Above: Three pictures from Barbados Free Press. These pictures were taken by BFP Reader 0.
Above: An arrow on a Google Map image indicates where the cave-in took place. The image is from Barbados Free Press, I'm not sure who they got it from.
Above: Photo from Barbados Underground and Cheese-on-bread! Originally from The Nation (I think).
Above: Photo from Barbados Free Press, originally from The Barbados Advocate.
Above: A picture from Barbados Free Press, originally from The Nation newspaper. Read their story: "Just a matter of time!"
Above: Four pictures submitted by a reliable friend. The pictures themselves were taken by Steve Sandy. The first two pictures show construction or excavation works going on in the area immediately behind(?) the collapse. From what little I've heard and know, the construction or excavation was in progress before the collapse.
Above: A video of the Brittons Hill cave-in from Voice of Barbados Radio (VOB 92.9)
Above: Two pictures from Barbados Free Press. The first shows, what appears to be, the rescue team. The second, personnel in the cave.
Above: Another picture from Barbados Free Press. According to BFP, the photo was from Nation News. Notice the car being hauled out of the cave. Notice the size of the car in comparison to the size of the cave.
Above: A picture from Barbados Undergound.
Above: Three pictures from Barbados Free Press. These pictures were taken by BFP Reader 0.
Above: An arrow on a Google Map image indicates where the cave-in took place. The image is from Barbados Free Press, I'm not sure who they got it from.
Barbados: Apartment Collapses Into Cave
UPDATED AT 12:02 pm B'DOS TIME: This e-mail just in (as is) from a reliable friend of mine: "they havent found anyone yet, there was just a live press conference and they said they are now going from rescue to recovery and they need to do it fast cause a wave is supposed to start affecting the island at 1pm and that will further compromise the area. The Miami Dade rescue unit has said they is very little hope of anyone surviving, they have sent in the dogs and other equipment and have heard nothing."
UPDATED AT 11:43 AM B'DOS TIME: Folks, I cannot provide confirmation of this. One friend of mine heard that four people have been found dead. Another friend heard, via a radio report, that the baby may have been with a member of the family and was not at home when the collapse occured. Also, the dogs that came with the Miami Dade team, have not found any signs of life.
ORIGINAL POST:
I've just gotten home (about 2 AM). Where I was is of no importance (The Gap), where I drove past, however, is.
Without thinking about and realizing it, I found myself in the Brittons Hill area, enroute to home. I stopped for the lights somewhere in the Dalkeith area (sorry, I'm not good with places). These are the traffic lights just before the Brittons Hill post office. Going straight would've taken you past the post office. I was waiting to turn left. I looked ahead and saw two huge yellowish, cranes towering above all else. Bright, white light flooded the surrounding area. Lights that reminded me of the National Stadium at night. It's a scene that's impossible to miss.
From my position, the cranes appeared motionless. No audible sounds of activity either, at least, none that my ears could discern. I made a left turn and then a right at the next set of lights. Drove past the Shell(?) gas station on my right. Another view of the site. Again, the two huge cranes in plain view, surrounded by the flood lights. No motion, no sounds. All quiet.
I had my camera with me and thought about stopping to take a picture of the cranes and the lights. Thankfully, common sense got the better of me and I continued my drive home. Stopping on the road at two in the morning, by yourself, is generally not a good idea.
I don't know, but I can only hope that, judging by the motionless cranes and stillness of the area, the missing family was found and rescued in time.
Barbados Free Press has pictures of the disaster and Barbados Underground has a picture of the remains of the apartment building that collapsed.
"Rescuers get moving at 10:30 a.m." From The Advocate's website.
"Stress runs high on disaster site" From The Advocate's website.
UPDATED AT 11:43 AM B'DOS TIME: Folks, I cannot provide confirmation of this. One friend of mine heard that four people have been found dead. Another friend heard, via a radio report, that the baby may have been with a member of the family and was not at home when the collapse occured. Also, the dogs that came with the Miami Dade team, have not found any signs of life.
ORIGINAL POST:
I've just gotten home (about 2 AM). Where I was is of no importance (The Gap), where I drove past, however, is.
Without thinking about and realizing it, I found myself in the Brittons Hill area, enroute to home. I stopped for the lights somewhere in the Dalkeith area (sorry, I'm not good with places). These are the traffic lights just before the Brittons Hill post office. Going straight would've taken you past the post office. I was waiting to turn left. I looked ahead and saw two huge yellowish, cranes towering above all else. Bright, white light flooded the surrounding area. Lights that reminded me of the National Stadium at night. It's a scene that's impossible to miss.
From my position, the cranes appeared motionless. No audible sounds of activity either, at least, none that my ears could discern. I made a left turn and then a right at the next set of lights. Drove past the Shell(?) gas station on my right. Another view of the site. Again, the two huge cranes in plain view, surrounded by the flood lights. No motion, no sounds. All quiet.
I had my camera with me and thought about stopping to take a picture of the cranes and the lights. Thankfully, common sense got the better of me and I continued my drive home. Stopping on the road at two in the morning, by yourself, is generally not a good idea.
I don't know, but I can only hope that, judging by the motionless cranes and stillness of the area, the missing family was found and rescued in time.
Barbados Free Press has pictures of the disaster and Barbados Underground has a picture of the remains of the apartment building that collapsed.
"Rescuers get moving at 10:30 a.m." From The Advocate's website.
"Stress runs high on disaster site" From The Advocate's website.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Barbados: Apartment Collapses Into Cave. Cries For Help Have Faded
UPDATE: Click here to see where the Brittons Hill area is, via Google Maps.
The map is centered around what I think is, the Brittons Hill area. If you zoom out, you should able to orient yourself by looking for familiar landmarks. For example, the junction and set of traffic lights at the bottom of Collymore Rock (a.k.a Lower Collymore Rock).
If you were leaving Bridgetown and approaching the lights and you turned left, you'd be in the Bellville area. If you turn right, you'll pass (on your left) the two buildings at Chelson Park (Royal Bank of Canada being one of the companies there). If you went straight across the junction, the first major building on your left would be the offices of IBM, the next left would be the Bishop's Court Hill area, next right turn would be the Brittons Hill area. These are, ofcourse, rough directions and should be treated accordingly.
Thanks to "Adrian2," a BFP reader, who made the Google Maps suggestion.
Click here for an interesting comment by BFP reader "Petros" on the geology of Barbados.
ORIGINAL POST:
This from the CBC website:
"Apartment block collapses into underground cave. Family trapped since early morning
Sunday, 26 August 2007
Efforts are underway to rescue a family of four trapped underground after part of the apartment building they were living in collapsed into a cave, early Sunday morning.Police, fire and Disaster Emergency Management Agency officials were out in full force on the scene in St. Michael where the incident occurred about 4:45 a.m.
Acting Commissioner of Police Bertie Hinds said engineering experts had to determine whether the area was safe enough to proceed with the rescue attempt, but just after 10 a.m., a two-man team was sent in.
He said they had heard voices crying for help up to four hours after the incident. But he said those cries have become fainter and up to 8 a.m., no one else was heard.
Three other families living in the apartment building managed to get out safely and temporary shelter is being provided for them in a nearby school.
Residents within 500 feet of the area have been evacuated in the interest of safety but officials say they will have to make a determination on whether the area will be declared a disaster area.
Prime Minister Owen Arthur, other government officials and Opposition Leader, David Thompson went on the scene as efforts progressed.
Arthur described the incident as a catastrophe and said he has put a team in place to manage the situation."
The map is centered around what I think is, the Brittons Hill area. If you zoom out, you should able to orient yourself by looking for familiar landmarks. For example, the junction and set of traffic lights at the bottom of Collymore Rock (a.k.a Lower Collymore Rock).
If you were leaving Bridgetown and approaching the lights and you turned left, you'd be in the Bellville area. If you turn right, you'll pass (on your left) the two buildings at Chelson Park (Royal Bank of Canada being one of the companies there). If you went straight across the junction, the first major building on your left would be the offices of IBM, the next left would be the Bishop's Court Hill area, next right turn would be the Brittons Hill area. These are, ofcourse, rough directions and should be treated accordingly.
Thanks to "Adrian2," a BFP reader, who made the Google Maps suggestion.
Click here for an interesting comment by BFP reader "Petros" on the geology of Barbados.
ORIGINAL POST:
This from the CBC website:
"Apartment block collapses into underground cave. Family trapped since early morning
Sunday, 26 August 2007
Efforts are underway to rescue a family of four trapped underground after part of the apartment building they were living in collapsed into a cave, early Sunday morning.Police, fire and Disaster Emergency Management Agency officials were out in full force on the scene in St. Michael where the incident occurred about 4:45 a.m.
Acting Commissioner of Police Bertie Hinds said engineering experts had to determine whether the area was safe enough to proceed with the rescue attempt, but just after 10 a.m., a two-man team was sent in.
He said they had heard voices crying for help up to four hours after the incident. But he said those cries have become fainter and up to 8 a.m., no one else was heard.
Three other families living in the apartment building managed to get out safely and temporary shelter is being provided for them in a nearby school.
Residents within 500 feet of the area have been evacuated in the interest of safety but officials say they will have to make a determination on whether the area will be declared a disaster area.
Prime Minister Owen Arthur, other government officials and Opposition Leader, David Thompson went on the scene as efforts progressed.
Arthur described the incident as a catastrophe and said he has put a team in place to manage the situation."
Barbados: Apartment Collapses Into Cave
UPDATED: A reliable friend of mine has information from someone who lives nearby:
This via e-mail:
1.The apt is brittons cross road (the one way). A little ways past the st. pauls primary school.
2. Its ONE apt, part of another and 2 garages that fell into the cave.
3. They were building and additional building for a pre-school or nursery.
4. The apt building is located above the mouth of the cave.Instead of at either side or a little futher back where the roof of the cave is not so high.
ORIGINAL POST:
Barbados Free Press is all over it:
Family of four missing.
Apartment was built on known cave that goes down 100 feet.
Entire area (Brittons Hill?) may be evacuated as several cracks are being seen.
Heavy equipment on site to remove the roof of the collapsed building.
Prime Minister to address the country at 5 PM today.
This via e-mail:
1.The apt is brittons cross road (the one way). A little ways past the st. pauls primary school.
2. Its ONE apt, part of another and 2 garages that fell into the cave.
3. They were building and additional building for a pre-school or nursery.
4. The apt building is located above the mouth of the cave.Instead of at either side or a little futher back where the roof of the cave is not so high.
ORIGINAL POST:
Barbados Free Press is all over it:
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Ocean Park, Part Two
There are, as is often said, two sides to every coin (and to every story). I recently added my two cents to The Bajan Reporter's post concerning the death of marine life at Ocean Park Barbados.
While checking through my site's referral logs, I noticed a visit from Ian's article about Ocean Park. I checked through the comments and noticed one by Mitchel Hird. This person, it appears, is the Head Curator of Ocean Park and had this to say in response to Ian's post:
************************************************
"Dear Bajan Reporter
It was with no small measure of surprise and disbelief that I read your article “Barbadian Marine Habitat Under Fire….”
I am the Head Curator at Ocean Park. I have worked for the last 14 years in Public Aquariums around the world and am a qualified marine biologist.
Public aquariums are a powerful tool in the fight to conserve marine life and to educate the public, acting as centers for research and conservation. In the two years since opening, more than 20,000 local students have visited Ocean Park to learn about the island’s natural marine heritage.
The readers of Bajan Reporter might reasonably ask why they have been confronted with an apparent litany of damning accusations about Ocean Park. I will address these accusations below before discussing the motive.
1. Mortality rates: Contrary to the article, losses at Ocean Park for display animals are very low. This is not by accident. We invest in an extensive staff, purpose-built filtration and what is, in my opinion, one of the best- equipped aquarium laboratories for our size in the world. We have a specialist consultant veterinary company under contract that is flown over on a regular basis; and still further specialist support from world- leading diagnostic laboratories in London. A large proportion of the fish you will see at Ocean Park are caught by local fisherman. They are either destined to be sold at the fish market or are the accidental by-catch of modern fishing methods and will be thrown away dead or used as bait. We work with local fisherman to preserve these otherwise doomed fish. Due to the fishing methods used for catching food fish, we are occasionally presented with fish that are simply too badly damaged to survive.
2. Quarantine/ Sea Rescue: The article mentions fish being held in “crowded and confined conditions.” Our quarantine is spacious and state of the art. Animals are medicated with the best and most current drug therapies and their welfare is placed above all else.
3. Nutrition: The article refers to animals being poorly nourished. Ocean Park’s budget for food is in excess of $50,000 a year. We import well over 20 different types of food from all over the world. In point of fact, the clams we feed our new eagle rays are the same as those you’ll find on your plate at Sandy Lane! We are one of only a handful of public aquariums in the world using next-generation gel diets and tailor-made vitamin supplements.
4. Jumping fish: The large Gouramy that was found dead was the result of a break-in, during which someone attempted to catch and steal fish from the displays. The commotion caused by the nets being dragged through the displays caused the fish to jump. Security has since been further improved. Out of interest, the giant Gouramy was in fact a rescued animal, donated by a gentleman in Bridgetown who had kept the fish in a barrel for the last 2 years!
5. Decoration: The theming materials you will see around the park, such as the artificial coral, wood and fake foliage were bought and installed by a specialist theming company from Europe. Contrary to the article, we have absolutely no live coral on site.
6. Injured animals: The photographs of the injured rays suggest that the animals were injured at Ocean Park. The animal in question—a spotted eagle ray—was caught by local fishermen and was destined for Oistins Fish Market. The ray had been bitten on the flank by a shark or other predatory animal, prior to being caught. The spotted eagle ray was medicated and rehabilitated from its wound, which in the wild, would likely lead to its death. The ray now inhabits a lagoon-themed display that holds almost a quarter of a million liters.
7. Conservation statement: Within “Barbadian Marine Habitat Under Fire,” there is a picture of an old conservation sign. This sign is clearly not on display. It is actually in our workshop being used as a splash guard for a painting project—note the paint pots behind. This sign was taken down almost a year ago. It is a fact that Ocean Park is involved in numerous environmental projects, which merit its receipt of this year’s Environmental Excellence Award, presented at the independently-judged Barbados Tourism Awards. Some examples of these projects include:
• Tilapia farming trial aimed at reducing the pressure on local fisheries
• Water recycling
• “Clean-Up” Barbados Project
• Various smaller initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental education and reducing the park’s impact on natural resources
We have also been working for some months now on two new projects which are expected to yield important results in the coming year. These being:
• Collaborative scientific study with Oxford University on blood iodine levels in wild and captive sharks
• Participation in an international, interdisciplinary research project into endangered fish species around Barbados
8. Dolphins: The comments made by the author regarding Ocean Park’s plans for an interactive dolphin exhibit are ill-informed and misleading. This type of misinformation does nothing to further the cause of conservation. Instead it tarnishes the efforts of the new generation of marine mammal exhibitions that seek to protect and educate. Comments linking the collection of Dolphins for public aquariums as “reminiscent of the capture of slaves” whilst suggesting a connection with bloody Japanese Dolphin hunts are aimed at pandering to the fears of readers rather than having any factual merit.
It is disturbing to me that an individual would go to such lengths to spread such ill informed, malicious and, I would suggest, libelous accusations about Ocean Park. One wonders what would motivate an individual in this direction. Professional and personal ethics guide me to refrain from pointing the finger in this reply. I will simply state that Ocean Park has been the target of several destructive incidents and actions in the recent past. These combined with the accusations made by the articles source suggest internal knowledge of the Park, as well as a vindictive motive possibly stemming from prior dismissal. We are seeking advice from our solicitors in this regard.
I am surprised that the author of the article did not choose to question the motives or qualifications of his or her source. I would have expected that Ocean Park would have been contacted and given an opportunity to respond. If the author of “Barbadian Marine Habitat Under Fire” had put as much effort in to researching facts as he or she did into producing a story replete with fabrications and deceptive pseudoscience, perhaps the article would have read differently. I would suggest that the next time a story drops like “manna from the sky,” the Bajan Reporter display a helping of journalistic integrity by taking the time to investigate the validity of a source.
Whilst Ocean Park is a business, working with live animals dictates that a responsible environmental attitude and strong ethics are always present. Ocean Park’s doors are open. Visiting members of the public and members of the press have a standing invitation for a guided tour of the behind-the-scenes facilities, after which I hope all concerned would draw their own conclusions.
Mitchel Hird
Head Curator
Ocean Park"
************************************************
Assuming that this person is indeed who they claim to be, they've offered a standing invitiation (extended towards the public and to the press), for a behind-the-scenes, guided tour of the facility.
Awfully decent of them to make that offer. Remember, they didn't have to respond in the first place. Furthermore, the fact that they did respond is, in my humble opinion, more important because they have chosen to do so in a public forum. This too, should be applauded.
Ian, it looks like the ball is in your court. Why not take them up on their offer and have a look at the place?
While checking through my site's referral logs, I noticed a visit from Ian's article about Ocean Park. I checked through the comments and noticed one by Mitchel Hird. This person, it appears, is the Head Curator of Ocean Park and had this to say in response to Ian's post:
************************************************
"Dear Bajan Reporter
It was with no small measure of surprise and disbelief that I read your article “Barbadian Marine Habitat Under Fire….”
I am the Head Curator at Ocean Park. I have worked for the last 14 years in Public Aquariums around the world and am a qualified marine biologist.
Public aquariums are a powerful tool in the fight to conserve marine life and to educate the public, acting as centers for research and conservation. In the two years since opening, more than 20,000 local students have visited Ocean Park to learn about the island’s natural marine heritage.
The readers of Bajan Reporter might reasonably ask why they have been confronted with an apparent litany of damning accusations about Ocean Park. I will address these accusations below before discussing the motive.
1. Mortality rates: Contrary to the article, losses at Ocean Park for display animals are very low. This is not by accident. We invest in an extensive staff, purpose-built filtration and what is, in my opinion, one of the best- equipped aquarium laboratories for our size in the world. We have a specialist consultant veterinary company under contract that is flown over on a regular basis; and still further specialist support from world- leading diagnostic laboratories in London. A large proportion of the fish you will see at Ocean Park are caught by local fisherman. They are either destined to be sold at the fish market or are the accidental by-catch of modern fishing methods and will be thrown away dead or used as bait. We work with local fisherman to preserve these otherwise doomed fish. Due to the fishing methods used for catching food fish, we are occasionally presented with fish that are simply too badly damaged to survive.
2. Quarantine/ Sea Rescue: The article mentions fish being held in “crowded and confined conditions.” Our quarantine is spacious and state of the art. Animals are medicated with the best and most current drug therapies and their welfare is placed above all else.
3. Nutrition: The article refers to animals being poorly nourished. Ocean Park’s budget for food is in excess of $50,000 a year. We import well over 20 different types of food from all over the world. In point of fact, the clams we feed our new eagle rays are the same as those you’ll find on your plate at Sandy Lane! We are one of only a handful of public aquariums in the world using next-generation gel diets and tailor-made vitamin supplements.
4. Jumping fish: The large Gouramy that was found dead was the result of a break-in, during which someone attempted to catch and steal fish from the displays. The commotion caused by the nets being dragged through the displays caused the fish to jump. Security has since been further improved. Out of interest, the giant Gouramy was in fact a rescued animal, donated by a gentleman in Bridgetown who had kept the fish in a barrel for the last 2 years!
5. Decoration: The theming materials you will see around the park, such as the artificial coral, wood and fake foliage were bought and installed by a specialist theming company from Europe. Contrary to the article, we have absolutely no live coral on site.
6. Injured animals: The photographs of the injured rays suggest that the animals were injured at Ocean Park. The animal in question—a spotted eagle ray—was caught by local fishermen and was destined for Oistins Fish Market. The ray had been bitten on the flank by a shark or other predatory animal, prior to being caught. The spotted eagle ray was medicated and rehabilitated from its wound, which in the wild, would likely lead to its death. The ray now inhabits a lagoon-themed display that holds almost a quarter of a million liters.
7. Conservation statement: Within “Barbadian Marine Habitat Under Fire,” there is a picture of an old conservation sign. This sign is clearly not on display. It is actually in our workshop being used as a splash guard for a painting project—note the paint pots behind. This sign was taken down almost a year ago. It is a fact that Ocean Park is involved in numerous environmental projects, which merit its receipt of this year’s Environmental Excellence Award, presented at the independently-judged Barbados Tourism Awards. Some examples of these projects include:
• Tilapia farming trial aimed at reducing the pressure on local fisheries
• Water recycling
• “Clean-Up” Barbados Project
• Various smaller initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental education and reducing the park’s impact on natural resources
We have also been working for some months now on two new projects which are expected to yield important results in the coming year. These being:
• Collaborative scientific study with Oxford University on blood iodine levels in wild and captive sharks
• Participation in an international, interdisciplinary research project into endangered fish species around Barbados
8. Dolphins: The comments made by the author regarding Ocean Park’s plans for an interactive dolphin exhibit are ill-informed and misleading. This type of misinformation does nothing to further the cause of conservation. Instead it tarnishes the efforts of the new generation of marine mammal exhibitions that seek to protect and educate. Comments linking the collection of Dolphins for public aquariums as “reminiscent of the capture of slaves” whilst suggesting a connection with bloody Japanese Dolphin hunts are aimed at pandering to the fears of readers rather than having any factual merit.
It is disturbing to me that an individual would go to such lengths to spread such ill informed, malicious and, I would suggest, libelous accusations about Ocean Park. One wonders what would motivate an individual in this direction. Professional and personal ethics guide me to refrain from pointing the finger in this reply. I will simply state that Ocean Park has been the target of several destructive incidents and actions in the recent past. These combined with the accusations made by the articles source suggest internal knowledge of the Park, as well as a vindictive motive possibly stemming from prior dismissal. We are seeking advice from our solicitors in this regard.
I am surprised that the author of the article did not choose to question the motives or qualifications of his or her source. I would have expected that Ocean Park would have been contacted and given an opportunity to respond. If the author of “Barbadian Marine Habitat Under Fire” had put as much effort in to researching facts as he or she did into producing a story replete with fabrications and deceptive pseudoscience, perhaps the article would have read differently. I would suggest that the next time a story drops like “manna from the sky,” the Bajan Reporter display a helping of journalistic integrity by taking the time to investigate the validity of a source.
Whilst Ocean Park is a business, working with live animals dictates that a responsible environmental attitude and strong ethics are always present. Ocean Park’s doors are open. Visiting members of the public and members of the press have a standing invitation for a guided tour of the behind-the-scenes facilities, after which I hope all concerned would draw their own conclusions.
Mitchel Hird
Head Curator
Ocean Park"
************************************************
Assuming that this person is indeed who they claim to be, they've offered a standing invitiation (extended towards the public and to the press), for a behind-the-scenes, guided tour of the facility.
Awfully decent of them to make that offer. Remember, they didn't have to respond in the first place. Furthermore, the fact that they did respond is, in my humble opinion, more important because they have chosen to do so in a public forum. This too, should be applauded.
Ian, it looks like the ball is in your court. Why not take them up on their offer and have a look at the place?
Friday, August 3, 2007
Barbados' Ocean Park: The Big Fish Tank In The Sky?
On June/6/2007, The Nation newspaper ran an article announcing the $10m expansion plan for the island's lone marine aquarium, Ocean Park Barbados. One of the new additions will be a pool to allow "interactive swimming with dolphins."
That's an ambitious plan, but I'm not so sure that keeping dolphins at Ocean Park is a good idea. Unless of course, the proper support and environmental systems are in place and maintained by trained personnel, like say, a Marine Biologist, or someone similar.
In the interest of full disclosure, the only fish I like are the ones that I've already tasted and eaten at the dinner table. I've never been to Ocean Park and have never owned an aquarium. I have however been fishing. In a tiny boat. In choppy water. I shall not make the same mistake twice.
Thus, I quickly lost interest in the article. Until recently. Ian Bourne over at The Bajan Reporter has published a hard-hitting, in-depth analysis (complete with pics), of the fish deaths at Ocean Park that have occurred over the last year. Ian appears to have first hand knowledge of this foul play (or is it fish play?), since he openly admits to withholding his source's name for legal reasons.
Based upon what I've read concerning the planned expansion and in addition to the information I read at The Bajan Reporter, the Company should consider investing a portion of that expansion money into the hiring of an expert/professional and attempt to fix whatever is wrong at the Park. Alternatively, conduct an internal investigation into the cause of the deaths that have been blogged by Ian & Co. Do this before the dolphins get involved and before any further marine life is lost.
That's an ambitious plan, but I'm not so sure that keeping dolphins at Ocean Park is a good idea. Unless of course, the proper support and environmental systems are in place and maintained by trained personnel, like say, a Marine Biologist, or someone similar.
In the interest of full disclosure, the only fish I like are the ones that I've already tasted and eaten at the dinner table. I've never been to Ocean Park and have never owned an aquarium. I have however been fishing. In a tiny boat. In choppy water. I shall not make the same mistake twice.
Thus, I quickly lost interest in the article. Until recently. Ian Bourne over at The Bajan Reporter has published a hard-hitting, in-depth analysis (complete with pics), of the fish deaths at Ocean Park that have occurred over the last year. Ian appears to have first hand knowledge of this foul play (or is it fish play?), since he openly admits to withholding his source's name for legal reasons.
Based upon what I've read concerning the planned expansion and in addition to the information I read at The Bajan Reporter, the Company should consider investing a portion of that expansion money into the hiring of an expert/professional and attempt to fix whatever is wrong at the Park. Alternatively, conduct an internal investigation into the cause of the deaths that have been blogged by Ian & Co. Do this before the dolphins get involved and before any further marine life is lost.
CONFIRMED! Accident Was A Rumour
Rumours of another road accident that claimed one or two lives yesterday have proven to be false.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
RUMOUR/UNCONFIRMED: Report Of Another Accident
It's unconfirmed and may very well turn out to be a rumour (a disgusting and wreckless one at that), but a friend of mine asked if I heard of another accident in the Haggatt Hall area that claimed the lives of one or two people. Thankfully, I've heard of no such thing.
Four People Dead In Crash
Not even a full week has passed since Barbados' worst motor vehicle accident since 1945 and this morning, Barbadians woke up to discover that another four lives had been lost:
4 MORE DEATHS [ via The Nation]
MULLINS ROAD TRAGEDY [via The Advocate]
With a population of just 280,946 people, Barbados is a small country. Smaller than most major cities and towns. Everyone knows everyone here. It's often said that you can find a Barbadian anywhere in the world. No doubt many Barbadians locally and overseas are saddened by the recent road accidents and by the subsequent loss of life.
4 MORE DEATHS [ via The Nation]
MULLINS ROAD TRAGEDY [via The Advocate]
With a population of just 280,946 people, Barbados is a small country. Smaller than most major cities and towns. Everyone knows everyone here. It's often said that you can find a Barbadian anywhere in the world. No doubt many Barbadians locally and overseas are saddened by the recent road accidents and by the subsequent loss of life.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Six People Dead In Bus Crash
Six people dying in a bus crash is huge news in Barbados. With a population of around three hundred thousand, everybody knows everybody else. BFP blogs that everybody they've spoken with knows at least a few of the dead and injured and also wonders when will it be appropriate to ask "what went wrong?"
The Nation newspaper reminds us that the worst traffic accident occurred in 1945 and claimed the lives of 30 people. In total, 37 people were on the bus when the accident occurred yesterday at Joe's River, in the parish of St. Joseph. Ten of them are still in critical condition.
The Nation newspaper reminds us that the worst traffic accident occurred in 1945 and claimed the lives of 30 people. In total, 37 people were on the bus when the accident occurred yesterday at Joe's River, in the parish of St. Joseph. Ten of them are still in critical condition.
