On this #WorldOceanDay, I am re-reading my piece for the BBC written on the first UN World Ocean Day in 2009. Then, I reported 0.65% of the ocean was protected. Today 8.3% is protected. But how long to reach the 30% target?!
Find out more: www.linkedin.com/posts/erich-...
Photos ©Tatiana Ivkovich

I’m celebrating #WorldBookDay by giving away a signed copy of one of my books. Leave a comment & share (if you like) for a chance to win. U.K. only because of postage & I’ll need your address (I’ll delete after use).
#readers #reading #authors #nature #science #underwater #marine #wildlife

Today we've announced 43 new Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) spotlighting whale, manatee & other marine mammal habitats needing protection in NW Atlantic & Caribbean. See our news story here: www.marinemammalhabitat.org/news/
See the IMMA e-Atlas: www.marinemammalhabitat.org/imma-eatlas/

US announces withdrawal of 2.5 million km2 (almost 1 mil sq miles) of US waters from oil & natural gas leasing. This includes U.S. East & West coasts; the eastern Gulf of Mexico; & Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area in Alaska. Helps insure chance of a future for NA right #whales & others.

In May this year, at our IMMA Workshop in Yucatán, Mexico the world seemed alright. In the photo, lower right, Eric Angel Ramos, aged 37, is a beaming bright spark, generous & wise, & behind him stands Oswaldo Vasquez, charming, dedicated, still young at 65. Now they are gone & we are heartbroken.

My book STRANGE SEA CREATURES just released in paperback (with elegant French flaps) as well as earlier hardcover edition. For ages 8 to 88. Available from all online booksellers & signed from erichhoytbooks.com