This week: David W. Johnston is a biological oceanographer and conservation biologist at Duke University's Marine Lab. His focus is on framing ecology and the habitat needs of marine animals in relation to conservation. He is currently working on projects studying marine vertebrates, and the design and utility of marine protected areas for them, emphasizing the effects of climate change on marine animals and the sustainability of incidental mortality and directed harvests of marine animals.

 

Johnston is lead author on the newly published paper, 'The Effects of Climate Change on Harp Seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus),' and if its conclusions are correct, continuing the east coast commercial seal hunt, (or "cull", as it is often characterized by governments) could stress targeted populations beyond recovery.

 

David W. Johnston in the first half.

 

Listen. Hear.

 

And; former Gorilla Radio guest, Richard Boyce will present his new film, 'Rainforest - The Limit of Splendour' at this year's Victoria Film Festival. Richard is a long-time island social justice and environment activist, whose kayak trip through Vancouver Island's pristine East Creek and Klaskish Inlet with Ingmar Lee led to the seven year odyssey of exploration culminating in the film. He has been touring festivals across the country, with 'Raincoast,' screening in Montreal, Vancouver, and winning the Mountain Culture Film Award at Whistler.

Richard Boyce and the limits of splendour in the second half.

And; Victoria Street Newz publisher and CFUV broadcaster, Janine Bandcroft will join us at the bottom of the hour to bring us newz from our city's streets and beyond. But first, David W. Johnston and the effects of climate change, and political policy stagnation, on Canada's east coast Harp Seals. 

 

 

 

The Canadian government is again determined to use a club to solve its perceived wildlife management dilemma concerning Pagophilus groenlandicus, or the common Harp Seal. Problem is, the Harp is not so common as it once was; and, if the recently published paper, 'The Effects of Climate Change on Harp Seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus)' is correct, continuing the east coast commercial seal hunt, (or "cull", as it is often characterized by governments) could stress targeted populations beyond recovery.

The report, published online by the Duke University Marine Lab, in association with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, charted changing sea ice conditions in the Atlantic over an extended period of several decades, prompting lead researcher, David Johnston to conclude: "[M]ortality we're seeing in eastern Canada is dramatic. Entire year classes may be disappearing from the population in low ice years."

David W. Johnston is a biological oceanographer and conservation biologist at Duke University's Marine Lab. His focus is on framing ecology and the habitat needs of marine animals in relation to conservation. He is currently working on projects studying marine vertebrates, and the design and utility of marine protected areas for them, emphasizing the effects of climate change on marine animals and the sustainability of incidental mortality and directed harvests of marine animals.

David W. Johnston in the first half.

And; the annual Victoria Film Festival is back, bigger and better than ever. The VFF is running in theatres across the city RIGHT NOW, (and, you can check things out online at victoriafilmfestival.com). Former Gorilla Radio guest, Richard Boyce will present his new film, 'Rainforest - The Limit of Splendour' at this year's festival.

 

Richard is a long-time island social justice and environment activist, whose kayak trip through Vancouver Island's pristine East Creek and Klaskish Inlet with Ingmar Lee led to the seven year odyssey of exploration culminating in the film. He has been touring festivals across the country, with 'Raincoast,' screening in Montreal, Vancouver, and winning the Mountain Culture Film Award at Whistler.

Richard Boyce and the limits of splendour in the second half.

And; Victoria Street Newz publisher and CFUV broadcaster, Janine Bandcroft will join us at the bottom of the hour to bring us newz from our city's streets and beyond. But first, David W. Johnston and the effects of climate change, and political policy stagnation, on Canada's east coast Harp Seals.

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