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greenthestral · 10 months

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Unveiling the Secrets of Life Below Water: Goal 14 for a Sustainable Future

In our journey towards achieving a sustainable future, Goal 14 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) plays a pivotal role. Life Below Water, as it is commonly referred to, focuses on the preservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources. With this goal, the international community aims to safeguard marine ecosystems, mitigate the impacts of human activities, and promote sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. This article delves into the significance of Goal 14, explores the challenges faced, and highlights the initiatives that can help us ensure a healthier and more vibrant life below water.

Understanding the Importance of Goal 14

The Earth's oceans are vast and cover more than 70% of the planet's surface. They are teeming with life and harbor a remarkable diversity of species and ecosystems. From the mesmerizing coral reefs to the mysterious depths of the abyss, the oceans are a treasure trove of biodiversity, supporting millions of species, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Beyond their ecological significance, the oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate. They act as a massive heat sink, absorbing a significant amount of the sun's energy and distributing it across the planet. Additionally, oceans play a vital role in the water cycle, facilitating the evaporation of water, which then falls as precipitation and sustains terrestrial ecosystems.

The oceans are not only important for the environment but also for human societies. They provide sustenance to millions of people around the world. Fishing, both for subsistence and commercial purposes, is a primary source of livelihood for coastal communities. The oceans also support economic activities such as tourism, shipping, and offshore industries, contributing significantly to global economies.

However, the delicate balance of marine ecosystems is under threat due to various human activities. Overfishing, driven by unsustainable practices and the demand for seafood, has led to the depletion of fish stocks worldwide. Large-scale industrial fishing, with destructive methods such as bottom trawling, threatens not only the targeted species but also the entire marine food web.

Marine pollution is another significant challenge faced by the oceans. Pollution from land-based sources, including plastic waste, chemicals, oil spills, and agricultural runoff, finds its way into the marine environment, causing severe harm to marine life and ecosystems. The accumulation of plastic debris in the oceans has reached alarming levels, forming giant garbage patches and causing entanglement and ingestion by marine organisms.

Habitat destruction and degradation are also taking a toll on marine ecosystems. Destructive practices such as coral reef destruction, coastal development, and the destruction of mangroves and seagrass beds result in the loss of critical habitats and the disruption of delicate ecological relationships. These habitats serve as nurseries and breeding grounds for many species, and their loss has far-reaching consequences for marine biodiversity.

Furthermore, climate change poses one of the most significant threats to life below water. Rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise are already impacting marine ecosystems. Corals, which are vital for the survival of countless marine species, are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures and increased ocean acidity, leading to coral bleaching events and the degradation of coral reefs.

In recognition of the urgent need to protect and sustainably manage marine resources, Goal 14 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was established. Also known as Life Below Water, this goal aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources for present and future generations.

Goal 14 encompasses various targets and indicators to guide efforts towards sustainable ocean management. One of the key focuses is the protection and restoration of coral reefs, which are among the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs provide habitat for numerous species, protect coastlines from erosion, and support vibrant tourism industries. By implementing measures to reduce coral bleaching, enhance reef resilience, and combat destructive practices, Goal 14 seeks to safeguard these vital ecosystems.

Another critical aspect of Goal 14 is the reduction of marine pollution. It calls for the prevention and significant reduction of marine debris, particularly plastic waste. Efforts are being made to promote better waste management systems, recycling and reusing plastics, and raising awareness about the detrimental effects of single-use plastics. Innovative technologies for ocean cleanup are also being developed to tackle existing pollution.

To address the issue of overfishing, Goal 14 emphasizes the need to restore fish stocks to sustainable levels. This involves implementing science-based management plans, combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and promoting responsible fishing practices. Creating marine protected areas and adopting ecosystem-based management approaches can help protect critical habitats and ensure the long-term viability of fisheries.

Furthermore, Goal 14 acknowledges the urgent need to address ocean acidification, which poses a grave risk to marine organisms. By reducing carbon dioxide emissions and taking steps to enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems, such as protecting mangroves and seagrass beds, this goal aims to mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification and ensure the survival of vulnerable species.

Achieving Goal 14 requires a collaborative effort from governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals worldwide. International cooperation is crucial to strengthen governance frameworks, regulate resource exploitation, combat illegal fishing, and promote sustainable practices. By taking collective action and embracing sustainable approaches, we can secure a healthier and more vibrant future for life below water.

Challenges and Threats to Life Below Water

The life below water faces a multitude of challenges that require immediate attention and concerted efforts. Overfishing, driven by unsustainable practices and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, has led to a decline in fish stocks worldwide. The loss of biodiversity affects not only marine ecosystems but also the communities that depend on them for food security and economic opportunities.

Marine pollution poses another significant threat. Plastic waste, chemicals, oil spills, and other pollutants contaminate the oceans, harming marine life and ecosystems. The accumulation of plastic debris, in particular, has gained global attention due to its devastating impact on marine organisms and the potential consequences for human health through the food chain.

Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, poses a grave risk to marine organisms such as corals, shellfish, and plankton. Acidic waters can hinder the growth and survival of these organisms, disrupting the entire marine food web and impacting the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Initiatives and Solutions for a Sustainable Life Below Water

Achieving Goal 14 requires a comprehensive approach involving governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals. Several initiatives and solutions have emerged to address the challenges faced by life below water:

Sustainable Fisheries Management: Implementing science-based management plans, promoting responsible fishing practices, and combating illegal fishing are crucial steps towards replenishing fish stocks and ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries. Tools like marine protected areas and ecosystem-based management help preserve critical habitats and protect biodiversity.

Marine Pollution Prevention: Reducing plastic pollution and other sources of marine debris is vital. This can be achieved through improved waste management systems, recycling and reusing plastics, and raising awareness about the consequences of single-use plastics. Additionally, promoting the use of biodegradable alternatives and supporting innovative technologies for ocean cleanup can help mitigate the impact of existing pollution.

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Addressing climate change is fundamental to preserving life below water. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable coastal development are essential steps in mitigating the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Additionally, enhancing the resilience of coastal communities through measures such as mangrove restoration, coastal protection, and sustainable tourism can aid adaptation efforts.

International Cooperation and Governance: Collaboration among nations is crucial for the effective implementation of Goal 14. Strengthening international frameworks, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and promoting regional cooperation can help combat illegal fishing, regulate resource exploitation, and ensure the sustainable use of marine resources.

Conclusion

Preserving life below water is not only crucial for the health of our oceans but also for the overall well-being of our planet. Goal 14 provides a roadmap for sustainable ocean management, aiming to conserve marine biodiversity, mitigate pollution, and promote the sustainable use of marine resources. By taking action at individual, local, and global levels, we can make a significant difference in ensuring a healthier and more vibrant future for life below water. Let us join hands and work together to safeguard the oceans for generations to come.

#Sustainable management of marine resources #Conserving marine biodiversity #Protecting coral reefs and marine ecosystems #Sustainable fishing practices for life below water #Reducing marine pollution for a healthier ocean #Restoring fish stocks for sustainable fisheries #Addressing the threats of overfishing #Combating illegal fishing activities #Preserving the delicate balance of marine ecosystems #Tackling plastic pollution in the oceans #Solutions for ocean acidification #Climate change impact on life below water #Sustainable tourism and the oceans #Promoting responsible coastal development #Achieving United Nations' Goal 14 for a sustainable future #Enhancing resilience of coastal communities #Sustainable livelihoods for coastal populations #Importance of ocean conservation and sustainability #Preserving marine habitats and species diversity #Ecosystem-based management for marine resources #Strengthening international cooperation for Goal 14 #Achieving sustainable development through Goal 14 #Role of marine protected areas in conservation #Long-term viability of marine ecosystems #Promoting sustainable shipping practices #Economic benefits of sustainable ocean management #Balancing human activities with marine conservation #The significance of Goal 14 in the SDGs #Ensuring a vibrant future for life below water #Global initiatives for the protection of marine environments

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if-you-fan-a-fire · 3 years

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“FINED FOR SELLING FISH WITHOUT HAVING PERMIT,” Owen Sound Sun Times. April 27, 1931. Page 10. --- Colored Youth Pleads Guilty of Stealing Car ---- Selling salmon without a license, contrary to the Game and Fishery Act, cost Thomas Fanning of Balaclava just $17.80. Fanning appeared in police court on Monday morning as a result of a charge laid by Game Inspector Rolston and pleaded guilty. He had no money but was given an hour of leeway to gather it in.

William Temple, charged with breaking and entering the house of Albert Monkman, 1329 4th avenue east, with intent to commit an indictable offense, was remanded until Wednesday.

Howard Douglas, colored, 18 years old, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a motor car from Joseph Bros. He has been in court before, just recently being allowed to go on suspended sentence after being convicted of burglarizing the Harrison Park Inn in 1929. He will be sentenced on Wednesday.

#owen sound #police court #fishmonger #game and fishery act #regulation of hunting #illegal hunting #illegal trapping #fines and costs #break and enter #breaking and entering #car theft #car thef #stolen car #suspended sentence #black canadians #great depression in canada #crime and punishment in canada #history of crime and punishment in canada

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endillegalfishingday · 1 year

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Step up action against illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing.

“FAO is working with countries and regional fisheries management organizations to combat IUU fishing, by reviewing national legislation, identifying ways to strengthen their institutional capacity, and helping them enhance their monitoring and surveillance systems, so they can effectively implement the PSMA and other international instruments to promote sustainable fisheries,” said Manuel Barange, the director of FAO fisheries and aquaculture division.

The conclusion of the 4th Meeting of the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) were reported in various media.

#IUU fishing #Global Information Exchange System (GIES)#Meeting #Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA)#Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)#illegal fishing #unreported fishing #unregulated fishing #sustainable fisheries

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strangebiology · 13 days

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A mountain of conch shells in the Bahamas behind restaurants that sell conch meat.

Someone I interviewed for my book (who sells shells) said that in the Philippines, people eat nautilus and then throw away the shells because it's illegal to sell them in the US. I learned that it's not actually true that it's illegal to sell them, but some places might not want to deal with regulations since they're CITES II listed and might have more regulations on them in the future?

Anyway...I'm struggling to confirm this "piles of nautilus shells" thing. I've emailed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines with no luck. If you have any insights (or resources or maybe a photo of these piles of discarded shells in the Philippines?) Let me know!

#Carcass Book #Conch #Nautilus #Seashells #Mollusks #Seafood

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ovaruling · 4 months

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last night, during the street outreach, we had a woman come up to us, incredibly agitated that the undercover footage we were showing of slaughterhouses and dairy, egg, and fishing industries was visible to children.

two of the activists had brought their healthy, intelligent, wonderfully well-adjusted vegan children, who have both previously seen the footage with their parents and asked questions and received honest answers.

and i approached her to ask her—if she cared so much about the welfare of children, as she claimed, why was she not boycotting these industries?

if you are against child labor in any real way, you WOULD boycott industries that require labor in slaughterhouses, meat-packing facilities, fisheries, egg farms, dairy farms, fur and wool farms.

because guess who makes up a significant portion of that labor? CHILDREN. illegally and legally both, depending on the state or regional laws.

i’ve seen it with my own eyes at slaughterhouses, up close—i’ve seen children no older than 12 made to haul the dead bodies of pigs, still bleeding. i’ve seen them working in those farms.

there are innumerable minors “employed”—or enslaved—to animal agriculture and the resultant slaughterhouses and meat-packing and chick-grinding and animal skinning. PTSD doesn’t even begin to cover what these children come home with. to say nothing of how unsafe these jobs are—would anyone like to look into how many injuries and outright limb amputations are caused by slaughterhouse work each year? cuz it sure isn’t zero.

do you think Big Meat insures their workers and pays for medical bills and a pension when these incidents occur? how much do you think they care about safety code violations? the USDA and ASPCA approved slaughterhouses i’ve seen in person are in violation of at least 40 codes, minimum.

and let’s talk about the field farming of the immense amount of food required to sustain the animals imprisoned within these industries—lest we forget, most of the world’s food and calories go to feed these animals, not us.

and guess who they rely on most to farm that animal feed.

these industries will ALWAYS find a way to use children for their labor, because it’s cheap and it’s easy. they will NEVER stop using child labor. ever. it doesn’t matter how many laws are “in place”—these places will always get away with it bc they literally cannot exist without extensive and wildly cheap labor. you cannot invent an animal agriculture that won’t find a way to silently exploit minors for cheap labor.

these businesses are at the top of the capitalist heap—it’s a business that, once again, cannot exist without human slavery on a large scale, with much of that burden resting on children and immigrants (particularly women, btw).

if you actually care even a little bit about child labor, really, one of the most effective things you can do is to boycott animal product industries.

#unethical labor is why your meat is so ‘cheap’ btw #one reason at least. govt subsidizing of these slavery farms definitely help #but the less they have to pay their workers who are in high risk jobs the better!#guess what the slaughterhouse overturn is for employees btw!#and guess what kinds of psychological trauma and long term issues they leave with #v #vp

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thehopefuljournalist · 10 months

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In the previous post I introduced Greenpeace. These are some wins from June posted on their website.

- Hyundai Construction Equipment commits to help stopping illegal mining in the Amazon

Greenpeace East Asia released the Stop the Excavators report in April of this year, calling to heavy machinery manufacturers to take measures that prevent their equipment being used illegally, in ways that cause violations of human rights.

This exposé revealed that Hyundai Construction Equipment is apparently the favoured brand used in illegal mining in Indigenous Lands in the Amazon.

Hyundai has now announced a series of measures to protect the forest, and will act to prevent this in the future.

- ReconAfrica suspends oil drilling in Okavango Delta

The Canadian oil company ReconAfrica has stopped drilling in Namibia’s Okavango Delta, after it was faced with lawsuits and environmental concerns. For now, the drillings have only been suspended, but this is a step in the right direction, proving that people power can work wonders.

In 2019, ReconAfrica announced fracking in some of Africa's most sensitive (both in terms of water supplies and as livelihoods for the communities in the area) environmental areas. Namibian youth climate activists, indigenous, environmental and human rights groups have been working since then to prevent this from happening.

- ASEAN steps up commitment to end forced labour and human trafficking practices of migrant fishers

In May 2023, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) leaders officially adopted the first ASEAN Declaration on Migrant Fishers Protection in history. This declaration follows many years of active campaigning by human rights advocates and civil society organizations. The campaign aims to push stronger policies to protect Southeast Asian migrants working in fisheries and their rights.

This declaration emphasised that protecting and fulfilling the rights of migrant fishers is an entire migration cycle (recruitment, placement, and repatriation), and so is a shared responsibility among the ASEAN states.

- Local fishers and civil society join forces to reforest mangroves in Senegal

The local community in the traditional fishing town Joal in Senegal started reforesting mangroves in a show of what direct action is really about.

Joal is located near mangrove forests, that are essential breeding grounds for many fish species, and are vital therefore for the fishing communities in those areas. They also store more carbon than tropical forests, and are capable of curbing climate impacts such as floods.

- Dutch creative agencies choose to no longer work with fossil fuel companies

23+ creative agencies in The Netherlands put together a Fossil No Deal, stating that they will stop working with fossil companies and no longer encourage fossil passenger transport. They call it verdrag verantwoord verleiden, a treaty for responsible seduction.

- Thailand applies new PM2.5 ambient standard

In the beginning of June, the new PM2.5 ambient standard was officially applied in Thailand.

The new standard is now 15 μg/m3 for the annual standard and 37.5 μg/m3 for 24-hour standard, which is in keeping with the revised WHO air quality guidelines. This is a big step in the right direction to help reduce PM2.5 and solve air pollution in the country.

Greenpeace Thailand is still not at rest, though, and are continuing to fight to get the PM2.5 at its source, that is from the industries.

- In New Zealand, FSC abandons plans for ‘GE learning’ process

Greenpeace Aotearoa and other environmental organizations have been pressuring the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification scheme to abandon its plans for a ‘Genetic Engineering (GE) learning’ process.

The long-standing principle of not certifying GE trees came under threat after pressure from FSC certified plantation company Suzano from Brazil that has a subsidiary doing GE eucalyptus tree research trials (for glyphosate resistance).

- Citizens say yes to net zero emissions in Switzerland

Swiss citizens have voted in favour of a new law to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The new climate law, which was initiated seven years ago, passed a referendum with about 59% of the voters.

Net zero is now enshrined in the “federal law on climate protection, innovation and strengthening energy security“.

Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to see, news from your own countries, or if you'd like to add anything or share.

I'm also here to listen, my DMs and Asks are always open :)

Love you all, and see you next time, be safe!

#climate #hope #good news #more to come #climate emergency #news #climate justice #hopeful #positive news #positivity #greenpeace #climate change

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skippyv20 · 30 days

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Hi Skippy & Friends-Paddy went on an outing with Mr. Pilgrim to count Herring. Here is the information of the type of fish that is so important to Cape Cod and the greater Gulf of Maine written by a wonderful scientist, Barbara Brennessel, Ph.D.

Many rivers across Cape Cod were named after river herring, iconic fish that were once abundant all along the Atlantic coast. The term river herring refers to two related species of fish: alewives and blueback herring. Unlike Atlantic herring, which are strictly marine fish, river herring migrate into freshwater ponds and lakes to spawn. These annual migrations are called “runs,” and they are truly a spring spectacle.

The fish expend a tremendous amount of energy - and do not even eat! - as they travel upstream against strong currents for about 5 miles to reach their final destinations: Herring, Higgins, Williams, and Gull Ponds. After spawning, they return to the ocean. The young of the year spend their first spring, summer and early fall in the ponds. They will emigrate to the ocean from their freshwater homes in the fall when the water becomes cold and their food, zooplankton, is scarce. After they mature at 3-4 years, they will spawn every year throughout their lifetime, typically 8 years. They exhibit “natal homing,” migrating to the same rivers, lakes, and ponds every year.

River herring face many obstacles. Overfishing, habitat degradation, the construction of impediments to migration such as dams and dikes, and bycatch in other fisheries have all contributed to their decline. Today, it is illegal to catch river herring in Massachusetts. After a bit of a slow/delayed start, volunteer herring counters are tallying upwards up 100 herring (per 10-minute ‘count’ period) swimming upstream towards the spawning ponds, such as Herring Pond.

This amazing annual spectacle will continue for about another month. The observation information gathered by volunteers will be logged and submitted to the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. APCC gathers similar information from counters all over Cape Cod and maintains valuable records for estimated herring populations from Falmouth to Wellfleet.

Thank you! This is a great post. Much appreciated. Thanks to Paddy and Mr, Pilgrim as well! Paddy looks like he had a wonderful time, so happy!❤️

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cadmium-free · 11 months

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The politicisation of climate change that made it a partizan issue is so fucked, because you end up with situations like these, where keeping an aboiteau closed to maintain a controversial lake during a record storm leads to major flooding. When this aboiteau was always closed they used to open it before storms. But now that it was illegally closed and people are fighting to restore the river, they’ll flood a town for their politics.

#canadian politics #been so mad about this lake since they remade it and now im even more furious

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cyclicalaberration · 4 months

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So, what do you want to talk about?

Well I recently remade a character for my novel, system failure, his name is Julien Genet!

He's a Terlun, a species of human descendents evolved somewhat artificially to live at high altitudes on cliffs and mountains of a fairly cold planet with a fairly thin atmosphere. They have larger lungs, more effective hemoglobin, and are generally smaller than the modern day human— alongside having darker skin for more UV resistance, and (originally genetically modified) tails, ears and feet.

Terlun come from a former human colony world that cut contact a Very, Very long time ago, and was considered lost. They, and the other species from their planet, no longer remember humanity or their origins due to the decision to start over completely, and they haven't yet achieved interstellar travel by the time Julien Genet is born. They have short range travel, but are generally fairly decentralized, but the interstellar age has evaded them.

Julien Genet is a Terlun doctor incapable of dying. System failure is a mix of scifi and fantasy, there's some Bullshit Science magic and there's some just magic magic and some other BS science because I might as well have fun with it. And Julien Genet has the Bullshit Magic power of healing to a degree of insanity. He cannot die, he can heal other people, etc. but to do so, he puts himself in EXCRUCIATING physical pain, even when healing others.

When he's 15, he drowns for three months and washes up at an illegal fishery, finds an ancient, human era robot named 3th3L and accidentally kick-starts the interstellar age.

#system failure #i also have lots of other things to talk sbout involving sysf #or involving yarn #esp knitting or weaving or spinning or fiber processing #i also have more art and a ton of stuff to talk about regarding sysf lore if uou want to lnow more

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rjzimmerman · 3 days

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One of world’s rarest whales sighted off California coast. (Seattle Times)

In an extraordinary sighting, a critically endangered North Pacific right whale was spotted off the Marin County coast on Friday, thrilling scientists.

One of the rarest whales in the world, only an estimated 30 animals are thought to survive.

“It was astonishing,” said research ecologist Jan Roletto, who sighted the whale about three miles west of Point Reyes National Seashore while aboard a research vessel for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies.

The whale had a distinctive V-shaped blow. Wide and pitch black, it had no dorsal fin. And there was at least one cluster of telltale “callosities” on the head, rough and white skin patches.

“It seemed to be resting,” Roletto said. “It wasn’t feeding. It wasn’t traveling. It would move a little bit, then sink down.”

They once numbered in the tens of thousands throughout the North Pacific.

Like other whales, the species was driven nearly to extinction by commercial whaling in the 1800s. Hunters named them the “right” whale to kill because they’re easy targets. They swim slowly and near shore, have thick blubber and float when killed, according to Jessica Crance, a research biologist with the Cetacean Assessment and Ecology Program at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. It is estimated that between 21,000 – 30,000 right whales were slaughtered in the North Pacific in a single decade.

By 1900 they were already considered commercially extinct – meaning their numbers were so low they weren’t worth the effort of trying to catch.

The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling banned the commercial hunting of right whales in the North Pacific in 1937, and their numbers began to climb.

But illegal Soviet whaling in the 1960s in the northern Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea again pushed the species toward extinction.

They have been protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1970. But unlike other species of whales — such as humpbacks, gray whales and blue whales — populations of the North Pacific right whale have been much slower to recover. Its cousin in the Southern Hemisphere is faring somewhat better.

While whaling is no longer a threat, human activity such as entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris, vessel strikes, impacts from climate change, oil and gas development and ocean noise continue to threaten the species.

According to Crance, there are only an estimated 30 individuals left in U.S. waters, and that number was based on data that is more than 15 years old.

#North Pacific right whale #California

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endillegalfishingday · 3 years

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IUU Fishing around the world represent 11-26 Million Tonnes per year (US$ 10-23Billion in value).

Progress in improving fisheries governance and curbing IUU fishing.

Regional fishing management organisation (RFMO) Area.

#Fisheries Management #ASEAN #Fishing sector #fish stock #Fisheries Governance #illegal fishing #unregulated fishing #unreported fishing

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airi-of-hearts · 9 months

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✨🪐💫 A Field of Stars ✨🪐💫

A story set in a galaxy far, far away…well, many of them. Written for the aib server prompt: Sci-Fi AU

The view from her penthouse in Imperial City was breathtaking. Airi had lived there for a few years and she was still overwhelmed by the vastness of it. Coruscant, the Jewel of the Core Worlds; trillions of citizens, human and alien alike. The city-planet had become the hub of galactic culture, education, finance, fine arts, politics and technology.

But Airi hadn’t moved there to flaunt wealth or mingle with high society, her reason was more pragmatic: Coruscant was home to the Senate Building, if she took her Diplomat career seriously, this is where she had to be. She wouldn’t be heard anywhere else.

So far, it hasn’t been exactly easy to earn her spot. Well-established–and frankly, old–Senators are always ready to tell her she’s too young, too inexperienced, her ideas too harsh, too radical, too alienating.

Kovacs had warned her this would happen. Takeshi Kovacs, a former Protectorate Envoy turned bounty hunter, the man she once believed would be the love of her life. Even then, he had been just another man telling her what she couldn’t do.

Well, fuck him. Fuck them all.

Airi paced from the living space to her bedroom and back again, reciting her next speech under her breath. She would speak at the Senate the next day and there was no room for error.

She raised her voice when he reached her main idea. ‘Just because the elites have made Neon City into their playground where anything goes, that doesn’t mean illegal activities should be tolerated. Crimes related to the drug known as Aurora don’t affect these rich tourists as much as they affect the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable sections of the population, and this has to stop.’ She would have to modulate her voice some more, she was almost yelling by the end of it.

People–other diplomats, even Senators–usually asked her why she cared that much about a random city many galaxies away. Well, she would tell them, for one thing she was not going to stand for injustice anywhere. And for another, that was her hometown.

The pleasure city of Neon was a tourist trap that catered to the extravagant tastes of those who could afford all that the city had to offer. And for the locals? Not a lot of options outside fishing for Chasmbass, the source for the hallucinogenic drug Aurora.

Airi might still live there, working for Xenofresh Fisheries if she was lucky, if it hadn’t been for her parents. Her mother wanted her to have a real education, so she’d sent Airi off-world under the care of the Protectorate to study.

It wasn’t as if her life in Neon was too bad, Airi’s father worked for a ship manufacturing company and slowly but steadily managed to rise through their ranks. Meanwhile, as a young girl, Airi spent her days roaming the mean streets of Neon, befriending (or bothering) the hardworking denizens at Ikuchi market, mapping the Ebbside, even venturing into the Underbelly on occasion… and picking up useful skills on the way; she still had a knack for picking locks and hacking into terminals.

A soft beep made her turn around, bringing her back from her memories.

BB-8, the astromech droid that had adopted her (Airi was convinced of this, she hadn’t chosen the little round droid, he had chosen her), had stopped rolling around after her when he realized the pacing would take hours, but he still seemed to be complaining.

‘I know, I know. I won’t be too harsh tomorrow. Well, I will try,’ Airi said, patting the robot.

She hoped she could keep her promise. Her outspokenness had attracted attention from the moment she started speaking up. It earned her many supporters, but many enemies as well. Important ones, the kind who could hire someone to kill her, they had already tried. Why? Well, rich people don’t like it when their source of income is threatened. But as Airi saw it, getting that reaction meant she was going the right way.

Besides, the United Colonies backed her up. They had even sent some of their best Vanguard members to protect her. Which reminded her…

‘Cheer up, BB. We’ll go on a little adventure soon enough.’

After the Senate session, Airi would travel to Neon. She knew some Senators would demand tangible proof of the illegal activities that Airi was denouncing, they wouldn’t ask her to go to Neon City outright but they would heavily imply it, so she had beaten them to the punch, by making travel arrangements. They surely hoped she would suffer some terrible accident over there, but Airi had already contacted the UC.

‘You will meet a member of the Vanguard there,’ the UC contact told her. They hadn’t said who it was. She hoped it was Andrómeda.

Incoming message, the androgynous voice of her penthouse’s AI announced. Airi let the first few words play over the speakers before deleting it. An invitation to a fancy dinner. A date.

She had much to do and… Who had time for love anyway?

#aib rp #aib roleplay #aib sci fi au #monthlyAU001 #[in which airi is a space diplomat]#[special thanks to andro ⭐️]#[au elements: Starfield Star Wars and Altered Carbon]

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chudwaffle52 · 1 year

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Blue Shark - Prionace glauca

"Blue sharks are curious, open-ocean predators that live throughout the global ocean, from the tropics to cold temperate waters. They spend most of their lives far from the coast and are truly a pelagic species. The common name comes from the blue color of the skin, unique among the sharks. Though they may reach lengths of up to nine or ten feet (3 m), blue sharks specialize in relatively small prey, including small pelagic fishes and small squids, and they undertake regular feeding dives to deeper pelagic waters, likely to hunt.

Blue sharks are known to be highly migratory, with individuals making several trips across entire ocean basins throughout their lifetimes. Experts believe that blue sharks use their large pectoral fins (horizontal fins growing out from either side of the body) to ride long currents, conserving energy as they migrate. Blue sharks go on these long migrations to reach areas of dense food resources and to find potential mates. For most of the year, males and females of this species live in different places. Only during the mating season do they come together, briefly, and reproduce via internal fertilization. Males may aggressively bite females during mating, so females have thick protective skin, to prevent injury when they come in contact with males. Females give live birth, and litters are known to rarely reach sizes of more than 100 pups.

In some places, the blue shark is an important species to marine tourism as divers, photographers, etc. enjoy encountering it. In rare instances, individuals have bitten people, but this happens only very infrequently. The blue shark has one of the largest geographic distributions among the sharks and was historically one of the most (if not the most) common pelagic sharks in the world. Its wide distribution and dense population structure makes the blue shark a target of fisheries in some areas and a common accidentally caught species in gillnet and longline fisheries targeting other species. Furthermore, its fins are considered highly valuable, and blue sharks may be the target of illegal ‘shark finning’ operations, where the fins are cut off and kept, while the rest of the shark is wasted. Though experts believe it is only ‘near threatened’ with extinction (as a result of its wide range), the blue shark’s numbers have decreased by as much as 80% in some areas. " - Oceana

#sharks #blue shark

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