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Weddel seal ends on the mid Atlantic Brazilian island of Trindade

Thursday, January 11th 2018 - 10:12 UTC
Full article 42 comments

The Brazilian Navy spotted something unusual in the azure waters of the South Atlantic. In 2015, at a remote outpost and biological research station on the island of Trindade, 1,100 kilometers off central Brazil, sailors spotted a small gray seal swimming in the waves. Two days later, they found its body on the island’s Catelha beach. Scientists who went to take a closer look made an astonishing discovery—the corpse was a young Weddell seal. Read full article

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  • Patrick Edgar

    Over-fishing . Too much large sea traffic . Technology sonars . ARA San Juan search or event.
    ... too think we wanted it to be a de-militarized nuclear free oil rig free pristine heaven where the Falkland Malvinas was going to be its jewel sanctuary smack in the middle of.
    Thanks Britain. Thanks Margaret. Thanks Cameron. Thanks Galtieri !! .... bastards !! I hope they piss in your coffee cup before you take your next sip

    Jan 11th, 2018 - 01:17 pm - Link - Report abuse -3
  • DemonTree

    You're fantasising, Patrick. Argentina started offshore oil exploration in 1976 and it is continuing today, they didn't ratify the treaty of Tlatelolco until 1994, and have never shown the slightest inclination to demilitarise the area - which should be obvious from the fact they recently lost a naval submarine there. Neither were they complaining about the Falklanders selling fishing licences because they wanted to turn the islands into a sanctuary, but because they wanted to sell those licenses themselves.

    Over-fishing, too much large sea traffic, and/or sonar may well be problems, but not everything leads back to those islands.

    Jan 12th, 2018 - 10:43 pm - Link - Report abuse +3
  • Patrick Edgar

    You 're reasoning always astounds me! You have an uncanny ability to look over the sensibility at hand, and the mind of whoever is arguing with you, to just shoot straight past the conversation to start blindly building a reflected opposition which dismembers the noble thinking of who you reject, into isolated sentences separated from the central point.
    I hope you see you're missing the point all together. Just because some brat spray paints graffiti across the front garden wall of a gorgeous unreplaceable Victorian mansion, listed in UNESCO as the only such building still in existence, doesn't mean it's OK to call in the bulldozers to put up a mini mall and parking lot. !! Get it Right DT !

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 12:12 pm - Link - Report abuse -3
  • Chicureo

    Patrick

    We should hope this death is one of many Weddel seals is just as one of thousands as they are a pestilence that consume many times their body weight in rare Malvinas fairy shrimp which are endangered from an overpopulation of Weddel seals.

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 04:51 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • DemonTree

    Sorry Patrick, but small matters like truth and accuracy are important to me.

    I agree that overfishing, pollution, war etc are bad things, and most people don't want to see the environment ruined and more dead seals washing up on beaches. So why do you have to bring up old quarrels? I don't see why I should let you use Britain as a scapegoat just so you can pretend that Argentina is pure and perfect in every way.

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 06:03 pm - Link - Report abuse +3
  • Patrick Edgar

    A PESTILENCE !!???? hOw DARE YOU ! Gaia is in perfect proportionate balance. There are no PEST SPECIES in Gaia, there are no WEEDS in Gaia, no “rubbish trees” or INVASIVE SPECIES EITHER !
    ... it is mankind who is ill with insensitive self destructive desperation because it has not yet learned to take care of itself and love itself as a species. It still dwells close to the primitive survival instinctive egocentrically selfish mind.

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 06:47 pm - Link - Report abuse -3
  • Chicureo

    Patrick Edgar

    I beg to differ. During the visit of Argentine soldiers in 1982, a few plants of mate! also known as chimarrão was ceremoniously planted in Las Malvinas by an Argentine colonel which in the past years has become an invasive pestilence which thrives in the rich moist soil there.

    The purposely introduced mate bush has ruined several large areas for sheep grazing in Las Malvinas as where the animals eagerly graze upon it and become lazy as well as produce an inferior quality of wool.

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 07:19 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
  • Patrick Edgar

    That's bull****, Mate would never survive on the Malvinas, it needs warm much dryer weather and does not like the wind ! What a load of hogwash ! LOL lol
    Have we forgotten sheep were brought there as well? Who's more deserving. I can tell you know one iota of ecological sciences

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 07:52 pm - Link - Report abuse -2
  • Chicureo

    Patrick Edgar

    From the press:

    The government of The Falklands Islands kicked off a debate this week when it ordered that Weddel seals and Rockhopper penguins no longer be dropped alive into boiling water. Boiling them causes pain, the government said, and should be replaced by a more rapid method of death — such as bludgeoning them on the head with a hammer before cooking.

    This has caused a number of Kelpers to gather in Port Stanley last Wednesday with placards with sayings such as “keep our cooking traditions as they are!” and “boiled live seal tastes less oily!”

    During the memorable residence of Argentine soldiers in 1982, boiling alive penguins and seals was introduced to the islanders as it's very popular type of preparation in Ushuaia.

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 08:00 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
  • DemonTree

    ROFLMAO. You're such a bastard Chicureo.  ;)

    Don't forget the Argentine Army Ant invasion that had to be eliminated by the Falklands biosecurity defence force...

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 08:48 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
  • Chicureo

    Patrick Edgar

    The name army ant (or in this particular case known as the marabunta Argentis) is traced back to a shipment of replenishment supplies to the then called Puerto Argentino in '82


    Land quickly infested the entire East Falkland Island. They have become a serious problem due to their aggressive predatory foraging groups, known as “raids”, in which huge numbers of ants forage simultaneously over a certain area.

    Historically, the current suspicious nature of the Falklands has been attributed to the insensitive self destructive aggression from its Kleptomaniac Southern neighbor who in desperation has continuously slandered their good nature and willingness to live independently. The islanders feel Argentines themselves Have not yet learned to take care of themselves, so why should they unite with a populace of land grabbing bipolar psychotics? Argentines as we all know still dwell close to the primitive survival instinctive egocentrically selfish mind...

    It's a well documented fact that careless Argentine soldiers in 1982 indeed introduced the destructive non-native bush mate in Las Malvinas which now has become an invasive pestilence which thrives in the rich moist soil there.

    ...Google it...

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 09:02 pm - Link - Report abuse +3
  • Patrick Edgar

    “ En las Malvinas no se encontraron aborígenes. Los primeros en llegar fueron los conquistadores, marinos, colonos, etc. Las voces que se escucharon fueron las holandesas, francesas, inglesas, españolas. Los gauchos que llevaron después formaron el alma insular en la geografía malvinense. Sus trabajos resultaron imprescindibles para el desenvolvimiento rural y dejaron los sonidos propios de las tareas que otros no pudieron o supieron realizar.

    Muchas de esas palabras formaron los topónimos de las islas que le dieron un valor evocativo: rancho, rincón, bombilla, corral, carancho, horqueta, cisne, arroyo, etc. Todas voces criollas que se aferraron a las islas. Una evocación a estos elementos tan caros a los sentimientos de esos habitantes, habría sido la consecuencia de que un cerro en la isla Soledad se llamara Bombilla.... En esos lugares tan lejanos de Buenos Aires donde el viento cortaba el rostro, muy temprano, antes de salir a trabajar, la paisanada se reunía en los ranchos alrededor del fogón, donde conversaban de lo cotidiano, de las hazañas propias y ajenas, de los rodeos, de las tropillas, mientras pasaban el mate de mano en mano. Lo mismo ocurría al regreso de las arduas jornadas, cebando mate calentito, mientras contaban tradiciones y leyendas, cuando no supersticiones. Uno de los artículos infaltable en los reaprovisionamiento que traían los barcos, eran los ”tercios de yerba“.
    ...
    En esos lugares tan lejanos de Buenos Aires donde el viento cortaba el rostro, muy temprano, antes de salir a trabajar, la paisanada se reunía en los ranchos alrededor del fogón, donde conversaban de lo cotidiano, de las hazañas propias y ajenas, de los rodeos, de las tropillas, mientras pasaban el mate de mano en mano. Lo mismo ocurría al regreso de las arduas jornadas, cebando mate calentito, mientras contaban tradiciones y leyendas, cuando no supersticiones. Uno de los artículos infaltable en los reaprovisionamiento que traían los barcos, eran los ”tercios de yerba“.”

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 09:16 pm - Link - Report abuse -2
  • DemonTree

    Also from the press:

    “UK plans to cull 50,000 beavers on East Falkland. Introduced by the Junta in 1982 in an attempt to provide employment for the locals, they have no natural predators and have reproduced rapidly, and are a threat to the native flora. The plan is the eradicate the beaver completely from the archipelago, local officials say.

    ”According to the officials, the beaver situation is “totally out of control” in East Falkland, where the rodents have destroyed an area double the size of the city of Buenos Aires.

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 09:40 pm - Link - Report abuse +3
  • Chicureo

    Patrick Edgar

    Exactly! The Argentine invaders brought their traditions, including mate, from their motherland. ¡Su español es mejor que su inglés!

    DemonTree

    Yes! Those transplanted beavers on East Falkland island have nearly deforested the island, which has left the majority of the island infested with Argentine infested chimarrão bushes and teeming with marabunta Argentis ants.

    It's an ecological nightmare!

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 10:24 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
  • Think

    Not to speak about the ubiquitous Argie gaucho rap they constantly play in Malvinas radio and TV...

    Them Kelpers can't get enough of it...

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=biDgdKCKc_I

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 10:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Chicureo

    Patrick Edgar

    Argentines, and to a lesser extent the current infestation of Chileans, can both be easily considered an invasive alien species in the Falklands that best be eradicated before we see spectacles such as THINK kindly has contributed with the above video.

    Jan 13th, 2018 - 10:50 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • DemonTree

    Yes, the infestation of Argie gaucho rap bands is the worst ecological disaster yet. The airwaves have turned into a virtual wasteland. It's almost as bad as the Bieber infestation the US is currently suffering.

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 12:06 am - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Chicureo

    DemonTree

    Señor THINK's video is a perfect example of the beautiful way we Chileans rap in Castellano. Quieted poor Edgar...

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 01:03 am - Link - Report abuse +1
  • DemonTree

    Heh, I wouldn't know the difference even if I'd watched the whole thing. I've never liked rap.

    Poor Patrick, I think you've scared him off. But if he does come back he'll probably say you're just jealous of how wonderful Argentina is. ;)

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 09:54 am - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Think

    Geeeeeeeeeee...!

    A young one that desn't like battle rap...!!!
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I4UAg6MMRQI

    A Yank music genre undoubtely inspired in the XIX'th century Rioplatense “Payada”...
    Besides the beat..., main differences are that Yanks warm up with meth..., we use ginebra...
    And Yanks end them usually with firearms...................................................., we prefer verijeros...

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 10:58 am - Link - Report abuse -2
  • The Voice

    DT, I agree rap is crap, and hip hop too. Rap is undoubtably an art form, but not music and shouldnt impinge on TV or Radio music programmes displacing actual music. Some examples of your acceptable music please SVP. Indie rock? Folk? Country? Bagpipe?

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 11:22 am - Link - Report abuse +1
  • DemonTree

    Rap obviously is an art form but it doesn't appeal to me. Rap battles can be fun, but I enjoy them because they are clever and funny, I wouldn't listen to rap as music.

    This is good and you might like it, Think:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4nSjPdT788

    The Voice, I'm no good at music genres. I can tell you stuff I like I guess, but I've been listening to a lot of random stuff on Youtube lately.

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 12:20 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Chicureo

    While ponder the virtues of odd music...

    Am I alone outraged that mate bushes have ruined several large areas for sheep grazing in Las Malvinas? This Argentine ecological plague has created a race of lazy mate chewing inferior wool producing sheep! I ask where's the outrage!

    By the way, I totally agree that boiled live seal tastes less far less oily...

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 04:34 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Think

    No haí ni terminao de almorzar y ya se te apago la tele..., weon...?

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 04:43 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
  • Chicureo

    ¡Ya poh!

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YAlDbP4tdqc

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 04:55 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Think

    You could use you time in a positive manner and add a picture to your profile...
    Something like this...
    https://i.pinimg.com/736x/0a/51/c4/0a51c47893d2619d740de8bcf4413f0a--bulldogs-postcards.jpg

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 05:35 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
  • Chicureo

    Now you've gone and outraged my Dackle.

    Friend, I honesty don't even know how to attach an avatar to my Mercopress profile... Can you explain to this technological imbecile how to?

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 05:51 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • The Voice

    One for Tinkle/Voice... https://youtu.be/KFMYirAN3us LOL!

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 05:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • DemonTree

    @Think
    You're not interested in the rap news then? It seemed like your sort of thing.

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 06:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Hermanito Shileno...

    1) Find a picture you fancy on your device (Or save one from the Internet in your pictures folder..., desktop or wherever you can find it easily again)...

    2) Remember where your chosen picture is saved...

    3) Go into MercoPress and press on “Hi, Chicureo” on the top right of the page ...

    4) Press ”Edit Account...

    5) Press “Change Image”...

    6) Press “Documents”

    7) Find your chosen picture and click on it...

    8) Voilà...

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 06:27 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Chicureo

    THINK
    Thanks for your help, but on my page there is no 'hi Chicureo' I've tried to figure it out with no success.

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 08:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    It should be on the pages top right..., just besides the “Search” button...
    You do have a “Search” button...? Don't ya...?

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 08:19 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • DemonTree

    Chicureo, I don't think the option appears on mobile. Try this link:

    http://en.mercopress.com/users/edit-account.html

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 08:58 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Think

    Thats it...
    International cooperation at its best ;-)

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 09:03 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • DemonTree

    Hey, Think is a tree. I approve. ;)

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 09:07 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
  • Think

    Pinus Pinaster at me humble casetta Ligure...

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 09:12 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Chicureo

    THINK and DemonTree, sincere thanks for your help. My iPad needed the link that DT provided. (The foto is of Torres del Paine)

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 09:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Geeeeeee...
    We should have taken those too... ;-)))

    Jan 14th, 2018 - 09:20 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • The Voice

    Chimp was more appropriate, Parrot even better ;-))))

    Jan 15th, 2018 - 02:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Chicureo

    The worrying decline of the Malvinas Fairy shrimp is directly related in the mismanaged lack of killing enough Weddel seals that consume vast quantities of this endangered shrimp. Weddel Seal kills have declined in the Falklands Islands for hundreds of years and are considered by Islanders to be an important part of their social culture. It is generally only Kelper men who take part in the killings while female islanders look on. The lack of seal hunts have caused an occasional outrage and have been roundly condemned as unnecessary and barbaric by Malvinas Fairy Shrimp rights groups. However, Falkland Islanders vigorously defend their right to engage in the practice. They just need to do more.

    Jan 16th, 2018 - 05:00 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • The Voice

    Chicureo, perhaps you know the answer?... When I visited South Georgia there were thousands of fur seals. We were told that in the 1960s the Fur seal population was less than 100. Fur Seals and Penguins eat Krill, so do whales who consume massive quantities . Whaling stopped in tne 1960s so presumably the Krill recovered after tbat and Fur Seals and Penguins prospered. Animal and fish populations vary enormously over time. Dont you think that those shrimps will recover at some point? We are just another predating animal, but instead of declining in population we realise we are damaging the animsl and fish populations and relent.

    Jan 16th, 2018 - 05:54 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
  • Chicureo

    The Voice

    Yes, all types of marine life has been recovering EXCEPT the endangered Las Malvinas fairy shrimp which in in critical numbers.

    Kelpers have a responsibility to slaughter as many Weddel Seals as possible

    Jan 16th, 2018 - 06:25 pm - Link - Report abuse +1

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