Dear Marmam Readers, I am pleased to announce two new educational media programs produced by earthOCEAN. We recently launched a new website dedicated to sharing stories of the science of whales, dolphins and porpoises around the world and highlight the people studying these animals in the wild – Whale Trackers. http://www.whaletrackers.com The programs include - 1.) “The Search for the Desert Porpoise” - An online documentary film and behind the scenes blog from the field documenting the Vaquita. In October and November 2008, we follow international scientists on expedition in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico in their search to study the Vaquita – the desert porpoise. We follow this unique collaborative effort between the Instituto Nacional de Ecologia in Ensenada, Mexico (INE) and NOAA Fisheries - Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, CA to implement long-term strategies to help save this population of 150 animals from extinction. We will meet the people living and working in local communities while discovering more about the planned conservation efforts for the region by the Mexican government. In early December, we will post a special 30 minute online documentary program in English and Spanish with educational materials for teachers. During the expedition, read the latest updates from the field and watch behind the scenes videos. Today, we posted interviews with research scientists Jonathan Gordon of the Sea Mammal Research Unit in Scotland and Jay Barlow of NOAA Fisheries - Southwest Fisheries Science Center. http://www.whaletrackers.com/blogs/expedition-vaquita/listening-for-vaquita.... 2.) The five-part documentary film series “Whales of the Mediterranean Sea” is now available with subtitles in 6 additional languages. "Whales of the Mediterranean Sea" highlights the latest research into whales and dolphins as well as the heroic efforts to conserve them and their habitat in the Mediterranean. In addition to English, the films are now available with subtitles in French, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, German and Greek. The project to translate and implement the language versions was sponsored by WDCS - the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, and OceanCare, with the help of the other NGOs featured in the films including Oceana, Tethys Research Institute, Alnitak, Pelagos Research Institute and WWF. We welcome the efforts of schools, local communities, scientists and NGOs interested in showing the videos to raise awareness about cetaceans in the Mediterranean. Groups can link to, and use the multi- lingual online materials or download high-resolution versions via iTunes (e.g., for use in classrooms). http://www.whaletrackers.com/whales-mediterranean-sea/ cheers, Chris CHRIS JOHNSON Director - earthOCEAN media A production company uncovering stories of our natural world through exploration and education. www.earthOCEAN.tv Filmmaker / Cinematographer - "Whale Trackers" A series exploring whales,dolphins and porpoises around the world. www.whaletrackers.com Board of Directors - Filmmakers for Conservation www.filmmakersforconservation.org email: christophe.johnson@mac.com chris.johnson@whaletrackers.com cj@earthocean.tv cell: +61 409-695-943 (australia) skype: chris.earthocean