Some blog changes and an update

Hello everyone, this is Alberto. It's been forever since I made a blog post.

I have been changing my blog a bit. First of all, this is the only blog I have now; I deleted the others because I found them to be excessive. Also, I changed the name, so I'm now your Self-proclaimed Cetacean Whisperer. I'll explain below.

I tend to try and play with dolphins and whales at marine facilities that have public underwater viewings, so that's why I gave myself the title and changed the name of this blog. Whether or not the animals come over is entirely up to them, but I keep trying, and when they do come over, it's just lots of fun.

I'm currently employed at SeaWorld Orlando in Park Operations. I basically keep everyone in their seats at Dolphin Theater, and I clean up after shows. I help the park operate! And then after work (if I have time before closing), and between shifts, I play with the animals; I just love that my employment gives me free admission.

Outside work, I'm working towards my dream job; exercising, volunteering at the animal shelter, and taking courses. It's a long road, but I'll get there.

As always, the blog will be about my passion for the ocean and cetaceans, interesting ocean stuff, conservation, my journey to be a trainer, and whatever highlights I can post about when I get there.

Final Countdown, CMA Style

Hey guys, Alberto here, and I'm entering the last week of my internship (can you believe it?).

It seems just yesterday that I was getting started with my internship at CMA. Hard to believe that 4 months have already come and gone. But one thing for certain, they have left me with everlasting memories.

I'll never forget those amazing Sea Life Safari net pulls. I still remember that one time when we caught a small Atlantic stingray (at first, I thought it was a Southern ray) that was then quickly thrown back. There was also that time when we caught a school of spade fish, and those times where we caught large amounts of either mojarra or pinfish; both really common in the bay (did you know that the pinfish are a favorite of the wild dolphins in the bay?). And every now and then we'd come across a huge live lightning whelk (one of the only snails to have a counterclockwise shell).
I also remember when we'd pull up random pieces of debris, from a crab trap to a lawn chair. Both were cut up and either tossed or thrown back in water (since they became artificial reefs).

And on Dolphin Adventure Tour, those times when we'd see 4-6 dolphins; sometimes as many as 8.

And I could never forget my playtime with my dolphin pals Winter and Hope. I'd play with Hope a lot at the window, and I'd talk to Winter at the Winter Zone. She does come to the window, but not as often as Hope.

Nicholas is also a nice dolphin to hang with.

Just last Wednesday, I did a Winter's Trainer Assist. I got to help with Winter's prosthetic tail. I was a lot of fun. On Saturday, I got to sit on the submerged platform for some cute moments with her.

So, plans for the summer:

I don't think I can raise enough money for DolphinLab at the Dolphin Research Center within the time I have left before the program starts or fills up, but I'll try anyway. I would really like to go to Advanced Training and Enrichment. If not there's next summer. Plus I have the College of Marine Mammal Professions, for which I am planning to look into the scholarships.

I'm gonna try to get my job back at Home Depot (I resigned in order go to the internship. If not, there's PetSmart just across the street.

In the meantime, I'll find other ways to raise funds. I'm also gonna keep exercising to do well in the animal trainer swim tests.

As an Intern, CMA has given me a lot of experience these past 4 months, and I look forward to what the future will bring.

Internship Update - 4/8/2015

Hello readers, friends, and followers. Thought I'd give an update on my internship. I had actually been hoping to blog all semester long, but I just kept forgetting :P.

So I just had my parents visit for Easter weekend. It was so much fun. We explored Clearwater beach, visited the aquarium together (I got to introduce some of my supervisors), and saw Winter's DolphinTale Adventure, a movie museum full of images, clips, recreated scenes, and rebuilt props, all from the first DolphinTale movie.

During the last few weeks, I had the honor of getting to meet 3 DolphinTale stars: Austin Highsmith (Phoebe), Cozi Zuehlsdorff (Hazel), and Nathan Gamble (Sawyer). They were all so nice. I even had Cozi sign my copy of her new music album, and I had Nathan sign my copy of DolphinTale 1. I also attended a concert by Cozi. She is so talented.

Austin Highsmith; I was so excited to meet

an actual DolphinTale star

2 stars are better than 1;

Cozi on the right, Austin on the left

The big star: Nathan Gamble

 

 

Being a huge DolphinTale fan, it was really great to meet these celebrities.

 

So as always, I'm loving life at the aquarium, hanging with 2 movie stars that will always be around.

 

Also, the education team launched a series called "On the Water." This is a series of ~5 minute videos that talk about the open ocean and its conservation: http://www.seewinter.com/educate/moorings. I have recently suggested an episode, and I hope to be filming soon.

 

I'm also enjoying the Clearwater community as a whole. I get to stop by the beach every once in awhile. I'll also sometimes try to support the CMA mission even outside the aquarium. Below are photos from a solo beach clean-up I did not too long ago:

 

Clearwater Beach

Trash doesn't belong here

 

It belongs in there

Before: What a mess!

 

 After: Much better

 

I couldn't clean the whole beach, but I got a good chunk.

 

I also learned about Dolphin SMART during my internship. This voluntary program was launched by NOAA to provide safe guidelines for viewing wild dolphins. SMART is actually an acronym

 

S means Stay at least 50 yards away from wild dolphins

M means Move away cautiously if the dolphins show disturbance

A means Always put your boat engine in Neutral (so that the propellers don't spin) when dolphins are near

R means Refrain from touching, feeding, or swimming with wild dolphins

T means Teach others about Dolphin SMART



 

Follow these guidelines to view dolphins in a way that they can live naturally and not risk getting hurt.

 

CMA has been giving me great experience so far. It is definitely something I can use for my ultimate career at SeaWorld. I might also apply for a training position at CMA in case I don't get into SeaWorld right away. However, I'm still gonna keep pushing for it.

 

Internship Update

Hey it's Alberto. I'm currently interning at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida. This is different from other aquariums because it is a working marine life hospital, dedicated to preserving the ocean through education, rescue, rehabilitation, and release. I have already gone halfway into my internship and it has been lots of fun so far. I will be interning until May.

The activities I've helped with are Sea Life Safari, an occasional stingray feeding, touch tank feeding, and I am starting with the Dolphin Adventure Tour.  

Sea Life Safari is a 90-minute boat tour where guests can get an up-close look at the marine life that lives in Clearwater Bay. Dolphin Adventure Tour allows guests to see wild dolphins as they swim in the bay. What is interesting about both boats is that there is actual research being done. Sea Life Safari collects data about all the fishes and invertebrates that live in the bay, specifically how much of each species is there. Dolphin Adventure Tour not only studies the bay's wild dolphin populations, but also its water quality.
Feeding stingrays is fun and interesting because they're different from the marine animals I've been exposed to (dolphins, whales, etc.). The barbs have been clipped off so you can't get hurt, and the rays are used to human contact. Stingrays are often misunderstood because when a person
thinks of a stingray, the first thought is being stung. Well, the truth is that stingrays are actually very docile, and they only sting to defend themselves, not to attack. Anyway, feeding the rays is a neat experience. You can literally feel them sucking the food out of your hand like a vacuum cleaner.

During breaks, there's nothing I like better than playing with the dolphins at the underwater viewing. Most of the time, I have Hope come over. She has officially become my playmate at the window. She loves the stuff that I have; I often wave around a towel or a jacket, and I have recently bought a suction cup ball that I'll stick to the glass and roll around in front of her.

 

I've also been able to play "hide and seek" with her. Basically, I will run over to the next
window, and Hope, being the smart girl she is, will know where I am. I also like to just look in her
cute eyes and talk to her. I'll sometimes send her a kiss through the glass (may sound silly, but that's how I am when there's a dolphin in front of me).

Winter comes to the window sometimes, but not as often as Hope. When she does come to the window though, it's just as fun. Sometimes I'll go up to the Winter Zone and I talk to her there. I'll even whistle to the dolphins sometimes.

 

From my point of view, Winter seems more like the "chill and relax" kind of dolphin, while Hope is more curious and playful. She'll sometimes try to get Winter to play while Winter just wants to
relax. Nicholas is also a fun dolphin to play with. He'll sometimes take the time to see what I have.

I have also had interesting events happen. In January, I got to see Summer, a rescued dolphin, get transported from the aquarium to live out her life at Dolphin Research Center.

So I'm having a great time interning at CMA. I'm taking part in cool stuff, while helping to educate others. I'm also having fun with my dolphin playmates, Winter, Hope, and Nicholas. I'll try to post more updates while I'm still in Clearwater so that you guys can know what's happening. Stay
tuned.

My Journey with the Gentle Giants

Hey everyone, it’s Alberto. Hope everyone is having a great summer; I know I am!

On this day, August 3^rd, I had the experience of a lifetime. I went to Georgia Aquarium to dive with the world’s largest fish…the whale shark!!! In addition, I also signed up for the Whale Shark Specialty program. It was an amazing experience!

First I went to a class room where I filled out some forms (the boring part).

Then I got to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium. I saw where they examine water samples from the Ocean Voyager tank. I got to see how the whale sharks are fed (they are "target fed" from boats). I got to see where all the water pumps are, as well the chemicals that are added to make artificial ocean water. I even saw where the animals are lifted into the Ocean Voyager exhibit.

I then met up with the other divers in my group. We went over some basic guidelines and tips for the dive, and then we changed into our wetsuits, geared up, and went in the water.

We were led all around the Ocean Voyager tank, and we got to see various fish species, including the humongous whale sharks and manta rays. At some point, a manta ray came super close to us and swam around us (I had to shield my face for a few seconds to prevent being slapped :D).

I also had moments where I was just within arm’s length of the whale sharks (I would be just a few feet below them; close enough so that I could see their eyes). On occasion, I would wave to the passing whale sharks, as well as other fishes in the exhibit.

Hi Mr. Whale Shark!!!

We also swam over the tunnel where we exchanged waves with fellow guests (and our families). We even stopped by the large glass window (it’s way thicker than it looks, so we had to put our hands out to prevent bashing our faces into it; would’ve made a great entry for America’s Funniest Home Videos though).

On occasion, I would put air in my buoyancy compensator to help with neutral buoyancy, but after a few seconds, I’d start rising because of the expanding air, so I’d have to let it out again (didn’t want to get “the bends”).

While we were swimming, one of the dive leaders gave us some ray plates as souvenirs.

These are basically a ray's teeth.

After a while, the other divers went to the surface, and I stayed under for my extended dive (as part of the specialty dive). I got to spend some extra time watching the sharks, rays, and the many fishes.

Finally, I surfaced with a dive leader, and reunited with my group. We showered, got dressed, and then went back to the classroom where we reunited with our families. We saw the DVD of our adventure (I bought a copy). I also got a photo with my group. Then we got our dive logs signed, and went back to the "aquarium" area.

I had such an incredible adventure. I got to be in the water with the largest fish in the world, and I owe it all to Georgia Aquarium. I have also posted a new video on YouTube for all to see (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiXbI4RbF4M). I encourage all divers and shark and ray lovers to take on this once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s an experience that you will NEVER forget!!!

Happy New Year, and Summer Savings

Hello everyone, it's Alberto

I hope you all had a wonderful new year's celebration. I know I did; lighting fireworks, being with family, and watching the New York celebration (I would love to attend that one day).

(Photo from www.timessquarenyc.org)

 



2013 was a great year full of wonderful moments, and now let's see what awaits us in 2014. I'll go ahead and share some of my favorite moments of 2013:

I saw Man of Steel, Iron Man 3, Thor 2, and The Hobbit 2.

In January, I began a SCUBA class. On February, I became SCUBA Certified, bringing me closer to my dream as an animal trainer.

I met new people on Facebook, Twitter, and in real life too.

In August, I celebrated my 22nd birthday. One of my gifts was Nike+ Kinect Training, which brought my fitness routine to a whole new level.

On the same month, I went to DolphinLab at the Dolphin Research Center in Florida, and I had a great time there.

In the fall, I went to my cousin’s wedding.

In late October, I got a job at The Home Depot. I currently work there as an associate in the Lumber and Building Materials departments.

I began a business of bronze necklaces and earrings, and I even sold some. I also launched a website to advertise and sell them all over the internet.

In December, I participated in an art show and made some great money.

My resolution for 2014 is to keep working to make my dream job at SeaWorld a reality!!!

As of late Fall 2013, I have officially begun saving up for my Summer.

I hope to spend a week at SeaWorld Orlando, including a day at Discovery Cove doing "Trainer for a Day," and maybe even a day at Aquatica.

After that week, I will hopefully spend the next two weeks doing not one...but two DolphinLabs at the Dolphin Research Center down in the Keys. They are "Marine Mammal Care and Basic Training," and "Advanced Marine Mammal Training and Enrichment."

Finally, although it may or may not happen on the same trip, I would love to dive with the whale sharks at Georgia Aquarium. It would be AMAZING to swim with these gentle giants.

I am really excited for this coming summer. I know it's all gonna be really expensive, but with the money coming from my job, my jewelry sales (www.aloceans.com), and my T-shirt sales (www.zazzle.com/alstees), I should be able to pull it off!!! :)

To sum this post up, 2013 was a great year, and I look forward to what 2014 will bring. I especially can't wait for the summer. It'll be fin-tastic!!!

No Seismic Airgun Testing

Hello everyone, it's Alberto. I am currently taking part in the fight to protect the Atlantic Ocean from seismic airgun testing.

During the year 2012, a plan was proposed to allow seismic air gun testing in the Atlantic Ocean prior to drilling for oil and gas. The planned area extends from the waters of Delaware to the waters of Florida. The plan has been awaiting approval since the day it was proposed. There should be no seismic airgun testing in the Atlantic (an area that has been protected for about 30 years). It is important to know what seismic airgun testing is, its potential impact on the ocean environment, and what must be done to protect the ocean.

Seismic air gun testing is a method that oil and gas companies use to scan the ocean floor to find ideal areas for offshore drilling. A boat drags a seismic air gun across the ocean. A loud explosion of air is fired from this air gun into the ocean floor. The sound is then reflected off the ocean floor, and detected by receivers. This allows people to know the conditions of the earth’s subsurface below the ocean floor, as well as the amounts of oil and gas deposits that are there.


(http://www.pgecurrents.com/2012/09/07/san-luis-obispo-county-pge-taking-extensive-measures-to-protect-marine-life-in-seismic-testing/)

Seismic airgun testing can have a serious impact on the ocean. The blasts from a seismic airgun are much more intense than the sound of a jet engine.

(http://marinesciencetoday.com/2013/06/07/top-10-reasons-not-to-turn-the-atlantic-ocean-into-a-blast-zone/)


This can be harmful to many animals. Cetaceans, for example, rely on sound as their primary sense. The loud air blasts can disrupt a cetacean’s hearing, and even cause deafness, making it nearly impossible for these animals to navigate through the ocean. This can cause these animals to become stranded, or even die. These blasts are especially dangerous for dolphins and toothed whales since they rely on echolocation to find food and other resources.

 (http://www.endangered.org/stop-seismic-airguns/)

Also, many fish can be scared away or killed, which can threaten important ecosystems such as coral reefs. This can also threaten businesses such as fishing operations. In addition to the loud blasts, the testing is the first step towards drilling for oil and gas. The drilling itself will lead to habitat destruction, and the risk for spills such as the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico back in 2010. We can’t risk another disaster like that.

We must fight to keep seismic air gun testing out of the Atlantic. You should write to your congressmen about your concerns (go to senate.gov to find your senators, and house.gov to find your representatives). You can also go to Oceana’s website (http://act.oceana.org/letter/l-seismic-signon) and send a letter to the President.

Seismic air gun testing should not be allowed in the Atlantic Ocean, or anywhere else. It would have a devastating effect on the ocean environment, disrupting cetaceans and other marine life. On a positive note, it has been recently announced that the decision on whether to approve the testing plan has been delayed for six months. Now, we must keep fighting so that this plan is halted all together, and that the ocean stays protected.