Five months later after the explosion, after numerous struggles, the government proudly declared that the well was stopped on September 19^th after various tests demonstrated that the cement pumped into the well had created a successful seal. While today the leackage is finally contained, the ocean is far from being oil free as “nearly five million barrels of oil had gushed from BP’s well, according to estimates by government scientists, an amount that outstrips the estimated 3.3 million barrels spilled into the Bay of Campeche by the Mexican rig Ixtoc in 1979” (Source: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/o/oil_spills/gulf_of_mexico_2010/index.html?scp=1-spot&sq=bp%20oil%20spill&st=cse). Indeed the oil has been spreading faster than ever and by June it had managed to gild over the cost of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. As it reached the shores, desperate and surprised tourists began to pack their bags as worried fishermen stared at the ocean with a cold shiver. As biologists rescue brown pelicans, the economy of the local towns is at risk: entire villages survived thanks to fishing activities.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated that close to 4, 676 birds have been collected and the majority of those were found dead, while over a thousand birds were visibly oiled. The traumatizing species have been put into rehabilitation centers until they are cured and their bodies are strong enough to be self-sufficient. The birds are just one of the many types of species that have been deadly affected by this accident. Today it remains impossible to estimate with full accuracy the damages of the spill.

Skeptical of the declarations made by the federal government, any independent scientists and scholars are launching their own private researches in order to evaluate the real damages. A report conducted by the University of Georgia in collaboration with the Georgia Sea Grant seems to declare that the amount of oil remaining is much more superior to the one reported by the federal government:  “in fact 70-79% of oil not captured at the wellhead by BP still poses a threat to the ecosystem. That’s 2.9-3.2 million barrels of oil still in the water.” (Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/08/80-percent-oil-from-gulf-oil-spill-remains-in-water.php). According to scholar it is false to believe that the remaining oil had simply dissolved into the water and was therefore harmless. Charles Hopkins, director of the Georgia Sea Grant sustains the reports that declare that the remaining oil is composed of dispersed micro-droplets, some with additional dispersant coats and other residuals particles. The scientists reminds us that the word “dispersed” needs not to be mistaken with the term “gone”. This is a serious misinterpretation often pushed forward by the news and mass media coverage’s. The portraits is not all negative, as some shades of positivity reflect upon the black sea: due to the favorable currents, the oil has been prevented from reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

As the months have passed by and the gushing well has been stopped, many journalists and media coverage centers seem to have forgotten about the most damaging oil spill accident in the history of the United States. Yes, the well has been blocked but public opinion needs to remember that the problems haven’t yet been solved. Professional and financial aid is still need in order to limit the damages and save what is left of the wildlife.

At the Our World-Underwater weekend event, visitors have the opportunity to witness many exhibitions, be part of the film festival while making sure that the little ones are having just as much fun with at the children’s activity area. Your kids will not want to miss a life size 40 feet humpback whale or the gapping mouth of a 30 feet shark.  In addition, children will have the opportunity to work with artists in order to accomplish their own underwater painting.

Hosted by Dive Photo Gudie and Wetpixel the 4^th annual Deep Indonesia International Underwater photo competition was a real success. Photographer from all over the world participated in seven themed categories with the chance to with $ 35, 000 in prizes.  Apart from the actual money awards, some prices included “die travel packages to some of the top underwater photography destinations in Indonesia and beyond, and underwater photography equipment” (Source: http://underwatercompetition.com/Competitions/DEEP-Indonesia-2010). Trips in Indonesia include, komodo, Lembeh, Manado and Raja Ampat. The competition also has a special category dedicated to the theme of conservation of the marine environment, another sections reserved for compact digital cameras and a special category dedicated to Indonesian entrants.  The first prize winner of the compact camera competition is the Canadian Stephen Holinski with a colorful picture entitled “Mantis Shrimp with Eggs”. From sea horses, to dolphins without forgetting the most unusual looking fish, this competition is an incredible collage of the underwater oceans of the world.

These photographers vary in ages and nationality but they all have in common the love and passion for the oceans.

Cave diving differs from cavern diving insofar cavern diving is the exploration of overhead environments while remaining close to the entrances. Cave divers on the other hand, will enter the cave and go as deep as thousands of yards. In addition “cavern divers keep the entrance clearly in sight at all times, and use a guideline so that, should sight of the entrance be accidentally lost, divers can immediately regain it” (Source: http://www.cavediving.com/what/start/02.htm). In this sense, cavern diving is a safer sport insofar the diver remain in the emergency swimming zone while cave divers risk it all and go far beyond. For this reason, cavern diving is considered to be a form of recreational diving while cave diving is much more technical. Cave diving certificates are only available through serious and recognized organizations such as the National Speleological Society cave Diving Section (NSS-CDS) or the National Association for Cave Diving (NACD). Another significant difference between these two types of diving is the equipment used: cavern divers use an equipment that is similar to the one used by divers in open water, while cave divers need to make some modification to their gear, especially when it comes to the gas-delivery systems. While, somewhat inexperienced curious underwater lovers can do cavern diving, cave diving is a serious and more dangerous sport limited to a target of experts with a certification.

Cave diving can be done in many places around the world such as Europe, Japan, Hawaii or Brazil. In North America, the most famous regions are ones such as California, Nevada, Missouri or Virginia. The north of Florida is one of the world’s top destinations for cave divers. Despite what you might believe, cave diving can be done in any season of the year, even if some season factors due affect the coasts of Florida and Mexico.

Jill Heinerth decided to blend together her passion for the underwater world and photography to accomplish real masterpieces. For close to 15 years she has been exploring caves around the world from the icebergs of the Antarctic to the coasts of North Africa. This renowned photographer and filmmaker wants to remind to people not to exaggerate and to go further than their limits. She reminds her fans that more than 400 people have died all over the world because of cave diving accidents and it is important for cave divers to have a real certification.  Jill Heinerth has all the credits to prove her expertise, she was named a living legend by Sport diving magazine and “she was named Canadian Technical Diver of the Year and holds various pioneering diving records” (Source: http://www.intotheplanet.com/IntoThePlanet/About.html). This Canadian diver is well-known around the world diving community has she gives many motivational speeches, presentation and shop works to various clubs and organizations around the world. In addition, she holds more than twenty years of teaching experience with classes in cave diving, rebreather and photographic pursuits.  According to experts, “less than one percent of the recreational diving population possesses the knowledge, skills, attitude and judgment needed to cave dive as safely as possible” (Source: http://www.cavediving.com/who/start/index.htm). Fitness, ability, years of experience and training are all needed in order to enjoy a beautiful and most importantly safe experience under water.

Cave diving is a serious and dangerous sport that needs to be taken seriously. If diving in a responsible manner, cave can open doors to an exclusive under water world of beautiful species and underwater secrets. Professional diver, photographer and filmmaker, Jill Heinerth illustrates the gorgeous secrets of the underwater world while reminding her fans that safety is the most important element when it comes to diving.

Seafood is a healthy source of nutrients and proteins that is gaining popularity worldwide. In 2007, the United States reached their highest peak of consumption. While most of the seafood we consume is caught in the open ocean, there is a good proportion of it that originates from aquaculture. This industry is continuously expanding and “has grown at a strong and steady 8 to 10 percent over the past three decades and is expected to continue to expand at that rate for a while” (Source: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/globalmarkets/aquaculture/whyitmatters.html). For this reason WWF is committed to working on sustainable seafood culture in order to assure that quality seafood is farmed while respecting the environment and minimizing the negative impacts.

In 1999, after various publications and workshops on the shrimp farming, WWF in partnership with FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) launched a set of roundtables called aquaculture dialogues that started in 2004. From farmers, to scientists without forgetting government officials, all the stakeholder involved are participating to these events in order to create standards that will minimize the key negative environmental and social impacts for the following species: shrimp, salmon, abalone, clams, mussels, scallops, oysters and many others. Every dialogue will be coordinated and guided by a WWF representative who will be the resources of references to all participants on that particular issue while also taking care of updating the content of the website. While many standards and certification programs for aquaculture already exist, they lack in efficiency and fail to truly make this industry more sustainable. Consequently, the Aquaculture Dialogues strive to provide efficient credible standards that are “science-based, performance based and metrics-based” (Source: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/globalmarkets/aquaculture/whatwearedoing.html). These standards won’t have the ambition to impose upon producers how to change their farming practices in order to render them more sustainable but will provide targets to be reached while giving the liberty to innovate in order to find a medium to the actual producers. It is also important for these standards to be measurable in order to provide a comprehensive and objective guideline with major credibility.

These standards will be presented to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) who’s task will be to transform them into reality. Founded in 2009 by the WWF, the ACS offers a leading program for certification and labeling for responsible farming. Working in collaboration with producers, retail and food service companies. “The overarching strategy of the ASC is to use market forces to transform aquaculture, which will be done by reducing the key negative social and environmental impacts of aquaculture through compliance with standards at the farm level” (Source: http://www.ascworldwide.org/index.cfm?act=tekst.item&iid=2&iids=39&lng=1). The strategy will be focused on the need to develop and launch a marketing program that will create demand for ASC products on the market. These products will have an added value provided by the adequate certification supplied by objective third-parties.

From salmon, to shrimp without forgetting tilapia the ocean offers us a vast quantity of resources that are vital to many population on the globe. The growing demand for seafood and the need to respect fishing laws and quotas, has brought to the increase of aquaculture. In order to protect endangered species and avoid over exploitation a set of standards need to be implemented and respected on the long-term.

The hammam was a place for ritual bathing where people from all social statuses blended together and were able to socialize far away from the standard class distinction prejudices. Yet, it is important to state that these baths were divided by gender, both sexes attended at different hours or were simply introduced into separate baths. A bathing session starts with individuals warming up in a steam room so their bodies can slowly get use to the temperature before they entre the hot room. In Turkish tradition, the hammam was an important ritualistic activity that marked the passing of time in an individual’s life. Important occurrences like a wedding or the newborn’s fortieth day, were all celebrated with a symbolic bath at the hammam. When going to the hammam, the bride had to wear a particular costume, “a vest and paire of loose trousers (the shalvar) made of fine felt cloth. The gift from the family of the groom would be worn going to and coming back home from the bath on that special day of the marriage” (Source: http://www.allaboutturkey.com/hamam.htm). The bride would also wear a silk robe, similar to the Japanese kimono, in which the bride would site on a kind of throne at the bath. In addition, the baths are also part of the Islamic ritual of ablution insofar “Muslims wash distinct parts of their body before their daily prayers” (Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/21/AR2006072100503.html).  These Turkish baths have an important historical ans symbolic value since they were testimonies of the most important rituals in the lives of Middle East civilizations.

With the passing of time and the arrival of modernization, most hammams are known as real socializing centers. High-end hotels in the Middle East often have the solitary and private version of a hammam. Today, the quality in service varies tremendously from hammam to hammam. While some are “undeniably dirty, others are hospital-clean and modern, such as Majorelle, now owned by fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent” (Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/21/AR2006072100503.html).

A couple of years ago, in Morocco, archeologists discovered the remains of an ancient hammam that is estimated to be one of the earliest of its kind. Scientists have estimated that it was built around the late 10^th century and measure around 13 meters by 13 meters. After years of work, the hammam is now clean and appears to be in stable conditions. The U.S. State Department’s Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation decided to support the project and to help prepare the historical treasure for the arrival of visitors. According to archeologists, for close to 500 years the hammam served its purpose as a bathouse. Yet, for a mysterious reason, it got converted into a pottery factory and was later abandoned. In order to increase funding for the project various brochures have been printed and distributed to promote the site as a heritage for Morocco and the entire Middle East.

Today you can visit authentic olden hammam in the Middle East or you can attend a modern day hammam that offer the latest and most up to date spa treatments while providing a unique atmosphere of the olden day traditions of the Islamic tradition. This unique bathing experience is worth experimenting if you plan to visit the beautiful city of Marrakech, you can attended the Bain Majorelle and be part of an important ritual of the past and present.

Born in Milford, Massachusetts in 1962, this young man graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in media and communication from Worcester College. He had a variety of different jobs for years, while cultivating his passion for underwater photography during his free time. Diving for more than 30 years, Brian Skerry managed to transform his passion for the sea life into his full time job. Today he is famous for having managed to capture great shots of right whales as he was standing underwater next to the enormous animal. In an interview for National Geographic he confesses that the pictures he shot of the right whales are probably his favorite since “to see a whale that big in perspective with a human being was cool” (Source: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/10/right-whales/skerry-field-notes). Cool?!! Yes, I bet your are just as amazed as I am by his nonchalance when it comes to diving into water with a 45 foot subject. When asked if he has ever felt in danger by being around them he responds by saying: “when the whales are three feet or four feet away from you, one gentle lift on its head, and it would be like being hit by a sidewalk. That never happened. They were just highly curious and wanted to know what I was about” (Source: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/10/right-whales/skerry-field-notes/ ). His gorgeous photographs and honest statements make the public develop a brand new appreciation for sea creatures that often are misleadingly portrayed as scary or aggressive towards humans.  The photographer reminds us of the difficulty to shoot a subject of such an imposing proportion, with whales it is practically impossible to use strobees in order to light them. For this reason he had to shoot at a very high speed, ISOs of 800 which impacted on the resolution of the shot. Despite technical and human difficulties, his shots manage to convey a human and kind aspect to a massive whale that is swimming in a vivid light blue ocean.

According to his official website, Skerry has spent more than 10 000 hours underwater over the course of his career; and “while on assignment he has lived on the bottom of the sea, spent months aboard fishing boats and traveled in everything from snowmobiles to canoes to the Goodyear Blimp to get the picture” (Source: http://www.brianskerry.com/). Covering different issues from the decrease in the world’s fishery, to the sharks of the Bahamas, without forgetting the harp seal’s struggle to survive in frozen waters. It is important to remember that is artist is also member of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP), an non-profit organization that gathers artists from around the world with the scope of promoting environmental and cultural conservation through the medium of ethical photography. Part of their mission is to “replace environmental indifference with a new culture of stewardship and passion for our beautiful planet” (Source: http://www.ilcp.com/?cid=22).  Part of their ethic principles comprises a careful use of images of animals in captivity: those shots should never ever be represented as wild and not pictures should be taken of animals in any sort of entertainment institutions that exploits animals for profits. With great respect and integrity, Skerry stays true to his values and the ones of ILCP, holding a great attention in order to leave intact and unaltered the natural environments where he takes his gorgeous shots.

Brian Skerry understands the urgent need to save the wildlife and the oceans before it is too late. He believes that visual arts and photography can perhaps be a less conventional but yet more efficient way to get the message across. With his incredible shots he manages to captures the ocean’s majestic glory that often hides a veil of fragility.

At the beginning of the summer, according to the New York Times, the Obama administration has launched a full on civil and criminal investigation into the BP oil spill. This might seem as a desperate attempt for the administration to take full – on action and to respond to the hurricane of bashing public opinion.  Officials said that they were analyzing the Clean Water Act and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990 in order to hold BP responsible for the cleaning and to determine the appropriate penalty for the damage caused to the wildlife and local population. The OPA hopes to help prevent such incidents and/or at least to provide comprehensive guidelines in times of crisis. “A trust fund financed by a tax on oil is available to clean up spills when the responsible party is incapable or unwilling to do so” (Source: http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/opa.html). So far, the oil company has always declared that it was taking full responsibility for the cleaning process and was ready to cooperate with the government. Yet, when it comes to funding in order to clean-up the biggest oil spill in American history, the situation seems to be somewhat blurry.

Close to 85 days after the first official report of an explosion, an official communication came and declared the temporary stoppage of the leak. New agencies all over the world spread the news that “BP has been slowly reducing the flow as part of a test on a new cap. Engineers are monitoring the pressure to see if the broken well holds” (Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/epic/bpdot/7893358/Deepwater-Horizon-oil-spill-stopped-say-BP.html). This is perhaps the first real concrete result since the explosion occurred and now only time will tell if the cap will actually manage to hold back the oil without the risk of a new leak.  This is obviously a temporary solution while the giant oil company is drilling two relief wells in order to later pump mud and cement with the hopes of blocking the leaking well for goods.  According to AlJazeera news, at the beginning of the month of August president Obama has declared the Gulf coast safe and said “oil is no longer flowing into the gulf, and it has not been flowing for a month. But I am here to tell you that our job is not finished, and we are not going anywhere until it is” (Source: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/08/201081418126774839.html). Hotel owners, tour operators and businesses have sent thousands of damage claims to BP reminding the company that the tourism industry has been put on hold because of the spill, during the most lucrative period of the year. According to AlJazeera news, based on reports from American scientists the majority of the oil has evaporated or has been dispersed. These statements seem somewhat as a polish PR move in order to alleviate the pressure and the critiques of public opinion on the Obama administration. Have the damages been overestimated or is the worst of the oil spill really over?

Environmentalists seem to believe that the real long term effects on the environment are yet still impossible to be determined and while the oil spill might be tamed for now, the worst damages are still to come. Oil droplets dispersed in the water could pose a threat to the gulf’s most important fish species. This could pose a long-term threat to the local fish market with health consequences on the population. Only time will tell about the emphasis on the damage. Hopefully this initial milestone will lead the way towards more consistent progress. The media needs to continue to cover the environmental issues in order to raise awareness among public opinion. The ocean still needs our helps and so do all the species that are at risk right now. The cleaning has just begun and all efforts need to continue in that direction at an even greater speed.

For centuries to come sailing remained a means of transportation and the centre pillar to fishing activities.  In the 17^th century, this activity gradually became a sport with the Dutch who started to use small boats called “Yaghtschip” (which meant “hunting ship”) for recreational purposes. Today these boats are commonly called yachts. In not time sailing became popular in Holland and England and this new passion was quickly exported to the colonies. Sailing clubs quickly started spreading all over Europe and soon enough sailing competitions started taking place in the American colonies. This new sport soon turned into a real social phenomenon, with sailors forming clubs and groups in different towns, gathering to plan new trips or to discuss the latest news.

This gave like to the world’s oldest “Yacht Clubs”.  “The world’s first yacht club was founded in Cork, Ireland in 1720” (Source: http://www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-sailing.htm) and one the of world’s most famous clubs, the New York Yacht Club was founded in 1844. John Cox gave birth to this prestigious club when he decided he wanted to start racing other local sailors. Only ten years later, the New York born club, was taking things to the next level as they started racing internationally. Little did he know that this was the starting point that gave life to America’s Cup, one of the world’s most important and prestigious sailing event. For 132 years in a row (1851 to 1983) the Americans proudly won every single trophy until they had to give their title away to Australia. “Since then, the only other countries that have won the Cup were New Zealand in 1995 and Switzerland in 2000” (Source: http://www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-sailing-1.htm). Founded at the beginning of the 20^th century, the International Racing Union establishes a set of international norms and regulations that need to be respected in order to render all events more objective and fair.

This sport is now recognized officially and has its own special magazine publication called Sailing Magazine with quality pictures and the latest news on sailing. This magazine is the oldest one in America, it was founded in 1966 by “an avid Great Lakes sailor” (source: http://www.sailingmagazine.net/about).  The publication offers advice about the boats, keeps the readers informed about the latest events and presents breath taking testimonial cover stories.  If you have already flipped through the magazine daydreaming about giving this amazing sport a shot, you probably know that sailing comes in a variety of different boats that can go from the small boats to keelboats.

Small sailing boats, also known as centerboards are the easiest and cheapest way to get started. Generally under 25 feet in length, they “include a wide assortment of dinghies (open cockpit), daysailers (with foredecks and gear enclosure) and small day sailing keelboats” (Source: http://training.ussailing.org/Learning/Getting_started.htm).  Most reacreational centres, day camps and universities rent small sailing boats as the obviously have a cost that is much more inferior while still providing quality results. On the other hand, the term “keelboat” is used to described sailboats with a weighted keel, also known as the vertical fin of the boat.  This term is used to describe yachts of considerably large sizes. These boats have the necessary commodities for longer trips, like bathrooms, or cooking facilities.

If you don’t consider taking up this sport seriously or you simply don’t have the time or money to invest into expensive equipment or sailing lesson you still have one valid alternative to enjoy the beauty of these boats. Many locations all over the world offer all inclusive vacation trips on sailboats. This is a great way to enjoy the ocean and discover the majestic power of the wind without making too much of a commitment. A sailing trip vacation might just become one of your most adventurous and memorable vacations for the next couple of years to come.

As they move, glaciers slowly remodel their environment thanks to process of erosion and deposition. “A glacier can “carve” a valley, wearing away rocks and soil through abrasion and plucking up and moving large pieces of rock and debris” (Source: http://nsidc.org/glaciers/story/move.html ). A glacier’s life is put on hold when it stops growing in size and starts to move “in retreat”. A glacier’s retreat is mainly caused by increased temperature, evaporation and strong winds. Ablation is a natural part of a glacier’s life “as long as snow accumulation equals or is greater than melt and ablation, glacier are maintained” (Source: http://nsidc.org/glaciers/story/retreat.html). Over the past century an increasing numbers of glaciers have retreated and are slowly disappearing. For the past several years the world climate has been getting considerably warmer, increasing temperatures, rising sea levels are stirring controversy and debate amongst environmentalists.

Scientists like Hugh Kieffer are monitoring and studying climate change by keeping track of the melting of glaciers. “The global scale combined with a long study period will give the scientists the broad perspective needed to determine whether worldwide changes in climate are actually taking place” (Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/05/010529235344.htm ). After only a couple of months of studies, the melting of glaciers all over the world is providing an important evidence for the alarming presence of global warming. Growing or shrinking are normal steps that can take part of a glacier’s life and shouldn’t alarm everyone. The situation becomes more unusual when most glaciers are doing more shrinking than growing all over the world. For instance, the Columbia Glacier located in Prince William Sound, has become the world’s fastest melting glacier. It is sliding into the ocean at a “rate of 80 feet per day and has thinned up to 1,300 feet in places during the past 25 years, dumping 2 cubic miles of ice into the sound annually” (Source: http://www.livescience.com/environment/060324_glacier_melt.html ). In certain situations, a glacier can weaken so much that at a point it simply collapses entirely. The most serious consequence of this glaciers’ disappearing is the alarming rise of sea levels. Within a couple of years, the rising sea levels could submerge coastal regions, putting at risk beautiful and unique cities like Venice.  In the Antarctic Peninsula, ice shelves are connected to the continent while they are already floating on water, keeping in place the sheet of ice of the Antarctic continent. When the ice shelves break off, this renders the situation easy for glaciers to drift off into the sea and cause a rise in the sea level.

Up to now, European glaciers have been the ones more at risk of disappearing due to the consequences of global warming. Since the beginning of the 19^th century, the Pyrenees lost two-thirds of their ice cover. Moreover, more than half of the glaciers in the Alps have already disappeared. “Often called the water tower of Europe, the Alps contain 40% of Europe’s fresh water supply. The dramatic disappearance of ice on the Matterhorn last year has prompted the need for the border between Switzerland and Italy to be redrawn” (Source: http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/blogs/top-7-disappearing-glaciers). An additional example of this somewhat tragic situation is the case of the famous Glacier National Monument in Montana. According to the latest reports the area has lost more than 50% of its glaciers.

Global warming is the main cause for the disappearance of glaciers yet; one needs to keep in mind that pollution is in great part responsible for glacier recession. If public opinion seems to be pleased about warmer winters and a more pleasant weather, this change comes with more severe consequences. Global warming is threatening the balance of various precious eco-systems, impacting on the life of glaciers and sea levels. A major attention needs to be paid in regards to the conservation of our planet. Wreckless behaviors and pollution will have a serious impact on our future.

Due to a potent neurotoxin found in the puffer fish, one bite of a fugu dish can become a deadly sin. No antidote has yet been discovered for this fishy poison, so if you want to experiment a risky night out at the restaurant be sure to choose the best chef in town. “The poisonous nature of the dish comes from marine microorganisms that produce the neurotoxin, which travels up to the food chain, eventually finding its way into the puffer fish” (Source: http://www.sushifaq.com/sushi-items/sushi-items-fugu.php).  While the fish itself is immune to the poison located in his organs, this substance is deadly to potential predators. Because of an increase in demand and popularity, the market has encountered an increase in farm-raised puffer fish that are safe for delicate cuisine lovers, since they are free of tetrodoxin. Experts have taken out the poison from the fish’s liver, known as the most lethal but also more delicious part of this funny looking creature. This apparent good news on the side of consumers, is portrayed as a terrible news for the stakeholder of the glowfish market. The Shimonoseki Fugu association is fighting hard to defend this fish considering how profitable is this market. In the world’s most trendy restaurants, a fugu meal can easily cost about $500. Masa Takayama is the owner of the exclusive and extremely secretive restaurant Ginza Sushiko located in Rodeo drive where celebrities from Beverly Hills and all over the world travel to eat this precious and dangerously exciting dish. After Hong Kong, New York is one of the most important importers of the fugu fish while close to ten thousands tons of fugu are consumed annually in Japan.

In western Japan, fugu is called “fuku”, which means “to blow” or “happiness” while the Chinese also call this fish ‘river pig’’ (Source: http://japanesefood.about.com/cs/seafoodfish/a/fugublowfish.htm ). In order to protect consumers, only licensed cooks have the permit to prepare fugu. There are various types of fugu fish and all of them have a different degree of poison and danger. The tora-fugu is the most expensive one and also said to be the most deadly one.

Despite its dangerous nature, the fugu fish serves a noble scope when it comes to scientific research and discoveries. This fish is crucial to the understanding of the human genome is both protagonists have similar complements of genes but “fugu DNA is much more concise, composed of about 365 million nucleotide pairs, or one eighth of the 3 billion pairs in the human genome” (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/30/science/observatory.html?ref=fugu_fish). Thanks to this water creature, scientists hope to study important DNA sequences in the blowfish in order to apply their discoveries to the human genes.

The puffer fish is one of the world’s most famous and most expensive delicacy, yet, unless you are convinced you meal is prepared by an expert and licensed chef you should abstain because this meal could be your last meal. This fascinating and funny looking creature has almost become a mythological figure all over the world, while it has been eaten in Japan and China for the past century. If you are not ready to risk your life but love fish, you can try to have a fugu dish made from a poison free farm raised fugu or if you really don’t want to risk you can always have ordinary sushi that is quite delightful.