[Coral-List] Science and advocacy

[Magnus Johnson]

I don't think Gene does owe the list an apology, I've seen a fair bit of
advocacy on this list but that doesn't make it a bad list.  I'm not
quite sure it's very easy to separate science and advocacy.  People
(especially scientists) like to think that scientists are geeky or
spock-like (coldly logical).  Many that I know are deeply passionate
about their topic and the environment - especially those drawn to
dolphins, coral reefs and sharks.

I don't mind advocacy, as long as its backed up by facts and it is clear
who is funding the advocate.  E.g. if you are funded by Pew, WWF or
Greenpeace or similar "Fortress Conservation" type organisations I'll
probably take what you say with a pinch of salt.  If you are a
university professor or government employee, I'll take a smaller pinch
of salt.

Cheers, Magnus

-----Original Message-----
From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
[mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Roger
Griffis
Sent: 18 July 2012 22:20
To: Steve Mussman
Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Science and advocacy

I would like to concur with these comments - I think the coral-list team
has done a great job providing forum that is fair and in fact not driven
by any particular interests.

Gene I believe you owe this effort an apology

Sent from my iPhone

Roger Griffis
Climate Change Coordinator
NOAA Fisheries Service
301-980-4694
Roger.b.griffis at noaa.gov

On Jul 18, 2012, at 4:10 PM, Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Coral-List is hardly a forum of advocacy. As a outside observer, I 
> have often been frustrated by the lack of assertiveness exhibited by 
> the scientific community in confronting the clear and distinct issues 
> threatening coral reef systems around the world. From my perspective, 
> the fact that some find recently posted comments too subjective is 
> somewhat encouraging.
>
>  Regards,
>   Steve
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jim Hendee <jim.hendee at noaa.gov>
>> Sent: Jul 18, 2012 11:38 AM
>> To: Eugene Shinn <eshinn at marine.usf.edu>
>> Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Science and advocacy
>>
>> Just so everybody's clear on this, Coral-List is managed by the 
>> National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S.
Department of Commerce.
>> As the Administrator of Coral-List (along with my Team Members Lew 
>> Gramer and Mike Jankulak), I can assure all 6,988 subscribers to 
>> Coral-List that we try to be as even-handed as possible, and follow 
>> the posted rules and guidelines of Coral-List, without any influence 
>> whatsoever from any "advocacy group."  We are extremely judicious and

>> fair in reviewing all comments that go out, even when they poke an
eye in Coral-List!
>>
>> Sincerely yours,
>>  Jim
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 12, 2012 at 10:20 AM, Eugene Shinn
<eshinn at marine.usf.edu>wrote:
>>
>>> Thank you Christopher Hawkins. We share the same concerns. I have 
>>> stood by and watched as the coral-list was taken over by advocacy 
>>> groups. Gene
>>> --
>>>
>>>
>>> No Rocks, No Water, No Ecosystem (EAS)
>>> ------------------------------------ 
>>> -----------------------------------
>>> E. A. Shinn, Courtesy Professor
>>> University of South Florida
>>> College of Marine Science Room 221A
>>> 140 Seventh Avenue South
>>> St. Petersburg, FL 33701
>>> <eshinn at marine.usf.edu>
>>> Tel 727 553-1158----------------------------------
>>> -----------------------------------
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Coral-List mailing list
>>> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>>> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>>>
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