On Friday March 5 a group of dedicated “Ocean Huggers and Whale Lovers” gathered at the residence of Marcie Rothman to celebrate a ten year anniversary of the historic event to protect the nursery of our Pacific Gray Whales in Baja California. Invited guests were there to commemorate what they had accomplished and to reaffirm their commitment to protect this valuable natural resource.

Standing tall above everyone in the room not just because of his physical stature but his because of his devotion to the Gray Whale was Serge Dedina the author of “Saving the Gray Whale” and Executive Director of WiLDCOAST/COSTASALVAjE, an international organization that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife. Serge initiated the international campaign that successfully stopped the Mitsubishi Corporation from destroying San Ignacio Lagoon—the world’s last undeveloped gray whale lagoon. Serge attended the event with his lovely wife and passionate environmentalist Emily Young.

The conservation group NRDC was well represented at the evening’s event. Peter Lehner , Executive Director of the National Resource Defense Council D.C., was there to thank the attendees and to remind everyone that more work still needs to be done in preserving the rest of Laguna San Ignacio. Peter manages more than 350 dedicated environmental advocates in seven offices across the planet and guides NRDC’s policy positions and advocacy strategies. Jacob Scherr Director of NRDC International Program, presented a video of the momentous occasion that took place Mar 2, 2000 when President Zedillo announced the Mexican government’s decision to cancel the plans for the Mitsubishi salt works in Laguna San Ignacio. Since that joyful day, NRDC has been working with other environmental groups and local communities to secure permanent protection for the lagoon.

Also in attendance was Richard Kiy, accompanied by his wife, Monica. Richard serves on the board of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, San Diego Grantmakers. He also serves as a member of UCSD’s Board of Overseers and the Binational Advisory Board of the San Diego Natural History Museum.

A local San Diego company that has a unique way to inspire, educate, and help fund ocean conservation was in attendance as well. Ms Terry Kraszewski, CEO of Whale Tails Chips, said she was honored to be invited and wanted “ to thank Marcie Rothman for her hospitality and her recognition of this important date in the protection of our California Gray whales.” Terry, who also lives in Pt Loma, explained that it has been her goal ” to develop Whale Tails Chips as a company that could help provide funding for ocean conservation while bringing people together and tonight is a perfect example that we are reaching that goal” Last year Terry Kraszewski and her husband joined the “Tails for Whales” campaign in Washington DC with members of IFAW, actor Pierce Brosnan, and MSNBC’s Chris Matthews in petitioning the Obama administration on legislation to protect marine mammals.

The evening’s host Ms Marcie Rothman is a well known San Diego food writer and chef well known to San Diegans and around the country as the “$5 Dollar Chef” for her no nonsense, common sense style of cooking.

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