Australia’s marine waters cover double the area of our land. The seascape below the surface is more varied and dramatic than our terrestrial landscapes; canyons, undersea mountains, plateaus and trenches, home to an incredible variety of life. Sadly, overfishing, oil and gas drilling, mining and pollution are destroying marine habitats, leaving them impoverished and on the verge of collapse. Some species have already disappeared. Climate change will make matters worse because it will turn seawater warmer and more acidic and change ocean currents – a key foundation of life in the marine environment.
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Into the blue
Australia’s marine waters extend over an area almost twice as large as the area of our land. It is also filled with amazing plant and animal life. Sadly, overfishing, oil and gas drilling, mining and pollution are destroying marine habitats, leaving them impoverished and on the verge of collapse.
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Global warming and oceans
Global warming threatens to have profound impacts on each of our lives, and an even greater effect on the millions of plants and animals that we share this planet with. Many species of marine life are particularly vulnerable to changes in water temperature, including Australia’s diverse and treasured coral reefs.
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Marine Parks – Great for our State
The Wilderness Society, along with other national and South Australian conservation groups, is campaigning for the protection of our unique marine and coastal environments through the establishment of Marine Parks containing networks of large no-take sanctuaries.
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Marine & Coastal Updates
2009 Kimberley whale survey highlights need to protect national treasure – October 19, 2009
Results of a new survey have highlighted the global significance of the Kimberley coast for Humpback whales and other rare and threatened marine species – further supporting the call for a network of marine protected areas along the Kimberley coast, in the face of industrial threats. The new results reveal that the entire coast from Broome all the way up the Dampier Peninsula and across to Camden Sound is crucial calving, mating, feeding and resting habitat for Humpback whales.
North-West trawling boundary changes open up Kimberley reefs for wrecking – September 16, 2009
This October, over 6,000km2 of our Kimberley marine environment will be opened up to destructive trawling, unless we act today and contact Federal Minister for Fisheries, Tony Burke.
Kimberley whale survey shows highest numbers near proposed LNG hub – August 31, 2009
An aerial whale survey off the Kimberley coast has recorded a high number of Humpback Whales in the vicinity of James Price Point – the site proposed for a massive industrial LNG gas processing facility. The whale survey conducted on 29 and 30 August recorded a staggering 162 Humpback whales in 102 separate pods.
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Marine & Coastal Events
Celebration for the Environment
You’re invited to a Celebration for the Environment including an Environmental Q&A Panel featuring Hon Jay Weatherill MP (Minister for Environment & Conservation), Hon Michelle Lensink MLC (Shadow Minister for Environment & Conservation) and Hon Mark Parnell MLC (Australian Greens SA). Where: North Adelaide. When: Friday 30 October from 6.30pm.
Film: ‘The End of the Line’ – advanced screenings (Newcastle)
Join us at this special film screening at the Royal Exchange. Where: The Royal Exchange Theatre, 34 Bolton Street, Newcastle 2300 When: Tuesday 20 October, 7.30pm
Come visit us at the Fleurieu Folk Festival
The Fleurieu Folk Festival is a weekend of free music, poetry and dance set in the beautiful historic town of Willunga on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. We’ll be there with a colourful and informative marine-themed stall raising awareness about the need for better marine protection in South Australia. Where: Cnr Aldinga Rd & Main Rd, Willunga. When: Saturday & Sunday 24-25 October 2009.
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Marine & Coastal Media Releases
Kimberley whale research highlights need to protect national treasure – October 21, 2009
New research on endangered humpback whales has highlighted the global significance of the Kimberley coast for rare and threatened marine species prompting renewed calls for a comprehensive network of marine protected areas along the Kimberley coast.
Welcome “first step” – Camden Sound marine park announcement. Could this be WA’s first Indigenous managed marine park? – October 04, 2009
The WA Premier Colin Barnett and Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher MLC, yesterday announced a marine park would be established at Camden Sound in the Kimberley to protect a portion of the Humpback whale ‘maternity ward’ as part of the Kimberley science and conservation strategy.
West Atlas Environmental disaster highlights risks associated with proposed Kimberley developments – September 28, 2009
The Wilderness Society and Environs Kimberley are shocked and concerned by the ongoing environmental crisis currently occurring off the Kimberley coast. The Wilderness Society’s Kimberley campaigner Josh Coates said: “The Kimberley marine environment is currently one of the least impacted in the world and a disaster of this scale could have serious and ongoing impacts on marine life here including whales, dolphins and endangered turtles known to occur in the area.”