Whale sharks, sea lions, sea turtles and whales. We love them all dearly but they have one thing in common – they’re all listed as threatened under Australian law. Australia’s oceans are home to six of the world’s seven species of sea turtle, and they are all recognised as threatened species. The blue whale is still at 2% of its pre-hunting population, and hangs at the edge of extinction. Our sea lions and fur seals are still recovering from the edge of extinction from 19th century hunting for their fur. All of our marine mammals are protected in threatened species laws, but they are still at risk from our impacts at sea, such as coastal pollution, fishing pressure and oil and gas exploration such as seismic testing.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society works to protect and recover our wonderful marine threatened species, from Southern Bluefin Tuna, to grey nurse sharks, to the mighty blue whale.
Learn more about sharks and shark finning.
Learn more about Australian sea lions.
Learn more about whaling.