Shark cull the wrong response to attacks

The Age

The Australian Director of marine conservation group Sea Shepherd, Jeff Hansen, says shark nets and the West Australian State Government’s call for a shark cull are the wrong responses to the threat of shark attacks, following a number of recent attacks off the WA coast. Hansen joined the victims’ families in calling for sharks not to be killed. In a public appeal, Hansen points out the high number of other marine species that fall victim to shark nets. He also notes that sharks “play a vital role in the health of our oceans” and that the great white shark is listed as “vulnerable to extinction” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Sharks travel long distances in the ocean, which brings into question the effectiveness of culling to reduce attacks. A cull would put further pressure on a vulnerable species that we already kill 100 million of around the world each year. Voice your support by signing this petition opposing the sharks cull.

posted by seamas on November 2, 2011 at 7:27 am · filed under

Protection and aid boost for Great Barrier Reef marine turtles

WWF

A new partnership between James Cook University and WWF Australia will help improve protection for marine turtles that depend on the Great Barrier Reef. The joint project aims to supplement and support existing efforts by Reef HQ, through care for sick and injured turtles, by conducting research into turtle disease and health, and by promoting the establishment of protected areas where turtles can be safe from fishing nets and coastal development.

posted by seamas on October 22, 2011 at 7:21 am · filed under

Climate change mixed news for marine species

Feature by Soraya Salleh

We’ve all heard about global warming and climate change†, but what does it mean for our marine life? A rise in temperature, as little as 1 degree, could result in critical changes in marine ecosystems, threaten the lives of countless marine animals and push vulnerable species into extinction.

Read & Comment »

posted by ecomedia on October 1, 2011 at 5:02 pm · filed under

Cod stocks collapse in the EU

The Guardian

European Union commissioner for fisheries Maria Damanaki has warned that if the EU do not make moves to reform their fisheries policies and reduce overfishing, only 8% of the 136 fish stocks in EU waters will be at sustainable levels by 2022. Following the collapse of cod stocks in the Irish Sea and off the west coast of Scotland, the European Commission recommended this week that all cod fishing in the area cease.

posted by ruby on October 1, 2011 at 3:24 am · filed under

Government supports active indigenous stake in turtle and dugong conservation

WWF

WWF Australia has applauded Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke’s decision to provide $5 million over 2-years to support indigenous communities to conserve turtles and dugongs and better manage the Queensland coast for wildlife. The funding will help indigenous rangers and other stakeholder work with scientists and conservation groups to understand and respond to threats to these important endangered species.

posted by seamas on September 12, 2011 at 7:21 am · filed under

‘Queen of the Sun’ Benefit Film Screening (Melbourne, Oct 4)

Big Picture films for environmental and social justice presents Queen of the Sun benefit screening at Ross House. The documentary “Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees telling us?” is an in-depth investigation to discover the causes and solutions behind Colony Collapse Disorder; a phenomenon where honeybees vanish from their hives, never to return.

Level 4 Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane Melbourne, on Tuesday October 4 at 6pm (entry by donation)

posted by seamas on September 12, 2011 at 1:27 am · filed under

Stronger laws needed to stop biodiversity crash

ACF

The Australian Government’s is failing to respond strongly enough to a major review of Australia’s key environmental laws, according to the Australian Conservation Foundation. It suggests much more needs to be done to ensure that laws are enacted and implemented to effectively reverse the rapid decline of the nation’s unique and irreplaceable biodiversity. “ACF supports reforms that will prevent damage [to ecosystems] in the first place, but it’s also vital the government gives adequate resources to those responsible for enforcing laws,” says the group’s Healthy Ecosystems program manager Dr Paul Sinclair.

posted by seamas on August 29, 2011 at 7:28 am · filed under