WDCS has been working, as part of the Save Our Marine Life coalition, towards a network of marine protected areas in the west of Australia that will be a safe haven for whales and dolphins and the ecosystems they call home – over an area that is almost half of Australia’s waters.
A network of protection in this region is part of our campaign for 12 large, highly protected MPAs by 2012. This is the same region that has just experienced the devastating Timor oil spill, so we are fighting a doubly hard battle now.
The Australian Environment, Minister Peter Garrett, will be making critical decisions on these areas before the end of this year and we need to hit his inbox so he makes the right decision.
We’re clearly at a crucial point in the campaign. We know that the Minister Garrett has a range of maps on his desk to consider. One of these is ours. These waters are home to southern right, humpback and blue whales, orca, bottlenose, pantropical spotted and spinner dolphins.
What Minister Garrett decides now will largely determine the level of future protection for Australia’s marine life in this region, which is unique but unprotected.
The world is also watching Australia and Minister Garrett’s decision will also have a ripple effect to other countries and regions where marine protected areas are also being considered including in the United Kingdom, Germany and other regions.
We need to tell Minister Garrett, and Australia, to make the right decision – to choose the map with more, not less, protection – to choose the map to protect the homes of whales and dolphins.
We know that enormous pressure will be upon him to do otherwise – leaving our marine life exposed to threats such as over-fishing, noise pollution from oil and gas exploration and the possibility of future oil spills.
We also know that your support could mean the difference between a good or a bad outcome. Now is the time you can directly influence his decision. Hit Minister Garrett’s inbox today and ask your friends to do the same.
Let’s give our whales and dolphins of the world the safe havens they need.