Camden Sound Marine Park Update

As the release of the maps draws nearer, anticipation of the Premier’ Camden Sound Marine Park is growing. You may have seen our online petition ‘Don’t fail the whales Colin’ and the website: www.dontfailthewhales.com  - which is a collaboration petition between The Conservation Council, Environs Kimberley & The Wilderness Society. Thanks to those that have signed, as over 5000 letters have been sent to WA Premier Colin Barnett.

If you haven’t already signed our online petition ‘Don’t fail the whales Colin!’ please do so now – we urgently need your help to ensure that this marine park will really protect our unique Kimberley marine environment!

We are sending WA Premier Colin Barnett a strong message to stick to his promise of protecting this special part of the world & the Kimberley whale population forever.   To ensure he is hearing our voices, we physically handed over 6000 petitions at parliament house in Perth on 27 May. Click here for further information. 

The don’t fail the whales collaboration handing over 6000 petitions to Colin Barnett, photo: Tim Nichol

Kimberley Coast

Stretching about 15,000 kilometres, the Kimberley coast has global significance as one the largest unspoiled coastlines left on the planet.  

The Kimberley Coast is a rugged and remote area with high cultural and heritage values and a wealth of marine life dominated by huge 10 metre tides.  It is WA’s equivalent of the Great Barrier Reef in terms of its natural values and sustainable tourism potential.

Despite its global significance, less than 1% of the Kimberley marine environment is protected!

The Kimberley coast is home to an estimated 22,000 Humpback whales – the world's largest population. Each year the whales give birth and breed between Broome and Camden Sound and prepare for their annual migration to summer feeding grounds in the Antarctic.

Unexplored and unknown

The Kimberley marine and coastal habitats are diverse and the biodiversity is rich. Seagrass meadows, coral reefs, tidally-drained mud flats and rich sponge gardens are home to a myriad of invertebrates and fish, as well as larger fauna including nesting turtles and crocodiles.

Yet, much of the region remains unexplored and the biodiversity remains largely unknown. Large reefs, such as Montgomery Reef are not fully charted and new species to science are discovered on every expedition.  Scientists are just beginning to discover that species in some communities, e.g. sponges, are very localised and not found elsewhere.

Despite this lack of knowledge about the amazing and important marine biodiversity, the federal and state governments want to industrialise the Kimberly Coast.  Australians will lose this amazing natural wonderland before we even know what is there. So take action by signing ‘Don’t fail the whales Colin!’

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Join our Whale Survey Trip!

Join researchers & conservationists on a luxury yacht, for a once in a lifetime experience with the largest group of humpback whales in the world! 

It's that time of year again, when our majestic humpback whales are migrating home to the Kimberley coast to breed, calve their young and teach them how survive in our changing ocean.  The Wilderness Society WA in collaboration with Kimberley Whale Watching and Great Escape Charters, are coordinating the 8 day Kimberley Whale survey trip for 2010, from August 23-30th. Places are filing fast, so get in quick…

Click here for further information.