Marine & Coastal Media Releases

WA’s ‘Great Barrier Reef’ under threat: Government set to break Premier’s promise to protect whales - March 19, 2010

Safety for one of the world’s most important humpback whale breeding areas on the Kimberley coast is at risk following signals from the government that it may break the Premier’s promise to protect them “forever”. WA conservation groups today warned that the internationally significant humpback whale nursery ground on the Kimberley coast between Broome and Camden Sound was vulnerable to irreversible damage.

Oil and gas industry leader out of touch on oil response – not handled 'perfectly' - November 02, 2009

Conservation groups have slammed Woodside’s claims that the Government’s response to the oil spill was handled 'perfectly', saying it again demonstrated that the Australian public could have little confidence in the current oil and gas operations off the Kimberley coast.

Fishing ... for Australian Sea Lions - November 01, 2009

With the Great Australian Bight Marine shark fishing season reopening today, The Wilderness Society is calling upon State and Federal Governments to take urgent action to protect the endangered Australian Sea Lion. 

"World class" claims by oil spill company, confirms worst fears - October 28, 2009

West Australians should be greatly alarmed by PTTEP’s claim that their response to the oil spill was “world class”. Such a claim gives no confidence for future oil and gas development in the region.

 

Blue Fin Tuna - Too Little, Too Late - October 27, 2009

The announcement on Monday 26 October 2009 by the Australian government that the Southern Blue Fish Tuna catch will be cut by 25% was described by the Wilderness Society as a step in the right direction. The Society however warned that the cut is too little, too late and fears it will not be enough to ensure that this magnificent fish is not lost forever.

Wilderness Society welcomes Ralphs Bay decision and congratulates community - October 27, 2009

The Wilderness Society today welcomed the draft decision of the Tasmanian Planning Commission to protect the environment, economy and community of the Ralphs Bay area by rejecting the canal development, hopefully ending the long running dispute over the future of the area. The society said that this decision pointed to the value of a robust, independent assessment process free from political interference.

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.

Oceans in Crisis: South Australia NOT immune - October 22, 2009

The global phenomenon that is “The End of the Line” came to Adelaide’s Mercury Cinema on Sunday, screening to a packed audience hosted by The Wilderness Society of South Australia.

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.”