The Wilderness Society is working towards securing the largest marine sanctuaries on earth. Whale shark (WA). With over 40% of Australia’s coastline spanning waters from the tropics through to cool temperate, Western Australia’s marine environment is vast, remote and relatively undiscovered. This ancient and isolated seascape is unprotected and under threat due to Australia’s energy boom. The Wilderness Society is working towards securing a network of marine protected areas across nearly 3 million km2 of marine waters and, if successful, Australia will have the largest marine sanctuaries on earth.
WA Marine Info
Save Our Marine Life: our unique south-west seas
In late February 2009, a new collaboration of key Australian and international conservation groups, including the Wilderness Society, launched Save Our Marine Life to secure the future of Australia’s south west marine environment, by creating large marine sanctuaries. more »
WA's state waters are home to rich and diverse marine habitats – from the cool sponge gardens of the South to the tropical coral of the North. Yet less than 3% of this natural beauty and diversity is currently protected. more »
Large marine sanctuaries needed in WA to protect whales and other unique wildlife
The Wilderness Society and other environment groups are urging the Federal Government to move quickly to protect our unique and endangered marine life in southern WA waters following release of plans to expand oil and gas in the region. more »
WA Marine Upcoming Events
- Funk for da Fish! Music fundraiser
- Training for Peaceful Community Action: Broome
- Sandcastles for Sanctuaries
'Funk for da Fish' presents Matt Gresham, The Brow Horn Orchestra, Funk Club House Band and DJ Charlie Bucket for a night of good tunes, happy vibes and an important issue - saving our marine life! Friday 26th March, $10 entry.
An invitation to attend a Broome workshop for Peaceful Community Action is extended to those who want to protect the Kimberley. When: Saturday 20th March, 10am - 4.30pm
The third event of the Summer Sanctuary Series is a team sand-castle building competition! Use your imagination and creative talents to form marine themed letters - and help spell out a giant message "Save Our Marine Life!". Enter for your chance to win a gift voucher at Zanders Restaurant or Rendezvous Observation City Hotel restaurant, both in Scarborough.
WA Marine Updates
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WA’s prized fisheries: Rock lobsters hit rock bottom and dhufish declining - March 14, 2010
It seemed just a few years ago that West Australia boasted some of the healthiest fisheries in Australia and the world. The Western Rock Lobster fishery was the jewel in the crown, being Australia’s highest value fishery and the first in the world to gain Marine Stewardship Council certification as an allegedly environmentally sustainable fishery.
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Training for Peaceful Community Action: Broome - February 26, 2010
An invitation to attend a Broome workshop for Peaceful Community Action is extended to those who want to protect the Kimberley. When: Saturday 20th March, 10am - 4.30pm
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Camden Sound Marine Park - Can it really protect the Kimberley Humpbacks from coastal LNG industrialisation? - February 25, 2010
The Kimberley coastline is one of the last remaining wilderness coastlines in Australia and the world. However, there is growing public concern that the Marine Park will be too small and lack adequate ‘no-take’ sanctuaries to protect anything, including the whales. Read more here.
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Funk for da Fish! Music fundraiser - February 22, 2010
'Funk for da Fish' presents Matt Gresham, The Brow Horn Orchestra, Funk Club House Band and DJ Charlie Bucket for a night of good tunes, happy vibes and an important issue - saving our marine life! Friday 26th March, $10 entry.
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"Surf Circle" for Sanctuaries Event Album - February 22, 2010
The weather turned it up for the 'Surf Circle' for Sanctuaries event this weekend at Cottesloe main beach, with over 50 participants joining hands to show support for marine sanctuaries.
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Sandy Seal game goes live! - February 21, 2010
Late last year Save Our Marine Life was so excited about the release of the new online game ‘Unprotected Waters’ that we told you about it even before it went live! This time, we’re ready. Please enjoy….
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Migrating oceanic sharks less protected than ever! - February 19, 2010
Populations of sharks are declining worldwide. Sharks continue to be at risk internationally from over-fishing, illegal trade (e.g. shark fins), habitat degradation, incidental bycatch as well as emerging threats such as climate change. Despite supporting their listings as internationally vulnerable on the IUCN red list and the Australian Government’s commitment to international shark protection and conservation, Environment Minister Peter Garrett suddenly changed his mind.
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Video: Protecting Turtles from California to Australia - February 18, 2010
Teri Shore, the program director of the Turtle Island Restoration Network visited Australia early in 2010, to connect with other environmental non-profit organizations and educate us on the status of sea turtles worldwide.
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Kimberley humpback whales: our international responsibility! - February 18, 2010
Every winter the shallow warm seas from south of Broome to the Bonaparte Archipelago W.A. become a nursery for the largest population of Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the world. However situated in state waters, this area is also in the sights of Premier Barnett.
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Send an E-Postcard to save our marine turtles! - February 18, 2010
Sadly, all six of the seven species of marine turtles found on the Top End coast are listed as endangered or critically endangered under the ICUN threatened species list. Climate change, ghost nets, boat strikes, fishing gear entanglements and turtle-egg eating feral pigs are threatening their survival. However with your help we can prevent this from happening.
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