Western Australia Updates

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.

Thank you to all the supporters of the Kimberley TV ad - now airing on east coast - March 11, 2010

The Wilderness Society has joined with Kimberley residents, Indigenous Traditional Owners, local environment groups and professional filmmakers to produce a television advertising campaign highlighting opposition to the proposed LNG industry on the Kimberley coast. The Wilderness Society WA Kimberley Campaigner Josh Coates said: "I would like to personally thank the thousands of Australians who have supported our campaign and the TV ad in particular."

New agreement supports Indigenous and conservation goals for the Great Western Woodlands - March 09, 2010

The Wilderness Society and the Goldfields Land and Sea Council have signed an important agreement to work together for the protection of WA’s extraordinary Great Western Woodlands.The partners will develop a co-operative approach along with other land users to safeguard the ecology and cultural values of the region, and to ensure land justice and economic opportunities for the region’s Traditional Owners. 

Kimberley at Crossroads – book available online now - March 03, 2010

Former Federal Court judge Murray Wilcox QC has launched a book opposing a large industrial development on the Kimberley coast of Western Australia

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.

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.

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….

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.

"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.

The myth of Northern Australia becoming the “food bowl of Asia” has been dealt a crushing blow - February 23, 2010

In early February 2010, the Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce released a scientific report produced by the CSIRO that examined the future of development in Northern Australia. The report emphasized that massive irrigated development would face substantial natural constraints and severely impact on the region’s fragile ecosystems.