Kimberley Whale Watching on Camden Sound Marine Park

Kimberley Whale Watching congratulates the Western Australian State Government on the creation of the Camden Sound Marine Park on the Kimberley coast covering an area of nearly 7,000km2.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Breach at Lulim Island

PRLog (Press Release) - Apr 19, 2012 - Kimberley Whale Watching congratulates the Western Australian State Government in announcing the new Camden Sound Marine Park.  The park, which was announced by former Environment Minister Donna Faragher in October 2009 covers a large area considered one of the main calving grounds for Breeding Stock D,  the world's largest population of Humpback whales, and Montgomery Reef, which at 350km2 is considered to beone of Australia's largest inshore reefs. The State Government will be working closely with traditional owners and sea rangers in the joint management of the park.

The Kimberley's Humpback whales use the islands and reefs of the marine park as areas to shelter whilst feeding and nurturing young calves.  Through our observations of Humpback whale distribution and behaviour along the Kimberley coast and outer reefs and shoals over the past six years, we have also noted the importance of the Dampier Peninsula as a whale calving, resting and feeding area, and urge the State Government to consider increased protection for the Humpback whale population along this part of the coast.  We hope that the state government will extend the areas under marine protection to include the Buccaneer Archipelago, Talbot Bay, Dugong Bay and the Horizontal Waterfalls.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/11853279/1

www.kimberleywhales.com.au

Press Release: 2011 Kimberley Cetacean Report Released

PRESS RELEASE

Kimberley Whale Watching has just released their 2011 Kimberley Cetacean Report 2011.  The report highlights the importance of the Dampier Peninsula and the Kimberley's outer shoals and reefs to the Breeding Stock D population of Humpback whales.

Breeding Stock D is thought to be the world's largest population of whales and undertakes and annual migration from the frigid waters of the Antarctic to the Kimberley's warm tropical waters to mate and give birth.

Richard Costin of Kimberley Whale Watching says "the Commonwealth Government should reassess its priorities and the boundaries for the proposed Kimberley Marine Reserve, and extend the boundaries along the Dampier Peninsula south to Eco Beach and upgrade the classification to IUCN 2.

"This is essential" Mr Costin says "to provide protection for the main breeding grounds for the Breeding Stock D population of Humpback whales.

The report is available for download from Kimberley Whale Watching's website: www.kimberleywhales.com.au

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IFAW Releases new Cetacean Report

(Sydney) - Australia’s last great whale haven, the North West marine region, is under threat from unconstrained development by the oil and gas industry, and the Australian Government’s proposed Bioregional Plan offers little protection, according to a new report released today by IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfarewww.ifaw.org).

The report, written and reviewed by some of Australia’s leading marine scientists, reveals that this relatively untouched area has an incredible diversity of whales and dolphins. It also identifies several important areas for whales and dolphins that are not protected under the government’s draft plan.  The report underscores the need for more protected areas and further research about the animals that live there.

“At the same time as the government has opened its token map of reserves for public comment, it is handing out vast tracts of ocean to oil and gas companies,” said Matt Collis, IFAW Oceania Campaigner.
 
“The rampant oil and gas development in the region has brought significant threats to whales and dolphins, including endangered species.  It is noisy, toxic, and dangerous and when something goes wrong it can be catastrophic, as evidenced by the Montara oil spill.

“With the future of Australia’s last great whale haven in their hands, the government and industry have an immense responsibility to provide more stringent protection measures. Before any new leases are issued we are calling for more protected areas, more transparent research and stronger policies addressing the industry threats such as increased shipping, pollution and noise,” Mr Collis said.

Some 32 different species of whales and dolphins live in or migrate through the area, including the recently discovered Australian snubfin dolphin and the world’s largest, yet still recovering, population of humpback whales. The government’s draft plan effectively ignores 28 species by only taking into consideration four species and even the level of protection offered to these four is inadequate.

“All the indications are that this is an incredibly special region.  To jeopardise the area before we fully understand it is like throwing away a gift before unwrapping it,” said Mr Collis.
Support IFAW’s call for greater protection at www.ifaw.org, find us on facebook.com/ifawoceania
Note
• A summary of the report is available here and a full version can be found here.
• IFAW is part of an alliance of conservation organisations pushing for greater protection for marine areas - www.saveourtropicalsealife.org


For media-related inquiries, contact:
Imogen Scott (IFAW Oceania)
Tel: + 0402 183 113
Email: iscott@ifaw.org