Sea Shepherd Australia

S.O.S. Save Our Skipper - Please continue to contact the Higher Court in Frankfurt!

For the past week, we have implored Sea Shepherd supporters to write to the Honorable German Ministers of Justice and Foreign Affairs.  The decision to release Captain Watson on bail this Monday is the unmistakable result of the thousands of letters, emails, faxes, and phone calls that were sent this week.  Granting bail to a non-German national is almost unheard of in an extradition proceeding.  

While we have won a victory with the decision to allow Captain Paul Watson out on bail, the battle to save his life must now intensify.  The Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt has confirmed, together with the General Public Prosecutor, that the authority to save Captain Paul Watson’s life belongs to the Honorable German Minister of Justice.  Continue to write, call, email, and fax the Honorable German Ministers of Justice and Foreign Affairs.

Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger
Federal Minister of Justice
Deutscher Bundestag

Platz der Republik 1
11011 Berlin

Telephone 030 - 227 751 62

Fax 030 - 227 764 02

E-Mail: sabine.leutheusser-schnarrenberger@bundestag.de

Federal Ministry of Justice
Mohrenstrasse 37
10117 Berlin
Germany

Telephone: +49 (030) 18 580-0
Telefax: +49 (030) 18 580-9525

Dr. Guido Westerwelle - Minister of Foreign Affairs
FDP-Bundestagsfraktion
Platz der Republik 1

11011 Berlin

Tel.: 030 / 22771636
Fax: 030 / 22776562
E-Mail: guido.westerwelle@bundestag.de

Thank you Australia

Sea Shepherd Australia would like to thank some amazing companies for their recent donations to our vessels while they are in port in Melbourne and Hobart.

A big thank you to the team at Migomag Welding Supplies for the much needed welding machine donated to the M/Y Steve Irwin this week.

We would also like to thank Teresa Newman and the students from Sorell Primary School for orgainising some vegan foods items for the M/Y Bob Barker.

The amazing teams at the Lord of the Fries cafes in Melbourne for feeding our hardworking crew and volunteers and their constant support each year.

Val Hoyle and the team at Kessier Couplings and Engineering supplies for their contribution to the M/Y Bob Barker.

We would like to thank all our supporters who have generously contributed supplies and equipment to help our cause.

If you would like to donate but are unsure what we need please visit our wishlists.

Thank you for your ongoing and valued support to our mission and please don't forget there are free tours of the M/Y Steve Irwin and M/Y Brigitte Bardot in Williamstown Melbourne every weekend. Both vessels can be found behind "Seaworks" at Workshop Pier, 82 Nelson Place, Williamstown.

Lush helps Sea Shepherd fight illegal whaling

Captain Paul Watson and Cameron Hollows launching Lush's Divine Whale Soap

On the 30 November 2011, Sea Shepherd's Captain Paul Watson, Cameron Hollows from The Hollows Foundation and Mark Lincoln The Managing Director of Lush launched Lush’s new Divine Whale soap in Sydney, a limited-edition product to help raise funds for Sea Shepherd’s anti-whaling mission in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary.

The launch follows 12 months of developing the concept in conjunction with Lush Cosmetics says Sea Shepherd's Development Director of Australia - Aaron Barnes and comes days before the Sea Shepherd’s vessels, Steve Irwin, Bob Barker and Bridgette Bardot, embarks on their journey to the remote waters of Antarctica for its 8th Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign - Operation Divine Wind - with a stronger anti-whaling fleet than ever before.

Sea Shepherd Australian Director, Jeff Hansen, says, “During its past seven campaigns, Sea Shepherd has saved the lives of over 2,781 whales and has exposed illegal whaling activities in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary to the entire world. Last season, 863 Whales were saved from the brutal harpoons of the whaling fleet.

“During the 1900s, the majority of soap was made from whale blubber, making the launch of Lush’s Divine Whale soap even more significant. Lush’s strict no animal testing policy and its dedication to creating ethical, sustainable cosmetics makes us proud to stand alongside them.”

Divine Whale soap ($4.95) is fragranced with uplifting essential oils of sweet orange and tangerine. It will be available in Lush stores in Australia and New Zealand from December 1, 2011, with all profits donated to Sea Shepherd’s Operation Divine Wind campaign. You can also buy the soap at Lush's online store.

Galapagos Filming Project

Captain Alex Cornelissen, Sea Shepherd Galapagos Director, with Australian Director Jeff Hansen
out the front of the Isabella police dog K9 kennels, funded by Sea Shepherd Fremantle.

Since 2000, Sea Shepherd has maintained a strong, positive presence in the Galapagos Islands. From helping the local authorities in patrolling the Marine Reserve in a bid to stop illegal fishing activities, to busting shark finners, to educating the local youth, Sea Shepherd carries out its mission of promoting ocean conservation using a wide range of methods and actions.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of an anonymous donor in Melbourne and MODOM Surf, Sea Shepherd Australia sent Australian Director, Jeff Hansen and volunteer videographer Tim Watters of Fair Projects to the Galapagos Islands in order to put together a documentary on the work Sea Shepherd is doing there.

"Sea Shepherd is most well know for its whale defence campaigns in the Souther Ocean, however I hope that this documentary can bring to light another ongoing campaign that Sea Shepherd is involved in. I am very proud to be a part of this project, to showcase the amazing work sea shepherd is doing in the Galapagos to its supporters, donors and volunteers across the globe. - Tim Watters

"The work this small Sea Shepherd team of Malena, Hugo and Marcel under the direction of Captain Alex Cornelissen, is doing in the Galapagos gives the organisation amazing credibility that must be showcased to the world. I have seen meetings conducted at the Sea Shepherd office with police and National Park representatives present, all working in unison for the preservation and protection of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. There are even police walking around with donated hand held radios with the words Sea Shepherd, clearly displayed." - Jeff Hansen

"You can not really get a full appreciation for the work Sea Shepherd is doing in the Galapagos until you are here and I am sure this documentary will enable a greater understanding of the various areas such as the Police Dogs, Environmental Law, the AIS Project and shark education program."

"The work being conducted in the Galapagos is a real feather in Sea Shepherds cap and an amazing example of what can be possible when government and non government organisations are willing to work together."

The Galapagos is our line in the sand. If humanity cannot protect such a unique and diverse ecosystem, we will not be able to protect any ecosystem. The Galapagos is a challenge and battlefield for the effort to halt human greed and destruction. These Enchanted Isles are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and this means all of us have a responsibility to help protect them from illegal exploitation.

The documentary should be completed by late November, just in time for Captain Paul Watson's tour of Australia in preparation for Sea Shepherds eighth Antarctic whale defence campaign titled, operation Divine Wind.

Photos, left to right: (1) Hugo Echeverría - Legal Advisor, Marcel Wensveen - AIS Manager, Alex Cornelissen - Director of Operations, Malena García - Project Coordinator
(2) Pedro P. Andrade School - San Cristóbal Island - Malena García project coordinator
(3) Student from Pedro P. Andrade School - San Cristóbal Island – Learning about the interdependence of marine life in ecosystems
(4) Kennel of the K9 unit in Santa Cruz Island
(5) K9 Unit - Isabela Island - Cbos. Carlos Munoz - Environmental Police Guide
(6) John Roquillo - VMS System Operator, Ricardo Visaira - Responsable of Monitoring - Galapagos Marine Reserve,  Marcel Wensveen - AIS Manager

Marine Sanctuaries update for the South West of Australia

Thanks to all your submissions, a record 42,000 people lodged a pro-sanctuary submission during the public consultation phase calling for large marine sanctuaries in Australia¹s South West. This is the highest number of submissions ever sent to a government process on a conservation issue in Australia, congratulations to all that submitted.

Regional communities including recreational fishing interests, local businesses and councils made formal submissions to the federal government calling for large marine sanctuaries off their coastline.  Communities in Fremantle and Margaret River banded together to fund local newspaper ads calling for more protection.
 
221 senior scientists from Australia and overseas, including world leading fisheries and marine scientists, condemned the Government¹s proposed sanctuaries as unrepresentative and inadequate to protect marine life and fish stocks.

Former Australians of the Year Ian Kiernan, Prof Tim Flannery, Dr Fiona Wood and Dick Smith wrote to Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Environment Minister Tony Burke to raise their concerns about the Government's proposed plan for the South West.

11 prominent Australians including businesswoman Janet Holmes à Court, NBL star Luc Longley, author Ben Elton, business people Jock Clough, Liz Davenport and John Poynton, celebrity chefs Anna Gare and Ian Parmenter, musician John Butler and author Tim Winton, joined together to publish full page advertisements in both The Australian and The West Australian to express their support for government action on sanctuaries.

Leading market research company Patterson Market Research released research showing that over 90% of Western Australians rate the Government acting to protect WA¹s marine as important and 71% of people approved of up to 30% of Federal waters being protected in sanctuaries. Just 1% believe that no sanctuaries should be created.

All the team at Save Our Marine Life should be congratulated for all their amazing efforts over the years to get this campaign to where it is today.  It was a privilege for Sea Shepherd to be a part of this campaign in a bid to create marine sanctuaries for the south west in the battle to save our oceans.

Tony Burke has asked Australia to voice their opinion on Marine Sanctuaries, which resulted in the highest number of submissions on a conservation issue in Australian history.

Its up to you now Mr Burke, to give Australia's marine life the support, respect and protection it deserves for the benefit of future generations.

Profile: North Qld On-Shore Volunteer Coordinator Helen Robertson

Meet our fabulous new North Queensland Volunteer Coordinator. Helen is based in Cairns, and doing an incredible job. We are so excited to have new chapters popping up all over Australia!

"Originally from the UK, I've been in Australia for around 16 years, living in Cairns for the last 7 years. I work as a nurse but my passion lies with the ocean, so I work many extra shifts to fund my yearly whale adventures.

I first became a member of Sea Shepherd in 2006 when a friend told me about the organisation and what they were doing to help save the whales. I had just been on my first ever Minke Whale expedition, which runs here in North Queensland for 6 weeks every June and July, where you can swim with the beautiful and very curious Dwarf Minke Whales.

Being in the water and interacting with these amazing little whales is a life changing experience and by becoming part of Sea Shepherd I felt I was giving something back to the whales. Following this encounter I then went to Vava'u, Tonga in the South Pacific and swam with the Humpback Whales and Whale Sharks there, another incredible experience.

When Paul Watson talks about looking into the eye of a whale and how it changes you, that’s exactly what happened to me. In 2010 I went to a Byron Bay fundraiser and met with Paul Watson. He is very inspirational and I thought there must be more that I can do to help Sea Shepherd.

With my colleague Phil, and my friend Minke Whale researcher Matt, we decided to start the north Queensland chapter of Sea Shepherd. We have had a very positive response from the people up here who attend our market stalls and we really enjoy being on shore volunteers for Sea Shepherd."

Sea Shepherd Australia Enlists Cetacean Vet Dr Verné Dove

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is proud to announce the appointment of Dr Verné Dove as a volunteer Cetacean Vet Field Agent.
 
Dr Dove has a Masters in Conservation Medicine, a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and a Bachelor of Animal Science (Marine Mammal Behaviour and Pathology). In 2011, Dr Dove will complete her second Master’s degree, in Veterinary Disease Surveillance, and she is currently undertaking a PhD in Dolphin Health Assessment. Dr Dove has also been appointed as a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, has a Diploma in Conservation and has completed a course in Marine Mammal Veterinary Medicine (MARVET) in the United States.
 
Dr Dove was recently in Cambodia researching and investigating the high infant mortality rate of dolphins, with early indications appearing a link to pollution of their environment from pesticides and fertilisers used by farmers.
 
This is another reason why Sea Shepherd merchandise is made from organic cotton.
 
As part of her PhD project Dr Dove has been invited to collaborate with Foundation Omacha to assist with the rehabilitation of manatees and dolphins in Colombia. Omacha is also heavily involved in trying to stop the massive killing of dolphins in the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers’ used for baiting the giant Cat Fish.
 
Dr Dove is currently in the Caribbean with Foundation Omacha assisting with the release of four rehabilitated manatees.
 
A passionate Sea Shepherd supporter, Dr Dove, will assist Sea Shepherd in a volunteer capacity when and where she can.
 
Sea Shepherd volunteers often assists with cetacean strandings under the instruction of Government environment bodies and the appointment of Dr Dove provides an amazing opportunity to engage and utilise her expertise to assist in this area.
 
Dr Verné Dove will also provide various updates from the field abroad, including her findings of current research projects with manatees and dolphins.

Dr Verne Dove on her trip to the Mekong River to conduct a dolphin behaviour and eco-tourism impact assessment, and educating local school children on the importance of keeping the river clean from pollution to help protect the Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin.

Sea Shepherd On-Shore Volunteers - fundraising in action

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On Sunday, the 8th of May 2011, the Melbourne Sea Shepherd volunteers gathered together to hold a garage sale to raise much-needed funds for upcoming Sea Shepherd campaigns.

Sea Shepherd is Proud to Announce a Partnership with Goodwill Wines!

It's finally here - Sea Shepherd wine! No more time wasted idly in the bottle-shop aisles deliberating over which bottle of wine will go best with dinner, or which has the nicer label... as thanks to Goodwill Wines you can now order yourself a case of delicious wines featuring the Sea Shepherd signature Jolly Roger logo emblazened on the bottle!

All the Sea Shepherd wines are vegan, and Goodwill Wines will donate $20 from every case sold (12 bottles), or $10 for a half case. For more information, or to start stocking up please visit:

http://www.goodwillwine.com.au/charities/sea-shepherd-conservation-society

Our Marine Life – An Historic Decision in the Balance

In a matter of weeks the Australian government will make one of the largest conservation decisions in history when it considers the creation of a network of marine sanctuaries in Australia’s South West. It’s a decision that will have a major impact on our marine life, and a decision that could go either way.

What we do now will determine the outcome of that decision.

Australia has one of the largest marine territories in the world. A huge variety of fish, sharks, whales and seals live in our continent’s spectacular submerged mountain ranges, deep sea canyons and both cool and tropical coral reefs. These waters provide refuge for the magnificent blue, humpback, and southern right whales, as well as bottlenose, spotted and striped dolphins, to name a few.

The Australian government, and in particular the Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for the Environment is setting up a network of protected marine sanctuaries around our coast. After years in the preparation, Minister Burke is now on the verge of deciding on the size and location of these sanctuaries in Australia’s South West. As the first decision, it will set the standard for marine protection for the rest of Australia for the next ten to twenty years. The marine life of places like the Kimberley, the Top End and much of the east coast are depending on this decision too.

Currently, less than four percent of Australia’s waters are protected.

And with oil spills, over-fishing and pollution all taking their toll, the need to get protection in place couldn’t be more urgent.

The choice for Australia’s new Environment Minister Tony Burke is stark. He can listen to science and create a network of large marine sanctuaries so that our marine life is protected forever. Alternatively, he could compromise under pressure from interests such as the oil and gas industry, and create small, inadequate sanctuaries which offer little protection.

We have a golden opportunity to convince Minister Burke to protect marine life, but only if we speak up now.

Take action now!

1. Send a message to the Environment Minister, Tony Burke. 
2. Spread the word on Facebook. 
3. Write a short letter to the West Australian telling them your thoughts about the issue!
4. Order a free Save our Marine Life bumper sticker.

Isabel Lucas, Starship and
Sea Shepherd join forces
for the Whales

A Sanctuary for the Australian Humpbacks is in your hands

The Camden Sound Marine Park could be the first new marine park in state waters in many years.   With less than one percent of the massive West Australian coast protected, this is a crucial step in the right direction to see more of WA’s rich marine diversity protected.

Click here to make sure this sanctuary is created.