Brisbane
brisbane@seashepherd.org
Upcoming Events 2012:
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February 25th 2012
Soundwave
The 2012 Soundwave line up promises to be the biggest and best yet, and I am not surprised with names like A Day to Remember, Gojira, Bush, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit and Marilyn Manson. Sea Shepherd On Shore Volunteers will be there again this year to speak to the public about our current operation Divine Wind campaign and to raise awareness about Marine Conservation, they will also have brand new Operation Divine Wind merchandise for sale, so come along and show your support for the hard working crew of on shore volunteers.
Brisbane 25th February - RNA Showgrounds
Sydney 26th February - Showgrounds
Melbourne 2nd March Showgrounds
Perth 5th March Showgrounds
For more information about any of these events please follow this link.
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Every Saturday - Davies Park Market, West End.
Davies Park Market, West End, cnr Montague Road and Jane Street. Saturdays 6am - 1pm.
The wonderful new team of Brisbane Sea Shepherd Volunteers will be up early every Saturday and down at the Davies Park market, so show your support and head down there and say hi. The market has a wonderful range of local and international produce, crafts and one of a kind handmade jewelery, the market is set under a canopy of beautiful fig trees.
http://www.daviesparkmarket.com.au/
Check here for upcoming events soon...
Past Events:
September 10th, 2011
West End Markets
Sea Shepherd were out in force early again last weekend at West End, a fantastic day was had by all again. Dont forget we are at the markets EVERY Saturday, so come along, bring a friend and drop past and show your support to these dedicated volunteers.
 
August 27th and 28th, 2011
West End Markets and Family Fun Day
Was a busy weekend this past weekend, as our Brisbane Chapter made a show at two events.
The rain might have put some people off the West End Markets this past Saturday, but it didn't dampen our spirits! With a brand new marquee donated by the Light House Ministries, we were warm and (mostly) dry under our shelter.
The following day, we were invited to attend a Family Fun Day at Raymond Park in Kangaroo Point, which was hosted to raise awareness for mental health issues. With bouncy castles, face painting and fairy floss, as well as some great live music, it was a fantastic day and we had a lot of fun - some of us even ending up with some great face art! Not to mention, the sunny, warm weather gave us a great chance to dry out our marquee!
We'll be at the West End Markets again this coming Saturday, so make sure you come down and check us out. We've just received a fresh batch of cool new merchandise including beanies, tote bags and a new range of ladies & kids shirts - stocks are limited, so it's quite literally first in, best dressed!
By Brisbane Co-ordinator and on-shore crew member Ross Currie
 
August 20th, 2011
West End Market
Sea Shepherd Brisbane Commandeer the West End Markets
The moon was still awake and the sun still asleep at 4:30am when the brave volunteers of our Brisbane chapter began setting up their stall at the West End markets this past Saturday, for the first of many market stalls to come at our favourite Brisbane market.
With the freshly acquired merchandise laid out, with sleep still in our eyes, and with buckets ready to shake, we were set to tackle the hordes that descend on this iconic Brisbane market every Saturday.
Having not been at these markets for almost a year, it was great to see that we'd been missed, with lots of people asking where we'd been and with many of the other stallholders stopping by to buy merchandise or to see what we'd been up to. Everyone was happy to see us again and, before the end of the day, we'd already been invited to two more events!
So if you live in Brisbane and haven't got your Sea Shepherd shirt or hat yet, or you just want to say hi, make sure you stop on down at the West End Markets in Davies Park next Saturday. We'll be there bright and early - and will happily accept donations of coffee!
By Brisbane Co-Ordinator Ross Currie
 
August 13th, 2011
Sea Shepherd Brisbane Back in Action at Australia Zoo.
After 8 months shore leave, the Brisbane chapter of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is back on deck with a fantastic new crew at the helm! This past Saturday marked the first of many events to come, with four of the shiny new on-shore volunteers turning up to man the Sea Shepherd stall at Beerwah's Great Garage Sale at Australia Zoo.
The event, held to raise funds for the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, brought sellers and buyers alike, with everyone looking to turn trash into treasure. And of course, nothing was treasured more than the fantastic Sea Shepherd merchandise that got taken home, with our jolly roger beanies being the hot seller of the day.
Starting next Saturday, the team will be at the West End markets in Davies Park every Saturday from 6am-1pm, so show your support by coming down and saying hi.
By On-Shore Crew Volunteer and Brisbane Co-Ordinator Ross Currie
 
October 29th, 2010
Cocktails with the Captain - Mantra on Queen
On Saturday 30 October 2010 Sea Shepherd Brisbane held it’s 2nd annual “Cocktails with the Captain” fundraising event at the Queen Ann Conference Centre, under Mantra on Queen, in Brisbane’s CBD. The event was attended by more than 150 guests and featured colourful complimentary cocktails (and mocktails for the non-drinkers!) on arrival.
Channel 7 TV’s weathergirl Liz Cantor MC’d the evening introducing Brisbane's up and coming band ‘Local Residents’, Captain Paul Watson and Wolfmother.
The live auction featured a Sea Shepherd logo SuperFish surfboard (signed by Wolfmother, Liz Cantor and the Captain), swimwear from Lisa Blue (Byron Bay), dresses from Ultrasuite (as showcased by Liz Cantor) and other amazing prizes like works of art from local marine artists like Karlee Mackie, David Williams (Wild Oats Gallery) and Maureen ‘Mo’ Riggs.
 
 
More photos from the night are now available for download at:
http://www.keepandshare.com/photo/show.php?j=1914&i=1356446&cat=1
July 12th, 2010
Brisbane Screening of 'The Cove' - Tribal Theatre
50+ people turned out to see the latest Brisbane screening of the award winning documentary “The Cove”
Guest speakers were Dr Kumi Kato, a Japanese born University of Queensland lecturer who has also lectured at Wakayama University (the prefecture where Taiji is located). Kumi has spent a lot of time in Taiji getting to know the locals and met Ric O’Barry out there last year with her partner, Simon Wearne, a videographer from Whale Wars Season One –our other guest speaker.
 
March 13th, 2010
Green Earth Festival- Botanic Gardens Brisbane
Sea Shepherd Brisbane attended the Green Earth Festival, a family orientated, drug and alcohol free, community event which aimed to stimulate awareness by bringing environmental, green, health and lifestyle, cruelty-free, recycling and sustainable issues into the public eye; encouraging people to make simple changes in their everyday lives to help our environment and the world we leave for generations to come.
Over 3,000 attended with people coming up from Sydney and Melbourne just to be a part of Brisbane's newest environmentally friendly and cruelty free festival.
Photo Credit : Wills Photography
February 19th, 2010
Black Sea Event - Hilton Hotel Brisbane
Ady Gil, an Israeli born, Los Angeles based business man, keen philanthropist, passionate conservationist, animal rights advocate and Sea Shepherd sponsor behind the wave piercing trimaran bearing his name, flew into Brisbane on the morning of February 19 to be our special guest at a mid campaign fund raising event.
The evening attracted over 150 supporters from Byron Bay, north to the Sunshine Coast and west as far as Ipswich.
Entertainment was provided by Byron Bay locals, Greg Sheehan and Low Pressure System (Dave Rastovich’s band).
Our first speaker was Isabel Shannon Dow (7), a passionate Sea Shepherd supporter and Wildlife Warrior who read a poem she had written for a school project.
The highlight of the evening was the live auction which featured items like a one-off Sea Shepherd surfboard donated by Gary McNeill, Formula Energy Surfboards , a George Gross designer dress donated by Terri Irwin, Australia Zoo, Emporium Hotel and Porsche package, surfboard donated by City Beach signed by Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrows, Mark Occhilupo & Andy Irons (also signed by Dave Rastovich on the night) and many more …
Guest speakers included Senator Andrew Bartlett (The Greens Party), Wayne Poole (Australia Zoo International Business Development Manager) who explained the history behind Terri’s dress and the relationship between Sea Shepherd and Australia Zoo and Dave Rastovich (Surfers for Cetaceans).
Ady Gil, yet to experience his first surfing lesson, won the Gary McNeill (Sea Shepherd) surfboard (pictured below with Dave Rastovich) just after he was auctioned off for $950 as a date for a night.
  
February 6th, 2010
Conservation Party - Hollywood Gardens Spring Hill
A group of passionate Sea Shepherd supporters hosted a small informal fund raiser at the Hollywood Gardens pub in Spring Hill on Saturday 6th February from 2pm.
Money was raised from a raffle and cash jar from the 20 supporters in attendance.
Michael Dalton, Sea Shepherd Brisbane Coordinator, was on hand to provide guests with more details about the history and work of Sea Shepherd and to answer questions.
Party organizers: Sandy, Matt, Kirby & Sally
January 12th, 2010
Japanese Consulate Demonstration
On Tuesday 12th January 2010 at 10.30am 60 Sea Shepherd and anti-whaling supporters descended upon the Japanese Consulate in Brisbane. A peaceful but noisy protest was planned to raise awareness of both the continued slaughter of whales by the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Oceans and the recent ramming and subsequent sinking of the Ady Gil, Sea Shepherd's recently introduced fast interceptor wave piercing trimaran.
After initially confirming that the Consulate-General would come to the lobby to accept anti-whaling letters from the demonstrators, including supporters of Sea Shepherd, Surfers for Cetaceans and Byron Whale Action Group, the Japanese Government representative refused to leave his office. After considerable negotiations two demonstrators with a Channel Nine television cameraman were finally allowed to the consulate offices to present the letters.
The Consulate-General was advised that further protests, this time against Japanese companies with state head offices in Brisbane, were planned if the Japanese Government refused to act on the written requests to cease their violent action against Sea Shepherd vessels, immediately withdraw from the marine sanctuary and likewise immediately cease the slaughter of whales.
The protest ended shortly afterwards.
 
November 24th, 2009
Cocktails With The Captain
Brisbane hosted a cocktail event in late vember in support of the current campaign, Operation Waltzing Matilda, Sea Shepherd’s sixth campaign in Antarctica.
Terri Irwin, environmentalist, author, owner of Australia Zoo and long time Sea Shepherd supporter, along with Bindi and Robert, were special guests and were kind enough to provide some great items for the silent auction, including a VIP tour of the Zoo with a meet & greet with the Irwins.
After enjoying ‘Deep Blue Sea’ cocktails guests were invited to hear Amy Barker, environmentalist and author, read excepts from various writing of Paul Watson, before the Captain himself provided the attentive audience with details on the campaign and the defining moment in his life that has secured the life of tens of thousands of whales over the last 32 years while at the helm of Sea Shepherd.
The silent auction, pictures below, featured many great donated items from supporters from all over Australia, including Oliver Hill Winery (who donated vegan wines for the event), Australia Zoo, David Williams (Wild Oats Gallery – Placebo Soup sculpture), Bob Timmons (‘Voyage of my Soul’), Tangalooma Resort & many more.
The evening concluded after The Red Paintings performed along with their stage painters with help from Bindi & Robert Irwin and Isabel Dow.
The picture will soon be auctioned.
 
 
Photos Credit: Kathy Hill, Whisper Images
November 21st, 2008
The Red Paintings Benefit Concert
Approximately 700 people turned up to support Sea Shepherd at the Benefit Concert put on by Trash McSweeney and The Red Paintings on vember 21st, 2008 at The Arena in Brisbane. The band donated their time and worked tirelessly to promote the show with a grassroots marketing campaign noticed all over Brisbane leading up to the event.
Promotion included billboard posters, flyers, ads in mags and local street press including MX, Courier Mail, Rave Mag, Time off Mag, Tsunami Mag, an interview and mention on Triple J (Rosie beaton show), and a 4zzz interview and mention of show with Sea Shepherd crew members. The Red Paintings MySpace campaign promoted the show to over 35,000 friends.
Volunteers with masks featuring the Sea Shepherd Jolly Roger logo patrolled the crowd seeking donations for funds to help cover the Operation Musashi campaign. The attendees generously donated while enjoying the good music including a set from Aboriginal musician Bunna Lawrie and finally the passionate and artistic performance by The Red Paintings to end the night. Captain Watson was invited on stage to say a few words on the imminent departure of the Steve Irwin to defend whales in the Southern Ocean and he surprised Trash by presenting him with a medal of honor for putting on a benefit concert to support the work of the Sea Shepherds! Sea Shepherd wishes to thank The Red Paintings and Trash McSweeney, Michael Dalton, Jeff Hansen, and the rest of the Brisbane volunteers for putting the event together for the benefit of Sea Shepherd and the whales.
  
 
Photos Credit: Susan Weingartner
To view the official music video for The Red Paintings song, "Whales Are Dying"
co-written by Trash McSweeney and Captain Paul Watson, click here
November 20th, 2008
"A Night with Captain Watson" in Brisbane
Reported by Michael Dalton, Brisbane Coordinator
Brisbane unleashed another storm on Thursday night (20th vember 2008) just as we were setting up for 'A night with Captain Paul Watson' and meant that we had to open the doors early which also dramatically reduced the anticipated 250 guests down to an estimated 120 at Kurilpa Hall. The night was opened with a couple of acoustic classic guitar numbers from 'Sanat' (Raymond Oliver), a conservationist composer and songwriter followed by a preview of Animal Planet's 'Whale Wars' and the much anticipated arrival of the Captain. Captain Watson captivated the audience for a full hour before opening up the floor to a Q&A session. Food was provided by the dedicated galley volunteers and well received by the guests.
 
Photos Credit: Susan Weingartner
November 15th, 2008
Steve Irwin Day at Australia Zoo
Reported by Sea Shepherd Australia
Captain Paul Watson was the featured speaker for Steve Irwin Day, hosted by the Australia Zoo, on vember 15th, 2008. Captain Watson focused his speech on whale conservation and Sea Shepherd's global campaigns to defend ocean wildlife. Local Coordinator Michael Dalton and other Brisbane area volunteers set up an information table and educated people about Sea Shepherd's work.
 
Photos Credit: Susan Weingart
Captain Paul Watson calls on the Japanese Consulate in Brisbane
Report by Michael Dalton
Tuesday 21st September 2010 started with the disturbing news, from Sea Shepherd Investigator Scott West on the ground in Taiji Japan, that 15 pilot whales, caught over the previous few days, had been slaughtered.
 
In response to this horrific act and in contradiction to the media claims from the Taiji fishermen that no killings would be conducted throughout September (2010) Captain Paul Watson, supported by local volunteers, called upon the Brisbane Consulate-General to Japan to protest the killings and explain the Sea Shepherd position on the issue.
At shortly after 3pm the Japanese Consulate sent down the vice Consulate-General to meet Captain Watson in the lobby of the building, surrounded by local police the Captain handed over the latest Sea Shepherd log book, detailing all work undertaken by Sea Shepherd in 2009 around the world, and a copy of ‘The Cove’ DVD. Media waiting outside to interview Captain Watson, eager to hear what response the Japanese officials had given to the protests from Sea Shepherd.
We know that in Brisbane, and every other capital city, the embassy and consulate officials have to report to and bow down to the views from the Japanese Government in Tokyo but we cannot stand idly by and allow the brutal and unnecessary killing of innocent cetaceans to go without our protest and condemnation. Our work in Japan will continue until the lives of dolphin and whales, around places like Taiji, are safe from herding, hunting, killing and life in captivity.
 
 
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Lure Restaurant Brisbane joins the fight to save Australia’s Tuna
Many people have now heard about the Sea Shepherd Mediterranean Campaign “Blue Rage” which is now intervening against illegal tuna fishing in the Mediterranean Sea.
Bluefin Tuna is geographically represented in 3 areas within the world’s oceans; Atlantic (or Northern), Pacific and Southern Bluefin Tuna.
Whilst insufficient data has been recorded on the populations of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna in terms of its threat of extinction, both Pacific and Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) species have been listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Since the 1950s, when industrial fishing commenced, the total population of SBT has declined by approximately 95 percent.
SBT have been heavily exploited over the years and are being fished to the brink of extinction. Australia has the largest quota for Southern Bluefin Tuna: it can legally harvest 5,265 tonnes per year. Japan has the second largest quota at 3,000 tonnes per year. However, the Australian government stated in 2006 that Japan had admitted to taking more than 100 000 tonnes over its quota.
The quota alone are not the entire problem, an overwhelmin g majority (98%) are caught as juveniles in the Great Australian Bight before being fattened up in sea cages and exported to Japan.
Targeting large numbers of young fish flat lines any chances of recovery and robs the ocean of future generations of this species. So, while the tuna fishers claim their industry is sustainable, the ocean heaves a deep sigh at the disappearance of one of her most iconic creatures.
In Brisbane we have been working on helping to conserve SBT by speaking to restaurants that are listing it on their menus and asking them to consider removing it for the sake of the species.
Chris Willis, General Manager The Coro Hotel/Lure Seafood Restaurant (www.thecoro.com) has agreed to remove SBT from the menus out of good ethics and has offered to work cohesively with Sea Shepherd in the future.
Following on from Cloudland Restaurant’s decision, in January this year, to no longer offer SBT, we applaud Lure Seafood Restaurant and their management for helping us to stop the extinction of this species.
We commend these, and any other restaurants, who maintain the required ethical standard to put sustainability in front of short term profits and invite any other restaurants, eateries or wholesalers to join us in saving the Bluefin Tuna.
More information on our Mediterranean Tuna Campaign can be found at www.seashepherd.org/blue-rage
- By Michael Dalton, Sea Shepherd Brisbane Coordinator 26 May 2010
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A great day for Southern Bluefin Tuna
On Monday 23 October 2009 a group of Sea Shepherd volunteers and Sea Shepherd CEO, Steve Roest, visited Brisbane’s Cloudland restaurant, a newly opened ‘urban oasis’ bar & restaurant spanning four floors with a glass opening roof located in Fortitude Valley, but were horrified to discover that the critically endangered Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) was listed on the venue’s menu.
SBT are a very large species and if they reach adulthood (at around 12 years old) before being caught, can grow up to 2.45m and weigh up to 260kg. Unfortunately they do not reach anywhere near this potential in Australian waters . The SBT is a large pelagic species that could live to between 20 and 40 years of age.
SBT is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Since the 1950s, when industrial fishing commenced, the total population of Southern Bluefin Tuna has declined by about 92 percent.
Around 98% of Australia’s SBT quota, over 5,000 tonnes per year, is taken by purse seine vessels fishing in the Great Australian Bight and catch juvenile fish weighing between 15 and 25 kg. These are towed alive back to static grow out cages off Port Lincoln and fattened for up to 6 months before harvest and mainly exported to Japan. Poor management and overfishing is rapidly diminishing spawning stocks and leading to the extinction of the species within the next 5 to 10 years.
Sea Shepherd are happy to report that after numerous discussions with Danny Blair, General Manager Katarzyna Group, owners of Cloudland Restaurant, Southern Bluefin Tuna will be removed from sale with effect from 22 January 2010.
Cloudland management are commended for making this landmark decision, Sea Shepherd is hoping that others will follow suit and not continue to contribute towards the extinction of this important marine species.
Sea Shepherd’s founder, Captain Paul Watson, has frequently warned “We will lose more species of plants and animals in the period between 1980 and 2045, than we have lost in the last 65 million years.” Cloudland will no longer be contributing to one of these being the Southern Bluefin Tuna.
~ Report by Michael Dalton, Brisbane Coordinator
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