Green Sea Turtles Page 2 Green Sea Turtles © Troy Mayne Oceanic Imagery

Spring 2018 VOLUME 19/1

Supporter Newsletter

CREATURE FEATURE Green Sea Turtles Page 2 Green Sea Turtles © Troy Mayne Oceanic Imagery

Whaling Marine Win For Back On Sanctuaries Australian The Agenda Under Threat Sea Lions! Page 10 Page 9 Page 13

With Thanks to YOU Hatchling green sea turtle © AMCS Plastic pollution © AMCS

Creature Feature The voice for Australia’s ocean wildlife. Plastic Pollution Australians taking action to end plastic pollution thanks to you…

Together we can turn the tide on plastic pollution.

Green Sea Turtles Plastic Pollution – In Hot Water A Silent Killer

Green sea turtles are named not for the Throughout our world’s oceans lurks a silent Phase out Plastic Microbeads colour of their shell, but for the greenish Facts & Figures killer. The killer is plastic and it’s on a beach n Australian businesses are ending the use colour of their flesh. These gentle ocean or floating in an ocean near you. Plastic of microbeads in products via a voluntary COMMON NAME: Green Sea Turtle wanderers can live for 80 years and weigh pollution is flowing into our oceans at an industry phase-out. The Australian SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chelonia mydas up to 318 kilograms, making green turtles alarming rate, entangling and choking our Government must now introduce a legal ban among the largest sea turtles in the world. TYPE: Reptiles marine life. on microbeads. They inhabit tropical and subtropical DIET: Adults are Herbivorous. Juveniles It’s clear that Australians want clean, healthy Reducing single use plastic continues to gain coastal waters across our blue planet and eat jellyfish, crabs and molluscs oceans full of life. Together we can ramp many call our Great Barrier Reef home. worldwide momentum. Here in Australia we’ve GROUP NAME: Bale up our campaign and turn the tide on just had some huge wins, with some big steps plastic pollution. Like other sea turtles, green turtles undertake AVERAGE LIFE SPAN IN THE WILD: 80+ years lengthy migrations from feeding sites to nesting being taken to reduce our plastic pollution SIZE: Up to 1.5 metres grounds, normally on sandy beaches. Mating footprint: occurs every two to four years, in shallow WEIGHT: Up to 318kgs Single Use Plastic Bags on the way out: Plastic Free July waters close to the shore. Females often return n On 1st July 2018, Queensland and Western Did you know that by 2050 there to the same beach used by their mothers, to lay adulthood, climate change puts sea turtles at Australia commenced their bans on single could be more plastic than fish in our their eggs. severe risk of not being able to reproduce in use plastic bags, joining the majority of oceans? Around 80% of the plastic Climate change is impacting our sea turtles. the future. Australian states with bans already in place. in our seas comes from land-based Raine Island in the Northern Great Barrier Reef Victoria is scheduled to ban plastic bags in sources. That’s why over 6,000 people Green turtles are already listed as a vulnerable is the world’s largest green turtle rookery. Last 2020, leaving New South Wales as the only like you took the Plastic Free July year an alarming study showed that due to to extinction in Australia, and listed as hold out state. challenge. Together we took action increased sand temperatures, 99% of hatchlings ‘Endangered’ internationally on the IUCN Red every day to turn the tide on plastic in the northern green sea turtle population were list. We can’t allow our turtles to become extinct Container Deposit Schemes on the way in: pollution in our oceans. born female. This presents a huge challenge for under our watch. We must act urgently to help n Queensland and Western Australia have the survival of this ancient species. them by combating climate change. committed to introducing container refund Ocean warming, more extreme weather and and deposit schemes within the next six rising sea levels affects turtles’ nesting grounds. In this edition months, joining the Northern Territory, South It’s not too late! On low-lying islands, such as those in our Australia, Australian Capital Territory and precious Coral Sea, nesting beaches could In our latest edition of Turning the Join the movement and pledge to stop New South Wales to drive down plastic plastic pollution today! soon be underwater, affecting the mating and Tide you’ll find ways to take action on pollution and ramp up recycling. Victoria To find out more, visit nesting rituals of our magnificent sea turtles. plastic pollution, marine sanctuaries and climate change to help our and Tasmania remain the only states without www.marineconservation.org.au/ With only 1% of turtle hatchlings surviving until precious green sea turtles. plans for Container Deposit Schemes. plasticfreepledge

2 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 3 Great Barrier Reef © AMCS AMCS Billboard, Gold Coast Queensland © AMCS

Great Barrier Reef Thank you for protecting our Great Barrier Reef. Fight For Our Reef You make this possible.

Reef Tourism Operators Make Your Billboard Glenn Takes Action Locally Historic Climate Change Declaration Gets Attention While Thinking Globally

For the first time ever, the Great Barrier welcomed the In April, we asked our supporters to fund Over the last year, Glenn Reef tourism industry has united with AMCS tourism industry’s a billboard campaign to expose further Conroy, has joined our in the fight against climate change. strong stance on attempts from mining giant Adani to access Fight for Our Reef team, our taxes to fund their polluting coal project in In May this year, AMCS and the Australian climate change. volunteering at local stalls central Queensland. Marine Parks Tourism Operators (AMPTO) “It’s not too and spreading the word. co-hosted a ground-breaking summit late to save Your powerful billboard was driven around In semi-retirement in Cairns. Together we released a joint the Reef but at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Glenn decided to declaration on climate change, which time is critical. the Gold Coast for five days - grabbing volunteer with AMCS to Glenn Conroy represents the first time this powerful The federal attention wherever it went. The reaction was “take action locally while industry has spoken out about the threat government has overwhelmingly supportive, with people thinking globally”. After of global warming and called for urgent a responsibility David Cazzulino, cheering as we drove by, and other drivers a 40-year career first in public relations; AMCS Campaigner and tough action from the Australian to protect the and Col McKenzie, honking their support! then trained as a lawyer with a focus on CEO of the Government. Reef and the Association of The world is watching. Around 672,000 people environment law; now a postgraduate local jobs that Marine Park in climate change science – Glenn is Col McKenzie, CEO of AMPTO said, “The Tourism Operators visited the Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Reef is still a dynamic, vibrant, awesome depend on it. Games and 1.5 billion people watched committed to protecting our environment. place but it is under serious threat from Yet our representatives continue to worldwide. Thanks to your support, we were He said: climate change and we need our leaders support the expansion of the fossil fuel able to shine a spotlight on Adani’s Reef “Nature is everything and I quote Andrew to put in place strong climate and energy industry, such as Adani’s coal mine and wrecking plans on the world stage. Denton; the environment is not the elephant policies to protect its future. still have no national energy policy.” We succeeded in our plan to expose Adani in the room when you discuss humanity’s and get the attention of key decision maker The Reef is our livelihood, it generates This call for action is a game changer, future - the environment is the room.” and local MP, Minister Steven Ciobo. He $6 billion each year and sustains 64,000 driven by AMCS, our Reef Team and you. Glenn can be found most weekends with was left in no doubt; Australians are against jobs. Reef tourism businesses love the Reef Government can no longer hide behind our volunteer teams doing “anything and Adani’s Reef wrecking mine! and we take seriously our responsibility to perceived divisions between tourism and everything - from wearing a turtle costume, look after this incredible place. conservation. Thank you staffing stalls, to door-knocking businesses.” Today we’re calling on all our political leaders to stand up for Far North Thank you for your donations. It’s Volunteer with AMCS Queensland businesses and jobs and Sign up today because of people like you we can demonstrate leadership on climate change continue to defend our iconic reefs, Want to volunteer? Join fellow ocean beautiful oceans and the marine life lovers like Glenn by calling AMCS to protect the future of our Reef.” We love the Great Barrier Reef. If you haven’t already signed up, visit that depend on them. You are an on 07 3846 6777 or emailing David Cazzulino, Great Barrier Reef www.fightforourreef.org.au to read integral part of the AMCS team, and [email protected] to register Community Campaigner for AMCS, the full statement and get involved. we’ll continue to keep you updated your interest to join one of our many every step of the way. volunteer teams.

4 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 5 Scalloped hammerhead sharks © AMCS Great Australian Bight, South Australia coast © AMCS

Great Coasts From the Top to the Bight we’re protecting our coasts with your help. Threatened Species You’re helping to protect these amazing animals.

Sharks are incredibly important to the health of our oceans.

Taking A Bite Out Keep The Game Changer: Sharks & Hammerheads Of The Bight Top End Tops! Rays Campaign Need Our Protection

The Great Australian Bight is one of the most Australia’s Top End is a ‘global biodiversity Australia is a global hotspot for sharks and The hammerhead shark’s distinctive head is amazing marine environments on the planet hotspot’, with some of the most healthy rays, with over 300 different shark species designed for greater agility and panoramic - wild, unpolluted and home to whales, sea marine waters in the world. calling our waters home. vision. Sadly, due to ongoing population declines these majestic creatures are listed as lions, sharks and albatross. Our Top End coastline, with over 800 Sharks are incredibly important to the health globally endangered by the IUCN Red List. But all of this could be at risk if the Australian tropical islands, is home to 27 sites of of our oceans, but they are under threat. Government allows drilling for oil and gas. international conservation significance. Fishing is the greatest threat to Australia’s Recently the scalloped hammerhead shark has been listed as ‘Conservation Dependent’ Offshore and deepwater oil and gas drilling These include Australia’s largest and most sharks, including targeted fishing for their under Australian environmental law. is already dangerous, but the remote and diverse mangrove forests, extensive tidal flesh and fins. Sharks and rays are also mudflats, seagrass meadows, seabird caught as accidental bycatch and discarded. Shockingly, this means they can still be caught harsh conditions of the Southern Ocean make and their meat and fins sold. The largest take rookeries, broad coastal floodplains Sadly, most are badly injured or dead when this a disaster waiting to happen. Apart from of scalloped hammerheads is from the east supporting huge waterbird colonies, and they are thrown back overboard. impacts of seismic testing and potential oil coast of Queensland in the Great Barrier globally threatened sea life. It’s a rare Sharks are particularly vulnerable when it spills, there are also climate change impacts Marine Park. from extracting more fossil fuels. Our pristine beauty on a global scale – and it’s right here comes to reproducing, they are more like in our backyard! whales and dolphins than other fishes as The great and smooth hammerhead Southern Ocean and coast is just too special sharks, although both considered globally However, our Top End Coasts are under they are long-lived, slow to mature and to be put at risk. endangered, have not yet been given stress. The fishing is amazing, but not as breed, and have few young. AMCS is proud to be part of the Great meaningful protection in Australia. good as it used to be. Mangroves are dying, AMCS is excited to announce a new Australian Bight Alliance of concerned pollution is damaging the beaches and the campaign partnership coming soon to This is a failure of Australian environment laws, community groups standing up against and follows the downward trajectory of shark threat of seabed mining is looming. protect Australia’s sharks. We will be dangerous and polluting exploration and working with our friends and colleagues at protection over the past few years by the drilling for oil and gas. Our Top End Coasts campaign has been Humane Society International (HSI) to turn Federal Government. AMCS is continuing to Following pressure from the Alliance, BP and gathering momentum and support, but we the tide for Australia’s sharks and rays and work for better protection of hammerheads on Chevron abandoned their plans for the Bight, need you to help keep one of the world’s protect them from fishing and lethal shark your behalf. but other big oil and gas corporations are still last healthy tropical seas in good shape! control programs. proposing to drill for oil and gas. We’re looking forward to working on your Facts & Figures Send a message behalf to protect these misunderstood marine COMMON NAME: Hammerhead Sharks Act now creatures, which are some of the most SCIENTIFIC NAME: Sphyrnidae Send a message today calling for a threatened species on our blue planet. Please let the Australian Government plan that will properly protect our TYPE: Shark know you do not want to see oil and gas Top End’s coasts. Did you know? DIET: Carnivores (fish, squid, crustaceans) mining in the Great Australian Bight. Keep Top End Coasts Healthy is an GROUP NAME: School, shoal Please act now - sign the petition! alliance of environment groups. Australia has over 320 different species AVERAGE LIFE SPAN IN THE WILD: 20-30 years Visit www.marineconservation.org.au/ Visit www.topendcoasts.org.au for of sharks and rays in our waters, of SIZE: 3 to 5 metres savethebight to sign. more information. which 70 are unique to Australia! WEIGHT: 150kg to 450kgs

6 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 7 Whale breaching in Sydney Harbour © AMCS

Marine Parks How you’re helping to protect our big blue backyard.

Sydney’s Iconic Blue Cutbacks Threaten Backyard Needs Protection Marine Sanctuaries

Sydney’s beaches, bays and waterways are A science-based multi-use Marine Park for In November 2012, Australia made history AMCS will continue the fight to save our truly special, and are globally renowned for the Sydney region will secure a healthy blue by declaring the world’s largest network of sanctuaries. We cannot allow these cutbacks their beauty above and below the water. backyard for people to swim, surf, fish, and for marine parks and sanctuaries to protect the to harm our fragile marine life, which is Every year over 13 million visitors travel from our marine life to replenish and thrive. most biodiverse waters on the planet. already under so much pressure. across the world or interstate to experience Our marine parks team has been busy Shockingly, the Federal Government’s new its spectacular natural beauty. working on the ground in Sydney this past year, management plans for the parks make massive The harbour, coasts and oceans are central generating a buzz about a Sydney Marine cutbacks to our historic sanctuary protection. Did you know? to Sydney’s lifestyle, making it one of the most Park. Alongside Sydney’s devoted ocean The Turnbull government plans to cut back Marine parks are an important beautiful and enviable cities in the world. It is lovers, we’ve been meeting with Members an area almost twice the size of Victoria. to help reduce stress on marine globally rare to have a big city so connected of Parliament, gaining momentum in key This would be the biggest removal of ecosystems. They are places where to the coast, with relatively healthy waters and communities and building the business case for protection for Australian wildlife in history – sea life is protected and people can natural, wild places remaining. a Sydney Marine Park. equivalent to removing every second national enjoy nature at its best. park on land. That’s 35 million hectares of But Sydney’s incredible oceans and marine It’s working! Our decision makers are hearing Sanctuary zones have been life are under pressure. Impacts from protected sanctuary that will be stripped from us loud and clear. More and more members scientifically proven to encourage coastal development, population, fishing of the NSW Government are coming out in Australia’s marine parks if plans released growth and recovery of stocks of fish pressure, pollution and climate change vocal support for a marine park for Sydney. by the government go ahead. The plans downgrade many no-take zones, where and marine life - benefits that flow are mounting, yet less than 1% of Sydney’s And it’s thanks to all the work we’ve done activities such as fishing or mining were waters are protected. together – they’ve heard loud and clear that the over into other areas. banned. This re-zoning will (now) allow more Sydney needs a marine park to protect its coast community wants a Sydney Marine Park. They act as an insurance policy, and destructive industrial fishing and dangerous help us to provide a lasting legacy for and marine life for generations to come. We’ve We’re making progress. Together we can secure a oil drilling. got stunning terrestrial national parks around Marine Park for Sydney with a network of marine future generations. our harbour and coastline, and thriving marine Sanctuary zones are vital for the protection of sanctuaries to protect our blue backyard and the ocean’s rich diversity of life. Our oceans are parks to the north and south, but none around coastal lifestyle for generations to come. Sydney, where we need it most. under pressure more than ever - from climate change, pollution, overfishing and industry. So Take action With so much at stake it is crucial to protect our Sign the Petition it’s increasingly important to set aside special beautiful blue backyard. areas where ecosystems can operate in their Please help us to fight to save our Help us secure a marine park for sanctuaries and send a message to your Right now, we have an opportunity to protect natural state. Sydney to protect our spectacular blue elected representatives, calling on them our incredible coasts and oceans. The NSW backyard and coastal lifestyle. The scale of these cutbacks is unprecedented to fight for stronger sanctuary Government is poised to make a decision on Please sign the petition, visit globally. These new plans ignore the protection at this critical moment. how to manage our seas from Newcastle to www.sydneymarinepark.org.au/ government’s own independent scientific Please visit www.marineconservation.org. Wollongong. This is our chance to get it right. protectourbluebackyard and sign today! review and public opinion. au/fightforsanctuary

8 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 9 Minke Whale © Kelvin Aitken Fresh fish © AMCS

Whaling You are champions for whale conservation. Fisheries Improving the health of our oceans.

We must fight to stop commercial killing of our whales.

Whaling Back On Updated Sustainable The Good The Agenda Seafood Guide Is A Hit! Fish Project

The International Whaling Commission to the IWC’s voting rules that could spell an Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide was Every day, more and more diners are (IWC) is the global intergovernmental body end to the global ban on whaling. We must developed in response to growing public conscious of where their fish is from and charged with the conservation of whales fight to stop commercial killing of our whales. concern about overfishing and its impact on how it was caught or farmed. and the management of whaling. our oceans and wildlife. AMCS will be fighting against the rule AMCS will soon be launching The Good The IWC and its 88 member governments from changes and calling for the IWC to close all It is designed to help Australians make informed Fish Project, a national restaurant countries all over the world will hold its biennial loopholes that allow countries to kill whales seafood choices and turn the tide towards program to help restaurants source and commission meeting in Brazil in September for so-called ‘scientific research’. sustainable seafood. It is the only independent serve sustainable seafood. this year. This is an important opportunity We will also be supporting the push for a sustainable seafood guide in Australia. to help advance protections for whales and Australia’s restaurant and catering industry South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary. protect these gentle giants of the sea. Based on the best available fisheries has a huge influence on what we eat. By data and consultation with scientists, AMCS will be participating again this year. There are two whale sanctuaries currently serving truly sustainable seafood, industry government and industry, we have just Darren Kindleysides, our Chief Executive designated by the IWC - the Indian Ocean professionals can make a real difference to released the latest updates. The Guide Officer is tasked with attending the IWC to Sanctuary, established in 1979 which the way Australia manages our oceans. covers the whole of the Indian Ocean and provides a simple traffic light system to help further the agenda to protect whales Healthy oceans with abundant fish stocks the Southern Ocean Sanctuary around the sustainability of seafood: green-rated not only in Australian waters but globally. are in the interests of fishers, seafood Antarctica, established in 1994. species are a ‘Better Choice’, amber ‘Eat Darren has in-depth experience, knowledge lovers and our marine life, so we can and expertise in marine conservation having Less’, and red ‘Say No’. A proposal for an additional sanctuary in the all enjoy fantastic local seafood for worked in this field for almost 20 years both in We can lessen our impact South Atlantic Ocean has been repeatedly generations to come. Australia and overseas. submitted to the IWC since 1998, but always on our oceans by choosing Darren will speak on behalf of you and blocked by whaling nations. The Government our seafood wisely. The This national program will connect ocean lovers around Australia to fight for of Brazil has put forward a new proposal new updated Australia’s the Australian public with restaurants vital changes this year to protect whales. for consideration by the IWC this year. With Sustainable Seafood Guide committed to sourcing and serving Whales face a greater number of threats the meeting being held in Brazil this year, is helping seafood lovers sustainable seafood when eating out. today that at any stage in their past. Climate we are hopeful that a South Atlantic Whale make better informed Watch this space! change, fishing net entanglement, plastic Sanctuary will finally become a reality. choices about our most pollution, underwater noise pollution and ship popular seafood. strikes threaten our ocean giants. The last Please sign now thing they need is a return to industrial scale Download today Make a difference whaling, but there are a number of countries Send a message to the Japanese Prime Minister now urging him to stop illegal who want just that. Visit www.sustainableseafood.org.au Do you own or know a restaurant whaling in a sanctuary created to to download your free App for Android who wants to sign on? Alarmingly, Japan, Norway and Iceland are protect these gentle giants. and iPhone. If you’ve already got the Visit www.goodfishproject.com.au still killing hundreds of whales a year and the www.marineconservation.org.au/ App, be sure to update it today! to learn more Government of Japan is pushing for changes nowhaling

10 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 11 Anemone and juvenile fish, Great Barrier Reef © Troy Mayne Oceanic Imagery Australian sea lions © AMCS

Climate Change You’re helping us turn down the heat on climate change. Threatened Species It’s a win for Australian sea lions thanks to you.

Climate Change Recognised As A Threat Seal Of Approval

Bahrain is not the first place you’d think Secondly, to promote a new concept which Australian sea lions in Western Australia are for the sea lions in Western Australia. It would AMCS would go to protect the Great Barrier we have called a Climate Vulnerability Index safer today - thanks to your support! not have been possible without your support. Reef. But we will go anywhere to protect our (CVI). Essentially, this is a rapid assessment tool Australian sea lions are unique to our As Tooni reports, “These closures are necessary amazing World Heritage jewel. to determine the vulnerability of every World waters, but sadly their numbers are in to have any hope of recovering Australian sea This year the World Heritage Committee (WHC) Heritage site. Once a site is determined to be decline. As a result, the species is likely to extremely vulnerable, the Committee may lions from the brink of extinction. met for two weeks in late June, in Manama, be listed as endangered under Australian decide to place a site on the In Danger list.” We look forward to continuing to work with Bahrain. Over 150 countries attended the environment laws. meeting. This was an amazing opportunity for Between our three representatives, they spoke the WA Government over the next three A key factor to the declining population in us to speak up and present our concerns with to every country delegation on the Committee years to ensure that greater monitoring and Western Australia has been the use of gillnets, vital key decision makers. about the climate change amendment. On the management measures are implemented in set to catch fish, in waters surrounding many Our focus was to increase awareness amongst last full day of the meeting, the amendment was the fishery to help understand the full impact of their colonies. These invisible walls of death WHC delegates that climate change poses a passed! The team also gave many briefings to of fishing on this important species. We need to entangle and drown vulnerable sea lions. huge threat to the conservation of many World delegates from about 20 countries on the CVI. ensure that every effort is being made to help These nets need to be moved away from Heritage properties, especially coral reefs. These are great steps forward in advancing the recover Australian sea lion populations in WA”. the homes and foraging grounds of these Climate change is the greatest threat to recognition of climate change, but as Imogen beautiful creatures. our Great Barrier Reef, and is becoming the says, “In the year ahead, there is much work to do dominant threat to natural World Heritage sites. to trial the CVI in various countries and to embed After a long campaign, we’re thrilled to Did you know? It is also one of the fastest growing threats to the concept in the new Climate Change policy. announce that in late June the Western Australian sea lions are listed as cultural heritage sites. What is very clear is that our Great Barrier Reef Australian Government established exclusion is extremely vulnerable to climate change. This Vulnerable to extinction. Fight For Our Reef Campaign Director, Imogen zones, which prohibit the use of gillnets by should give tremendous impetus for countries Zethoven AO, led the charge for AMCS with two fishing operations in areas near established There are only 10,000 – 12,000 such as Australia to drastically reduce carbon fellow experts: Jon Day, a World Heritage policy sea lion colonies. Australian sea lions left in the wild. pollution, switch to renewables and give our Reef expert and former director at the Great Barrier Tooni Mahto, our Marine Campaign Manager a fighting chance in the future.” The majority occur in South Australia Reef Marine Park Authority; and Dr Scott Heron, said “The Australian public expects that their with only 2,000 living in the waters off a physical oceanographer who works for the Thank you seafood does not come at the expense of Western Australia. Coral Watch Program of the U.S. National endangered ocean wildlife. Most Australians Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. With thanks to your support, we were would want to know that their fish and chips able to send a team of respected experts Imogen explains her mission, “We had two don’t cause the deaths of our unique Australian in their field to the World Heritage A Win Thanks To You goals. Firstly, to get an amendment to a draft Committee meeting to represent a sea lions.” decision on climate change being considered needed voice for our oceans. Their voice, These net free zones will offer better protection Thank you to all our supporters who by the Committee, to ensure a new climate 2 your voice, was heard – and we have for Australian sea lions over 17,000kms of their signed petitions and donated to this change policy is completed and put before the made great strides in working towards a range in Western Australia. This is a massive win cause. We couldn’t do it without you! Committee at its next meeting in 12 months’ time. clean, sustainable future.

Donor Spotlight Thank you for your support. Supporter Spotlight We can’t do it without you!

Shalise Leesfield Fight For Our Reef Rally Bernard Fanning, Musician Win A Trip To Pint-Sized Eco-Warrior World Turtle And AMCS Sea Guardian Lady Elliot Island Making Big Waves Day Action

Bernard Fanning, Congratulations to all of our Sea Guardians Shalise, an 11-year-old eco-warrior from Port World Turtle Day is celebrated around the Musician and former - you are in the running! As a thank you for Macquarie, recently contacted us with her globe each year on May 23rd. It aims to raise Powderfinger frontman, your amazing support, we have launched inspiring story of what one person can do. awareness of the plight of turtles and tortoises, has been an AMCS Sea an exclusive competition for AMCS Sea “I love dolphins and marine life and when I and encourage action to help them survive Guardian and vocal Guardians. found out how bad forgotten fishing line can and thrive. supporter since 2003. Thanks to our incredible business supporters, be for the animals I wanted to become a This year AMCS Fight for our Reef volunteers “What compares to including our major sponsor Diveplanit, we voice for them,” Shalise said. took action and held small rally in front Bernard Fanning staring out at the ocean are giving away a two-person holiday to Shalise spent her weekends collecting, of Anthony Lynham’s (Minister for State and wondering at its magnificence? How beautiful Lady Elliot Island, and a bunch of documenting and cleaning up discarded Development, Natural Resources and many stories, songs, puzzles does it contain? other great prizes. Sea Guardians are the fishing line from the waterways and Mines) office calling for our government to If you believe those pesky scientists, we lifeblood of AMCS and as a small thanks foreshore. She gave her reports and photos act on climate change and save our turtles. came from the sea. It’s programmed into for your support, all current Sea Guardians to the Port Macquarie Council in April last They highlighted our federal and state our very deepest beings, which is why I think have automatically been entered into our year, asking for approval to install fishing line governments’ legal and moral responsibility most of us feel so connected to it. competition*. collection bins. Her local Council listened and to protect our Great Barrier Reef and Taking care of the oceans is critical to Sign up as a Sea Guardian now to be in the approved her request! its turtles. the future health of both our planet and running. This exciting opportunity is open to Since the installation of two fishing line A team of volunteers also held an information species and is essential if we want future all new Sea Guardians who sign up before collection bins, Shalise says there has been stall in the bustling Brisbane City Queen St Mall generations to enjoy its wonder. October 31st 2018 with a generous donation a dramatic reduction in fishing line left in the to further spread the word. Our team spoke to the community about the alarming impacts of That’s why the AMCS is such an important of $20 per month. If you’ve been thinking water. “I empty the fishing line bins every rising temperatures on our sea turtles and the organization and deserves our support.” about becoming a regular giver, now is the week and on average I collect three or four handfuls of fishing line each time. This also need for rapid action on climate change. Sea Guardians like Bernard are the perfect opportunity to sign up. means that when I check the shore lines there It was a great day as we stood together to lifeblood of AMCS. Their monthly support Want more entries? Any Sea Guardian is less and less fishing line I can see which is show that we as community care about our has enormous impact for our oceans, who increases their donation amount really awesome,” she said. We think you’re turtles, Reef and climate. helping us plan for the long term and run by at least $10 or refers a friend to our AMAZING, Shalise! strategic, effective conservation campaigns. program before October 31st 2018 will Bernard reminds us that conservation is receive an additional entry. Get in touch Thank you good for humanity and the planet. Enter Today We’d love to hear about what you or Thank you to our volunteers who Want to be a part of it? someone you know is doing to help helped us celebrate World Turtle Day To enter, sign up today to become protect our oceans. by helping raise awareness and action Become an AMCS Sea Guardian today a Sea Guardian, visit Tell us your story via email to help protect turtles. And thank you with an affordable monthly gift. Visit www.marineconservation.org.au/seaguardian [email protected] or send a letter to to all who take action to protect these www.marineconservation.org.au/ *Please visit www.marineconservation.org.au/ AMCS PO Box 5815, West End QLD 4101. beautiful creatures. We can’t imagine a guardian seaguardiancompetition for full terms and conditions. world without them.

Thank you for your support

The Australian Marine Conservation Society is the voice for Australia’s ocean wildlife. We have defended Australia’s oceans for over 50 years. Thank you for your help to ensure Australia’s coasts and oceans remain healthy and free for tomorrow’s generations.

Stay in touch @australianmarine @AustMarConsSoc @marineconservation.au Contact Us 07 3846 6777 marineconservation.org.au [email protected] PO Box 5815 West End QLD 4101

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