Bob Barker in the thick of the action
GREENS WELCOME SEA SHEPHERD HEROES
Call For Tasmanian Whale Sanctuary
Cassy O’Connor MP
Greens Environment Spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the safe arrival into Hobart of the crew aboard the Sea Shepherd’s Bob Barker, following their successful Operation Divine Wind campaign to obstruct Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean.
Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said the group were doing the job of the Australian Government, which had failed to stand up to the whalers who had been observed carrying out operations in territorial waters off Macquarie Island.
“What a great honour to greet the dedicated crew of the Bob Barker after their safe return from another long and successful campaign, which has saved the lives of close to 700 whales,” Ms O’Connor said.
“This year’s whaling season was cut short due to the steely determination by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to protect these magnificent creatures.”
“We offer the warmest of welcomes and our sincere thanks Captain Peter Hammerstedt and crew.”
Ms O’Connor said the Tasmanian Greens would continue their push for tripartisan support for the Whales Protection (State Sanctuary) Amendment Bill 2010 tabled by the Greens in November 2010.
“It might surprise many Tasmanians to know that our waters are not already a whale sanctuary, and that a gap exists between our coastline and where the Commonwealth waters commence off-shore.”
“The Greens are proposing to fill that gap by amending the State’s Whales Protection Act 1988 to declare this zone a formal whale sanctuary.”
“Whale watching is a growing industry in Australia, and by declaring a Tasmanian Whale Sanctuary we could further enhance our clean and green brand.”
Ms O’Connor said the Greens were extremely disturbed by reports that Japanese whalers have been spotted within Tasmanian territorial waters three nautical miles off Macquarie Island.
“The Federal Government must contact the Japanese Government and make it clear that we will not tolerate a ship that is involved in the slaughter of whales anywhere near our territorial waters.”
“Australia should be following the lead of New Zealand and demanding that whaling vessels are not permitted in our territorial waters.”
“We cannot tolerate the illegal hunting of whales by the Japanese, and we must not do anything to aid or facilitate this heartless slaughter,” Ms O’Connor said.
The Greens’ Whales Protection (State Sanctuary) Amendment Bill 2010:
• Amends the state’s Whales Protection Act 1988 to specify State waters as a Whale sanctuary.
• Fills the 3 nautical mile ‘gap’ between the State’s waters and the Australian Whale Sanctuary in Commonwealth Waters.
• Amends the same act to clarify that it is an offence to assist an entity to take whales from our waters.
Background:
Tasmania’s legislative right:
Tasmania (like all other states) can legislate on areas of territorial sea adjacent to the State, which extend 3 nautical miles (roughly 5.5 kms) out to sea.
– Coastal Waters (State Powers) Act (Federal)
– Coastal Waters (State Title) Act (Federal)
– Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 (Tasmanian)
Current legislative arrangement:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Federal)
Commonwealth has already declared water to 200 nautical miles (extent of Australia’s EEZ) to be covered. Expressly does not include the area up to 3 nautical miles from shore as this is considered State Water.
Whales Protection Act 1988 (Tasmanian)
This Act imposes a general prohibition on the taking of whales (not assisting in the taking of whales). It does not specifically declare State Waters a “Whale Sanctuary” (and does not actually use the term).
