Our ocean heritage
 |
 |
Right now, fragile marine environments in South-West Australia are under threat - but because of pressure from industry groups, the government is proposing to protect only two of ten precious places as marine sanctuaries. You can help turn this around. Please use the easy tool on the right to make sure these marine environments are protected for future generations?
Because the devastation of these precious places occurs out of sight, industry and government are hoping the public won't care enough to make marine life an issue. Together, we can protect our ocean sanctuaries - enter your details on the right to show decision-makers that you care. Need inspiration? Click on the links below to see why these precious places must be protected.
These two hotspots are from South Australia only. To see the 8 in Western Australia click here.
|
|
What could be more iconically Australian than the Great Australian Bight? It's the playground of rare and endangered species like the Southern Right whale, Australian Sea Lion, and juvenile Bluefin tuna. The cool waters of the Bight have exceptional biological diversity - combining bottom-dwelling plants, seaweeds, coral, and sea sponges. Sea sponges are prized for their unique chemical compounds, which hold great potential for new technologies and medicine. The Bight is also home to the endangered great white shark - a stunning and formidable animal. Photo: Glen Cowans |
|
|
The Kangaroo Island Canyons are a small group of steep-sided, narrow canyons. The seasonal undersea currents interact with the canyons to bring food from the deep ocean to the surface, creating the Kangaroo Island Pool. The stunning pool and canyons of Kangaroo Island are where tourists and bird life alike flock to see sea lions, Blue whales and the very rare Strap-toothed Beaked whale. One of the biggest threats here is from proposed oil drilling. We've all seen from the U.S. the devastating impact an oil spill can have on marine wildlife, so the marine enviornment of Kangaroo Island needs to be protected. Photo: Shannon Conway |
Want to know more about this campaign? Check out this info sheet.
Images L-R: 1. Coral of the Great Australian Bight (Glen Cownans) 2. Australian Sea Lions (Shannon Conway)
Many thanks for information on these areas from our friends at Save Our Marine Life, and the authors of Atlantis Found: Underwater Icons of Australia's South West.
Images L-R: 1. Coral of the Great Australian Bight (Glen Cownans) 2. Australian Sea Lions (Shannon Conway)
Many thanks for information on these areas from our friends at Save Our Marine Life, and the authors of Atlantis Found: Underwater Icons of Australia's South West.