D-day for Western Australian marine life – have you had your say?

On Tuesday night I drove down to Freo and listened to compelling speakers from Sea Shepherd and Save Our Marine Life talking about the fight to get unique biodiversity hotspots protected in Western Australian waters. This was a promise made by the current government, but the draft proposal shows only two areas out of ten are proposed as sanctuaries, and the plans leave glaring gaps: limited or no protection for key areas for a number of whale species, including a feeding site for the endangered blue whale. No protection for the Abrolhos Islands, Australia’s southernmost coral reefs, while the Margaret River region and areas west of Kangaroo Island are still under threat from oil drilling. The list goes on. These proposals are open to comment until 8 August, so there is not long left. NOW is the time to have your say, and it has never been more important to do so. Please, wherever you live, view the website http://www.saveourmarinelife.org.au/map-out-our-marine-lifes-future,  watch Tim Winton’s message, and join the chorus of voices. This is a rare opportunity, and the future of Western Australia’s beautiful waters is in our hands.