[Greens-Media] Greens & IFAW Paddle for Quieter Oceans

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

13 July 2013

Greens & IFAW Paddle for Quieter Oceans

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert joined local paddle boarders at Cottesloe Beach in WA as part of IFAW's campaign to raise awareness about the impact of ocean noise pollution on our whales.

Senator Siewert said, "This year it is critical to recognise the need to better care for our oceans, because while the Government has created a national network of marine parks, it also continues to release oil and gas acreage in critical whale feeding areas and migration paths.

"I was motivated to organise a local paddle event after seeing what others have organised around the country to highlight IFAW's report Breaking the Silence, paddlers in Hervey Bay, Queensland, who are also hosting an event today.

"IFAW's report has clearly highlighted the threats such as noise and industrialising our oceans pose for our precious marine life.

"WA is being exploited at a fast rate, and both our marine life and our other marine based industries such as tourism and fishing are suffering signifiant losses as a result.

"The Australian Greens are standing up for what matters and are not prepared to let our oceans be polluted by corporate mining interests," concluded Senator Siewert.

IFAW spokesperson, Rebekka Thompson, said, "I am glad to see that people are prepared to take to the water to promote the issues that IFAW raise in our report, Breaking the Silence.

"Ocean has always been alive with sound - from the breaking waves to the voices of marine life. However, humans are now drowning these out by ratcheting up the volume levels in whale hotspots around Australia, whether the constant rumble of shipping through the Great Barrier Reef, deep-sea drilling off Ningaloo, deafening seismic surveys in blue whale feeding grounds off South Australia and Victoria or naval sonar exercises in the Perth Canyons.

"Underwater noise from human activities is increasing dramatically around the country, yet government and industry action is failing to keep pace with our knowledge of the risks noise pollution poses to these magnificent creatures.

"This is why IFAW has demanded "silence" from all political parties, in the form of a commitment to deal with the negative effects on whales of ocean noise, and will continue to campaign for quieter oceans," concluded Rebekka Thompson.