News & Events
» Events
End of the line film screening
Back by Popular Demand: The End of the Line at Luna on SX, Fremantle, WA. Details...
Save Our Marine Life Volunteer Meetings
To make sure our marine life gets the protection it so urgently needs, we need people who care to be involved. Details...
The End of The Line film
See the cinema trailer of the internationally acclaimed film, The End of The Line. Details...
» In the Media
01 Aug 2010
ABC Q&A – If I were PM
Here is a video of Sandy Seal, he would make sure science is listened to and marine sanctuaries are protected if he were PM
Full Story...
27 Jul 2010
ABC PM - Abbott courts mining and fishing vote in Qld
Tony Abbott was back in Queensland again today, courting the mining and fishing votes in Mackay, for many years National Party heartland.
Full Story...
09 Jul 2010
PM ducks GST amid policy review
Ms Gillard fielded questions from the floor on topics including gay marriage, oil drilling off the Margaret River Coast and the amount of GST revenue that flowed back to WA compared to other states.
Full Story...
08 Jul 2010
ABC 1, The 7.30 Report – Green light for oil drilling
Full Story...
04 Jul 2010
ABC Radio National, Background Briefing - The spilling fields
As we watch the worst environmental disaster in US history unfold, it's worth comparing with our own gusher in the Timor Sea last year. The Montara well leaked uncontrollably for over 70 days before it exploded in a fireball incinerating the rig...
Full Story...
» More media stories
Watch our TV ad
Cinema Trailer - End of the Line
Save Our Marine Life is presenting screenings of The End Of The Line all around Australia. Click here for screening details.
THANKS for your support and for being part of the push for marine protection
David Mackenzie - Online Communities, Save Our Marine Life20 August 2010
Firstly, I’d just like to say a big THANKS for your support and for being part of the push for marine protection.
With the Federal election being held this weekend, our online community (15,000 strong and growing!) has collectively made political parties sit up and listen. Many thousands of personal and passionate emails combined with on-ground action to make marine sanctuaries the one environment issue on everyone’s mind.
The good news is that, thanks to you and the rest of Save Our Marine Life, all parties have committed during this election to continuing a plan for marine sanctuaries. The big question is; how well will they do it?
The Conservation Council of WA (a Save Our Marine Life member group) answers this question by assessing each of the party’s marine policies on its web site.
We’ve pushed marine protection to this level, but no matter what happens Saturday, you and Save Our Marine Life will need to stand firm and keep the new government honest in the next critical phase. No matter who’s PM, as they roll-out their plans they’ll need to hear that thousands and thousands of us care for our marine life and want it protected.
Without pressure from us to make sure they do it right, any new sanctuaries could be too small or in the wrong places, allowing damaging over-fishing and the threat of oil spills to continue.
Our campaign is on track to making a real difference for our marine life such as whales, dolphins, turtles and fish. So, if you haven’t already, order a bumper sticker from the web site, send your MP a message, or join our Facebook group.
Our marine life is one of the things that makes Australia such a great place to live – let’s make sure it gets protected forever.
Best regards
David
David Mackenzie
Online Communities
Save Our Marine Life
Save Our Marine Life launches Marginal Seats Advertising Campaign
David Mackenzie - Online Communities, Save Our Marine Life3 August 2010
Today Save Our Marine Life launched hard-hitting advertisements highlighting the devastation of marine life in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The advertisements appear in community newspapers in the hotly contested WA marginal seats of Hasluck, Swan, Canning as well as the safe seat of Perth.
Less than 1% of WA’s waters are protected, yet in the past year 31 new oil leases have been declared in Australian waters, and no new marine sanctuaries. We believe these advertisements are a timely reminder to our political leaders that our marine life remains unprotected, and under threat.
Conservation groups from the Save Our Marine Life alliance are calling on all political parties to commit to a network of marine sanctuaries to protect key feeding and breeding areas for marine life in WA’s south west waters, from Esperance to Geraldton.
Tony Abbott out of touch with voters on marine protection
Tim Nicol - SOML Spokesperson, Save Our Marine Life27 July 2010
Polling last week in WA showed that 8-in-ten WA voters support increasing protection levels from less than 1% to high levels of marine protection.
Additionally a recent independent economic report from the Allen Consulting Group showed that marine sanctuaries provide big economic opportunities for regional WA, for example helping to make the southwest a tourism icon and underpinning growth in the southwest tourism industry to $55m million per year.
Further delays in improving protection of Australia’s waters would only increase the risk of permanent damage to at risk fish stocks and expose coastal communities to the very real possibility of oil drilling, such as offshore from Margaret River and in the Kimberley.
The Labor Party are yet to release a marine policy in the lead up to this election.
Voter Support for South West Marine Protection Increases
David Mackenzie - Online Communities, Save Our Marine Life23 July 2010
The Essential Research poll of West Australian and national opinions about priorities of the federal government found 8 out of 10 voters believe that between 30 and 60 per cent of oceans in the south west of the country should be protected in marine sanctuaries. Currently less than 1 per cent of Australia’s South West Marine Region is currently protected.
The poll also found 7 out of 10 West Australian voters believe protecting the marine environment of the south west should be the priority for the federal government over expanding the oil and gas industry in the south west. Only 10 per cent of voters support expansion of the oil and gas industry at this time.
In August last year, 75 per cent of West Australian voters supported increasing protection of the 1.4 million square kilometre south west region from 1 per cent to between 30 and 60 per cent. That support has now increased to 81 per cent.
The research also established that West Australians support paying compensation to commercial fishers who may be displaced by establishing marine sanctuaries in the south west. 6 out of 10 West Australians support compensation while only 2 out of 10 are opposed.
Margaret River flares up, demands sanctuaries not oil spills for the South West
Tim Nicol - SOML Spokesperson, Save Our Marine Life2 July 2010
World pro surfer Taj Burrow supporting Save Our Marine Life
The number of high profile people coming out on marine sanctuaries and deepwater oil drilling off Margaret River has increased over the weekend as Taj Burrow spoke to the 7:30 Report, and Shadow Environment Minister Greg Hunt headed to Margaret River to hear from the people about oil concerns.
Left to right: Tim Nicol, SOML Spokesperson, takes the stage with local MP Nola Marino and Shadow Environment Minister Greg Hunt for their public meeting at Margaret River
On a cold winters morning I joined 75 people who turned out to greet Greg Hunt and local MP Nola Marino. They were met with banners and the chant ‘no wellhead for our seabed’ before heading inside to discuss the many concerns people have about the lack of protection given to the South West’s unique marine life, and the unacceptable risk posed by deepwater oil drilling.
The next day Danielle Parry from ABC’s The 7:30 Report was in town to film the local reaction to the new Margaret River Oil Lease. Pro-surfer Taj Burrow was filmed calling for protection of the coast where he learnt to surf. Rob Alder, convener of new local action group “No Oil for SW Beaches” and I were also interviewed on Rob’s balcony overlooking the ocean where we had seen a mother and calf southern right whale playing near the beach the day before.
It was another exciting week on the campaign trail and we’re looking forward to working further with No Oil for SW Beaches and the local Surfrider Foundation to make sure we have Sanctuaries, Not Oil Spills, for Margaret River..
Scientists reveal deep sea mysteries of the Perth Canyon
David Mackenzie - Online Communities, Save Our Marine Life22 April 2010
Professor Jessica Meeuwig of the University Of Western Australia explains to Mal Washer MP, Melissa Parke MP and Senator Rachel Siewert the underwater stereo camera equipment used to gather images in the Perth Canyon. Photo: Alf Sorbello.
Never before seen images of marine life deep inside the Perth Canyon, 22km west of Rottnest Island off Perth, have just been revealed by scientists at The University of Western Australia’s Centre for Marine Futures and CSIRO.
Filmed between 100m and 500m beneath the ocean’s surface, scientists have captured compelling images of the vulnerable pink snapper, rocket squid, deepwater sharks, synchronised swimming by rays and skates, and billowing sand clouds as part of research into the health of WA’s unique marine environment.
The images were released on World Oceans Day as part of a tour by Federal politicians Dr Mal Washer (Liberal MP for Moore), Ms Melissa Parke (Labor MP for Fremantle) and Ms Rachel Siewert (Senator for The Greens) to learn about the groundbreaking research scientists are conducting on WA’s marine environment.
The Perth Canyon was carved millions of years ago by the Swan River while still above water but is now 1.5km deep and 15km wide. It is Australia’s largest submarine canyon and equal in size to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA.
The Perth Canyon is also one of only two places in Australia that the rare and endangered blue whale – the largest animal ever known to have lived – comes to feed.
“This is an important year for WA’s marine life. We already know that there are significant pressures on species such as dhufish and baldchin groper, which are found only in WA, and this rare view into the Perth Canyon will help provide information about how to conserve fish stocks,” Professor Meeuwig said.
The Perth Canyon video also captured images of the bight redfish, another species found only in southern Australia and that lives to at least 70 years, but has also been identified by the Department of Fisheries as at risk of collapse due to over-fishing.
“Western Australia has a marine environment like nowhere else. The important research work being done on WA’s unique marine life provides vital information for the government to consider as it puts in place a comprehensive marine conservation plan for our oceans,” Ms Parke said.
“WA’s oceans are internationally recognised for their huge diversity of unique marine life. We have a responsibility to better manage our marine resources for not just econonic benefit but for conservation also, for us all now and for the future,” Dr Washer said.
“As the recent oil spill off the Kimberley coast demonstrated to us all, there must be safeguards in place to ensure marine life is protected from pollution and other threats. The abundant life of WA’s oceans, even as close as the Perth Canyon, deserves better protection,” Senator Siewert said.
You can view part of the video:
here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0iqRah3N0I
here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02l6XHdGDKw
and here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXi9Puy8158
Oil spill risk makes marine protection a federal election issue
Tim Nicol - SOML Spokesperson, Save Our Marine Life21 June
Rising community and environmental concern about a lack of action to provide safeguards against the risk of large scale oil spills in Australia will be a high profile issue leading up to the federal election, Australia’s leading conservation groups have said in a joint statement.
An unprecedented alliance of 32 environment groups including the Australian Conservation Foundation, WWF Australia and Pew Environment Group are calling on all political parties to commit to a network of large marine sanctuaries this coming election to provide safeguards for Australia’s unique marine life.
In the face of one of the world’s worst environmental disasters, the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the United States has clamped down on the oil and gas industry with a range of measures including a moratorium on new oil approvals in sensitive areas.
Late last year, Australia suffered the major 10 week Montara oil spill off the Kimberley coast.
In stark contrast to the United States, Australia’s Resources Minister subsequently gave new approvals to the proponent of the Montara oil spill and released 31 new oil and gas leases over environmentally sensitive areas of Australia’s oceans, which had been identified for protection.
“Everyone knows prevention is better than cure,” said Australian Conservation Foundation CEO Don Henry. “That means protecting Australia’s important and iconic marine areas including Australia’s South West marine region, the Coral Sea and the Kimberley with marine sanctuaries.”
“Since the Montara oil spill less than a year ago, 31 new oil and gas approvals have been made in Australian waters but no action has been taken to safeguard our marine life and coastal communities from the high risks associated with industrial development”, said Greg Bourne of WWF-Australia.
“A network of large marine sanctuaries is backed by science as being the best way to protect our unique marine life, allow fish stocks to recover and provide safeguards against the impacts of threats such as oil spills”, said Michelle Grady of the Pew Environment Group-Australia.
In light of Australia’s failure to act on the very clear risk posed by deepwater drilling, the alliance of environment organizations is calling on the Rudd Government to release the Montara Inquiry findings without delay, and for all political parties to commit in the lead up to this federal election to:-
1. Place a moratorium on new oil and gas approvals in Australian waters until the safety issues associated with deepwater drilling have been addressed.2. Declare a national network of marine sanctuaries in Australian waters including Australia’s South West marine region, the Coral Sea and the Kimberley, to safeguard Australia’s unique and threatened marine life.
Australia lays claim to the third largest marine jurisdiction of any nation on Earth, and a marine area almost twice the size of our continent. Australia’s marine life is considered to be the most biologically diverse on the planet. Yet, less than 5% of Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone is protected from oil and gas, and most of this area sits in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and around the subantarctic Macquarie, Heard and McDonald Islands.
Victoria Park Nanna and ALP Candidate Launch Oceans Display
David Mackenzie - Online Communities, Save Our Marine Life8 June 2010
Victoria Park 'Nanna' Lesley Dewar and marine volunteers Lisa, Katie and Amy are joined by ALP candidate for Swan, Tim Hammond, to launch a new marine education display at Victoria Park Library for World Oceans Day, 2010. Photo: Tim Nicol.
In celebration of World Oceans Day (Tuesday 8th June) this year, Victoria Park Nanna Lesley Dewar has collaborated with the Save Our Marine Life campaign to launch a new educational display at the Victoria Park Library; the display was officially launched today by local ALP candidate for the marginal seat of Swan in Perth, Tim Hammond.
The display includes a giant 2m leafy sea dragon, educational posters about Australia’s unique south west marine environment, free stickers and bookmarks, and the opportunity for residents to send a postcard to Kevin Rudd supporting increased marine protection.
Lesley Dewar, a retired business woman who calls herself a Victoria Park Nanna, said, “I was amazed to hear from Save Our Marine Life that up to 90% of the marine life in our south west waters is unique to the region. I wanted to get this display to help people to better understand how special and unique the marine life on our doorstep really is.”
At the launch today, ALP candidate for Swan Tim Hammond said, “the ocean belongs to all of us – it doesn’t matter where we live. And because it belongs to all of us, we all need to play our part in preserving marine life”
What Save Our Marine Life supporters say…
In just a few weeks in May 2010 almost 2,000 personal emails were sent by people concerned about plans to open up potential marine sanctuaries for oil exploration and drilling. Here’s a sample of what they had to say to the Government.
In this, the year of biodiversity, show that you will implement policy that protects Australia's biodiversity for the benefit of all Australians and future generations.
Claire of Sandgate, Queensland
I am very concerned at the prospect that new oil exploration leases might be granted to offshore areas that are still being assessed as potential marine conservation reserves. Such a decision would show contempt for due process, and would show that the current government is not able to govern for the long term benefit of Western Australians. I strongly believe that our marine environments are under great stress due to overfishing, climate change, marine pollution and a lack of interlinked and adequate marine conservation areas that are free of oil and gas exploration / exploitation and commercial fishing.
Please don't allow this to happen.
Nicholas of North Perth, WA
It is more and more important today than ever before to protect our amazing marine environments and ensure that these sensitive areas are not destroyed by oil exploration companies in the pursuit of the mighty dollar.
It is vital that all these sensitive areas are proclaimed marine sanctuaries and the government on behalf of the community commits to the protection of all the wonderful wildlife such as turtles, seals and the magnificent humpbacks and endangered blue whales which inhabit these pristine areas.
Barbara of Burwood, Victoria
It is critical that our southwest waters have protection by way of marine sanctuaries. Twenty years ago people were saying the seas were limitless. The world could be fed from the Ocean. That has proved to be completely wrong. We must rethink our attitude to the ocean. Marine sanctuaries are crucial to saving our southwest waters… Please listen, I vote and I care about creating marine sanctuaries. I want to see these areas set aside BEFORE oil exploration leases are considered
Roz of Shenton Park, WA
It seems to me that your department and that of the Environment Minister seem to operate in direct opposition to each other. I call on you to consider the effect on the profitable tourism industry on Kangaroo Island of an oil spill on its coastline.
Paul of Adelaide, SA
As a resident of the beautiful Margaret River region I am horrified o learn that the unique pristine natural environment in this area is under potential threat and I encourage you please to do your utmost to address this situation.
Hilary of Margaret River, WA
I live in Cowaramup and surf nearly every day in the waters around Margaret River. You've no idea how much this pristine coastline means to locals and visitors alike. No matter how stringent the environmental standards are, it will not be enough.
Margaret River is not for sale.
Rowan and family of Cowaramup, WA
My job is as a Surveyor and Offshore Manager on exploration survey vessels. But in my opinion, properly managing and looking after our environment comes first, before my job, and before Australia's economic growth, because if we lose the fantastic diversity and life around our coasts, then we lose what for many people is the whole essence of the quality of life in Australia.
Duncan of Margaret River, WA
Our lives depend on healthy oceans. That's why looking after the oceans matters so much. So please, postpone any decision on new oil leases in these areas until the locations of the new marine sanctuaries have been decided. Our south west waters need protection. Lives depend on it.
Helena of Brisbane, Queensland
Please wait until the areas have been assessed for marine sanctuaries. Make the right decision one that your children and grandchildren will thank you for, one that will keep this pristine area intact.
Liza of City Beach, WA
The waters off Western Australia and South Australia require much larger marine sanctuaries, the areas have a unique and more diverse marine life than the Great Barrier Reef, they are at this time pristine - until you grant licence for further destruction.
Robyn of Karadoc, Victoria
The future of my children and yours relies on people such as yourself making the right decisions now. Biodiversity is critical to life as are our already overtaxed oceans. Perhaps our descendents will find alternatives to fossil fuels and perhaps they won't but all we can do is help maintain the breadth of their options. Preserving some of the magnificent wildnerness we take for granted is the least you can do.
Jodie of Mandurah, WA
Margaret River and Kangaroo Island marine environments opened up to oil industry
Tim Nicol - SOML Spokesperson, Save Our Marine Life21 May 2010
Against the backdrop of the worsening Louisiana oil spill, and despite a sustained community backlash, new areas have been released to the oil industry off WA’s Margaret River and SA’s Kangaroo Island.
These leases have been placed right on top of areas that are currently being investigated for protection in marine sanctuaries.
Since plans for these new leases were uncovered a month ago, over 250 people have rallied in Margaret River, almost 2,000 people have written to Minister Ferguson, a local ALP candidate has written an open letter opposing the development, and Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has opposed the move through a disallowance motion in Federal Parliament.
These new leases come less than a year since Australia’s own devastating oil spill off the Kimberley coast at the Montara Oil Field. The official Inquiry into the spill is still underway.
Within days of the Lousiana Oil Spill President Obama cancelled all new offshore drilling in US waters, but in stark contrast, Australia is opening up new areas to oil and gas that are important for our unique and threatened marine life.
A CSIRO pollution model has been used to track where oil from a spill in the new lease off Margaret River would move. Under real ocean wind and wave conditions, SOML has discovered that there is a high probability that oil would reach WA’s south west beaches. Kangaroo Island and Yorke Peninsula in SA face a similar scenario.
Conservation groups have called on the Prime Minister to ensure protection of our unique marine life by establishing a network of large marine sanctuaries in commonwealth waters. Please join these calls by sending the PM a quick message here. We’ve made it easy.
Currently less than 1% of Australia’s South West marine life is protected. Marine sanctuaries provide important marine habitats with a buffer from the impacts of smaller oil spills, seismic activity and drilling, and provide a safe haven for our unique marine life to survive and thrive into the future.
New Margaret River oil threat prompts rally for sanctuaries
David Mackenzie - Online Communities, Save Our Marine Life1 May 2010
Recently plans to open up a massive new oil lease offshore from Margaret River prompted people to rally in a call for large marine sanctuaries. Over 300 people attended the Save Our Marine Life Rally on Saturday 8th May, in Reuther Park, Margaret River to hear expert speakers and performances from local musicians.
This was followed on 29 May 2010 with 300 people gathering again on the beach near Margaret River. See the great helicopter vision and news story here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/05/29/2913012.htm
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Reuther Park, Margaret River 1 May 2010
Margaret River beach 29 May 2010
The science is in: we must act on marine sanctuaries
Tim Nicol - SOML Spokesperson, Save Our Marine Life22 April 2010
After five years in the making, Western Australia’s Department of Environment has finally released a landmark report strongly supporting the benefits of a network of marine sanctuaries for Western Australia.
Billed at the time of commissioning as the definitive scientific statement on marine sanctuaries in WA; this report was designed to end years of debate into the need for marine sanctuaries and their place in protecting WA’s marine life.
The Report on the Scientific Basis for and the Role of Marine Sanctuaries in Marine Planning, was completed by independent scientists appointed by the former Minister for the Environment, and recommended by the Western Australian Marine Science Institution with advice from the then Fisheries Minister and Resources Minister.
The report highlights the very strong evidence of benefits from marine sanctuaries for marine life, and the likely benefits to our ailing fisheries.
The report is available at http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/category/40/952/2323/
The report comes on the back of recent studies from the Great Barrier Reef that showed major environmental benefits from the increases in protection there – including a two fold increase in fish populations.Oil leases jump the gun on marine protection
David Mackenzie - Online Communities, Save Our Marine Life22 April 2010
You know sometimes when you read things that are so contradictory that you have to read it again to make sure you’ve understood it? Well, I’ve just had one of those moments.
Although the Federal Environment Minister is still assessing marine areas for protection off the coast of WA and SA - we’ve just noticed that the Resources Minister plans to jump the gun and announce oil leases in those same areas on 16 May.
Huh?
What’s more, these new leases will only be 80km offshore from Margaret River in WA and 50km from the wildlife refuge of Kangaroo Island in SA!
These are iconic areas where we need to have proper protection in place.
As we found out last year off the Kimberley coast, the risks of oil exploration are very real. Have a look at the map below to see the impact of an accident the size of the Kimberley West Atlas oil spill if it were to happen in these leases.
Email the Resources Minister and tell him not to grant oil exploration leases.
Without protection in place, opening up a new oil industry in these important environments puts at risk wildlife like turtles, fur seals, migrating humpbacks and endangered blue whales - but also tourism and other industries that rely on our clean safe beaches.
Even without the risk of another spill, new drilling for oil creates noise, pollution and increased shipping. Offshore from Margaret River it would impact on the Naturaliste Plateau, expected to be a treasure-trove of undiscovered species and in the under-sea Kangaroo Island Canyons it could affect whales, fur seals, sharks and seabirds.
Wouldn’t you agree it’s irresponsible for the Rudd government to grant new oil leases in those areas before the government’s own assessment of new marine sanctuaries is finished?
Save Our Marine Life releases The Economics of Marine Protected Areas
Tim Nicol - SOML Spokesperson, Save Our Marine Life5 March 2010
Isn’t it great when something good for our marine life also makes economic sense as well?
A landmark study by the Allen Consulting Group released today has found that establishing large marine sanctuaries in Australia’s south west would lead to significant growth in tourism revenue, bringing a 20% boost so that $55 million was injected every year into the WA economy.
The Economics of Marine Protected Areas also found that marine sanctuaries would generate long term economic prosperity with a more diverse economy and healthier fish stocks outweighing the short term costs of establishing sanctuaries.
The Report’s release was supported by author Dr Martin Van Bueren and WA businessmen Mr John Poynton and Mr Jock Clough. They were also joined by Curtin University Sustainable Tourism researcher Dr Tod Jones.
“As this important report highlights, there are many economic benefits for WA that flow from protecting areas of our unique marine environment. I believe this report should now encourage the Federal and State governments to work together to create large new marine sanctuaries in the south west” said John Poynton at the launch.
The full report can be downloaded here
End of the Line goes to Parliament
David Mackenzie - Online Communities, Save Our Marine Life24 February 2010
Left to right – Hosts of the Parliamentary screening of End of the Line,The Greens Senator Rachel Siewert, Liberal MP Dr Mal Washer and Labor MP Melissa Parke speak to ABC’s Lateline program.
Protecting Australia’s unique marine life is going to take a good amount of political will. So I’m thrilled that MPs from across the political spectrum got together this week for a special screening of new documentary, End of the Line, at Parliament House, Canberra. The End of the Line gives a graphic and engaging account of the catastrophic impact of over-fishing on oceans and the communities that depend on them.
As many of you will know, Save Our Marine Life has organised screenings around the country to raise awareness and begin a national conversation about how we can act to protect our oceans. It’s critical that our political representatives join that conversation, and at this special screening they certainly did. Over 50 MPs, their staff and others enjoyed speeches, cocktails and canapés before settling in to view this powerful oceanic equivalent of ‘An Inconvenient Truth’.
The documentary had a remarkable impact and sent a clear message to our nation’s leaders of the urgent need to recognise the damage to our marine environment and act decisively to protect our oceans.
I’d like to thank Liberal MP for Moore Dr Mal Washer; Labor’s MP for Fremantle Melissa Parke; and The Greens Senator for Western Australia Rachel Siewert for demonstrating their concern and co-hosting the screening of End of the Line. We greatly appreciate their support.
Australian Distributor Announces New The End of the Line Screenings; Cinema Release Imminent!
Tim Nicol - SOML Spokesperson, Save Our Marine Life
Packed audiences watched The End of the Line at almost 20 community pre-release screenings around Australia last year.
The new Australian Distributor for The End of the Line, DV1, has begun announcing new community screenings in the lead up to the official cinema Premiere expected in April. Following more national media coverage on Channel 10 and ABC TV news when film Director Rupert Murray visited Australia in early February, the momentum for the release is building.
The dedication of Save Our Marine Life staff and volunteers in the early grassroots screenings certainly helped to get this film up and running in Australia. Since then Save Our Marine Life and a number of other conservation groups have screened the film in all major cities in Australia. Now the film is under distribution and coming to independent cinemas in May.
Recently announced community screenings are in Adelaide (17 March), Sydney (28th May) and in Tauranga, NZ (28th May). Watch the events page on our website for all new Australian screenings. For NZ screenings you can contact me directly at tim.nicol@conservationwa.asn.au. Contact for Adelaide is Jo-Anne on 0403 939 390, Sydney is Pics in the Park on (02) 9367 9220 and for NZ is the Rialto cinema in Tauranga.
Underwater marvels revealed with new technology
Michelle Grady - National Networking, Save Our Marine Life8 February 2010
Today Save Our Marine Life is excited to be releasing an online video which reveals some of Australia’s greatest marine wonders. In a first for Australia, we’ve combined Google Earth imagery and incredible underwater footage to capture underwater canyons, submerged mountain ranges, and the unique marine life of Australia’s south western waters.
It provides a fascinating window into a remarkable place, and clearly shows why it deserves greater protection. With a higher proportion of unique species than the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, it’s crucial that the Australian Government act now to safeguard it for future generations. For the next four minutes, please enjoy ‘A Tour of Australia’s South West Marine Region.’
How long can you survive in Unprotected Waters?
David Mackenzie - Online Communities, Save Our Marine Life12 January 2010
Here at Save Our Marine Life, we thought we’d kick off 2010 with a bit of serious fun. Check out our fabulous new online game, Unprotected Waters. Steer Sandy Seal past plastic bags, trawler nets and stray oil drums into the safety of protected waters. You’ll be hooked in no time!
Even better, spread the word about the need to protect our unique marine life by passing the game on to a few friends. You’ll be giving them a welcome distraction from clearing the back-to-work inbox clog and a chance to support the campaign.
This year will see the Federal Government release maps of proposed protected waters in the south west – its crucial now that we build our community and show ministers that the public want large marine sanctuaries.
So please pass Unprotected Waters to others - share the fun, spread the word and help make 2010 the year Australia gives its unique marine life the protection it needs.
South Bound for Save Our Marine Life
Maria Gomez, Community Volunteer, Save Our Marine Life10 January 2010
You would think people who attend music festivals are there mostly to enjoy the bands, but I was surprised to see how the people in Southbound were keen on getting information and participating in our SOML campaign.
Truth is we had fun activities going on as well, like Show us your thong! in which people would pose for us with a message about protecting the oceans written in their thongs. Or feet!
Spending a number of days over there was not only about the music, it was a great bonding experience with my fellow volunteers. I also learned how cold it gets at night (Leah thanks for lending me those warm clothes!) and then as days went by it was so rewarding to see more and more people wearing our stickers in the clothes, their tents and their cars. It was a big success!
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