The environmental monitoring program in the wake of last year’s oil spill in the Timor Sea has been described as “superficial”. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s2801015.htm

WASHINGTON: Thousands of animal species thrive in the ocean depths beyond the reach of sunlight, between 200m and 5000m below the surface, an international team of scientists reported yesterday after nearly 10 years of research. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/the-glory-of-life-in-pitch-black/story-e6frg6so-1225802573474

“SO long, and thanks for all the fish,” Douglas Adams has the dolphins saying as they depart Earth in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series. http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2009/10/28/106045_food-wine.html

More than 6,500 people from across Australia and overseas have called for swift action to prevent future disastrous oil spills. http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,,26263750-2761,00.html

The Prime Minister has been presented with a petition calling for urgent action to end to a leak that has been spilling oil and gas into the Timor Sea for more than nine weeks. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/27/2725025.htm

HUNDREDS of dolphins and sea birds have been recorded migrating through the huge oil spill off the West Australian coast, a report by WWF has found. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/nineweek-toxic-oil-spill-taking-huge-toll-on-sea-life-20091023-hdd2.html

WITH some of WA’s most important fish stocks showing signs of stress from overfishing, the imminent release in Australia of The End of the Line is a great opportunity to reflect on what needs to be done to ensure a future for WA’s marine life. http://kwinana.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/comment-and-opinion/Film-catches-reality-of-fishing/7539074/

The planned profusion of marinas along Perth’s coastline took another step towards reality yesterday, however such projects and the resulting increase in fishing mean calls for marine sanctuaries are even more urgent. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/6125227/rockingham-marina-gets-epa-goahead/

During the Parliamentary winter break I had the opportunity of discussing with the Conservation Council of Western Australia’s David Mackenzie ways in which the federal Coalition could support the new conservation initiative, Save Our Marine Life. http://www.julie-bishop.com/blog/3-blog-cat-01/166-save-our-marine-life.html

ABC News – Garrett, green groups to discuss marine review Environment Minister Peter Garrett will today meet conservation groups to discuss the Commonwealth’s review of marine protection zones. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/26/2666936.htm