Yet another devastating climate change report details that the Great Barrier Reef is all but doomed without radical climate action. It begs the question: what will it take for our leaders to act?
 
Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said immediate transformative action to reverse climate change impacts on the reef is possible, but political will and determination is lacking.
 

A new report detailing the plight of albatross is a sobering reminder of the Federal Government’s failure to act on the threat single-use plastics pose to our oceans and marine life.
 
The report shows the threat of single-use plastics on albatross species has been gravely underestimated and could be responsible for up to 18% of albatross mortalities in some regions.
 

An alarming new report showing a drastic decline in shark and ray populations is yet another reason shark nets and lethal drum lines must be removed from Australia’s beaches and oceans.
 
Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, Senator Whish-Wilson, said action was needed urgently.
 
“Fixed-drum lines and mesh-nets are designed to entangle and kill sharks but are also indiscriminate killers and weapons of mass destruction to protected marine life.
 

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson calls on the upcoming Meeting of Environment Ministers to review lethal shark mitigation measures as a priority agenda item. This comes at the end of a whale migration season that saw an unprecedented number of whales caught in shark nets and as a coalition of NGOs announces a full costing for Queensland to transition from lethal to non-lethal measures.
 

A study released today by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies reveals a decline in numbers of endemic Tasmanian species the Maugean Skate due to worsening environmental conditions linked to human activities. This raises the alarm on its listing status and lack of conservation plan.

Tasmanian Senator Whish-Wilson, Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, today calls on Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley for a federally funded species recovery plan in light of this new information.

On National Threatened Species Day, Senator Whish-Wilson and Rosalie Woodruff MP highlight proposed EPBC law changes and the implications they have for Tasmania in the transfer of powers from the Commonwealth to the state.

Quotes attributable to Senator Whish-Wilson:

"This all started here in Tasmania in the fight to save the Franklin river.

"It was a watershed moment that led to the realisation that states could not go unchecked and strong environmental laws would be needed to prevent this from ever happening again.

Greens Healthy Oceans spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, today comments on an inquiry hearing in which Tasmanian and Victorian fishermen describe 'troubling times' as their industry struggles in the aftermath of seismic testing by the oil and gas industry.

"What we heard today is that consultation processes have broken down, compensation schemes are still to be enforced, testing permit terms are set by the oil and gas companies themselves and there are huge gaps in research.

Greens Healthy Oceans spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, says damning new research into the harmful impacts of seismic testing will be raised by a Senate inquiry next week.
 
The ABC reports that research conducted by Fishwell Consulting found catch rates for whiting were down by 99.5 per cent at Lakes Entrance where French company, CGG, are conducting a seismic survey for oil and gas.
 

Greens Healthy Oceans spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, comments on data released today revealing high numbers of threatened and protected species killed in New South Wales shark nets.

The Department of Primary Industries report details the latest annual figures for the NSW Shark Meshing Program 2019-20.

Greens Healthy Oceans spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, welcomes the NSW Government’s investment in non-lethal shark mitigation measures announced today, but calls for the immediate removal of lethal shark nets. 
 
Senator Whish-Wilson said, “I’m disappointed that the NSW Government has chosen to continue its use of lethal shark nets. 
 
“There is no evidence that lethal methods make ocean-goers safe and are instead, designed to provide a false sense of security. If the NSW Government has evidence to the contrary, I would be very surprised.