“Ocean Defense Tour 2022”.
I wear the iconic Sea Shepherd logo on all my outer ski wear, to support and encourage participation in this global conservation group’s clandestine ocean campaigns and stealth executions.
“fighting to defend, conserve and protect our seas”.
Recently my tenacity to get more involved exploded (my backyard is the Great Barrier Reef) and ‘jumped ship’ to the Spirit of Queensland that stops at Proserpine. Then embraced the 15 hour (1050 k) rail torture down to Brisbane.
Catching a ferry across the Brisbane river to the Sea Shepherd “Event” made a civilised and cooling brunch-time arrival, with tasty food trucks, homemade cakes n’ goodies, juice bars and gelato cones tempting guests in the heatwave Sunday.
The live music was conducive and relaxing for supporters on the river-bank lawns and the ‘not for profit’ Sea Shepherd tents offered popular Tees and Fashion statements, promoting their global ocean campaigns and the iconic logo.
And of course, there were many smooches (doggies) on parade, wearing their skull, trident and crook, and Jolly Roger accessories?
The revolving public and committed all-day supporters listened intensely to three global Sea Shepherd captains outline future commitments in our southern region and explained other actions, including minimizing our planet’s congealing shores of rubbish.
Traditionally the Sea Shepherd “attack ships” are based in San Juan Island in Washington State USA. and use Australian ports for friendly refueling, provisioning, and repairs incurred during the turbulent Southern Ocean Campaigns.
Finally, when Captain Peter Hammarstedt (Global Ceo. and Board member) of Sea Shepherd concluded his very engaging address; he advised the funding of a new ship by a very generous Aussie family is near completion and will arrive here in 2023. To “protect All Sea Life in the Southern Region” and will be based and operate from our ports. Exciting stuff!
One Local issue stood out…Drum Lines and the Netting of Sharks (and every other sea animal) while supposedly protecting beaches, swimmers, surfers…etcetera. It’s cruel, ugly and doesn’t work! But fortunately, there is a realistic and humane solution.
Drone Patrols are not new, but after listening to the presentation from Captain Jeff Hanson and then talking to the Operation APEX Harmony crew I am convinced Hi-tech Drones will prevail, by identifying the different species of sharks and then giving accurate audio signals to them below. Eventually eliminating all Drum Lines and Nets on our coastline.
It was a great day. Thank you Sea Shepherd volunteers and all participants and guests.
Want to get involved… SeaShepherd.org.au
Murray Sandman
Gypsyskitravels.com
murraysandman@gmail.com