Media Alert
4
November, 2009
Concerns Over Oil Spill Impacts On Southern Bluefin Tuna
Concern is growing among marine scientists that the massive oil spill spreading across the
Timor Sea may devastate spawning grounds of the endangered Southern Bluefin Tuna.
Leading marine scientist Professor Jessica Meeuwig from the University Of Western
Australia will tomorrow discuss her concerns about the impacts of the oil spill before a
screening of the shocking documentary End Of The Line about the impacts of over fishing
on the marine environment and on coastal communities.
Screenings of End Of The Line are being organised by the Save Our Marine Life alliance,
which is urging the federal government to establish a network of large marine sanctuaries
to provide safe havens for WA’s unique marine life from pollution and other threats.
Professor Meeuwig will also discuss the health of WA’s marine environment and the
reasons for a decline in fish numbers, particularly the big reef fish known as the Vulnerable
5 - pink and red snapper, West Australian dhufish, baldchin groper and breaksea cod.
The federal government is currently assessing areas in WA’s north west and south west
for possible protection and Professor Meeuwig will highlight the evidence in support of
large marine sanctuaries being the best approach to ensuring the future of of WA’s unique
marine life.
Save Our Marine Life is a major collaboration of Australian and international conservation groups -
the Conservation Council of Western Australia, Australian Conservation Foundation, The
Wilderness Society, WWF Australia, Australian Marine Conservation Society, The Nature
Conservancy, the Pew Environment Group, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society,
Conservation Council of South Australia and Project Aware.
Where AQUA
Hillarys Boat Harbour
When 7pm
Thursday, 5 November, 2009
Media enquiries: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656
NEWS 
