Media Alert
4 November, 2009
Eleven Week Oil Spill Stark Reminder of Poor Protection:
Legacy Must Not be Just Oil
An oil-scarred area across the Kimberley seas is a stark reminder of not just the damage inflicted
by one of Australia's worst oil spills, but also the challenge for the Commonwealth Government
to address long-term protection of unique marine life, the Pew Environment Group said today.
John Carey, Kimberley Conservation Director with the Pew Environment Group released the
following statement:
"The company has talked about how much it has cost its bottom line, but what has been the final
cost to the marine life of the Kimberley? Seventy-three days later, hundreds of thousands of litres
oil the damage is already done.
This must never happen again. If there is to be one good legacy to come from this spill, it will
be protections put in place for this globally significant region.
"Less than one per cent of the seas off the Kimberley coast have any protection in place. The
only way to protect the Kimberleys marine life is by establishing large marine sanctuaries as a
safe haven for marine life free from industrial development.
"The parliamentary inquiry promised by the federal government must now learn the harsh
lessons of this major oil spill and both plan for improved emergency responses to future spills
and put in place safeguards for vulnerable marine life."
Media enquiries: John Carey, Pew Environment Group, 0400 450 399
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The Pew Environment Group is an international conservation group and part of The Pew Charitable
Trusts, that applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improving public policy, informing the public and