Western Australia - now we wait!

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Yes yesterday was cause for celebration.

But!

To those who have started with the chest thumping I say, not so fast!

Yesterday's decision by the EPA is great, and it is also great that the WA Government has stated that they will abide by it.

However on the EPA website, I read this.

The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a two-week public appeal period. Appeals close September 25, 2014 and can be made at www.appealsconvenor.wa.gov.au 

Appeals are administered independently of the EPA by the Appeals Convenor and determined by the Minister for Environment. This proposal is also being assessed under a bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth. This means both State and Federal Ministers for the Environment will make a decision under their respective legislations. Both Ministers will need to give approval for the proposal to proceed.

The Fat Lady hasn't sung quite yet, so let's wait and see how things play out.

The State may still retract its current position and still make a last-ditch attempt at turning things around - in which case the ball would be in the court of the Federal Environment Minister. Hunt has been quite adamant about wanting to do things by the book - but this is the Abbott government that has completely lost the plot (and here!) when it comes to conservation, so there's definitely an element of risk there.

But having said that, I'm actually quite optimistic.

And then, there is this.

You really got to read the exhaustive EPA decision.

You will find that it is based principally on the peer review by CSIRO (three documents here) and that in essence, the EPA is simply applying the precautionary principle in view of the uncertainty about the effects of the cull on the South-Western population of GWS. Only - not the Bulls, not the Tigers where EPA considers that the proposal presents a low risk to the viability of populations for other target sharks and non-target marine fauna.

You may also want to note that the other arguments against the cull have been noted, addressed and essentially dismissed - and that the only aspect the EPA has assessed is the environmental impact, not public safety or ethics or the like.

Just sayin'.

Now, we wait.

No more Cull in Western Australia!

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BOOOM!!!

Read THIS!

Yes the EPA is against the cull and the Premier has stated that he will accept their decision!

See? Sometimes the process works!

A big THANK YOU, and congratulations to those of you who have taken part in the Public Environmental Review and have operated with arguments instead of listening to the crazies!

And particularly, bravo Ryan Kempster and SOS!
Excellent job!

 

WA Shark Cull - Submission!!

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Bravo Patrick W. Pearlman.

This is really as good as it gets.

Yes it was commissioned by Sea Shepherd for whom I harbor, to state it mildly, mixed feelings - so kudos to them for having aligned with (?) this simply brilliant environmental lawyer!

Required reading!

WA Shark Cull - great Turnout!

Good point!

Read this.

That's quite impressive, bravo!

Now we'll see whether the postulated silent majority exists, or not - and if they've chosen to remain silent, then they've missed their chance and whatever they think, or not, is henceforth totally irrelevant!

And this shit?

Merely the rant by some anti-liberal lunatic?

I would think, yes, the author comes across as a total moron - but as David correctly remarks, most of the ammunition for the stupid rant stems from the fact that the anti-cull movement has failed to distance itself from its most radical, stupidest and outright craziest elements that have managed to largely hijack the public discourse with their strident extremist vociferating.

Anyway.

Hopefully, it matters not.

Hopefully, the anti-cull submissions have argued with facts and not the usual pathetic platitudes, insults and threats. Talking of which, I must say that I was quite impressed and actually, pleasantly surprised by this submission by the TGSCI - unfortunately terribly late but other than that, a really valiant effort both in content and in style!

Bravo!

Now we wait.

The WA government has so far shown remarkable transparency and it will be interesting to see the breakdown of positions once the results are published - and of course, to find out about the next move by the EPA!

Fingers crossed!

WA Shark Cull - last Day for Submissions!

Bravo!

Over 300 scientists have posted their submission against the cull.

And you?

Remember this is a PER - and to illustrate the sheer reach of the ecological impact, look no further than this epic voyage by a tagged Tiger Shark and remember the equally epic voyage by Nicole! 

Valuable arguments here, here and here - and once again, huge kudos to Jessica Meeuwig for coordinating that effort!

Please post your submission.
Thank you!

Opposing Western Australia’s Shark Cull!

Excellent stuff!

Please read this, and the links within.

Together with this list, it provides a plethora of excellent science- and fact-based arguments against the cull.

And if you have not already, please post your submission.

Time is running out!

The Clock is ticking!

Have you posted you submission?
Details here!

Western Australia - Case in Point!

The 14 week trial attracted intense media and community interest. 
The trial generated: 

• 765 separate articles on sharks in local, state and national newspapers 
• 1,100 radio news bulletins on sharks (Western Australia) 
• 850 radio talk back comments on sharks (Western Australia) 
• 290 television news items on sharks (Western Australia) 
• 286,000 emails and letters to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) - a significant number of which were pro forma emails
• and a significant number of postings on Twitter and Facebook, some of which were offensive and contained personal attacks on members of the Government and staff involved with the program.

Talk about full transparency!

And the net result of that onslaught of unsolicited appeals, petitions (= pro forma emails), opinions and abuse?

A big fat zero.

Not only are they completely disregarding them, they are proposing to extend the cull for another three years and have gone on the offensive by claiming that a silent majority is in favor but had “no choice but to stay quiet due to the level of abuse and vilification received”, describing the level of personal attack and social media postings as “unacceptable”.
So, can we please stop this insanity?

Now, we shall see.

Both the postulated silent majority and the anti-cull faction have an equal opportunity to have their voices heard - and I sure hope that the latter is not only composed of social media slacktivists and agitators but that instead, it will make a vigorous attempt at turning things around by fielding rational arguments.
Not really convinced that the WA government will listen - but along with the federal assessment, it's the best opportunity we got.

Recommendations here.

Please make your submission - the clock is ticking!

Fingers crossed!

Western Australia - Public Environmental Review!

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So here it is.

This is the formal process I was talking about.

Here you can find the full Environmental review, and here are some excellent arguments courtesy of the ever formidable Jessica Meeuwig, a brilliant researcher and  Shark diver who is very much taking a personal risk by publicly opposing the cull. Please read them - then you will have plenty of ammunition for posting your submission against the cull.

And the petitions?

They didn't work last time and there are no indications that the EPA will consider them now. The  official process is this one and if you really want to make a difference, this is the correct way to have your voice heard. Remember this is an Environmental Review so arguments must be pertinent to that topic, so statements like For The Sharks For The Oceans For The Future!! >~xo:] x and the like simply out you as a whack and do nothing to protect those Sharks.
Those videos and social media rants were (hopefully) meant to create awareness - now is the time to harness that awareness and convince people to make submissions, as ultimately, that is the only metric that counts!

And please, do not insult, and do not follow the advice of the crazies!
You are asking the WA government to change their mind and call off the cull and it is them, not you, that ultimately have the power to say yay or nay - so pissing them off is certainly not conducive to bringing about a positive result!

Yes I am repeating myself!

Thank you!