This has come to my attention. As you will see it came from Birds Australia.
I responded to it and it would be good if other people who access this could do
likewise.
Cheers,
Fiona Anderson
"Dear Members,
The Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia is supporting a campaign
organised by Lance Ferris of Australian Seabird Rescue to have the mass release
of balloons banned in Queensland. Please see the attached file for more
information. Lance also has the support of literally hundreds of seaturtle and
environmental organisations (from over 100 countries around the world),
including UNESCO, the UK Marine Conservation Society, and many organisations
throughout the US.
In brief, what goes up, comes down. Balloons are mistakenly recognised as a
food source by seabirds and sea turtles. Queensland is well-known as the most
popular habitat for many species of endangered sea turtles, with a number of
nesting sites along the Queensland coast.
Australian Seabird Rescue is one of only four organisations licensed by the
Deptartment of Environment and Climate Change, to rescue and rehabilitate sea
turtles and seabirds.
In 2000 the NSW Parliament was convinced to ban the mass releases of helium
balloons in this State. The legislation came into force in July 2001,
whereupon no individual or organisation can release more than 20 helium
balloons at any one time.
Several times per year various functions in Queensland open their event with
mass releases of helium filled balloons. One that comes to mind is the Indy
car race, where thousands of balloons are released, only a short distance from
the ocean. One of the Queensland 'sticking points' on this issue, is that
authorities cannot identify who actually let the balloons go, when they are
found on beaches and in the intestines of marine creatures. The mass release
of balloons is litter - whether it goes up, or down - it is still littering and
poses a serious threat to many marine creatures. At major events in
Queensland, like the Indy car race, it is quite obvious who released the
balloons.
Our campaign to ban the mass release of helium balloons has the support of Mr
Gary Kane of the Queensland EPA, in Brisbane.
The NSW Legislation and other information can be found at:
http://parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LC20001102035
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA20001031044
This is the 'Protection of the Environment (Balloon Bill)':
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/nswbills.nsf/d2117e6bba4ab3ebca256e68000a0ae2/d9372ab632c27bdfca25697400139150/$FILE/b00-103-p02.pdf
We urge you to write asking for the ban of mass release of balloons in
Queensland. Lance Ferris of Australian Seabird Rescue is leading the lobbying
campaign to the Queensland Government. All he needs is an email sent to him on
urging Fiona Simpson MP, Deputy Opposition Leader and
Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Member for Maroochydore, to support the ban of
mass release of helium balloons in Queensland. Lance will file the emails and
present them, when he attends the Environment Minister's office in Queensland.
Please forward this email to your contact list urging them to join the campaign.
.......................................................................
Suzanne Medway
Executive Director
Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia Inc
PO Box 42, Brighton Le Sands NSW 2216
Tel: 02 9556 1537 Fax: 02 9599 0000 Mob: 0402 435 049
Email:
Website: www.wpsa.org.au
Birds Australia
Suite 2-05, 60 Leicester Street
Carlton VIC 3053
Australia
Ph 1300 730 075
www.birdsaustralia.com.au
==============================www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
To unsubscribe from this mailing list,
send the message:
unsubscribe
(in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
to:
=============================
|
