Jennifer Marohasy

a forum for the discussion of issues concerning the natural environment

Humpback off Sydney, Australia

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Each year some humpback whales migrate from the Antarctic to north eastern Australian waters travelling a distance of some 10,000 Kilometres. Some pass Sydney and even enter the harbour.

I understand there is lots of food in the Antarctic, but it’s a bit cold for birthing with baby whales likely to freeze in Antarctic water.

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Humpback off Sydney, June 1, 2008, Photograph by Libby Eyre

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Humpback off Sydney, June 1, 2008, Photograph by Libby Eyre

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Travis says

    Good shots Libby. Thanks for sharing. I wonder if Michael Noad regrets his stupid comment…

  6. Travis says

    >Give the man a break.

    Pfftt! For a vet, he should know better, but he makes a good show pony. He is anti-whaling y’know.

  9. Libby says

    Y’know I had hoped this could be a “pretty picture” thread, not one about whaling 🙂

  13. Libby says

    No worries David and Jennifer B. There’s nothing wrong with healthy debate (usually!)

  15. Marcus says

    Ann Novek

    Lose the Blog name (“Animal Ann”), quick as you can!

    As to the duck and the plastic, sure it happens.

    May I say, people also win lotto!!
    Yes I know it is a bit over the top, but so is promoting the plastic rings and wild animal connection.

  16. Libby says

    Marcus are you suggesting that it’s a long stretch for animals to get plastic rings stuck on them?

  17. david says

    Those Aussie Greens of yours are quite an act:
    http://news.smh.com.au/national/greens-want-stronger-stance-on-whaling-20080609-2nve.html

    “The federal government should put free trade negotiations with Japan on hold until the slaughter of whales in Antarctic waters is stopped, the Greens say.”

    Here in Japan the government position has been that it is negotiating with Australia on the basis that they may be able to work out a deal that is of benefit to Japan, and the reason the progress has been slow is because they haven’t been able to realise such a deal at this stage.

    Perhaps the Greens don’t recognise this, or alternatively simply don’t like free trade (I guess this the most likely explanation).

    “Mr Rudd must test the true commitment of anti-whaling nations through the international legal system”

    Has anyone asked the Greens about how they would feel if the international legal system were to side with Japan? I’d like to know the answer.

    “What is needed is stronger action and a commitment to ensuring our whale population is not hunted to extinction under the guise of scientific research.”

    … which is surely going to happen any day now.

  18. Marcus says

    Libby, re. plastic rings.

    As I said, “I may be over the top” it certainly happens, but nowhere near to the extent some people make it out to be!

    It doesn’t make it right, we just have to be more careful of disposing waste, that’s all.

  19. Marcus says

    Libby,

    in addition here is a post on Ann’s blog, not sure if it’s her or someone else.

    “In my letter to the editor to the Swedish paper ” Svenska Dagbladet” , I wrote that about 100 000 marine mammals and millions of sea birds are killed annually by plastic debris.”

    Surely some proof needed here!!

    This sort of claim is counterproductive, only the faithful believe it, and those who are sympathetic to the cause, but not yet convinced will be turned away.

  20. Libby says

    Hi Marcus,

    We discussed the plastic debris here in March. Both Ann and I have worked with marine animals and seen and heard of a number of cases involving plastic debris.

    As you can imagine, it is hard to get accurate numbers of animals effected. I agree that over-exaggerating numbers is not helpful in the slightest, but at the opposite end of the scale you get some who deny it happens at all!

    Concerning the plastic 6-pack holders, these have been banned in some countries due to the problems they create for marine creatures.

  21. Ann Novek says

    Hi Libby and Marcus,

    This is interesting stuff… firstly as Libby and Marcus that point out that over-exaggerating numbers won’t help the cause and secondly the issue in itself re litter.

    I wrote this on my own blog:

    ” On Jennifer’s blog , Marcus wrote that my statement that ” millions of sea birds and 100 000 marine animals died of plastic debris” was without proof.

    Here’s a link:

    http://www.savethenorthsea.com/documents/Kampanjer-och-aktiviteter/Save-the-North-Sea/Fast_facts_about_marine_litter.pdf

    that claims that over 1 million sea birds die of plastic litter.

    Other sources have claimed as well that MILLIONS of sea birds are in danger of plastic debris.

    Of course the real numbers are unknown, as Veterinary authorities are not keen on to make an autospy on every dead bird , as they themselves have pointed out.

    Ann Novek – 9 juni, 2008, kl. 15:16 ”

    It certainly is a case that most birds don’t get autospied ( only the interesting cases and not just a common dead sea gull on the beach). Veterinary Institute has personally told us not to please to come to them with every single dead animal…. so the real numbers re plastic litter casualities are unknown.