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2001 Media Releases

GARBUTT WILL SELL OUT OUR NATIVE WATERBIRDS IN 2002

28 December 2001

The Coalition Against Duck Shooting has called on the Minister for Environment & Conservation Sherryl Garbutt to declare a moratorium on the shooting of native waterbirds in 2002.

 

Campaign Director Laurie Levy today said: "Central and north-west Victoria are still in drought. The Bracks Government has spent taxpayers' money artificially filling four major wetlands in the Kerang region - especially for duck shooters.

 

"Because of the dry conditions also being experienced in Queensland and New South Wales, waterbirds have flocked to the artificially filled wetlands in this state. Bushfires in NSW have made it even more imperative that a moratorium be called in Victoria.

 

"Waterbirds across Australia haven't bred over the last seven years because of the ongoing drought. If a season goes ahead, duck species that have migrated from other states to Victoria's wetlands will be shot down. These are the breeding birds of the future. Shooters are eating into the core population of duck species.

 

"Dr Richard Kingsford, senior ornithologist with the New South Wales National Parks & Wildlife Service, has, for the first time, privately called for a moratorium on duck shooting in Victoria. Dr Kingsford's 2001 aerial survey has shown that duck species down the east coast of Australia are critically low. As the leading authority on waterbird populations, his advice to the Department of Natural Resources & Environment must not be ignored," Levy said.

 

"Currently, there are rare and threatened Freckled ducks on Victoria's wetlands. If these wetlands are open to shooting, then based on past experiences, 80 per cent of those birds risk being illegally shot.

Drastic cutbacks in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment also mean there are very few wildlife officers to police the state's wetlands," Levy said.

 

"In 1995, the Kennett Government acted responsibly and called a moratorium because of the drought. Surely, one could be forgiven for thinking a Labor Government would be more environmentally responsible - but they're not. It's about time Premier Steve Bracks showed a little respect for Australia's native waterbirds and called a moratorium," Levy said.

 

For further information contact:
Laurie Levy, Campaign Director, Tel (03) 9645 8879 Mob 0418 392 826