Friday, August 12, 2011

Protect the snubfin dolphin

Help us get legal protection for Australia's own snubfin dolphin
A lot of people may not know that Australia has its very own dolphin species - the snubfin dolphin.

Until now little has been known about this shy marine mammal, which was only recognised as a unique species in 2005.

Extrapolating current estimates, one calculation suggests that the known snubfin subpopulations may total less than 1000 'mature' individuals alive today

But there are increasing threats to its survival. Snubfin dolphins are getting tangled in fishing nets and hit by boats and coastal development is polluting their habitat. This may mean we lose the dolphin unless it gets the legal protection it deserves.

Outside of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, there is virtually no protection of snubfin dolphins, and even within marine parks, fishing nets and coastal development pose a real threat.

WWF, with funding assistance from bank ING DIRECT, has finally collected enough information on the snubfin dolphin to support its listing as a threatened species under Australia's premier environmental law - the EPBC Act.

In coming weeks, Australia's Environment Minister Tony Burke will decide on the level of protection the Australian Government will offer this shy and unique dolphin.

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