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Release Media Release Media Release
8 January,
2008
WILDLIFE AND
CONSERVATION GROUPS URGE MINISTER TO END DUCK-SHOOTING IN TASMANIA
Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania (AACT), the Tasmanian Conservation Trust
(TCT), RSPCA Tasmania and Wildlife Tasmania are acting together to bring
and end to duck shooting in Tasmania. Representing the views of many thousands
of Tasmanians, the groups strongly urge Minister David Llewellyn to look
at the detailed scientific reports that have convinced interstate governments
to cancel this year's open season.
Chris Simcox of AACT said:
“With native waterbirds in decline across the eastern states,
there is no way a responsible Minister can allow a season this year.
DPIW know that all 'game' species of ducks move in both directions across
Bass Strait. Many waterbirds fly to Tasmania in times of drought. With
native duck numbers so extremely low on the mainland it is more important
than ever to protect birds while in Tasmania.
Despite the threat to our
wildlife the Minister seems thinks the season should go ahead. Has he
read the scientific reports, or is this a case of listening only to
the minority interests of shooters? Experts like Professor Richard Kingsford
of the University of New South Wales have warned of the dangers of an
open season on ducks this year. We need the Minister to heed such warnings.”
Alistair Graham of TCT continued
by saying:
“The Minister actively lobbied the federal government last year
to have Tasmania drought declared. The wildlife are just as affected
by that drought as the farm animals. Maybe the Minister needs to be
reminded that the drought declaration is still in place, and native
ducks are still under stress.”
AACT, TCT, RSPCA and Wildlife
Tasmania are concerned that the present system of surveying ducks in Tasmania
is inadequate, and that more accurate and detailed assessments are needed.
DPIW surveys recorded a low abundance of native waterbirds in Tasmania
during 2007. Shooters, on the other hand, claim to have shot 35,000 native
ducks during the 2007 season.
Peter Power of Wildlife Tasmania
declared:
“The Tasmanian Government really has no clear idea of how many
native ducks are in this State at any given time. They say that waterbirds
are as abundant now is they were in the 1980's and yet across eastern
Australia they have declined by more than 80% in the last twenty years.
The only reason that native ducks might be abundant in Tasmania is that
most of them are mainland birds seeking refuge from the drought.”
Rick Butler of RSPCA added:
“How can a season be allowed when so little is known about the
effects it will have on susceptible species? Species like Grey Teal
and Mountain Ducks are at their lowest ever levels, as reported by the
latest Richard Kingsford surveys of eastern Australia. The lack of useful
data in Tasmania dictates a precautionary approach. This can only mean
a cancellation of the 2008 duck season.”
For more information contact:
Chris Simcox, Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania, Ph: 0429 015 110
Alistair Graham, Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Ph: 6234 3552
Rick Butler, RSPCA Tasmania, Ph: 6326 6120
Peter Power, Wildlife Tasmania Ph: 0417 017 105
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