Happy New Year to all Save Westernport's Friends and Supporters
We are sure that like us, you are all deeply moved and concerned by the enormous loss and suffering caused by the recent fire catastrophe. These are issues that can no longer be downplayed or ignored, and we await urgent action from our leaders.
Save Westernport recently received news that our joint funding application with Westernport Peninsula Protection Council (WPPC) was successful. This will allow us to arrange monitoring in Westernport for signs of invasive marine pests Japanese Kelp (Undaria pinnatifida), and Nth Pacific Seastar (Asterias amurensis).
No monitoring is currently carried out, though marine pests are listed as a top threat in the Westernport Ramsar site management plan. We will also begin a public education program aimed at identifying and reporting any signs of these destructive species, and what we can all do to prevent their spread.
This Sunday Jan 12 2020 at Balnarring Hall you can hear Shannon Hurley from Vic National Parks Association speaking about the threat of Marine Pests in Westernport. We hope you can join us for this event and for lunch afterwards.
Marine pest species are introduced by commercial shipping, even with biosecurity measures in place. Westernport has been extremely fortunate to avoid infestation, and we know that the success of eradication programs relies on the early detection of any signs of the species.
We believe this work should not fall to community groups, and we hope our efforts will lead to more widespread and ongoing monitoring by the government agencies who have an obligation as signatories of the International Ramsar agreement to protect Westernport's important wetlands.
Please Feel free to share details of the WPPC event On Sunday Jan 12 2020 at Balnarring Hall. All Welcome to hear Guest Speaker Shannon Hurley from VNPA speaking on the threat of Marine Pests in Westernport, and to join us for lunch afterwards.
We look forward to seeing you all on Sunday. RSVP details below.
Regards
Julia Stockigt
Secretary Save Westernport Inc.
and member of WPPC Committee
59830094
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