IFAW launches Australia's first National Whale Day

“Since the last Australian whaling station was closed in 1978, Australia has become a world leader in whale conservation—this national day recognizes not only our love of whales but our ongoing fight to protect them,” Ms Martin said.

“An IFAW report has found that whales generate more than $300 million annually to the Australian economy, but their value is so much more than purely economic—the Australian public and the Australian government are united in our commitment to see all forms of whaling relegated to the history books where it belongs.”

“The Australian Government congratulates IFAW on its initiative in launching National Whale Day—it is entirely appropriate that we have a day to celebrate the marine mammals that enrich our culture, environment and economy,” said the Australian Environment Minister, Peter Garrett.

“Whales are the ambassadors for the marine environment of which Australians are proud and National Whale Day will remind us that the protection of the marine environment is everyone’s responsibility and we can all do our bit to keep the ocean clean and protect its inhabitants,” Mr Garrett said.

Following the inaugural 2008 National Whale Day, this annual event will take place on the second Saturday every June to coincide with the return of humpback whales to Australian waters following their summer in the Antarctic feeding grounds. 

The launch event will be held in Sydney on Saturday 14 June and features special guests including Christine Anu, Environment Minister, Peter Garrett and Skye Bortoli.  Many other events around Australia are being coordinated by communities who have adopted whales through IFAW’s Humpback Icon Project (www.iconproject.com.au).  To date 58 councils or communities stretching along the mainland east coast down to Tasmania and up the west coast of Australia have adopted humpback whales through this initiative. 

Visit www.nationalwhaleday.com.au for information about a National Whale Day event near you and for ideas on how you can celebrate whales on 14 June 2008.


For media-related inquiries, contact:
Kerry Glenn, IFAW Asia Pacific Communications Officer
Tel: +61 9288 4993
Mobile: 0437 414 329
Email: kglenn@ifaw.org