Ballina adopts humpback Shelly
Ballina Shire Council is one of 50 councils and communities around Australia that have adopted a humpback whale as part of the Humpback Icon Project IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare).
“Tragically this announcement comes within days of the Government of Japan’s whaling fleet’s arrival at the killing grounds of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary where 50 humpbacks are due to be killed, along with 50 endangered fin and 935 minke whales. This would be the first time in four decades that the iconic humpback whale, the mainstay of Australia’s $300 million whale watching industry, has faced harpoons,” said Darren Kindleysides, IFAW Asia Pacific Campaigns Manager.
“The 50 communities stretch along the east coast of the mainland down to Tasmania and up the west coast of Australia, forming a symbolic chain of communities determined to save humpback whales from their culinary fate in Japan.
“The depth and breadth of feeling about humpbacks among the Australian communities is almost tangible. To have reached the landmark figure of 50 adoptive communities clearly demonstrates that Australians will not sit back and let the Government of Japan unlawfully and inhumanely kill these animals for their ‘scientific’ scam.”
Mr Kindleysides said that according to advice obtained from Australia’s leading international law experts, it is not too late to stop the hunt — the Australian Government could halt Japan’s whaling program by taking action through international treaties and tribunals.
“This advice was provided to the previous Howard Government who failed to act but there is hope in the promises made by the newly elected Rudd Government,” he said.
“We were heartened by the pre-election commitment by the Australian Labor Party to take strong steps to stop whaling, including legal action through international tribunals and treaties. We trust that the new Rudd Government will honour this commitment and not let the humpbacks, and their adoptive Australian communities, down.”
Each adopted whale can be individually identified by its distinctive tail markings. Each of the 50 communities has named their whales, aiming to use them to educate people about the marine environment and raise awareness of the threats facing this vulnerable species.
“Communities have embraced the initiative and participated in competitions and events to name the whales – names include Jarnder from Eden, Wendy from Currumbin and Sweetheart from Casey,” Mr Kindleysides said.
Ballina Shire Council has announced that their adopted humpback whale (pictured) previously known as BA04042 will now be named Shelly.
“Special thanks go to Mikaela Blackmore from Xavier Catholic College for submitting the winning name. Mikaela was one of a number of local students that participated in the shire-wide, school naming competition with Ballina Shire Mayor, Cr Phillip Silver having the responsibility of judging the entries,” the council said.
“It’s probably no surprise that the chosen name also has local significance, sharing the name of one of Ballina’s beaches. Shelly has a known affinity with our shire and has been photographed in Ballina waters a number of times in recent years.”
