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Operation Reef Defence flag

Date2018

Object number00055519

NameFlag

MediumSynthetic fabric Metal

DimensionsOverall: 840 × 1205 mm, 184 g

ClassificationsVessels and fittings

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Collection

Terms

DescriptionThe flag from Sea Shepherd's MY STEVE IRWIN 2018 Operation Reef Defence mission. During Operation Reef Defence the vessel travelled from Melbourne up the eastern seaboard of Australia to Abbot Point in Queensland in opposition to the Adani Carmichael mine and its associated port facilities. Sea Shepherd believe these developments and infrastructure will cause irreparable damage to the Great Barrier Reef. HistoryCaptain Paul Watson established Sea Shepherd in 1977 in Vancouver, Canada with the simple yet ambitious ambition to 'protect and conserve all marine wildlife'. From the outset Sea Shepard strove to make a positive and effective impact on marine conservation by approaching the problem with direct action. This involved the use of innovative and invasive tactics that tried to physically prevent whalers, fishermen or hunters from reaching their prey. Sea Shepard relied on these often dangerous methods to enforce change rather than more traditional methods of mass advertising, mail outs or fund raising to create global awareness for their cause. Although laws began to change to protect marine species, they were often difficult to enforce in open waters and as breaches of the law continued, Sea Shepherd's methods regularly drew more media attention and gained more support and more criticism. Operation Reef Defence by Sea Shepherd demonstrates a peaceful protest by the organisation which raised awareness of the environmental issues surrounding the development of the proposed Carmichael Adani coal mine. The scale of the mine involves a new rail link, a coal port requiring a dredging program within the reef system and additional coal ships loading and departing through the region each year. From its beginnings in 1977 Sea Shepherd has grown to embrace the new challenges that confront the marine environment that were not issues 40 years ago. Climate change, resulting in rising sea temperatures, coral bleaching and devastating habitat loss, is now a primary concern of the organisation and raising awareness of peacefully is an approach that was seen in the 2018 Operation Reef Defence mission. SignificanceSea Shepherd Australia is a non-profit conservation organisation whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Sea Shepherd Australia used innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. Their current mission is to safeguard the biodiversity of our delicately balanced oceanic ecosystems and ensure their survival for future generations.