Valerie Taylor and a sea lion underwater

Images(2)

Valerie Taylor and a sea lion underwater

Subject or historical figure Valerie Taylor (born 1935)

Photographer Ron Taylor (1934 - 2012)

Date1953-2000

Object numberANMS1457[905]

NamePhotographic slide

MediumColour transparency film, paper

DimensionsOverall (Inc carrier): 50 × 50 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Valerie Taylor in memory of Ron Taylor

Terms

DescriptionValerie met her first sea lion in 1964. While filming on Dangerous Reef in South Australia, she watched these aquatic mammals being butchered for bait. On this and subsequent visits, Valerie counted the sea lions and recorded this in her diary. By 1975, the population had declined by half. She used her data and images in a fight to have all Sea Lions in Australia protected from being killed as bait. But the Australian Sea Lion is still under threat and populations are decreasing. The biggest threat is gillnets, which are transparent nets suspended in the water for fishing. The sea lions can’t see the nets, becoming entangled and subsequently drowning. The current best solution is to expand marine protected areas to ensure that these animals are protected from accidental or intentional capture. SignificanceOne of Valerie’s fortes is engaging with the media as a pathway to action. She’s in the public eye and that is why we listen. Through popular media, television, interviews, articles, books, children’s books, art, photography and film, she utilises every means of communication to increase understanding of the marine world and support action.

Valerie goes where most don’t. She sees everything, she has a camera, and she has a voice. Over the years, she and Ron have witnessed atrocities, and Valerie uses their profile to fight back and deliver protection for species and habitats. In 2012, a marine park off South Australia's west coast was renamed the Neptune Islands Group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park in their honour. The area is now a protected habitat for Australian sea lions, great white sharks, long-nosed fur seals and migratory birds.