Letter to Watchdog

Dear Watchdog,

I am sure most of us were horrified by the above image of the mother and calf being hauled into the Japanese ship then I read where the Norwegians plan to take 1052 Minke whales - apparently they say it's sustainable? Gosh we hear this word a lot these days - often the connotation seems to be used to give approval to suspect decisions. Isn't this a term being bandied constantly in the mining realms.

Anyway enough of that, I think the old mining game has had a hard week, billions of dollars put out there - important for Australia as we continue on this ROCKY ride to prosperity. My main reason for posting is the fascinating seacow or dugong. This was prompted by the call for more protection for this quiet unassuming mammal grazing in our shallow coastal waters. I thought they only bred every two years but it can be up to seven so some protection seems to be necessary to stem their decline. Fishing nets, boats and hunting (sustainable? - oh there is that word again) seem to be attributing to their decline.

I am all for banning whaling but I think we should also look closer to home and protect this little known mammal.