Sea Shepherd has a friend in Casey

CASEY Council has celebrated its decision to become a friendship city to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and honorary homeport to its ship the Robert Hunter.
In front of an audience of 12 crew members and more than 60 members of local environmental groups, Casey mayor Colin Butler presented Captain Alex Cornelissen with a plaque commemorating the friendship city arrangement and a City of Casey flag to fly on the Robert Hunter.
Cr Butler said the move to align Casey with an organisation strongly committed towards saving marine mammals reflected the broader community’s concern for wildlife conservation.
“The Robert Hunter has recently returned from a 50-day stint protecting Southern Ocean whales from illegal whaling,” Cr Butler said.
“Tooradin will be its honorary home port, although the size of the ship means it won’t be able to berth there but at the Docklands in Melbourne.”
The friendship city arrangement was instigated at a council meeting last month by councillor Michael Farley who was inspired by his daughter Stacey’s passion for protecting wildlife.
“I know that many residents care for whales and marine life and we all have a responsibility to think global but act local,” Cr Farley said.
“I encourage other levels of government to be as passionate on this issue as local government and the community is by supporting groups like the Sea Shepherd and taking a tougher stance against countries who continue to poach whales.”
Sea Shepherd chases down whaling ships in international waters using non-violent principles to shut down illegal whaling and sealing operations under the authority of the United Nations World Charter for Nature.
For more information on the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society visit www.seashepherd.org or call 0411 781 324.