ANTI-WHALING & ENVIRO CAMPAIGN

ANTI-WHALING & ENVIRO CAMPAIGN TO CULMINATE AT BONDI

Thursday, November 5th

INVITATION TO PUBLIC AND MEDIA

Following an epic 700km ocean odyssey tracing the trail of migrating humpback whales from Byron Bay, the group of anti-whaling environmental campaigners led by professional free-surfer and activist Dave Rastovich (Brunswick Heads, NSW) is on track to culminate at Bondi Beach this Thursday at 11am.

An invitation is extended to media and the public wishing to participate in the finale of the 36-day adventure dubbed “Transparentsea”.

It is anticipated that hundreds of supporters will escort Rastovich, musician Will Conner (Byron Bay, NSW), surfer/artist Chris Del Moro (Sand Diego, USA) and photographer Hilton Dawe (Byron Bay, NSW) as they negotiate their trimaran sea kayaks, the last few hundred metres to shore.

Following their safe arrival, the Transparentsea team will share the experiences of their epic adventure, which includes an untold number of encounters with whales, dolphins and other marine life, plus visits to many of Australia’s East Coast’s secluded, yet polluted beaches, that began on October 1st.

The paddle-out is being coordinated with the assistance of the Bondi Lifeguards and is open to any able-bodied person with a board that floats!

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is also assisting with the placement of a large 5m sculpture of a Minke whale that features a harpoon through its head adorned by a small Japanese flag.

Says Rastovich: “The primary intention of our journey has been to highlight the plight of whales that are destined for the Southern Ocean and the inevitable visits by Japanese whaling fleets. As surfers, we have a direct connection with these amazing creatures and during the past 30 days, we’ve had the fortune of interacting with them, almost on a daily basis.

“Now we are calling on people to show their support and to join us in putting pressure on the Australian Government, lead by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and our Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, to uphold their pre-election promise to challenge Japanese whaling in international court and to protect the Southern Ocean sanctuary.”

Photo and interview opportunities will be available for media wishing to cover this unique event. In addition a full press release, rights free pictures and a television newsfeed will be distributed later in the day.

“Transparentsea”
BONDI PADDLE-OUT
Where: Central Bondi Beach, Rescue Tower.
When: meet 10:00am for 11:00am paddle
Who: Any able-bodied person with a board that floats!
Media: 10:30 – 11:30am