Please create your Ocean Legacy by leaving a gift in your Will. Your love of the ocean can inspire your legacy.
Our ocean faces relentless threats. Inside: Hawksbill Sea Turtle Cover: Humpback Whale 2
The largest ecosystem on the planet is facing attacks from every angle. If we continue to ignore the threats that our oceans face, we risk losing more than beautiful beaches and breathtaking reefs. We risk losing our most important ecosystem – the one that supports all life on Earth. Destruction driven by industrial fishing risks wiping out whole ecosystems, while rising sea temperatures threaten biodiversity from coast to coast. At the Australian Marine Conservation Society we are fighting for the protection of all life on our blue planet. The ocean is calling out for help. It’s time to listen. Loss of habitat, pollution, drilling for fossil fuel, damaging fishing practices and the very real and immediate impacts of climate change are putting all life at risk. 3
The ocean is our planet’s life support system. Approximately half of all the Earth’s oxygen comes from the oceans. Marine plankton and plants act as a significant regulator of global temperatures, and ocean currents contribute to atmospheric pressures at the heart of extreme weather events. The Australian Marine Conservation Society is dedicated to defending life in our oceans for the good of all life on Earth. It may seem impossible for one organisation to take on a global threat. But here in Australia we are responsible for the third largest area of ocean on earth. Our waters span the tropical, temperate and sub-Antarctic, and when we protect Australia’s oceans, the impact is global. Australia is home to some of the most diverse marine ecosystems on earth. With our vast coral reefs, our remarkable endemic marine life, and the critical breeding and feeding grounds that our oceans provide to endangered species of sea turtles, whales and other life, the role that we can play should not be underestimated. By creating your Ocean Legacy, you will join a powerful community of Australians, protecting the treasures of life from the crises afflicting our marine biodiversity. A thriving Australian Marine Conservation Society means the continued expansion of ocean sanctuaries to protect biodiversity. Your gift will support future investment in our long-term strategic plan aimed at working with communities, industry and government to protect, restore and rebuild the resilience of our oceans. A treasure of the deep, or a tragedy? Our marine ecosystems are vital to the survival of all life on earth. If they don’t survive, we don’t. Whale Shark, Ningaloo Reef 4
To help restore balance in our oceans, we’re focusing on several key areas: • Expanding our network of marine protected areas (MPAs) and strengthening protections around our existing marine parks. While more than half of Australia’s ocean territories are designated MPAs (restricting commercial activities like trawling and mining) only 22% are true “marine sanctuaries” or no-take zones. • Globally, we must create large science-based networks of fully protected marine sanctuaries, focussing on areas that bring the greatest conservation benefits. • Climate action for our oceans, including campaigning for the rapid transition to clean energy and the protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses. • Promoting the sustainable management of our oceans, including supporting low impact fisheries and plastic pollution reduction initiatives. • Empowering communities to create change for our oceans, supporting Traditional Owners to manage sea Country and promoting sea smart living. These, and our many other projects, are only going to increase in urgency and importance. Please create a legacy that continues to sustain our vital work to protect our marine treasures from tragedy. With lasting support from our Ocean Legacy members and their commitment to leaving a gift in their Will, we’ll be ready to respond to the challenges of the future. Giant Australian cuttlefish, Whyalla Australia Manta Ray, Lady Elliot Island 5
It is late... Ending off-shore fossil fuel extraction and exploration Off-shore fossil fuel projects threaten ocean ecosystems and harm vulnerable species like southern right whales and little penguins. Marine conservation means stopping the expansion of destructive industries threatening our ocean habitats. Fossil fuel companies are pushing to expand off-shore mining projects, including inside our marine parks. Drilling dumps toxic waste into the water and risks causing devastating oil spills. Seismic blasting used in oil and gas exploration is linked to hearing loss, habitat abandonment and marine mammal strandings. We’re joining local communities in opposing these dirty practices and calling on governments to ban fossil fuel projects that endanger marine habitats from coast to coast. Your Ocean Legacy is a promise that whatever the future brings, we’ll be ready to face it. Saving special species Marine life, including threatened species like the blue whale, dugong and Australian sea lion are vulnerable to the destructive forces of fossil fuel companies, damaging fishing practices and climate change. Australia is celebrated for its unique wildlife and stunning wilderness, yet our country is in the midst of a biodiversity crisis. Marine sanctuaries are the backbone of ocean conservation efforts, providing havens for biodiversity where vulnerable species have a chance to recover. Globally, it’s vital that Australia supports and provides leadership on the creation of science-based networks of protected areas, including the widening of our own network of marine sanctuaries. We must make sure our environmental laws, institutions and governments are up to the job of protecting marine biodiversity and reversing the extinction crisis. Your Ocean Legacy is a promise that we will fight to save vulnerable sea life from the threat of extinction. 6
...but not too late, to save our oceans. Saving special places Our oceans are home to spectacular marine habitats, including the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Coast. Their futures are at dire risk. Our coral reefs and coastal wetlands are threatened by industrial development and water pollution from land-based activities like agriculture. To protect our most precious ocean habitats and the creatures that call them home, we are calling for a multifaceted response to ensure greater protection for these spectacular yet fragile places. Through a combination of government advocacy, working with scientists, awareness raising and community empowerment, the Australian Marine Conservation Society is striving to protect these wonders of the world. Your Ocean Legacy can be lasting protection for coral reefs and wetlands. Supporting sustainable management Marine ecosystems face a host of other threats, including plastic pollution and damaging fishing practices. We must stay on top of the sustainable management of our oceans. With our oceans on the brink of a biodiversity crisis, unsustainable fishing practices and plastic pollution pose an unacceptable risk to vulnerable sea life. Decades of growing demand for seafood and industrial-scale fishing has put has led to depleted fish populations and countless threatened species being caught as bycatch. The plastic rubbish generated on land ends up as pollution in our waters. We must make sure our environmental laws, institutions and governments are up to the job of protecting marine biodiversity and reversing the extinction crisis. Your Ocean Legacy is a promise that we will fight to save our seas from unsustainable human activities. Clown Fish, Great Barrier Reef 7
Our generation has been witness to the rapid devastation of ocean habitats. We have seen our precious ocean wildlife reach the brink of extinction, and had the power to reverse course. But in too many cases, the world failed to act until the tipping point had been reached. In just 50 years of mass production, our oceans have become clogged with plastic, killing unfathomable numbers of marine species Responding to the challenges of the future needs planning today. By creating your Ocean Legacy, you’re helping to ensure the long-term protection of our reefs and wetlands. We can be the generation protects our oceans forever. including whales, dolphins, turtles and seabirds. During your lifetime countless marine habitats have been degraded or destroyed and we’ve proven time and again that it is only when passionate people pay attention, and act, that we can reverse the course of ecosystem loss. It is your gift in Will that can provide our society of activists, conservationists and specialists with the resources that will continue to help us fight. By creating your Ocean Legacy, you are recognising the most fundamental truth of all: we cannot live without our oceans. The conditions of our oceans are not going to improve overnight. In fact, overnight, things are going to get worse. Habitats that have taken thousands of years to develop are being dredged right now. Coral ecosystems that have evolved over millions of years are being pulled up by bottom trawling fishing boats. Fossil fuel companies are conducting seismic blasting and drilling the seabed, killing vulnerable wildlife. These events will continue until we are able to create sanctuaries that cannot be touched and laws that shall not be broken. You’ve already shown your commitment to the future of our oceans by supporting our vital work. Your gifts are proof of your love, your passion and your vision. Today, we need you to go further. Together we can create and defend a legacy of protection in our oceans. Green Sea Turtle, Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef 8
With the support of our community, the Australian Marine Conservation Society has already played a vital role in defending our ocean habitats for future generations. Our impact: • Protecting special ocean places by securing marine reserves around our coastline • Saving the Great Barrier Reef from oil and coral mining and making it a World Heritage Marine Park • Protecting Ningaloo Reef as a World Heritage Area, with its whale sharks, manta rays and beautiful corals hugging the coast • Helping secure the global ban on commercial whaling • Stopping live shark finning at sea in Australian waters • Turning the tide on plastic pollution with single use plastics bans • Creating a sustainable seafood revolution with GoodFish: Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide, for people who love their seafood and the sea • Combating destructive, industrial fishing like supertrawlers • Securing Australia’s first seabed mining moratorium • Reforming Australia’s fisheries so turtles, dolphins and sea lions aren’t drowned along the way. By leaving a gift in your Will to AMCS you leave a legacy to our oceans, the source of all life on our beautiful blue planet. The treasures of our ocean can be protected forever. Stony Coral Colony and soldier fish Great Barrier Reef Australia 9
My Ocean Legacy. Sea Guardian. Ocean protector. Mother. Kate Davey “My partner and I chose to include AMCS in our will because Planet Earth needs all the help we can give. We have always been ocean lovers and our children are ocean lovers. It breaks our hearts that our kids might not get to see the wonders we saw when we first put our heads under the water, let alone our grandkids… But more than us and more than our kids – our seas and their amazing wildlife need our help. AMCS does an incredible job turning this tide. As monthly supporters through AMCS’s Sea Guardian program it is a natural progression to continue our support. And it feels good to know that our money is working for good, even after we are gone.” Natural occurring hard coral in the Great Barrier Reef 10
How to make a Will It is necessary for Wills to comply with a number of legal requirements. It is therefore advisable that you consult a solicitor or the Office of the Public Trust. If you don’t leave a Will, your estate will be allocated according to state laws and if there is no Next of Kin, your estate will go to the government. Naming AMCS as a beneficiary To be sure your gift will reach AMCS please be sure to use our full name and ABN: Australian Marine Conservation Society Incorporated, ABN # 53 409 718 351 Wording suggestions Your solicitor will recommend appropriate wording. If necessary, ask your solicitor to contact us to discuss your wishes. Following are some examples of legally acceptable wording that can be included in your Will. For residual gift: “I give the rest and residue of my estate… For a percentage of your estate: “I give a __________ % of my estate… To donate a specific sum: “I give the sum of $_________…to the AUSTRALIAN MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY INCORPORATED (ABN # 53 409 718 351) for its general purposes free of all duties and taxes payable upon or in consequence of my death, and the official receipt of the Treasurer or other authorised person shall be a complete and sufficient discharge for the Executor.” Updating your Will A Will is an important and telling document and provides you with an opportunity to reflect on your life and your values. Your Will should therefore be reviewed on a regular basis, particularly when major changes have occurred in your life such as marriage, death of a loved one or a change to the Executor of your Will. Different financial circumstances or changes in the needs of family members may also need to be taken into consideration. Choosing your executor Your executor will oversee the execution of your will. This person needs to be willing, trustworthy, reliable and likely to survive you. You should discuss your wishes in depth with your executor once your will is confirmed (and when any changes are made) to ensure that they are clearly understood and to avoid any misconstrued intentions. 11
With their habitats disappearing and ocean corridors being destroyed by offshore developments, it is vital that we create global sanctuaries to shelter these precious ocean species. In 2010 the International Whaling Commission came perilously close to approving a return to commercial whaling. The Australian Marine Conservation Society was part of the international Why we need to continue to push for the protection of our largest mammals. Protecting whales, defending our oceans, forever. negotiations that fought off that disastrous proposal. Whales have been in our oceans for 50 million years. We refuse to accept a future where our oceans are incapable of protecting the species who have survived for aeons. Your ocean legacy can mean our most remarkable ocean species are protected forever. Humpback Whale Dwarf Minke Whale, Great Barrier Reef 12
Paul Sterling is a passionate ocean lover who has dedicated his life to advocating for the seas around us. We are honoured that Paul has dedicated a legacy to our oceans by choosing to leave a significant bequest to AMCS. Paul’s been an avid scuba diver since the 1950s and has witnessed our oceans declining “at an unbelievable rate”. Paul told us he decided to leave a gift in his will because “AMCS is the only organisation that puts their whole heart and soul into protecting the Australian marine environment. Thanks to their outreach, others spread their message. I feel our seas are very much in need of our protection. We need the Australian Marine A legacy of love Paul Sterling Conservation Society to continue to be hands-on in our own backyard”. Paul states that “if the sea dies, then we die”, which is why he chose to leave a legacy to make sure AMCS is there to work for its protection into the future. Whitsunday islands, Queensland, Australia 13
The legacy you leave today... 14
… will answer the threat of tomorrow Your love of the ocean can inspire your legacy. Your legacy can protect the ocean you love. Please create your Ocean Legacy by leaving a gift in your Will to the Australian Marine Conservation Society. Humpback Whale and calf, Australia 15
Australian Marine Conservation Society Yuggera Turrbal Country, PO Box 5815, West End QLD 4101 (07) 3846 6777 marineconservation.org.au Our Oceans are calling for help. Your legacy is the answer. Thank you for planning your Ocean Legacy For more information Call +61 (07) 3846 6777 Email us on bequests@amcs.org.au Mail PO Box 5815 WEST END QLD 4101 Visit marineconservation.org.au Australian Sea Lion
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