Jeff Hansen Inspires Year 9 Marine Science Students

October 22, 2024

Mr Jeff Hansen, Managing Director of Sea Shepherd Australia and Director of Sea Shepherd Global, recently delivered an eye-opening talk to our Year 9 Marine Science students on the urgent need to protect our oceans. Jeff shared his passion for marine conservation and highlighted Sea Shepherd’s efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems from illegal activities like poaching, overfishing, and whaling. His presentation resonated with students, sparking thoughtful questions and lively discussions.

The Critical Role of Oceans in Our Survival

In his talk, Jeff emphasised the vital importance of the world’s oceans. Covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface, oceans regulate our climate, provide food for billions, and produce half the oxygen we breathe. However, they face constant threats from human activities, such as industrial overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction. “The damage is immense and growing,” Jeff warned, stressing that immediate action is required to halt further destruction.

Sea Shepherd’s Bold Approach to Marine Conservation

Sea Shepherd has been on the frontlines of marine protection for more than 40 years and is known for its bold and direct interventions. Jeff shared several of Sea Shepherd’s key campaigns, including:

Operation Jeedara – Protecting the Great Australian Bight from oil drilling
Partnership with Indigenous Rangers – Working alongside Arnhem Land communities to protect marine life
Stopping Illegal Fishing – Combatting illegal fishing operations in African waters
Global Beach Clean-ups – Mobilising volunteers to remove plastic waste from coastlines

These missions have successfully disrupted whaling fleets, stopped illegal fishing vessels, and helped enforce marine conservation laws globally. Jeff’s stories inspired students and illustrated the tangible impact of direct action in defending marine wildlife.

Every Action Counts

A core message from Jeff’s presentation was that every action, no matter how small, can contribute to ocean conservation. Whether it’s supporting organisations like Sea Shepherd, reducing plastic consumption, or simply raising awareness, everyone has a role to play. “The oceans are the lifeblood of our planet,” Jeff reminded the students. “Protecting them isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a survival issue for all of us.”

This inspiring talk left students empowered and eager to take action, realising that even small efforts can make a difference in the fight to protect our oceans. At Santa Maria College, we are proud to provide opportunities for students to engage with global issues, encouraging them to become compassionate leaders dedicated to positively impacting the world.

Featured, MarineConservation, SeaShepherd, Year9MarineScience

Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.