Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
“IF the ocean dies, we die”. Some charities don’t beat around the bush with their message. And they don’t mess around either when it comes to getting things done. This applies to the newly-formed charity the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK (CPWF) (previously known as Sea Shepherd UK).
Their purpose is to end the destruction of habitats and illegal killing of wildlife around the UK’s coastline and across the world’s oceans. To do this, they’re not afraid to take direct action. They go wherever they’re needed even if they’re unwelcome. Their clients are marine animals such as whales, dolphins and seals. This means that, for example, together with their flagship John Paul Dejoria, CPWF will be back in Iceland this Summer opposing the cruel commercial fin whaling operations.
It’s fantastic news that we’ll have the opportunity next month to hear CPWF’s Chief Operating Officer, Rob Read, speak locally. He’ll be at the Ealing Animals Fair and his talk is likely to be popular. Rob knows what he’s talking about. He’s launched/managed many marine campaigns including Operation Bloody Fjords, the UK’s Ghostnet campaign and the UK’s Marine Debris campaign.
Not all CPWF’s campaigns are confrontational. In their Ghostnet campaign, CPWF use their dive boat “Spectre” to locate and remove lost and discarded fishing gear.
Their Marine Debris campaign involves beach cleans during which supporters remove litter, discarded fishing gear and microplastics from coastlines and rivers. If you want to know more, including about volunteering either onboard or onshore, see paulwatsonfoundation.org or speak to them at the Fair.
Of course, there’ll be plenty of other charities at the Fair who work nearer home. These include the popular LAGER Can. This award-wining charity works daily, either independently or in groups, removing rubbish from our open spaces. They don’t simply pick up rubbish they’re also keen to change the behaviours which lead to littering and fly-tipping.
And, if we need a reminder of why not leaving litter of any kind anywhere on sea or land is important the newly-opened Pumpkin’s Wildlife Hospital based in Rickmansworth will also be there. Wildlife may need Pumpkin’s help after being injured by broken glass, trapped in cans or entangled in elastic bands.
As well as over thirty animal charities having stalls at the
Fair with bargains and gifts, there’s also a full programme of speakers as well as live music. The Ealing Animals Fair takes place on Saturday March
2 (10.30am-4pm) at Hanwell
Methodist Church, Church
Road W7 1DJ. Admission is free. Details from ealinganimalsfair.london.