Outline: “Flight of the Humpback” is a carefully thought out strategy to contribute to the global effort to stop whaling. For the first time in over 30 years, this December 2008, Australian humpbacks and other endangered whales will be targeted by Japanese whalers when they return to the Antarctic.
There are 3 main elements to this strategy:The Journey, the Website, and the Film.
The Journey and Interactive Website will be funded as one project and happen simultaneously. The Film will include footage shot during the Journey yet will be separately funded and include extra material, eg, Antarctic protests. Some footage has already been shot.
The Journey: Australia, July, August, September.
At the core of “Flight of the Humpback” is the journey of a group of passionate activists, musicians and celebrities who sail and interact with the humpbacks on their migration along the east coast of Australia. The aim of the crew and the journey is to raise public awareness to the plight of these endangered humpbacks and other targeted whales and inspire people to take action to ensure their continued protection. We will be sailing on this (see photo) 50 foot luxury catamaran with a huge breaching humpback painted on the main sail. It will visit15-20 ports on route over a 6 week period. The journey will travel along the east coast of Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef, Hervey Bay, Brisbane and Sydney. Hervey Bay is where the migrating humpbacks play, mate, rest, fatten up their babies and prepare for the long southern journey back to the Antarctic. It is also the best Australian location for interaction where the boat may stay for several weeks. Australian indigenous representatives will join the crew and share their traditional connections with the whales. We will hear the prophecy of Jiddera, the white whale. In fact there is now a white whale know as Migaloo among the Australian humpbacks who has become the icon of the migration. We hear from Sonar experts on the dangers facing sea mammals from navy and ocean explorers using underwater sonar including Migaloos’ role in disrupting War Games at Shoalwater bay in June 2007 due to his presence.
These port visits will help galvanise Australian opposition to Japanese whaling and generate public awareness of the action based website. This exciting interactive website will show regular video clips of the journey and become a dynamic forum and tool for people to lobby and become active for the whales. Ongoing media attention at the ports will allow “Flight of the Humpback” spokespeople, concerned locals, whale watch operators, politicians and celebrities to express their feelings about the escalated illegal whaling by Japan. Whale films, music, journey footage, research and up to date action information will be presented to the public. Each port / community will be invited to adopt a humpback whale as their icon. These port meetings will galvanise community support to pressure the Government and the Opposition, to take stronger measures to help the whales. At the end of the Australian journey, key crew members will continue the “Flight of the Humpback” with the Sea Shepherds or Greenpeace to the Antarctic to film them tryig to stop the Japanese from killing whales.
Sponsors
For $10,000 USD or $12,150 AUD, groups, companies or individuals can be major sponsors of the ‘Flight of the Humpback’ project. This will give the sponsor a branding of their name and logo on the front page of the ‘Flight of the Humpback’s’ website (with an active link to their home website), a pendant or banner on the boat, credits in the film and a mention where possible in media releases. Sponsors would be encouraged to let their members know about ‘Flight of the Humpback’ and follow its activities. Major sponsors would be permitted some time on the Pelican and given the opportunity to express opinions related to whale conservation. There may also be opportunities for sponsors to give presentations and screen video clips at ports and on the website. Any level of financial support from groups or individuals will be gratefully received and levels of exposure negotiated.
This is a fantastic opportunity for sponsors to significantly contribute to the global effort to ensure the whales’ continued protection. This is a massive global networking and awareness project, with the intention to inspire people and groups all around the world to unite for the whales. For more information see the
Draft website http://www.flightofthehumpback.org or
. email, djefferys@aapt.net.au
Also see my other sites:
http://www.myspace.com/deanjefferys
http://www.youtube.com/shaman1958
http://www.youtube.com/flightofthehumpback
http://www.shamansoftheamazon.com
