How Sea Shepherd are using a Protector to save endangered sea lions

The Great Australian Bight is a pristine collision of ocean and outback, spanning 1,160km across the country’s southern coastline. This wild region is one of the world’s most significant marine conservation areas, where 85% of known species are found nowhere else on earth. 

Australian sea lions are one of the Bight’s most charismatic species, but sadly, also one of its most endangered. Armed with a fully loaded Protector 310 Chase, marine conservationists, Sea Shepherd, are mounting a hands-on campaign to bring this species back from the brink of extinction. 

The mission to save the Australian sea lion

Over the last four decades the Australian sea lion population has decreased by 60%. In 2021 the species was classified as endangered under Australian environmental law. Like many species of the Bight, these sea lions are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, fishing bycatch, prey depletion, pollutants, and habitat destruction. 

And, if nothing changes, the entire species could vanish within decades. 

Sea Shepherd, one of Australia’s largest conservation movements, are making sure that doesn’t happen, by providing critical support and resources to their government partner, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Sea Shepherd are uniquely qualified to carry out this mission, but there are huge challenges to overcome. The Bight is a wild stretch of coastline, with no support nearby, and 40+ offshore island colonies that the NPWS couldn’t reach for years for want of a capable vessel. 

One year ago Sea Shepherd and Protector Boats came up with a solution - one of the most capable vessels in the world - a Protector 310 Chase, named Southern Defender. This boat is practically built for the Bight. It’s unerringly reliable, and can be trusted to perform for long periods in any conditions. 

Monitoring 40 island colonies: She’s a big job

With Southern Defender Sea Shepherd are now able to execute a program to hopefully reverse the sea lion’s population decline. 

The man at the helm is Dirk Holman, marine scientist and the leader of the Australian Sea Lion Defence Campaign. He’s been busy, says Kristie Newton, Major Gifts and Grants Manager, Sea Shepherd Australia:

“Dirk has spent the last 12 months monitoring over 40 island colonies and even discovering 8 previously unknown colonies along the Bunda Cliffs.”

“We have successfully completed a pilot program building and installing shelters for sea lion pups. The pups sadly suffer high mortality rates as they are vulnerable to heat stress and aggressive males ... Apparently the shelters also make a good refuge during a downpour.”

Additional to these efforts Dirk and a small team have used advanced UAV photogrammetry to monitor the body condition of sea lions. They’ve restored habitats, taken biological samples from sea lions to monitor them for disease and DNA structuring, and conducted pup surveys to keep an eye on population health. She’s a big job. 

Southern Defender: 2,050 kilometres travelled and counting

Dirk and the Sea Shepherd team have already spent 105 operational hours and 60 engine hours aboard Southern Defender. During that time Kristie says they’ve travelled over 2,050 kilometres, to carry out their work - and a little extra:

“With the Southern Defender, Dirk has been able to support important research into hookworm treatment and foraging behaviour and respond to entangled marine wildlife including two sea lions, a dolphin and a young whale.”

At the end of the day, this is what the boat was built for. Its advanced hull design, class-leading seaworthiness, and long range, mean patrolling a 1,160km remote coastline is as safe and comfortable as possible. Southern Defender is able to easily launch, access, and return in places where most boats simply couldn’t - whether that’s remote beaches, or rocky offshore islands.

This has helped ensure the success of the program, and we hope the vessel will continue to play a part in protecting the endangered Australian sea lion:

“The Southern Defender is such an important part of this work, and we are so grateful to Rayglass for helping make it possible,” Kristie said. 

Want to view, test drive or order a Protector? Contact Lyndsay today to enquire.