The ocean is not often synonymous with Castlemaine but local resident James Brook has devoted over a decade to protecting it, serving as Captain on the Sea Shepherd ship M/V Ocean Warrior.
Brook joined Sea Shepherd in 2009 after becoming inspired to stop environmental destruction by time spent in nature.
“I’m with Sea Shepherd because I believe we are an organisation that is very effective in protecting the natural world,” James says.
“We concentrate on the marine ecosystem, that’s where we can make a difference. And often the damage done to species underwater is not so obvious to the general human population. But it’s all connected. If the ocean ecosystem collapses, then so will life on land as well,” he says.
“The rainforest is the ocean, the ocean is the rainforest. I want to help nature, and for me, that means being part of an effective organisation,” Brook says.
Living in Castlemaine between stints on Sea Shepherd vessels, James is always happy to come home where he has plenty to keep him occupied as an active musician, playing shows in a Celtic rock band The Currency in Australia, the European anarcho-punk band Ecowar, as well as performing solo shows. See the Mail for more…