What protecting Neil looks like: Examples from Sammy the Seal

Hi everyone,
Thank you all for your incredible support! As our petition grows, I want to share a clear example of what a successful, non-lethal management framework looks like. We don't need to reinvent the wheel—we just need to look across the Bass Strait to Victoria.
In Portland, Victoria, a 4-tonne male elephant seal named Sammy regularly hauled out into local canals and beaches. Instead of treating him as a hazard to be eliminated, the Victorian Conservation Regulator enforces strict, protective boundaries under the Victorian Wildlife Act.
Here is what Victoria does to keep Sammy safe, and what we should demand the Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE Tas) implements for Neil:

Stricter Legal Exclusion Zones: In Victoria, it is an offence to stand within 30 metres of a seal on land, or 50 metres if you have a dog. Currently, Tasmania's guideline for Neil is only 20 metres.  Although at this stage enforcing even 20metres is a great start, Expanding Neil's "safety bubble" will keep both him and the public out of harm's way.

Enforced Fines & Penalties: Victoria backs up its boundaries with steep financial penalties for anyone who touches, feeds, or intentionally harasses marine wildlife. We need the Tasmanian government to actively issue heavy fines to anyone breaking exclusion rules around Neil.

Restricted Access Buffers: When Sammy moves into busy public areas, wildlife officers monitor the site and maintain safety barriers. We are calling for temporary, localized restricted access zones wherever Neil chooses to rest and moult.

Euthanasia is an irreversible action that should never be on the table. If Victoria can protect Sammy with proactive laws and community boundaries, Tasmania can do the same for Neil.

Please share this update and keep signing! Let's show the government that coexistence is possible.