Australian Enforcement Network to Pilot Wildlife Crime Working Group
By Angela Gilder,

The Australian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators Network (AELERT) is launching a wildlife crime pilot working group to enhance linkages between wildlife agencies, including international organizations like Interpol. Members reached this decision at the fourth annual AELERT Conference, which was held in Adelaide, Australia from the 26 - 28 November 2007. The conference was an outstanding success, with over 260 delegates in attendance from all jurisdictions within Australia.

AELERT is a network of environmental regulatory agencies that are responsible for the management of natural resources or the protection of the environment. Membership of AELERT is open to agencies with environmental, planning, cultural heritage, or natural resource related responsibilities. Membership continues to build, with thirty-two federal, state and local government agencies from across Australia and New Zealand currently members of AELERT.

The theme of the conference was "Innovative Compliance." AELERT was delighted to have Jo Gerardu, representing INECE in attendance. Mr. Gerardu addressed the conference on strengthening environmental compliance and enforcement through networks like INECE and AELERT.

Following the conference, a strategic workshop was held. The workshop explored possibilities for strengthening the AELERT Secretariat and supporting other organizations and countries through capacity building projects. In light of strong interest from New Zealand agencies, it is expected that the AELERT National Committee will consider expanding the scope of the network to include countries in the Australasian region when it next meets. It was also agreed to undertake a major upgrade of the AELERT website, with the aim of providing better services to member agencies.

For more information about AELERT, visit www.aelert.com.au, or contact
Angela Gilder on (+617) 3403 6632, or at