Speaking out!

Abstract

One of the main motivations for establishing Pacific Conservation Biology was to provide a forum where ecologists in government agencies could express their views about environmental issues, including shortcomings of current conservation policies and practices. In this context, it was interesting to read recent coverage of statements by a regular visitor to Australia, Professor Paul Ehrlich, about suppression of ecologists employed by government conservation agencies (e.g., New Scientist, 18 November, 1995, pp. 4?5) . Needless to say, this interpretation was vigorously disputed by representatives from Federal and State agencies.