Go bold: calls for Australia to lead on ocean health
Conservation groups are urging Australia to back a moratorium on deep-sea mining ahead of a major United Nations oceans conference.
More than two dozen countries want a ban, pause or moratorium until more is known about sea floors well below the surface, with concerns the emerging industry could disrupt ecosystems and the ocean's ability to act as a carbon sink.
Deep-sea mining proponents say demand for critical minerals will ramp up as economies decarbonise.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific, World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, and the Save Our Marine Life alliance are also pushing the government to ratify the high seas biodiversity agreement by September.
Australia was a founding signatory to the agreement in 2023 and the re-elected Albanese government has promised to ratify its commitment "as quickly as possible".
The all-important treaty aims to better protect the two-thirds of marine habitat outside state jurisdiction and secure the necessary 60 ratifications will be a key talking point at the UN conference that starts on Monday.
Environment Minister Murray Watt will join other policymakers, scientists, First Nations groups and environmental groups at the five-day event in Nice, France, as leader of the cross-government delegation.
Australia has positioned itself as a leader in ocean protection, with 52 per cent of domestic waters now within marine park boundaries.
But only about a quarter is fully protected from extractive industries, with the conservation alliance pushing Australia to go further and aim for 30 per cent instead.
Stepping up on climate action is the final ask, with the World Meteorological Organization reporting record-high sea surface temperatures in the southwest Pacific in 2024.
Bleached corals, fish kills and toxic algal blooms have been linked to marine heatwaves and high ocean temperatures around Australia.
"Australia's oceans are at a tipping point, facing rising threats from climate change, habitat loss and industrialisation," Australian Marine Conservation Society chief executive Paul Gamblin said.
"The Albanese government was elected on promises of progress - now is the time to deliver."
On Friday, the federal government promised $30 million for a Traditional Owner-led program to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
The aim is to build on First Nations' knowledge to improve the quality of the freshwater flowing into the reef by restoring wetlands and other measures.
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