Latest news with #GreenpeaceAustraliaPacific
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
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. 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. 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. 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.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
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.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
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.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Greenpeace Activists Disrupt Industrial Fishing Operation Ahead Of UN Ocean Conference
Press Release – Greenpeace GreenpeaceAotearoa is calling on the New Zealand Government to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty and help create global ocean sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand signed the agreement in 2023. PACIFIC OCEAN, Friday, 6 June 2025 – Greenpeace activists have disrupted an industrial longlining fishing operation in the South Pacific Ocean, seizing almost 20 kilometers of fishing gear and freeing nine sharks, including an endangered mako, near Australia and New Zealand. WATCH: PHOTO AND VIDEO HERE With an expert team on a small boat releasing more than a dozen animals, crew aboard Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior retrieved the entire longline and more than 210 baited hooks from a EU-flagged industrial fishing vessel, including an endangered longfin mako shark, eight near-threatened blue sharks and four swordfish. The crew also documented the vessel catching endangered sharks during its longlining operation. The at-sea action follows new Greenpeace Australia Pacific analysis exposing the extent of shark catch from industrial longlining in parts of the Pacific Ocean. Latest fisheries data showed that almost 70% of EU vessels' catch was blue shark in 2023 alone. It comes ahead of next week's UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, where world leaders will discuss ocean protection and the Global Ocean Treaty. Georgia Whitaker, Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: 'These longliners are industrial killing machines. Greenpeace Australia Pacific took peaceful and direct action to disrupt this attack on marine life. We saved important species that would otherwise have been killed or left to die on hooks.' 'The scale of industrial fishing – still legal on the high seas – is astronomical. These vessels claim to be targeting swordfish or tuna, but we witnessed shark after shark being hauled up by these industrial fleets, including three endangered sharks in just half an hour. Greenpeace is calling on world leaders at the UN Ocean Conference to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030 from this wanton destruction.' GreenpeaceAotearoa is calling on the New Zealand Government to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty and help create global ocean sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand signed the agreement in 2023. More than two-thirds of sharks worldwide are endangered, and a third of those are at risk of extinction from overfishing. Over the last three weeks, the Rainbow Warrior has been documenting longlining vessels and practices off Australia's east coast, including from Spain and China. 3. int/node/22532
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Greenpeace Activists Disrupt Industrial Fishing Operation Ahead Of UN Ocean Conference
Press Release – Greenpeace GreenpeaceAotearoa is calling on the New Zealand Government to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty and help create global ocean sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand signed the agreement in 2023. PACIFIC OCEAN, Friday, 6 June 2025 – Greenpeace activists have disrupted an industrial longlining fishing operation in the South Pacific Ocean, seizing almost 20 kilometers of fishing gear and freeing nine sharks, including an endangered mako, near Australia and New Zealand. With an expert team on a small boat releasing more than a dozen animals, crew aboard Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior retrieved the entire longline and more than 210 baited hooks from a EU-flagged industrial fishing vessel, including an endangered longfin mako shark, eight near-threatened blue sharks and four swordfish. The crew also documented the vessel catching endangered sharks during its longlining operation. The at-sea action follows new Greenpeace Australia Pacific analysis exposing the extent of shark catch from industrial longlining in parts of the Pacific Ocean. Latest fisheries data showed that almost 70% of EU vessels' catch was blue shark in 2023 alone. It comes ahead of next week's UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, where world leaders will discuss ocean protection and the Global Ocean Treaty. Georgia Whitaker, Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: 'These longliners are industrial killing machines. Greenpeace Australia Pacific took peaceful and direct action to disrupt this attack on marine life. We saved important species that would otherwise have been killed or left to die on hooks.' 'The scale of industrial fishing – still legal on the high seas – is astronomical. These vessels claim to be targeting swordfish or tuna, but we witnessed shark after shark being hauled up by these industrial fleets, including three endangered sharks in just half an hour. Greenpeace is calling on world leaders at the UN Ocean Conference to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030 from this wanton destruction.' GreenpeaceAotearoa is calling on the New Zealand Government to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty and help create global ocean sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand signed the agreement in 2023. More than two-thirds of sharks worldwide are endangered, and a third of those are at risk of extinction from overfishing. Over the last three weeks, the Rainbow Warrior has been documenting longlining vessels and practices off Australia's east coast, including from Spain and China. 3. int/node/22532
