Summer 2019 VOLUME 20/1

Supporter Newsletter

CREATURE FEATURE Humpback Whales Page 2

Shark Big Blue Issues Turning the Champions Election Special on Plastics

Page 4 Page 9-12 Page 16-17 ©AMCS

With Thanks to YOU Minke whale © Troy Mayne Migaloo @ Craig Parry. Thank you to Craig Parry for donating this rare image of Migaloo to AMCS. More amazing images of Migaloo available at www.craigparryphotography.com

Creature Feature Protecting sea life thanks to you... Whaling You’re helping to protect whales globally…

Our whales need help, not harpoons.

We International Whaling Bittersweet Victory: Facts & Figures Commission Report Southern Ocean Whaling Ends Humpback Whales COMMON NAME: Humpback whale SCIENTIFIC NAME: MEGAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAE DIET: Humpbacks feed on krill and The humpback whale is a large baleen whale Thanks to the support of ocean lovers like The Japanese Government has pulled out that migrates annually along the east and west small fish, eating up to 1.5 tonnes of you, we were able to send AMCS CEO Darren of the International Whaling Commission coasts of Australia. These majestic giants are food a day! Kindleysides to the International Whaling (IWC) and will therefore finally pull their one of Australia’s most loved marine animals. COLLECTIVE NOUN: Pod Commission (IWC) meeting in Brazil in whaling ships out of the Southern Ocean. With their distinctive knobbly heads and AVERAGE LIFESPAN IN THE WILD: 45-50 years September 2018. This is a huge win for our whales. We long pectoral fins, humpback whales are SIZE (ADULT): Female: 15-16m, Male: 13-14m AMCS attended as a strong voice for whale have been fighting for decades to get the easily recognised and a favourite with whale HEIGHT: 30,000 kg (Adult) protection. We helped secure several major wins whalers out of the Antarctic. for whale conservation, including important watchers around Australia. Their common However, Japan is leaving the IWC to reforms to protect whale and dolphin populations name is derived from the hump under their Migaloo (pictured) is Australia’s most well- resume commercial whaling in their waters. from bycatch and ocean noise pollution. dorsal fin, which is particularly noticeable when known humpback whale. the whale arches its back to dive. Humpback In a critical victory, we stopped the Japanese Japan has turned their back on global whales spend summers in the Antarctic, feeding When first sighted on 28 June 1991, passing by Government’s outrageous proposal to bring efforts to conserve whales in order to kill on krill, before travelling north during winter to Byron Bay, he was the only known all white back commercial whaling in 2020. whales outside international control. humpback whale in the world. He was named bear their young. We’re pleased to report that the Australian Australians can celebrate the end of “Migaloo”, which means “white fella” in some Humpback whales were hunted almost Government led the charge to save the ban Antarctic whaling. It’s been a hard fought indigenous languages. Then in September to extinction for their meat and oil. Their on whaling, and increased on Japan victory but is bittersweet if it comes with 2011 amazing footage emerged of an all-white populations crashed during the peak of the to cease its controversial ‘scientific whaling’ unchecked commercial whaling by Japan baby humpback calf. This new white whale was whaling industry in the 1950s and 1960s. programs. The Japanese Government responded in their own waters. named MJ (Migaloo Junior). These gentle giants have been protected in to defeat by threatening to leave the IWC. the Southern Hemisphere since 1963, and In August 2003, Migaloo was struck by a trimaran Frustratingly, pro-whaling nations blocked You’ve Stopped Antarctic Whaling! a worldwide moratorium on whaling was off Townsville, Queensland and still bears the scars plans to create a whale sanctuary spanning declared in 1986. Although listed as vulnerable from the collision on his back. Because Migaloo is the South Atlantic Ocean, but we will continue Because of you, Japan will close to extinction, humpback whales are making a such a unique whale he has special Queensland to fight for this global reserve. The world’s down their illegal so-called ‘scientific whaling’ Antarctic whaling program. strong recovery and are a tribute to what we and Commonwealth Government legislation to whales need sanctuary. They have never Last year, after Japan was caught can achieve when we work together! protect him from overzealous admirers. All vessels faced such a range of threats from climate killing endangered sei whales, are prohibited from approaching Migaloo and change, entanglement in nets, plastic must stay at least 500m away. we called upon our supporters to Did You Know? pollution, underwater noise and ship strikes. build a Stop Whaling Legal Fund, to Migaloo is a part of the Australian east coast supercharge the fight against whaling. The humpback whale features in humpback whale population, and delights Thank You With thanks to your support we raised the AMCS logo which was created ocean lovers every year when he swims past over $30,000. THANK YOU! by famed photographer and AMCS us along the coast for his annual migration. Thank you to our supporters who With Japan starting commercial Honorary Life Member We work each day to ensure Migaloo and his funded our attendance at this critically whaling in their waters the fight in the mid-1990s. species return for decades to come. important meeting to defend our whales. continues to save our ocean giants.

2 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 3 © AMCS © Alex Kydd© Alex

Sharks Protecting our vital sharks and with your support… Fisheries Helping to provide educated and sustainable seafood choices...

The public’s choices will guide the industry towards true sustainability. A Positive Step Away Say-No Tasmanian From Lethal Drumlines Farmed Atlantic Salmon

In late 2018 a cluster of shark incidents Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide is The salmon farming industry bears significant occurred in Cid Harbour, Whitsundays, in Shark Champions an independent consumer guide to the responsibility for the environmental impacts which three people were bitten, one of them AMCS is excited to launch our new “Shark sustainability of seafood available for in the Harbour, and needs to clean up its act. fatally. In response to those tragic events Champions” campaign in collaboration sale in Australia. The easy to use traffic Adrian Meder, AMCS Sustainable Seafood the local industry and community with Humane Society International (HSI). light system rates farmed and wild caught Program Manager said, “Fish farming has called for the removal of ineffective Australia is a global shark and ray hotspot, seafood as either green ‘Better Choice’, reached such intensity in Macquarie Harbour drumlines and the implementation of home to one quarter of the world’s species Amber ‘Eat Less’ or Red ‘Say No’. that we’ve had consecutive summers of serious effective bather protection and education. many of which are globally threatened. Following a peer reviewed, scientific environmental impacts, including several massive The Queensland Government has now Sharks and rays are a keystone group of assessment of the ecological impacts of salmon fish kills. There have been dangerously low committed $250,000 to community education species critical to healthy oceans. farming in Tasmanian sea cages, Atlantic levels in deeper harbour waters. Over a million and research to improve protection for Please visit www.sharkchampions.org.au salmon has recently been downgraded from fish have been lost due to asphyxiation and bathers and ocean wildlife in Cid Harbour. an Amber ‘Eat Less’ to a Red ‘Say No’ rating. disease, and ‘dead zones’ have formed on the AMCS welcomed the Queensland seafloor.This is a serious failure in management”. Drumlines are ineffective, offering bathers A red ‘Say No’ rating in Australia’s Sustainable Government’s moves to immediately implement The salmon farms in Macquarie Harbour are a false sense of security. In 2006, a woman Seafood Guide recommends the public effective, non-lethal means of safeguarding operating right next to a wilderness World was fatally bitten at Amity Point, a drumlined chooses more sustainable alternatives until bathers, which will better protect our community Heritage Area, where farming should be beach on Stradbroke Island. In November such time as the salmon farming industry and our marine life. Dr. Leonardo Guida, managed to protect the values of the area. 2018, a man was bitten on the leg at Ballina reduces their environmental footprint. AMCS Senior Shark Campaigner said, “This is a But dead zones were found even within the while at a beach with active drumlines. If done sustainably, fish-farming can welcome step, and our thanks goes out to the World Heritage region. Australian community who spoke out against We now call on the Queensland Government provide an important source of seafood Until there’s scientific evidence that calls for a shark cull”. to listen to the public sentiment and remove for Australians. It is unfortunate that the salmon farming impacts are reduced and the other 173 lethal drumlines throughout scientific evidence has led to a sustainability Actions taken include permanent signage alerting management arrangements are in place that our World Heritage Great Barrier downgrade of Atlantic salmon in the latest people to the presence of sharks, improved protect the marine environment surrounding education about safe swimming and shark Marine Park. We have the new technology review of the Guide, particularly as the salmon farming industry was heading in the the fish farms, Tasmanian farmed Atlantic behaviour, and research into understanding how and non-lethal measures to protect ocean Salmon has been ranked Red ‘Say No’. sharks use the Whitsunday waters. users without killing our threatened sharks. right direction until recent years. But in the past three years’ fish farming has We know the salmon farming industry has had serious impacts on sensitive marine the capabilities to farm fish in a sustainable Sign the Petition Did You Know? way, and to learn from the mistakes that have habitats and threatened species, particularly led to environmental issues in Macquarie in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour. Please add your support for our call to Lethal forms of shark control, such as Harbour. We call on the industry to listen to remove lethal drumlines throughout drum lines and nets, are ineffective at the concerns of the Australian public and our World Heritage protecting humans and come at a high Download your free App today. to ensure future farming operations are Marine Park. Take action, visit cost to threatened sharks and other www.sustainableseafood.org.au conducted in a more sustainable way. www.sharkchampions.org.au marine wildlife, such as whales and turtles.

4 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 5 Clown fish © AMCS @ AMCS Rally Action Adani

Fight For Our Reef Protecting our iconic treasure with your help...

Why The $444 Million Government Adani’s Reef-Wrecking Mine Money Won’t Save The Reef Still Has A Long Way To Go

The Australian Government has come under You asked… Late last year, Adani announced that that Governments must resist pressure from pressure for giving nearly half a billion As the leading charity and independent they would self-fund their reef-wrecking Adani to rubber stamp water approvals and dollars of taxpayer funds to a foundation voice for the Great Barrier Reef for over 50 mine and was ready to start construction. extinguish native title rights. to protect the Great Barrier Reef, instead of years, many of our supporters have asked us Despite their claims, Adani still has a long Adani’s determination to build this mine is one of its own government agencies. to address the controversy surrounding last way to go before they’re ready to start matched by our determination to stop it. But while the media spotlight remains year’s $444 million government funding to the construction. We know this coal mine doesn’t stack up fixed on who got the money and how, Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Adani is currently being prosecuted in court environmentally or economically and we the question that really matters remains We believe the federal government should by the Queensland government for polluting will let our politicians know it won’t stack unexamined: will this money address what require the Great Barrier Reef Foundation the Reef and is under investigation by the up for them politically either. Let’s Stop the Reef really needs? The answer is no. to hand back all unspent funds. The public state government for illegally drilling into Adani in 2019. Funding to tackle poor water quality and money should be placed in a standalone Queensland’s groundwater and clearing special purpose Reef Future Fund, overseen coral-eating crown of thorns starfish plagues vast swaths of land at the mine site. Stop Adani by government. Another major impediment for Adani is that is welcome, but it will be wasted unless tough AMCS is a founding partner AMCS believes that there needs to be full it’s yet to get all approvals signed off by our action is taken to mitigate climate change. of the #StopAdani campaign, transparency and accountability over how the state and federal governments. Just before If we continue burning fossil fuels at our a growing grassroots funding is spent. Christmas the CSIRO reportedly found serious rate, the planet’s reefs will be wiped movement of hundreds of local flaws in Adani’s key water management plan out by the middle of this century. We cannot community groups, made up of thousands to protect an ancient springs complex near its let this happen. ALERT! of individuals across Australia. We will proposed Carmichael mine. The Queensland A massive coal mine located next door stop Adani’s dangerous coal mine and set Australians are demanding action on climate government has stated they will not review to Adani’s project has quietly been Australia on the path beyond polluting change to protect the largest living structure the plan again until Adani addresses the given the green light by the Queensland fossil fuels towards a safe climate for us all. on Earth and one of the world’s most Government’s Coordinator-General. This concerns of CSIRO. biologically rich and beautiful treasures. grossly irresponsible approval signals that Not only must Adani have its groundwater This means we need to stop new coal mines the government is still committed to opening management plan and a Black Throated and move rapidly to renewable energy. up the Galilee Basin regardless of the Finch Management Plan approved - it’s Thank you climate impacts on our Great Barrier Reef. still facing two legal challenges, and is yet to The Queensland Government has yet to secure a railway line to transport coal from In response to Adani’s announcement it Take Action will self-fund its Carmichael mega-mine approve an environmental authority for the the Carmichael mine. our supporters chipped in an amazing Australians are watching more closely mine, and a mining lease, but this approval Adani is getting desperate. They have is simply wrong. The Galilee is the largest $65,000 emergency response to the Fight than ever before. We just want our launched a billboard campaign in the For Our Reef fund. Thank you! The life of untapped coal reserve on Earth. It must Reef protected and fixed. Please join Brisbane CBD pressuring the Queensland our Reef hangs in the balance – we will the Fight for our Reef visit be protected from any coal developers, in government for holding up construction. fight and stop this mine. www.fightforourreef.org.au perpetuity.

6 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 7 © Mark Spencer Turtle© AMCS

Climate Change Your fight to protect our world’s coral reefs... Protecting Australia’s Oceans BIG BLUE ISSUES TO SOLVE IN 2019...

Imagine a world without the crowning jewels of the ocean, our beautiful coral reefs.

Duty Bound To Protect Coral Reefs

Last October, the world’s top climate scientists We cannot allow any new coal mines, let released a report which urged the world alone Adani’s monstrous Carmichael coal to make urgent, deep and far-reaching mine, which would open the floodgates to cuts to carbon pollution if we are to avoid the Galilee Basin, one of the largest untapped ‘catastrophic climate change’, including the coal reserves on earth. We have to phase out loss of the world’s coral reefs. Australia’s coal fired power stations and move 2019 Priorities: The report of the Intergovernmental Panel to 100% renewable energy by 2030. on Climate Change (IPCC) described what Nor can we stop there. We need to transition to Protect Our Big Blue Backyard the world would look like if we reached a 2°C a zero carbon economy as early as possible, by rise. This report made global headlines and 2050 at the latest. shocked people around the world. Incredibly, AMCS Reef Campaign Director Imogen within hours of the report’s release, our Prime Australia’s oceans are home to more marine We have a lot to lose. Zethoven said, “We know our Great Barrier Reef Minister dismissed the report, saying he was species than any other country on Earth. Our seas are at risk from rapidly escalating - the world’s largest and most spectacular Reef more worried about electricity prices. We are caretakers of some of the world’s climate change, pollution and industrial - has suffered a lot and will suffer more.But But the science is clear. most spectacular marine treasures; such as development. Some of our fisheries still threaten we cannot and will not give up. We all share Coral reef expert and AMCS advisor Dr Scott our World Heritage Ningaloo and Shark Bay, vulnerable species, and critical shortfalls a moral obligation to leave a legacy for future Heron said, “The world’s top climate scientists the Kimberley, the Great Southern Reef, and remain in our protected marine estate. We are generations, but our current political leaders have spoken and confirmed we are on a our beloved Great Barrier Reef. Our Great asking all political parties to prioritise ocean trajectory to lose the Great Barrier Reef are blinded by their addiction to fossil fuels”. Barrier Reef is the planet’s largest living protection in the next term of government by unless we do better. The report shows at 2°C As the custodian of the world’s largest structure, a World Heritage treasure. making the following election commitments. warming, we would lose virtually all the world’s coral reef, our federal government has a coral reefs from 2050 onwards. The loss of the responsibility to do everything it can as fast as Great Barrier Reef and its marine life, not to possible to protect the Great Barrier Reef and Get behind our top 10 Big Blue Election Issues. mention the more than 60,000 jobs it supports, its extraordinary marine life. is unfathomable. Become advocates for our Ask your local MP and federal The stark reality is that much of the world’s Take Action Big Blue Issues. Discuss them election candidates where they coral reefs, will be lost in the next 30 years at dinner parties or over the stand on each of the Big Blue even if we limit global warming to 1.5°C under A 2°C rise in global would watercooler at work. Let’s get Issues. Let’s vote for our oceans mean the end of the world’s coral reefs. the Paris Agreement. But in a 1.5°C world, we Australia talking about saving in 2019! won’t lose them all”. Take Action to halt Australia’s impact by rejecting Adani’s colossal coal mine and the seas around us. To stay below 1.5°C, we must immediately protect our Great Barrier Reef! move away from coal and other fossil fuels. www.amcs.org.au/climateaction Let’s cast a vote for our Oceans in 2019!

8 Turning The Tide Authorised by D. Kindleysides, 4/145 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 ©AMCS

STOP Reef- IMPROVE the Here’s Damaging Sustainability of Developments Australia’s Fisheries our As the custodian of the Fishing is the most immediate threat to the continued existence of many endangered world’s largest coral reef , Commercial Whaling Australia has a global responsibility to species and protected marine wildlife. END do everything in our power to protect the In many cases, fishing has been the The Government of Japan continues their Great Barrier Reef for future generations. major driver of declines in populations of so-called ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern We must prevent major Reef damaging threatened species, including turtles and Ocean despite Australia’s landmark win in dolphins. Industrial-scale freezer factory projects. If we are to protect the Reef’s the International Court of Justice in 2014. trawlers (‘supertrawlers’) pose a significant future, Queensland’s Galilee coal basin Australia must take leadership, and step escalated risk to marine life and fish stocks. must remain untouched and Adani coal up actions both within and outside the The Australian community, including Big Blue mine must not go ahead. We must prevent International Whaling Commission to end recreational fishers, are opposed to industrial any coal being shipped through our Great fish factories devastating our marine life. Japan’s whaling for good. Barrier Reef. Election The next Australian Government must ensure The next Australian Government must The next Australian Government must our laws are used to drive fisheries towards take further legal international action rule out all new thermal coal mine true sustainability, reducing the impact of against Japan and escalate diplomatic developments including any mining fishing on protected and endangered species, sanctions and political actions to Issues from Queensland’s Galilee coal basin. and permanently ban all supertrawlers from oppose continued whaling by Japan, fishing in Australian waters. Iceland and Norway.

© XantheRivett © John Turnbull www.marineexplorer.org ©Australian Customs Service

SAVE Our Reef and Oceans CLEAN UP Great Barrier PROTECT Endangered and RESTORE Australia’s from Climate Change Reef Water Pollution Protected Marine Wildlife Marine Sanctuaries Climate change is warming our oceans Our Great Barrier Reef is in peril; we must Australia’s oceans are home to endangered, In 2012 Australia’s decisive action for the and causing underwater heat waves act now to give our Reef the best fighting and protected species, including many oceans led to a global turning point, creating that are a major threat to all marine chance at survival. Sediment and fertiliser species of sharks unique to our oceans. From the world’s first and largest nationwide ecosystems. Our Great Barrier Reef and all runoff from agricultural activities continues turtles and snubfin dolphins in our tropical network of marine parks around its coastline. the world’s coral reefs are in peril. Climate to be a major threat to inshore coral reefs waters to albatross and Australian sea lions This proud moment followed 20 years of change, driven mainly by burning coal and and seagrass meadows of the Great in the south, we have a great responsibility scientific investigation, comprehensive other fossil fuels, is the biggest threat to Barrier Reef. The Reef needs the right laws, to protect and recover these wonderful community and stakeholder consultation, our Great Barrier Reef. We must act now urgent action and more investment to marine species. Endangered sharks are and work from all sides of politics. Sadly, an as a nation to reduce our contribution to improve water quality and tackle pollution. targeted for sale of fins and flesh in some Abbott government-initiated review revised climate change by cutting our emissions commercial fisheries, and fishing is the management plans for the parks in 2018, and transitioning rapidly from coal to The next Australian Government must most immediate and sustained threat to the removing half the high level protections in renewable energy. introduce regulations under the Great survival of many species. these parks and exposing them to threats of Barrier Reef Marine Park Act, and destructive commercial fishing, and oil and The next Australian Government must establish and properly fund a large-scale, The next Australian Government must commit gas development. commit to urgently embrace a national transformational Great Barrier Reef to strengthening protection of endangered Emissions Reduction Target of 65 - 85%, catchment repair program to achieve the sharks and other protected species and The next Australian Government must restore and a Renewable Electricity Target of 2025 water quality targets promised to the investing in the recovery of depleted species Australia’s marine sanctuaries and make 100% by 2030. World Heritage Committee. like sawfish and river sharks. further improvements.

Authorised by D. Kindleysides, 4/145 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Snubfin dolphin @ Daniele Cagnazzi

Protecting Australia’s Oceans BIG BLUE ISSUES TO SOLVE IN 2019... Threatened Species Fighting to protect our unique native marine life with your help...

SAFEGUARD Environmental Charities and REDUCE Advocacy Work Plastic Pollution © National Geographic Environmental charities have made a Plastic pollution is devastating to our coasts huge contribution to safeguarding and seas, inflicting a huge toll on marine Australia’s natural environment, yet the wildlife. So much plastic is flowing into our sector has been unfairly targeted through oceans that it’s thought that by 2050 there politically motivated inquiries, investigations Rare & Unique: Gillnet Fishing will be more plastic in the oceans than fish. and new red tape. We need to strengthen the ability of community and civil society to The Aussie Snubbie Kills Our Snubbies The next Australian Government must stand up for nature. commit to introducing a national ban on single-use plastics by 2023 and a The next Australian Government must mandatory national 70% plastic pollution promote fairness and participation in the The Australian snubfin dolphin is listed On 21 October 2017, a fisher near Bowen reduction target of plastic pollution public debate and uphold the right of as Vulnerable on the international IUCN accidentally caught and killed two entering our waterways and reaching our charities to undertake advocacy work Red List and under Queensland’s Nature snubfin dolphins in a legally set gillnet. A oceans by 2020. in Australia. Conservation Act 1992. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority “Snubbies”, as they are affectionately known, (GBRMPA) officer was on board as part of are easily recognised from other dolphins their routine monitoring program. AMCS Marine from their blunt, rounded head and absence was able to secure the autopsy reports REFORM of a beak. Their short little noses and short Environment Laws (including pictures) under freedom of dorsal fin means they are sometimes information laws. Australia once led the world mistaken for dugongs. “The shocking images show the true cost in environmental legislation Snubfins are unique dolphins and only known of gillnet fishing in Reef waters. Gillnets and oceans policy, but unfortunately that from Australian waters. They have been are invisible walls of death for some of is no longer the case. Laws have become recorded across northern Australia waters. outdated, inadequate or weakened. An They were only identified as a separate our marine species. They kill threatened overhaul of environmental legislation is species in 2005. species like snubfin dolphins and dugongs. needed if we are to protect the places, Threats to snubfin dolphins include incidental We must permanently remove gill nets habitats and species that we love, which capture in fishing gear and shark control nets, from their habitats,” said Tooni Mahto, is vital for global biodiversity conservation. habitat loss and degradation, noise pollution, AMCS Fisheries and Threatened Species This includes oceans law reform. poor water quality and boating activity. Campaign Manager. The next Australian Government must Since AMCS exposed these deaths, the commit to creating a new generation of Federal Environment Department has strong national environmental laws and Facts & Figures been assessing the sustainability of the a national environmental authority that COMMON NAME: Australian Snubfin Dolphin fishery in which the snubfin dolphins were genuinely protects our unique wildlife and SCIENTIFIC NAME: Orcaella heinsohni caught. A decision regarding the fishery’s the natural places we love. DIET: Various fish, cephalopods (squid sustainability is expected to be handed and octopus) and crustaceans down in February. (prawns and crabs). We believe that the public needs to know GROUP NAME: Pod Big Blue Election Issues the true costs of fishing on our marine AVERAGE LIFESPAN IN THE WILD: 30 years* We are responsible for the third largest area of ocean on Earth, spanning tropical, wildlife. Thank you for working with us to SIZE: 2 meters in length temperate and Antarctic waters. Our oceans support six of the seven known species of drive sustainable fisheries reforms around marine turtle, more than half of the world’s whale and dolphin species, over 20% of the : 190kg* Australia. world’s fish species, and are a hotspot of unique marine species. (*estimation as research of this species are limited) With so much of our big blue backyard under threat, the next federal election presents a critical opportunity for political leaders to act decisively. © NOAA With Thanks to YOU 13 Authorised by D. Kindleysides, 4/145 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Limmen Marine Park © Dave Hancock ’Whale Shark in Ningaloo © Alex Kydd

Marine Parks Protecting Marine Parks with your support...

Good Things Take Time: Paul Speaks Up Protecting Tim Winton’s Limmen Bight Marine Park For The Top End Ningaloo Ningaloo

Limmen Bight Marine Park is located in Paul Arnold (pictured), bush AMCS is back at Ningaloo fighting for the Our Patron, Tim Winton (pictured) has long the Gulf of Carpentaria. It has extensive explorer, photographer, future of the reef and the Exmouth Gulf in been involved in marine conservation. He coastal mudflats, seagrass meadows, a iconic Territorian, and north western Australia. We have joined the was integral to the establishment of the large coastal delta system at the mouth of Ambassador for our Keep Protect Ningaloo movement - a grassroots Ningaloo Reef marine park, and has rallied the Limmen River and includes a number of Top End Coasts Healthy initiative to protect one of the world’s last arms with AMCS to save Ningaloo Reef and off-shore islands. campaign, recently spoke great places. Ningaloo’s nursery, the Exmouth Gulf. about his love for our Top End landscapes. The park was declared in 2012 but with a After protecting Ningaloo in the Save Ningaloo Tim recently penned a stunning piece in The change of government its progress stalled. “The Top End is a place of rare beauty, where Reef campaign in the early 2000’s, the Guardian reflecting on the miracle of this wild place. However, AMCS is excited to report that country, culture and lifestyle are inseparably time has come to protect the extraordinary “This is Exmouth Gulf, in northern Western ecosystems that make up the Ningaloo Region. the project is due to be completed by the intertwined. It is a timeless landscape but Australia, one of the last intact arid-zone Exmouth Gulf is the nursery to the amazing end of 2019. This means better protection the threats are now. estuaries in the world. Right in the shadow of Ningaloo Reef, which is under threat from for significant seagrass meadows, islands, Some places in the Top End have been the world heritage area at Ningaloo.” industrialisation and must be protected. mudflats for migratory shorebirds, large altered by coastal development, pollution, The gulf is a special place for Tim, it’s a place Can you imagine the damage? Oil and colonies of nesting seabirds, the largest overfishing, destructive mining practices, and that he has spent 20 years defending. “This is gas pipe bundles up to 10km long will be dugong population in the Northern Territory, introduced species. The extensive dieback of where so much of Ningaloo Reef’s biodiversity launched into the shallows with 150-tonne as well as key turtle and dolphin habitats. mangroves in the Gulf of Carpentaria shows is generated, where fish and prawns and towheads, then dragged along the seabed crabs are spawned. It’s Ningaloo’s nursery… Limmen Bight Marine Park is only the how quickly change comes around”. for about 1.5 kilometres until they float. These Exmouth Gulf has been slated for industrial second marine park to be declared in The Keep Top End Coasts Healthy campaign pipes are stabilised by heavy chains that will development. Already Ningaloo Reef is Northern Territory waters. It’s been 35 has encouraged the Northern Territory drag along the seabed as tugs tow them encircled by oil-and-gas tenements. Every years since the first declaration at Garig Government to prepare a marine and through the waters of the Gulf, then taken year the industry grows closer: the flares of coastal strategy. Paul said, Gunak Barlu (Cobourg Marine Park), so this seaward through the World Heritage listed offshore rigs are visible at night. This year park is badly needed. “It’s the perfect opportunity for us to show how Ningaloo Marine Park and across the horizon their service vessels have been thundering up much we love the Top End’s coasts and seas, to service the oil and gas industry. and down the gulf as never before. how much we depend on them for our culture, Join us as we act now to defend Ningaloo’s This is one of those places, and one of those Stop Press livelihoods, lifestyle, peace and enjoyment, and nursery. A big mine is proposed upstream, with reasons. One of those lines in the sand we how strong our desire is to pass them on in associated industrial activities and pollution can’t afford to cross”. good health to the people who follow”. Defend Ningaloo’s Nursery threatening the marine park, including Read the Full Encounter water extraction and pollution, potential Lend your support Tell the WA and Commonwealth dredging, shipping and transhipping. governments that Ningaloo’s nursery Please read Tim’s full editorial from Take Action to protect the Top End Please support our alliance campaign needs protection, not industrialisation. the Guardian detailing his exciting from mining. to protect our northern marine spaces Visit www.protectningaloo.org.au to encounter with whales in the Exmouth Visit www.amcs.org.au/protectroper by visiting www.topendcoasts.org.au take action. Gulf www.amcs.org.au/timsningaloo

14 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 15 Turtle© AMCS © AMCS

Plastic Pollution Turning the tide on plastic pollution with thanks to you...

Australia 2020: On The Front Line Tackling Trending: Container Single-Use Plastic Plastic Free Seas Plan Plastic Pollution! Refund Schemes Revolution – A Hit!

As stewards of an incredible marine Jess and Claire (pictured) have been AMCS would like to congratulate the This summer natural heritage, Australia should be a tackling plastic pollution in their own lives, Queensland Government on their successful AMCS is taking world leader in stopping plastic pollution, reducing their plastic footprints down to Container Refund Scheme (CRS) launch in big action on but we are lagging behind other countries almost nothing! October 2018. AMCS is part of the Boomerang plastic pollution. to end our single-use plastic addiction. Passionate about the incredible marine Alliance, a group of NGOs campaigning for We launched Recently the European Parliament approved world on their back doorstep and wanting container deposit systems across Australia. our Single-Use a complete ban on a range of single-use to reduce their plastic footprint, they’ve Queensland now joins Northern Territory, Plastic Revolution plastics. The UK is set to ban all sales of been helping our AMCS Plastics team since South Australia, A.C.T. and New South Wales Action Pack, Plastic Free July last year, sharing their single-use plastics, including plastic straws as states who are committed to recycling. filled with helpful years of insights into how we can all play and cotton swabs, following their plastic bag Western Australia is due to launch their resources and our part to reduce our levels of plastics use. charges and ban on microbeads. scheme in early 2020. tools to help you AMCS supporters action pack © @Rina Based in Victoria, the duo has been attending It’s time for Australia to take effective Jimmy Cordwell, AMCS Marine Campaigner ditch single-use action – let’s demand government and hosting plastics events in Melbourne plastic. The action pack went to over 35,000 representing AMCS. They are looking forward said, “This is a great moment for our oceans, commitment to remove single use plastics with plastic beverage containers being one of supporters to encourage them to take action from our supply chain. to a big year in 2019 focusing on bringing a on plastic pollution! Cash For Containers scheme to the state. the major sources of plastic pollution in Australia. We need a national ban on single-use Jess and Claire said, “The best thing about Seeing this implemented is an important goal for This action pack is just the beginning. plastics, eliminating plastic cups, plates, both being so close and having a passion our wonderful marine world”. We are working on rolling out a winning straws and containers. We’re currently for our environment is the inspiration we plan to save Australia’s oceans from toxic seeking commitment from our leaders to receive from each other and the constant plastic pollution. It’s a powerful action plan, ban single use plastic by 2023. Did You Know? support about the actions we are taking to The South Australian scheme has been addressing all three parts of this toxic cycle - make the world a healthier happier place”. running since 1977. It is the oldest and personal choices, distribution by businesses, Take Action It’s great to have Jess and Claire on the front longest running container collection and the production of plastic. line and turning the tide on plastic pollution! program in Australia. It has resulted in an All we need to make it happen is you. Thank You! Sign our “Australia 2020: Plastic Free 80% return rate of containers. Seas” petition to demand clean and healthy oceans full of life. We’re calling The Good News on our government to commit to a Action Needed target of 70% reduction of plastic The global momentum for change this pollution entering our waterways and Victoria and Tasmania are lagging past year has been incredible. Record reaching our oceans by 2020 and to behind as the only states without plans for numbers took the plastic-free pledge a national phase-out of all single-use Container Deposit Schemes. Please join in July. Internationally, leaders have plastics by 2023. Please sign today! us and urge these states to take action pledged to ban single-use plastics. Now www.amcs.org.au/2020petition here www.amcs.org.au/fightplastic it’s time for Australia to play our part.

16 Turning The Tide 16 17 With Thanks to YOU 17 Turtle© AMCS at Lady Elliot Island @ DivePlanit www.diveplanit.com

Ocean Legacy Leaving a tribute for the future... Sea Guardians We can’t do it without you!

Legacy Gifts Sea Guardians Are Winners!

LeavingLast October, a bequest the world’s to Australia’s top climate oceans scientists is a gift Weyou cannot may consider allow any including new coal in mines, your letWill, Last year as a thank you for your amazing after your loved ones have been provided for. Your gift enables you to leave a legacy that released a report which urged the world alone Adani’s monstrous Carmichael coal support, we launched an exclusive Meet Our Youngest Guardian contributesto make urgent, to the deep type and of worldfar-reaching you want your grandchildren to live in. competition for AMCS Sea Guardians. At the tender age of 18 months, Rosanna mine, which would open the floodgates to Wecuts are to committedcarbon pollution to look if afterwe are our to planet avoid for the benefit of all those who follow in our footsteps. Congratulations: Collins is our youngest Sea Guardian. the Galilee Basin, one of the largest untapped When‘catastrophic you entrust climate a gift change’, to AMCS, including you can the be sure that we will continue working for our oceans Lady Elliot Island Prize Pack donated by Her loving parents Adrienne and Mark andloss ensure of the world’sa legacy coral of which reefs. you can be proud. coal reserves on earth. We have to phase out Diveplanit to the value of $3,019 was won by signed up Rosanna at birth so that she will grow up knowing she is making a IfThe you report are considering of the Intergovernmental a gift in your Will Panel please visitAustralia’s www.amcs.org.au/bequest coal fired power stations or call and move Paul Fairweather, a long term Sea Guardian. difference for our ocean wildlife. Emmaon Climate Morgan Change on 0409 (IPCC) 406 described 530 or email what [email protected]. Oris donated by Oris to the to 100% renewable energy by 2030. Her mum sent us this photo of Rosanna’s the world would look like if we reached a 2°C value of $2,900 was won by Peter King- first glimpse of a little penguin at Taronga degree rise. This report made global headlines Nor can we stop there. We need to transition to Church, a newly welcomed Sea Guardian. Zoo. The look on her face shows the joy and and shocked people around the world. a zero carbon economy as early as possible, by In memory of In memory of Five The Rocks Push Vouchers donated by The wonder of a child Incredibly, within hours of the report’s release, 2050 at the latest. Rocks Push to the value of $99.95 each was experiencing sea Mavisour Prime Joyce Minister dismissed the report, saying Joan Felicia won by Phillip Garrett, Thomas Brown, Kristy life for the first time. he was more worried about electricity prices. AMCS Reef Campaign Director Imogen Matthews Parnell Milovankic, Adam Corrigan and Brock Lyons Thanks to Sea Zethoven said, “We know our Great Barrier Reef WeBut would the science like to honour is clear. We would like to Auguste Clothing Voucher donated by Guardians like theCoral life andreef giftexpert of the and late AMCS advisor Dr Scott - thehonour world’s the largest life and and gift most Auguste to the value of $250 was won by Rosey, her next MavisHeron Joyce said, Matthews. “The world’s top climate scientists spectacularof the late Reef Joan -Felicia has suffered Dianne Carpenter. penguin sighting Mrshave Mathews spoken travelled and confirmed we are on a a lotParnell. and will suffer more. But we Samsonite 72 Hours DLX 55cm Spinner might be in the wild! extensivelytrajectory throughout to lose the Great Barrier Reef Joan was a Suitcase donated by Samsonite to the value cannot and will not give herunless life and we worked do better. as a The report shows at 2°C contributing member of $329 was won by Neal Collins up. We all share a moral lecturerwarming, in biological we would science. lose virtually After retiring, all the Mavis world’s of AMCS since 2006. Three Ocean Mantra necklaces donated by Become a Sea Guardian Today! tookcoral to reefswriting from to satisfy 2050 a onwards. deep artistic The urge. loss of She the obligationShe always to leave lived a by Ocean Mantra to the value of $60 each was went on to publish six books recounting her lifetime the ocean, which was a very important Great Barrier Reef and its marine life, not to legacy for future generations, but our current won by Anna Brockhurst, Bradley Jones and Sea Guardians are the lifeblood of our adventures.mention the more than 60,000 jobs it supports, part of her life. Throughout Joan’s life she Andrew Kennedy work. We receive very little government political leaders are blinded by their addiction Mavisis unfathomable. was a “greenie” long before it became was a committed conservationist and won Tim Winton Bookpack to the value of $130 funding - all the work we do to fight for an award for her contribution to Bushcare. our big blue backyard and vulnerable fashionable,The stark reality and firmly is that believed much ofthat the humans world’s are to fossil fuels”. was won by Glen Schneider. not the only important life-form on the planet. During Joan’s life she supported numerous marine animals is thanks to people like coral reefs, will be lost in the next 30 years As the custodian of the world’s largest AMCS Prize Packs to the value of $81 was you. Would you stand with us against You don’t need to have a lot to make a big AMCS campaigns, from protecting the even if we limit global warming to 1.5°C under coral reef, our federal government has a won by Adam Elliott and Jeremy White. mounting threats to our oceans? impact. Mavis is testament to this. She wanted Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef to creating the Paris Agreement. But in a 1.5°C world, we Thank you kindly to our amazing business Become an AMCS Sea Guardian today AMCS to continue our important work conserving responsibilitydugong sanctuaries. to do everything it can as fast as won’t lose them all”. supporters for helping us show our appreciation with an affordable monthly gift. our precious oceans for Australia’s marine Thank you Joan. Your legacy has put the To stay below 1.5°C, we must immediately possible to protect the Great Barrier Reef and to our amazing ocean loving supporters. Visit www.amcs.org.au/seaguardian wildlife, which we will honour with her legacy. wind in our sails. move away from coal and other fossil fuels. its extraordinary marine life.

18 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 19 © AMCS

Thank you for your support

The Australian Marine Conservation Society is the voice for Australia’s ocean wildlife. We have defended Australia’s oceans for over 50 years. Thank you for your help to ensure Australia’s coasts and oceans remain healthy and free for tomorrow’s generations.

Stay in touch @australianmarine @AustMarConsSoc @marineconservation.au Contact Us 07 3846 6777 marineconservation.org.au [email protected] PO Box 5815 West End QLD 4101

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