CREDITS&CONTACTS From the DIRECTOR OUT OF THE BLUE 4 Australian Marine Conservation Society PO Box 5815 Darren Kindleysides WEST END QLD 4101 TAKING THE FIGHT TO INDIA 6 Ph: (07) 3846 6777 Fax: (07) 3846 6788 Email: [email protected] SAVING OUR SANCTUARIES 8 www.marineconservation.org.au BROKEN RECORDS Patron Tim Winton and stuck records CHANGING CLIMATE 10 AMCS Management Committee President: Nick Heath We’re breaking records. We’re even breaking Secretary: Mary-Ann Pattison DOLPHINS, SEALS AND TRAWLERS 13 Treasurer: Rowan Wallace records for breaking records. General Member: Craig McGovern As we emerge from Australia’s angry summer, research by the Climate General Member: Margaret Harlow Council has found that Australia’s recent extreme weather set more than CREATURE FEATURE 14 General Member: David Hincks 200 records in just 90 days. We were hotter for longer. In some places we General Member: Dr Jill StJohn were a lot wetter too. General Member: Alison Johnson CONTENTS LEAVING A LEGACY 15 General Member: Richard Leck Angry summers seem to be becoming the norm. What we need is some General Member: Dr David Neil anger management. But while we know what that entails, few politicians AMCS Staff seem prepared to do what it takes as fast as it will take to curtail our Director: Darren Kindleysides contribution to global climate change. Great Barrier Reef Campaigners: Imogen As has been said a lot over the past year, the abnormal is becoming the Zethoven, AO (Director), Cherry Muddle, new normal. And so it seems to be the case with our climate, with our Dr Lissa Schindler, Shannon Hurley, Sandra environment. Climate change is driving hotter, longer and more frequent Williams, Tony Fontes, David Cazzulino. Fisheries Campaign Manager: Tooni Mahto heatwaves above and below the waves. Fisheries Campaigner: Josh Coates Last year’s unprecedented mass bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef was Marine Campaign Manager: Adele Pedder jaw dropping. But this year, once again, our Reef is in the grip of a bleaching Marine Campaigners: James Cordwell, event. Back to back years of mass coral bleaching was something scientists Adrian Meder, Fiona McCuaig predicted wouldn’t happen for at least 30 years. It was something we hoped 6 10 14 Communications Manager: Ingrid Neilson 8 would never happen. We can’t let this become the new normal. Digital Communications: Shane Cucow Fundraising Officer: Jacinta McLennan We know what is needed to save our Reef. A twin track approach where Introducing our new PRESIDENT, Nick Heath Relationships Specialist: Emma Morgan we urgently cut emissions to limit warming of the Reef’s waters and reduce Operations Manager: Kellie Ireland the pressures on the Reef like poor water quality that limits its resilience to Hello wonderful people. Every It’s a big ask, but we are so much better, And yet on the back of our Holden station Operations Coordinator: Loretta Ranieri warmer waters. And we’re working on it. person who has arrived at this so much stronger, together. wagon in 1974 was the sticker ‘SAVE THE Supporter Services: Renee Weidenhofer page has something shared. BARRIER REEF’. & Julie Lazbin We also know what isn’t needed. Establishing one of the world’s largest I’m new here. This is my first column Finance Officer: Tina Dalby coal mines inland of the Reef would dramatically accelerate global warming I believe it’s a passion for salt water, as President after being on the edges We need to do that now, more than ever. and for the treasures living around it and of AMCS for two decades, as a Sea and the death of yet more corals. At a time when many nations are rapidly Devastating reef bleaching and mangrove TTT Coordinator below. A concern that without our collective Guardian, an advocacy partner inside transitioning away from fossil fuels towards renewables, at a time when dieback, continued risk to fish stocks and Ingrid Neilson advocacy, our marine environment will be and outside of government, a friend of the the Reef is in the midst of another bleaching crisis, state and federal impaired coastal productivity represents diminished. A belief that we can and must founders and of past and current staff. I’ve Cover Photograph governments continue to live as if on another planet, aggressively supporting greater cumulative marine pressure than make a difference to ensure this doesn’t known for a long time how good AMCS Green Turtle by Justin Bruhn the project. The proposed Carmichael coal mine must be the line in the sand. ever before. While all these problems have happen on our watch. is. How important it is. And so, it is an www.pureunderwaterimaging.com solutions - viable, affordable and compelling I was asked recently what the greatest threat to our oceans is. It isn’t climate And yes, you deserve a shared feeling of incredible honour to be part of this. Graphic Designer solutions - the political environment is so change. Nor is it plastic pollution or overfishing for that matter. The greatest hard-won pride about the difference AMCS Jackie Stone, Jacstar Design I want to acknowledge my predecessor, currently distorted by post-truth agendas threat is inaction. has already made – the gifts we have Craig McGovern, whose Presidency these that it is too feeble to make these solutions Paper collectively given to Australia. The debate around Australia’s energy future has become a stuck record. past seven years has steered the ship a reality without our voices. Printed on Recycled paper, FSC Mixed magnificently, growing the organisation’s But words aren’t action and circular arguments aren’t progress. Until our Thank you for standing up for our oceans. Which is why we need you and AMCS, Sources Certified capacity in all facets. Thank you Craig. politicians change tack our weather will keep on breaking records. And that’s Somehow, we must find ways to keep standing up again, sharing your passion Printer What a gift you have given. no good for the Reef or you and I. standing up, coming together, renewing and ideas online, in letters to our leaders, Enviroprint Australia our passion, enriching our shared I grew up on the Great Barrier Reef. in your vote and with your communities The views and opinions expressed in this publication are Public concern is the antidote to political inaction and that is why I have hope. insights about brokering change and then My dad was a fisher, and then a dive of influence. not necessarily those of the Australian Marine Conservation Over my eight years with AMCS I’ve seen the power of people, the power of advocating compelling solutions to our boat captain. A survivor of the Great Society Inc. All written material contained in ‘Turning the Thank you, Tide’ may be reprinted. Reprinted material must include the you – whose love of our oceans and natural world will change the track our communities, our media, our industries and Depression, hard-core National Party voter, name of author (s) and be credited to the AMCS ‘Turning the Tide’ publication. decision makers are on. Thank you for all that you do. ultimately, our political leaders. and despite his many gifts, not a ‘greenie’. Nick Australian Marine Conservation Society 3 out of the BLUE NEWS from around our shores Check us out on twitter for live OUT OF THE BLUE updates & news: @AustMarConsSoc News from around our shores Oceans of Rob Stewart and Imogen Zethoven during 2015 Shark PLASTIC Weekend in the Caribbean. Plastic pollution - it’s the silent killer lurking in our oceans. You’d be hard pressed to find a beach, bay or ocean anywhere around the country that has Australians want solar NOT COAL escaped it. AMCS supporters are championing the National Poll shows turning of the tide for plastic pollution, Australians want Adani to including thousands of Queensland invest in solar, not coal. supporters recently contacting In the middle of the second year the Queensland Government with of severe bleaching on our Great submissions to ensure a strong ban Barrier Reef, the Queensland on plastic bags and the introduction of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Vale a cash for containers scheme. Public eight regional mayors travelled to pressure continues to rise for all state India to petition the Adani leadership Shark Defender STOP ADANI: and territory governments still yet to to press go on the Reef-wrecking ROB STEWART A history changing movement begins follow the positive, pollution reducing Carmichael mine. “This is the environmental issue of our times. steps being taken around the country. During their trip, AMCS commissioned some national polling In April 2015, I had the great privilege of spending a few days on the The Adani corporation’s dirty coal mine is an Massive thanks to all of our supporters Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean with Rob Stewart. At the impending disaster with effects which will reach on Australians’ views on investment 10 (72.1%) people polled wanted that made a submission, and who time, I was the director of a global shark conservation campaign at far beyond Australia,” said Bob Brown recently. in solar versus coal. The results are to see the Premier and regional continue to make the commitment to a The Pew Charitable Trusts, we were working in T&C, it was Shark not that surprising. Mayors pursue investment in Weekend on the islands and there was no one better to invite than The biggest movement in Australia’s future free from plastic pollution. solar, compared to just 14.6% who Rob Stewart. Rob’s passion for sharks ran deep and he had a gift for environmental history has begun, with the official Nearly two thirds (63%) of preferred coal.