What we do

Australia’s marine ecosystem faces myriad threats. These threats include global warming, overfishing, industrial coastal developments and pollution. If we can’t halt and reverse the unsustainable demands on our oceans, then our long-term well-being and prosperity are also threatened. As marine ecosystems decline, meeting the needs of a growing human population will become an even greater challenge.

On the Great Barrier Reef, farm pollution run-off is causing ocean acidification and contributing to extreme outbreaks of coral-eating crown of thorns starfish. This is making the Reef more susceptible to coral bleaching of the kind that occurred in the back-to-back events of 2016 and 2017.

Commercial gill nets on the northern Great Barrier Reef are putting one of the world’s largest populations of dugongs, as well as other vulnerable marine wildlife, in danger. These deadly nets entangle vulnerable animals and often, by the time they’re spotted, it’s too late.

The Coral Sea is facing the largest protected area downgrading in the world. These cuts will expose an already susceptible marine ecosystem to large-scale industrial fishing and trawling – affecting the health of the Coral Sea and its neighbouring Great Barrier Reef.

In the Kimberley, areas never before protected are finally being considered for marine parks, but zonings and boundaries are questionable.

The Coral Triangle and the 120 million people living there are at risk from overfishing and unsustainable resource use.

In Antarctica, our delay in tackling dangerous climate change is threatening this wilderness stronghold. It’s a crucial feeding ground for many species of whale, however growing pressure from industrial krill fishing is putting them in jeopardy.