2013: Fight for the Reef campaign launched to protect the Great Barrier Reef from rapid industrialisation. Secured a $40M commitment from the federal government to fund the Reef’s restoration. Launched The Good Fish Project – Australia’s first sustainable seafood initiative for chefs to serve better fish to their customers. Funded equipment for wildlife carers to rescue and treat injured sea turtles and seabirds from plastic pollution. Launched our ‘shark fin free cities’ campaign.
2014: Fight for the Reef becomes Australia’s largest conservation campaign, attracting hundreds of thousands of supporters. NT government issues a moratorium on seabed mining. Our rapid, passionately supported campaign defended Moreton Bay Marine Park’s sanctuaries from being wound back. Launched Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide for all smartphones. Defended NSW santuaries against moves to bring fishing back (though the battle isn’t over). Japanese Government’s Antarctic whaling program defeated in the International Court of Justice. AMCS and our Director fought long and hard for the Australian Government to take Japan to court, and the case prevailed! AMCS turns 50! Fight for the Reef campaign is bigger than ever and making real gains, wtih investors pulling out of port developments, Caley Valley wetlands saved from dredge spoil dumping, a ban on dumping in World Heritage waters and more.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef ecosystem on our blue planet, representing about 10% of all the world’s coral reefs. It is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is dearly loved by locals and visitors alike. Spanning 2,300km along the Queensland coast, the Great Barrier Reef’s 3,000 coral reef systems contain a huge diversity of marine plants and animals, such as sea turtles, reef fish, sharks, hard and soft corals and migrating whales. It supports a $6 billion tourism industry, recreational and commercial fishing and represents a unique way of life for coastal communities along the Reef coast. But all this is under threat from plans for unprecedented expansion of the coal industry and its associated infrastructure. Queensland’s 40 new port, rail and mine developments are too much, too quickly for a reef already under pressure. There are proposals for six mega-port developments and an explosion of ship movements to one-an-hour along a coal superhighway through the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Our World Heritage Reef is already under pressure. If we don’t act now, we risk making mistakes that could last for generations. Visit the Fight for the Reef website and sign up today to help save the Reef!
AMCS has a long, proud history of fighting for the Great Barrier Reef. We played a critical role in establishing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area. We’re still there every step of the way asking the Queensland and Australian Governments to make decisions in the best interest of the Reef and its communities, rather than cosy deals with the mining companies and big developers. The future of the Reef hangs in the balance. Big decisions are being made that will have a lasting impact and ultimately determine if our Reef survives and thrives. Sign up to show your support and receive updates from the campaign. Banner image: Anemone fish by Troy Mayne, Oceanic Imagery.