Oceans '11: Our best chance for ocean protection

Turbo the Flatback Turtle Hatchling. Credit Hannah Seaward

Australians love our unique marine environments. That's not surprising, given so many of us live just a short distance from the ocean.

We have one of the world’s longest coastlines and our island nation borders three oceans – the Pacific, Indian and Southern.

Our Northern waters are incredibly diverse, stretching from the Kimberley to Cape York. They include tidal estuaries, beautiful beaches, dune systems, sea grass beds, coral reefs and mangrove forests.

These varied habitats are home to an extraordinary array of marine life, much of it found nowhere else in the world. Flatback Turtles, Dugongs, Australian Snubfin Dolphins all live in our Northern waters, as well as the world’s largest population of humpback whales that spend the Southern hemisphere winter sheltering in the Kimberley.

Still threatened

But our Northern waters aren’t protected and the unique marine life that abounds in them is threatened by over fishing, oil and gas exploration and inappropriate development. Right now, Environment Minister Tony Burke is deciding which areas of our Northern waters will be protected.

We need to send a strong message that we expect these unique and amazing habitats to be protected in a network of large marine sanctuaries. Our Northern waters need your help. Send your message today.

Take Action

Sign our online petition to Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke today - Support the protection of the Flatback Turtle, Dugong and the Australian Snubfin Dolphin.