Australians have a love affair with our coastal and marine environment, reflected in our coastal settlement, our recreation, and arts and culture. But oceans and coasts are under increasing pressure from industrialisation, offshore mining, overfishing, and poorly planned development, all of which are exacerbated by climate change.
The Australian government made a number of commitments at the UN Oceans Conference, including ratifying the High Seas Treaty, joining a coalition on halting the extinction of sharks and ray, continuing efforts towards an ocean plastics treaty, and expanding ocean areas protected from fishing and mining to 30% by 2030
Countries failed to finalise a Global Plastics Treaty at talks in Busan, with high-ambition countries calling for limits on plastic production and oil-producing countries wanting a narrow focus on waste and recycling
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has ruled carbon dioxide is an ocean pollutant, following a referral from nine small climate-affected countries including Vanuatu and Tuvalu
Living Oceans, Neighbours of Fish Farms, éko, and the Bob Brown Foundation have lodged an ACCC complaint against Coles, Woolworths and Aldi for promoting salmon farmed in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour as ‘responsibly farmed’
What’s coming up?
October 2025 – TSSC report on listing decision for Maugean skate
November 2025 – ANAO review of DCCEEW’s management of the Australian Antarctic Program
What is the AEGN doing?
Updating members on policy changes and advocacy opportunities
Providing feedback to government on the review of Australia’s Strategy for Nature, draft Sustainable Ocean Plan, and new national environmental laws (see Submissions)
