• 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 (will this include the Maugean Skate?), continuing efforts towards an ocean plastics treaty, and expanding ocean areas protected from fishing and mining to 30% by 2030 (find out more at our update webinar on 23 July)
• The Queensland government has released new shark management guidelines providing for more shark nets, drumlines, and use of drones
• DCCEEW is consulting on regulations for the offshore sequestration of domestically sourced CO₂ under the Sea Dumping Act.
• The Federal government rushed through legislation to protect salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour and limit third party rights to request reconsideration of decisions. Meanwhile, the Threatened Species Committee is continuing to assess the proposed uplisting of the Maugean skate
• 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
• DCCEEW is reviewing the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 to identify potential reforms to better support a circular economy
• The 2024 Reef Trust Water Quality Achievements Report outlines projects reducing run-off into the Great Barrier Reef
• The Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2024 rates the outlook for ecosystem health as ‘very poor’, and urges the government to act quickly to address the “rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a positive future”. The Outlook Report follows an earlier Scientific Consensus Statement confirming that land management practices in Reef catchments continue to impact water quality, and that these impacts exacerbate climate change impacts (which remain the biggest threat). The statement calls for more investment in research, monitoring and reporting, adopting locally-effective and collaborative solutions, and scaling up remediation actions.
• The Environment Minister has asked the Productivity Commission to conduct an inquiry into the opportunities for Australia to adopt a circular economy
• The Resources Minister has granted exploration permits for a range of new offshore gas exploration (including Esso and Beach Energy in the Otway and Sorrell Basins, and Chevron, INPEX, Melbana and Woodside Energy in WA), and new permits for carbon capture and storage projects
• The Federal government has released an offshore decommissioning roadmap, following earlier concerns about Esso’s plans to leave decaying offshore oil and gas infrastructure in the Bass Strait
• UNESCO determined that the Great Barrier Reef not be included in the World Heritage ‘in danger’ list
• 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’

• 12 September 2025 – Regulation of offshore carbon capture and storage (DCCEEW)
• October 2025 – TSSC report on listing decision for Maugean skate
• Mid-late 2025 – final Sustainable Oceans Plan released

• 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)
• Hosting an Oceans update
• Supporting members to advocate for protection of Macquarie Harbour

• Use the Nature Funding Framework to inform funding decisions
• Watch Southern Blast, Surfrider’s celebration of the Southern Ocean coastlines and the landscapes, marine species and local communities they support
• Work to counter disinformation regarding the impact of offshore wind developments
• Join investor advocacy campaigns calling on supermarkets not to stock unsustainably farmed salmon
• Only purchase sustainably harvested seafood
• Contact the Program Manager – Nature to discuss funding and collaboration options
  
  Current Clearinghouse projects:
  • Core funding for Divers for Climate (Divers for Climate)
  • Indigenous Kelp Stewardship (Kelp Forest Alliance)
  • Great Reef Census (Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef)
  • Save the Skate (Environment Tasmania)
  • Forever Reef Project (Great Barrier Reef Legacy)

• DCCEEW Sustainable Oceans website
• Salmon Farming Data Portal
• Australian Sustainable Seafood Guide
• IUCN Issues Brief – Marine Plastic Pollution
• Commonwealth Marine Reserves
• Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2024 (GBRMPA)
• Labor’s First Extinction: Maugean Skate (Richard Flanagan, The Monthly)

Organisations working on this issue 

Useful government contacts