The numbers, revealed in a new Greenpeace report, Cooking the Climate and Wrecking the Reef, are the first time the full greenhouse impact of the proposed mines has been quantified.  The release comes against a backdrop of Arctic sea ice melt that has just smashed all previous records.

Greenpeace CEO, David Ritter says the scale of the planned mining operations in the Galilee Basin has global implications.

“All the numbers are heading in the wrong direction,” said Ritter. “As the Arctic ice melt plunges new depths, Australia’s coal exports are preparing to soar to new heights – the two are not unrelated.”

“Australia has committed to the aim of keeping global warming under the critical threshold of 2 degrees, exploiting the Galilee makes a mockery of that commitment.”

Australia has begun the process of approving up to nine new mega mines. If these mines proceed the emissions from burning the coal would be over 700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year. If the Galilee was a country it would be the seventh biggest emitter of carbon dioxide pollution from fossil fuels in the world.

“We mustn’t be fooled into thinking the slowing coal boom will solve this problem,” said Ritter. “It may re-calibrate the timetable, but the approvals are all still sailing through.”

These mines will also exact a terrible cost on farms, water supplies and coastal communities and would also put one of the world’s greatest natural treasures – Australia’s Great Barrier Reef – under very serious threat as it becomes the world’s great coal superhighway.

Greenpeace is calling for a halt to the massive proposed expansion of coal mining and export infrastructure across Queensland.
 
“On August 25th the world witnessed the biggest Arctic ice melt in summer since records were kept,” said Ritter. “Since then the melt has continued, time is no longer on our side.”
 
“Whether the Galilee coal resource is exploited will shape the future for our children and our grandchildren. It is not good enough for the government of the day to hide behind the drug dealer’s defence that: ‘I just sell the stuff, what others do with it is their own business,” Ritter declared.
 
Greenpeace has also today released an animated video about the coal export industry. The report can be downloaded HERE.
 
For further information contact
Julie Macken, media officer: 0400 925 217
 
Notes:
(1)    Greenpeace’s ship the Arctic Sunrise is currently in the Arctic on the edge of the summer sea ice melt, hosting scientists from the National Snow and Ice Data Centre.
(2)    [1] For a full briefing on sea ice loss in the Arctic visit click here

Greenpeace has escalated its campaign against Korea's leading canned tuna brand for its unsustainable fishing policies. Just last week, Greenpeace protested at Dongwon's headquarters in Seoul.

Dongwon, which has more than a 50 percent market share of canned tuna in South Korea, also owns the biggest purse seine fishing fleet in the country – with 16 purse seine vessels in total.

MV Granada is part of Dongwon's Pacific fleet, which uses fish aggregating devices (FADs), a fishing method that causes high levels of bycatch of sharks, rays, turtles, whales and juvenile tuna. 

More than half of the company's tuna catch is destined for western markets, including the US. The company’s fishing targets include yellowfin and bigeye tuna, two species that are designated as near threatened and vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Because of this, Dongwon is listed at the bottom of Greenpeace's canned tuna ranking in Korea (1).

"Dongwon can choose to lead the Korean fishing industry in sustainable fishing, or will continue to be Korea’s number one tuna destroyer. The Korean public deserves to know that their most famous tuna brand is emptying the Pacific of tuna and needlessly killing other ocean life," said Yuen Ping Chow, Greenpeace East Asia Senior Oceans Campaigner.

Five out of eight tuna species are already in trouble due to overfishing and the widespread catching of juvenile tuna, which does not allow stocks to recover. Despite declining tuna populations, the number of vessels fishing for tuna is still increasing.

Korea currently ranks second globally in terms of distant water tuna catch (2). The South Korean government has been accused of undermining global efforts aimed at protecting the oceans in order to prop up its fishing industry.

The government has also earmarked funds for the tuna industry to build new fishing vessels, ignoring scientific advice calling for a global reduction in fishing fleets.

"The Korean fishing industry must support conservation efforts if they want to continue harvesting profits from commercial fisheries. Companies like Dongwon should support government policies to better manage our oceans and reduce fishing capacities. Instead, it is just fishing itself toward extinction," Yuen Ping added.

The Greenpeace ship MV Esperanza, is currently on its Ocean Defenders Tour in South Korea to raise awareness about the negative impacts of overfishing on our oceans.

Greenpeace is campaigning for better fishery management to end overfishing and to create a global network of marine reserves covering 40% of the world’s oceans, both necessary steps to help restore our oceans to health and to maintain living oceans with ample fish for future generations.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Yuen Ping Chow, Greenpeace East Asia Senior Oceans Campaigner, +82 (0)10 8693 1986
Arthur Dionio, Greenpeace International Communications, +66814451398
Steve Smith, Greenpeace International communications, +31643787359
James Lorenz, Communications Manager, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, +61 400 376 021

NOTES

1)  Greenpeace canned tuna ranking in Korea http://www.greenpeace.org/korea/news/publications/2012/1/hidden-secret-of-canned-tuna/
2) "Riding A Wave of Fishlation - Tong Yang Research, Tong Yang Securities Inc.
March 2011".

The industry is reportedly seeking money from Japan’s 'Profitable Fisheries Support Fund' to prop up its 'scientific' whaling programme, despite separate reports earlier this year that indicated three quarters of the whales caught by the fleet near Japan went unsold at auction.

“The market for whale meat has all but disappeared. Every year this industry sinks further into unmanageable debt and the mountain of whale meat in frozen storage increases. As reports emerge that the main factory ship may stay home, we repeat our call for an end to this senseless hunt,” said Junichi Sato, Greenpeace Japan Executive Director.

“The whaling industry has already stolen taxpayer’s money from the Fukushima recovery effort (1), and is making increasingly desperate attempts to gain government subsidies to literally stay afloat,” added
Sato. “This shameful industry remains among the worst examples of waste, made even more outrageous by the desperate need for funds for the post-Fukushima recovery.”

“Continuing a Southern Ocean whaling program would only be a black hole for public money and perpetuate a black mark on Japan’s international reputation. The Japanese government can and must allow this industry to disappear into history – where it belongs.”

Reports in Japan indicate that this year's whaling season could be suspended because of the poor condition of the fleet's aging factory ship and that taxpayer money is being sought to repair the ship,
Nisshin Maru.

In response, Greenpeace and the Dolphin & Whale Action Network point out that although Japan’s whalers argue that they are involved in a non-commercial, scientific hunt, they are reportedly seeking funding intended to support profitable fisheries.

Both groups demand that the Japanese government stop all subsidies to the whaling industry and focus on the recovery and development of sustainable fisheries in East Japan following the tragic March 2011
earthquake, tsunami and resulting nuclear disaster.

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment, and to promote peace.

NOTES:

1) Greenpeace Condemns Japanese Government's Whaling Subsidy Increase: http://bit.ly/rR4rwb

Greenpeace Japan and IKAN letter to the Fisheries Agency of Japan and the Japanese Government (Japanese): http://www.greenpeace.org/japan/Global/japan/pdf/20120926.pdf

Contacts:

Elsa Evers, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, 0438 204 041

Greg McNevin, Greenpeace International Communications, greg.mcnevin@greenpeace.org, +81 80 5416 6507

Yuki Sekimoto, Greenpeace Japan Communications, yuki.sekimoto@greenpeace.org, +81 80 5088 3048

Steve Smith, Greenpeace International Communications Steve.smith@greenpeace.org, +31 643 787 359

Greenpeace International Press Desk Hotline, Amsterdam +31 20 7182470

“This is alarming new evidence that decisive action is needed to save the Great Barrier Reef,” said Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaigner Georgina Woods.

The study released today by the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS) reports that coral cover on the reef has halved to just 14% over the last 27 years. The rate of loss has increased recently and AIMS predict that as little as 10-5% of the reef may be covered in a decade time. The study shows that the Reef’s ill-health is caused by three factors: tropical cyclones and coral bleaching, which will worsen as ocean temperatures warm, and outbreaks of crown of thorn starfish, fed by water pollution.   

“The Reef is in peril, but Australia has yet to respond to a World Heritage Committee decision requesting we not approve any more development that will impact on its Outstanding Universal Value,” said Ms Woods. “If Australia really wants to get tough on coral bleaching, we have to do more to cut climate pollution by cutting our coal exports.”

In June, the World Heritage Committee asked the government to report back early next year on what is being done to protect the international icon, requesting that damaging coastal development not be permitted.

There are currently proposals for up to nine new coal export terminals to be built along the Great Barrier Reef coast, and adding more coal to the world market and more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

 “It is easy for politicians to stand up and declare their love for the Reef. It’s much harder to match that sentiment with tough action that will really make a difference to the Reef’s future.

“So far, Australian Environment Minister Tony Burke has talked eloquently about his concern for the Reef, but his actions haven’t matched his words,” said Woods. “He has approved a new coal mine and railway that will impact the World Heritage Area, and may very soon approve the first of several large new coal ports for the Reef coast. “

“We will judge the contribution of current Australian Governments to protecting the Great Barrier Reef on their willingness to take decisive action to avert very clear and present threats to its future.”

For further comment contact: Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaigner Georgina Woods 0437 405 932

T3, owned by Hancock/ GVK will, at full capacity, will be able to process 60 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of coal, will generate hundreds of extra ship movements through the Reef every year and will necessitate 3 million cubic metres of dredging. This coal port will be built alongside turtle nesting sites and dugong feeding grounds.

“Despite the Minister’s attempts to portray this as in line with UNESCO’s decision, the World Heritage Committee was very clear that neither Tony Burke nor Campbell Newman should approve any further developments that threaten the World Heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef,” said Georgina Woods, Greenpeace Campaigner. “No one can seriously argue the creation of a 60 mtpa coal port that will generate hundreds of extra ship movements through the Reef will have devastating impacts on its World Heritage values.”

Yesterday, Greenpeace revealed that Right to Information documents had made it clear the Minster gave his approval based on documents that did not include threatened species that are known to be in the wetlands under threat.

Nevertheless, despite his legal obligations to comply with the EPBC Act, the Minister has stood by his decision saying:  “The conditions I have set manage impacts on listed threatened species, as well as impacts on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the marine area.”

“How can the Minister expect to be taken seriously if his conditions for management of listed threatened species is based on information that did not even include the large number of endangered species that are known to call the wetland home,”

"This is a test of Tony Burke's rhetoric as a champion of the Great Barrier Reef. We think there are strong grounds for the Minister to revoke this decision, given the new information that has come to light in the last 24 hours," concluded Woods.

For further information contact:

Julie Macken, Media Officer: 0400 925 217

Georgina Woods, Senior Climate Campaigner: 0437 405 932

 “Australians love tuna, but would be horrified if they knew the real cost of John West,” said Greenpeace Ocean Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle. “10% of John West’s tuna catch is made up of other marine life. These sea creatures are killed because the company continues to use outdated and destructive fishing methods.”

250 million cans are sold in Australia every year and decisions taken by the big brands have a major impact on our oceans. As the biggest seller, John West has the biggest impact.

Greenpeace is demanding John West commit to stop using ‘fish aggregating devices' (FADs). Fishing with FADs and giant nets is indiscriminate - at least 10% of each haul is 'bycatch,' such as baby tuna, sharks and turtles. This rate is ten times higher than nets set without FADs.

Bycatch from John West would be enough to fill 10 million tuna cans every year

 “Australian brand Safcol has already switched to sustainable methods. Other major brands, Greenseas and Sirena, are following suit, but John West has refused,” said Pelle. “In the UK, all tuna brands including John West have already committed to make the change. The Australian tuna industry should be embarrassed to be lagging so far behind the UK.”

As part of the national campaign, Greenpeace has launched its new 4^th Canned Tuna Guide, which helps consumers make an informed choice about which can to put in their shopping basket.

“Consumers want sustainable seafood,” said Pelle. “Thousands of Australians have written to their favourite brands and the pressure has resulted in major changes in the market. But while there are now more options than ever before, John West is dragging its feet.”

Greenpeace is campaigning globally to ban the destructive use of FAD fishing.

For interviews, images or more information, contact:

Greenpeace Media Advisor: Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041, elsa.evers@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace Communications Manager: James Lorenz, 0400 376 021, james.lorenz@greenpeace.org

Footage and Images are available at:

http://www.greenpeacemedia.org

username: photos

password: green

Monday, 22 October, 2012, Sydney: Greenpeace today launched a ‘horror spoof’ of the John West ‘reveal ad’, lifting the lid on the company’s destructive fishing methods.

“Australians love tuna, but people are horrified when the real cost of John West’s tuna is revealed,” said Greenpeace Ocean Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle. “10% of John West’s catch is made up of endangered sharks, baby tuna and turtles,” said Pelle. “These marine creatures are killed because the company continues to use outdated and destructive fishing methods.”

As BWM Lead Creative, Ant Shannon, admitted in the launch media release, “the success of John West has been largely built on the mythology of their selection process.”

“BWM is absolutely right,” said Pelle, “John West’s selection policy has to be based on mythology, because when Australians know the truth about what died for a can of their tuna, they’ll put another brand in their shopping trolley. Our spoof shows the reality of their destructive fishing and will help people to make more sustainable choices.”

The spoof ad includes footage showing the needless and sometimes gruesome capture and killing of sea creatures caught by fish aggregating devices (FAD) and hauled aboard industrial tuna fishing vessels.  Fishing with FADs and giant nets is indiscriminate - at least 10% of each haul is 'bycatch,' such as baby tuna, sharks and turtles.

“Australian brand Safcol has already switched to sustainable methods. Other major brands, Greenseas and Sirena, are following suit, but John West has refused to change,” said Pelle. “In the UK, all tuna brands, including John West, committed long ago, at very little extra cost to the consumer.” [1] [2]  

The spoof is part of a broader global Greenpeace campaign globally to end destructive fishing.

#RejectJohnWest spoof video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paAhwKBLvOE

#RejectJohnWest website: http://bit.ly/rejectjohnwest

For interviews, images or more information, contact:

Greenpeace Media Manager James Lorenz, 0400 376 021

[2] John West is the leading tuna brand in Australia. According to Aztec Australia data of retail sales in the year to 26^th August 2012, John West  sold approximately 8,000 -9,000 thousand tonnes of tuna.

Tuna is Australia's favourite seafood product, with over 250 million cans sold every year. Yet few people know that some of our best loved brands continue to use fishing methods which unnecessarily kill thousands of tonnes of sharks, manta rays, turtles and baby tuna - known as by-catch - every year.
 
This year’s Guide is topped once again by Fish4Ever and Safcol, while Sirena and Greenseas have made important sustainability commitments in the past 12 months. Woolworths, Coles and Sole Mare languish at the bottom, while the biggest seller in the country, John West, remains hooked on destructive fishing practices.
 
Celebrity wellness adviser and acclaimed author, Sarah Wilson, is supporting the Greenpeace campaign.
 
“Australians really care about our ocean and marine life and we want to do everything we can to do the right thing by them,” said Wilson. “With so much choice available, this guide really helps the consumer separate the green from the greenwash.”
 
Since the guide was first launched in 2009, tens of thousands of Australians have written to their favourite brands demanding they change their tuna. Greenpeace’s main ask is for brands to commit to ending the wasteful fishing method known as 'fish aggregating device (FADs).

Fishing with FADs set on giant nets is indiscriminate - at least 10% of each haul is 'bycatch,' such as baby tuna, rays, sharks and turtles.
 
“Brands all over the world have made the change,” said Greenpeace Ocean Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle. “We hope this year, major Australian brands such as John West do the same.”

The Greenpeace Canned Tuna Guide is available at: www.greenpeace.org.au/tuna
 
For further comment contact
 
For interviews, images or more information, contact:
Greenpeace Media Manager James Lorenz, 0400 376 021

“Anyone outside Australia or New Zealand is being blocked from seeing the John West Australia page,” said Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle.

“John West’s green veneer is washing off and they’ve replaced it with a blackout,” he said.

"John West doesn’t even get their fish from Australia; its tuna comes from the world’s largest tuna fishery in the Pacific. Yet Pacific Islanders aren’t even allowed to express their opinions to John West. The way John West fishes is a global problem, not just Australia’s,” said Pacific-based Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner, Duncan Williams.

“It is an insult that John West think Pacific Islanders like myself shouldn’t have a say in how they fish when they are plundering our fishery,” said Williams.

John West uses destructive ‘fish aggregating devices' (FADs). Fishing with FADs and giant nets results in 10% ‘bycatch’ in every haul, including sharks, baby tuna, rays and turtles. This rate is ten times higher than nets set without FADs and Greenpeace is demanding that John West commit to FAD-free fishing in line with other major Australian brands Greenseas, Safcol and Sirena.

John West responded to outrage over their fishing methods yesterday with a statement saying the company would research ways to make FADs sustainable.

“John West’s response to customer’s demands is absurd. Apparently, the company will keep fishing with destructive FADs until some as yet unidentified solution appears.  That’s like a tobacco company encouraging smoking because they’re working on a cure for cancer,” said Pelle.

Last year in the Western Central Pacific Ocean FAD use was at a record high. 

“Vague commitments to non-existent future technologies are no excuse for inaction when the problem of FADs is getting worse today,” said Pelle.

Greenpeace is campaigning globally to ban the destructive use of FAD fishing.

For more information, go to: www.rejectjohnwest.com

For interviews or images, contact:

Greenpeace Media Advisor: Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041, elsa.evers@greenpeace.org

Footage and Images are available at:

http://www.greenpeacemedia.org

username: photos, password: green

The Cumulative Impact Assessment of three proposed new coal terminals at Abbot Point, their rail lines and dredging has been released.

The Assessment, produced for the companies building the coal terminals, does not deny that the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area will be impacted by their developments, but claims that impacts on marine turtles, humpback whales, threatened species and an internationally significant wetland can be "managed."

"Australia is dismantling an outstanding natural masterpiece at the behest of the coal industry, and it has to stop,” said Greenpeace climate campaigner, Georgina Woods. “This assessment makes it clear the coal industry seriously considers the Great Barrier Reef as the next sacrifice zone in their business agenda and Queenslanders will never accept that.”

"If you look at a painting of water lilies by Monet up close, you could find a square inch that didn’t look particularly spectacular. You could say to yourself, this is just a grey splodge, it’s not a unique expression of the beauty of this masterpiece… but if you cut out that square inch with a knife, if you smear tomato sauce on it, you realise too late your mistake, and you have ruinedsomething of great beauty and value, that you can never repair."

“Australians must rally to protect this beautiful natural masterpiece because it is clear that neither the Federal nor State government will,” concluded Woods.

Greenpeace Campaigner, Georgina Woods: 0437 405 932

Greenpeace Media Officer, Julie Macken: 0400 925 217

The new ninja-style game, launched this week in Sydney and Melbourne, has been created to highlight the destructive fishing methods of Australia’s biggest tuna brand, John West.
The challenge: Can you wipe out more marine life than John West?
 
“You have to slaughter more rays, sharks, tropical fish and turtles than John West do every year. And believe me, it’s tough; John West use an incredibly indiscriminate fishing method. 10% of everything they catch is needless bycatch including sharks, rays, baby tuna and turtles,” said Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner, Nathaniel Pelle.
 
“This game really puts your marine life slaughter skills to the test,” said Greenpeace web developer and gaming fanatic Manuel Perez. “You feel a bit wrong playing it, but it’s very addictive.”
 
As well as the free Facebook app version of the game, Greenpeace has turned Ocean Apocalypse into a retro arcade game to travel around Australia.
 
“We wanted to give everyone a simulated experience of life as a John West fisherman,” said Pelle. “Now you can cut out the can and go straight to the carnage.”
 
Special Features:

• Axes, multi-blades, slashing
• "Rage Mode"
• Successful players win a can of John West tuna which pops out the bottom of the arcade console.

Online version of Ocean Apocalypse: https://www.facebook.com/appcenter/ocean-apocalypse

Video of punters playing arcade game: http://youtu.be/IgisnyGAvYY

‘Reject John West’ petition: www.rejectjohnwest.com
 
For interviews or more information, contact: Greenpeace Communications Manager, James Lorenz, 0400 376 021, james.lorenz@greenpeace.org

Independent Outdoor Media (IOM) confirmed the Greenpeace ‘Reject John West’ campaign was cut short yesterday following ‘commercial pressure’ but would not be drawn on the exact nature.
 
Greenpeace had paid for a billboard reading ‘John West Killer Deal – RejectJohnWest.com’ to be erected for 4 weeks just near the John West headquarters in Melbourne. Having been in place for just 7 days, the billboard was removed late yesterday.
 
“Given the focus of the campaign and the proximity of the billboard, Greenpeace is calling on John West's owner, Simplot, to clarify whether it, or any of its commercial partners, exerted pressure on IOM to end the public campaign,” Greenpeace Oceans campaigner Nathaniel Pelle said.
 
“If John West has a problem with Greenpeace’s campaign, they’re more than welcome to take it up with us. We’ll be happy to stop the campaign about their destructive fishing practices when they pledge to change their ways.”
 
There is no legal reason why the Greenpeace billboard had to be removed.
 
“John West’s owner, Simplot, has enormous media-buying budgets and Greenpeace wants to know whether or not Simplot has pressured IOM to take down the billboard targeting it,” said Pelle.
 
“Australians have a right to know the truth about what goes into John West’s cans.”
 
Last week, John West shut down the company’s Facebook page to people outside Australia and New Zealand.
 
“Instead of trying to shut down debate and peddle greenwash, John West should act like responsible companies including Safcol and Greenseas, and stop destructive fishing,” said Pelle.
 
Undeterred, Greenpeace has purchased a mobile billboard to drive the streets of Melbourne.
 
“We will keep exposing John West’s destructive fishing until the day it stops,” said Pelle.
 
For more information, go to: www.rejectjohnwest.com
 
For interviews or images, contact:
Greenpeace Media Advisor: Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041, elsa.evers@greenpeace.org
 
Footage and Images are available at:
http://www.greenpeacemedia.org
username: photos  password: green

The Newman port strategy proposes major new coal development along the Great Barrier Reef coast, including at Abbot Point, Dudgeon Point, in the Fitzroy delta at the southern end of Keppel Bay and in Gladstone.

“The Great Barrier Reef is at a turning point and the Queensland Government has shown that, as Tony Burke has already stated, it cannot be trusted with the Great Barrier Reef. This is a strategy for the coal industry not the Queensland community,” said Greenpeace Senior Climate and Energy Campaigner Georgina Woods. “We’re calling now for the Federal Government to make good its promise to protect the Reef and stop these port developments.”

 “This strategy flies in the face of what the World Heritage Committee requested last June,” said Woods. “That is, that Australia not approve any new development that would impact on the Reef’s outstanding universal value. Since then, the Federal Government has approved a large new coal terminal on the Reef’s coast and has accepted an application for yet more dredging in Gladstone harbour.

“It’s now three months to the day till the Federal Government is due to report to UNESCO about whether we’ve heeded the call not to permit this kind of development, and to review the management of Gladstone harbour. They need to make clear that they will fulfill this request.”

Further comment
Greenpeace Campaigner, Georgina Woods: 0438 223 771
Greenpeace Media Officer, Julie Macken: 0400 925 217

The Greenpeace spoof ad, which edits raw and bloody footage of the fishing method used by John West into the latest John West television commercial, was pulled from YouTube earlier this morning after John West complained that it was a breach of copyright.
 
“Today’s censorship proves that John West would rather cover up the fact that they needlessly kill threatened juvenile tuna, sharks, rays and even endangered sea turtles than live up to their sustainability rhetoric and update their fishing practices,” said Greenpeace Ocean Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle.
 
The move comes just a day after Greenpeace called on John West’s owner Simplot to clarify whether they exerted pressure on a small family-owned company to pull down a Greenpeace billboard attacking John West’s fishing methods. John West has also blocked anyone outside Australia and New Zealand from seeing its Facebook page following international pressure to change its fishing practices.
 
“Greenpeace is demanding John West commit to stop using ‘fish aggregating devices' (FADs). Fishing with FADs and giant nets is indiscriminate - at least 10% of each haul is 'bycatch,' such as baby tuna, sharks and turtles. This rate is ten times higher than nets set without FADs
 
“Australian brand Safcol has already switched to more sustainable fishing methods. Greenseas and Sirena have also pledged to stop using destructive FADs. The biggest brand John West, however, has refused,” said Pelle. “Even John West UK and John West Germany has listened to its consumers and committed to tuna fished responsibly. Meanwhile John West Australia is denying the gruesome reality that they needlessly kill marine life for every can they produce.”[1]
 
BWM Lead Creative for the John West advertising campaign, Ant Shannon, boasted that “the success of John West has been largely built on the mythology of their selection process.”
 
“Unfortunately for them, the John West myth is busted. John West don’t pick the best, they pick whatever is cheap even if it is at the cost of sharks, baby tuna and turtles,” said Pelle.
 
Check out the banned YouTube video, now available on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/51871738
 
For interviews, images or more information, contact: Greenpeace Media Advisor: Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041, elsa.evers@greenpeace.org

Minister Powell told the media on Monday that new powers in the Economic Development Bill, introduced to Parliament last week, would only allow the release of dirty water from mines during an emergency. This is not the case.
 
If these laws are passed in their current form, they will clearly enable coal mine operators to ask for and be given permission to release the water that is sitting in their mines at the moment.
 
The companies can simply argue the trapped water is an “unforeseen event” and apply for a Temporary Emissions Licence to release it as soon as possible.
 
The request can be made in person rather than in writing and the environment department will be forced to make a decision within 24 hours. The public won’t even be notified about what’s going on.
 
“There is one hundred thousand Olympic swimming pools of toxic water in Queensland coal mines that the mining companies want to release into a river that provides drinking water for Rockhampton and ultimately flows into the Great Barrier Reef,” said Georgina Woods,Greenpeace campaigner.
 
 “We realise there may be exceptional circumstances in a genuine emergency when it could be necessary to release mine water to protect human lives or prevent even worse environmental damage, but these laws go much, much further than that,” said Woods.
 
“Jeff Seeney is clearly doing the bidding of the coal companies,” said Woods. “Premier Newman and Andrew Powell must intervene and demand these companies treat the water before any such release so that towns, farms and the Great Barrier Reef are not put at risk.”
 
Greenpeace Campaigner, Georgina Woods: 0438 223 771
 
Greenpeace Media Officer, Julie Macken: 0400 925 217
 
Direct link to images of flooded pits

http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=14115

username: photos
password: green

The protest is in response to the coal industry’s plans to open up nine new mega mines in the Galilee Basin, west of Emerald, which will lead to the construction of massive new coal terminals in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Greenpeace campaigner Louise Matthiesson said, “this conference is a conspiracy of climate change culprits, and their plans for Queensland’s Galilee Basin could irreversibly damage the Great Barrier Reef.”

“The coal industry is turning the Reef into an industrial superhighway. And instead of protecting one of the most spectacular and valuable places on the planet, the Queensland Government has assumed the role of industry cheerleader.

 “The coal port developments will involve millions of tonnes of dredging, the loss of seagrass beds vital for turtles and dugongs, and the clearing of coastal wetlands. On top of this, thousands more coal ships crossing the reef means a greater risk of accidents.”

“If the huge new mines proposed for the Galilee Basin go ahead, they will also create more climate pollution than most nations of the world, leading to more frequent coral bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef.

Earlier this year, the Federal Environment Minister approved the Alpha Coal mine in the Galilee Basin plus a rail line that will connect it to the new “T3” coal terminal at Abbot Point near Mackay.

This was despite a request from the World Heritage Committee not to approve development that will impact on the Outstanding Universal Values of Great Barrier Reef.  

Contact:
Louise Matthiesson: 0406 041 428
Greenpeace Queensland Community Campaigner

PHOTOS AVAILABLE HERE:
www.greenpeacemedia.org
username: photos
password: green

Activists dressed as sharks have climbed onto the roof, hanging a banner reading ‘John West slashes ocean stocks’ over the entrance to the building.
 
“The John West building needed a makeover to more accurately reflect the needless slaughter the company inflicts on marine life each year,” Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle said.
 
The protest escalates the Greenpeace ‘Reject John West’ campaign, which calls on John West to stop using destructive fishing methods and switch to more sustainable ‘pole and line’ or ‘FAD-free’ tuna.
 
“Over 15,000 Australians have already emailed John West demanding it change its fishing practices in line with more responsible brands,” said Pelle.
 
“Australians are ocean lovers and they’ve been outraged to discover that John West is killing hundreds of tonnes of sharks, rays, baby tuna and turtles every year.”
 
“John West’s response to the campaign has been a mixture of greenwash and censorship. We will increase the pressure until the company does the right thing. Unless it switches its fishing methods, Australians should switch tuna brands,” said Pelle.
 
Greenpeace is campaigning globally to ban the destructive use of FAD fishing.[1]
 
Many responsible brands have already committed to FAD-free or pole and line tuna, including John West and every brand and retailer in the UK, John West Germany, Safeway in the US, Mareblu of Italy, and Greenseas, Safcol and Sirena in Australia.[2]
 
For background information, go to: www.rejectjohnwest.com
 
For interviews or images, contact:
Greenpeace Media Adviser: Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041, elsa.evers@greenpeace.org
 
Footage and Images are available at:
http://www.greenpeacemedia.org
username: photos
password: green

The two Melbourne women, aged 22 and 25, descended from the John West’s roof after the company’s Managing Director agreed to end a month of silence and meet Greenpeace CEO David Ritter at the negotiating table.

"This is a shark attack with a happy ending," said Greenpeace oceans campaigner Nathaniel Pelle.

"John West needs to adopt a new fishing policy that ends the use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), which cause the needless slaughter of sharks, rays, juvenile tuna and turtles. Hopefully today we are one step closer to that objective."
 
Today's activity escalated Greenpeace 'Reject John West' campaign and coincides with the interception of an illegal tuna boat in the Pacific Ocean by the Greenpeace ship, Esperanza, earlier this morning.
 
Link to images of illegal fishing by Alex Hofford
http://photo.greenpeace.org/C.aspx?VP3=ViewBox&STID=27MZIFV8V56Q&CT=Story
 
Link to images for today’s action at John West HQ

http://pluto.au.gl3/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=126612

All Pix ©Greeenpeace/ Jesse Marlow
 
For background information, go to: www.rejectjohnwest.com
 
For interviews or images, contact:
Greenpeace Media Advisor: Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041, elsa.evers@greenpeace.org

“The only place for the super trawler is on the scrap heap,” said Greenpeace Program Director Ben Pearson.
 
“This boat has plundered fish stocks all around the globe. The Government is right to take a precautionary approach, because monster boats like the Abel Tasman have no place in our waters.”
 
“The Australian Government has committed to curb global overfishing by reducing the number of oversized boats in the ocean. Australia must make it clear that super trawlers have no place here, or anywhere.”
 
The UN has declared that the global fishing fleet is 2.5 times too large for fish stocks to sustain.
 
Greenpeace is campaigning for a reduction in the global fishing fleet, starting with oversized and heavily-subsidised vessels like the Abel Tasman.
 
“There are dozens of oversized vessels like the Abel Tasman looking for places to fish and Australia will be in their sights if anything less than a permanent ban on super trawlers is declared.”
 
For comment or images, please call:
(In Canberra) Greenpeace Head of Program, Ben Pearson: 0424 575 111
(In Sydney) Elsa Evers, Media Advisor: 0438 204 041

The passing of the Bill fulfils a 2007 Labor election promise and promotes Australia as a leader in global forest protection. Only the US has similar laws in place. The EU has a regime due to take effect next year.

"The passing of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill finally delivers on the Government’s 2007 promise to criminalise a trade that many Australians would already presume to be banned. Illegal logging often involves land theft, trashing national parks and breeds corruption and human rights abuse. It's a huge challenge to countries in our region including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia,” said Reece Turner, Forests Campaigner with Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

“We congratulate the Government who have delivered this historic legislation with the support of the Greens and Independents and look forward to working on the detail of the regulations with the broad coalition of business and civil society who have supported it," said Turner.
 
John Gillam, Bunnings Managing Director said;
 
“Over the past decade we’ve been calling for a ban on the sale of illegally logged timber in Australia.  Passing this legislation is a big step towards this goal.”
 
“This is an important law in the global fight against corruption and cross-border organised crime. It recognises that businesses should have responsibility to take reasonable steps to ensure products they import are legally sourced,” said Dr Zirnsak, social justice spokesperson for the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania. “This type of law has been recommended by the World Bank to help stem the loss of between $10 and $15 billion a year from the revenues of governments around the world as a result of illegal logging.”
The legislation makes it a criminal offence to import timber from illegal logging operations, with significant repercussions for offenders including jail time of up to 5 years, forfeiture of illegal timber and fines. There are estimates that Australia imports of between $400m and $800m worth of illegal timber products each year with the highest risk products including outdoor hardwood furniture and decking from tropical forests (1).

The illegal timber trade not only wreaks environmental havoc and impacts on communities where the logging occurs, it also deprives export countries of tax revenue and disadvantages legitimate businesses in Australia which strive to ensure their timber products are legally sourced.

The passing of the new laws are the result of a wide grouping of organisations and businesses who want to see illegal timber pushed out of the Australian market. In an unusual alliance, timber merchants and retailers including IKEA, Bunnings, Simmonds Lumber and Kimberly Clark joined environment and social justice groups, Uniting Church, World Vision, WWF, Oxfam, The Wilderness Society and ACF to call on the Government to come good on this important election promise (2).

The organisations who have pushed for the laws are working collaboratively with Government to construct the regulations and to minimise costs upon business whilst maintaining the integrity of the objective of the laws. Greenpeace warned that for the new legislation to be effective, the Government must provide additional resourcing to compliance efforts. "There is little point having these laws if the Australian Government does not provide customs officials with more resources so that all shipments of high risk timber can be thoroughly inspected and further investigations pursued," added Turner.
 
For further comment contact:
 
Greenpeace Campaigner, Reece Turner, 0408 754 910
Greenpeace Media Officer, James Lorenz, 0400 376 021
Dr Mark Zirnsak, Uniting Church 0409 166 915

Notes:

(1) The Australian Government commissioned a report in 2005 which estimated illegal timber imports to be $A400m but more a more recent estimation by the EU Commission put the figure at $A840m. See http://www.thecie.com.au/RIS%20illegal%20logging/17%20-%20EU%20submission.pdf, p6-7

(2) Joint Statement on Eliminating Illegal Forest Products in Australia:http://www.greenpeace.org.au/forests/jointstatement.pdf (2009) and Common Platform: http://www.goodwoodguide.org.au/assets/docs/CommonPlatform.pdf (2011)

The text of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill is available on the Senate website at:     http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr4740%22