Greenpeace Australia Pacific press release

Protestors today have launched a blockade at the site of Whitehaven’s controversial Maules Creek coal project in North West NSW, turning back vehicles seeking to clear the forest for construction of rail infrastructure.

The project, located in North West NSW near Boggabri, has been dogged by controversy. It will clearfell a large area of Leard State Forest, including nationally critically endangered woodland and endangered wildlife habitat, and is opposed by members the local farming community. Now, the blockade has brought farmers, Traditional Owners and environmentalists together.

Protestors have established a blockade at the edge of the forest, and are preventing bulldozers from felling trees for an access road. Construction work has been halted and the protestors are vowing to remain in place.

Rick Laird, fifth-generation farmer from Maules Creek, said, “We have exhausted every legal and political avenue to make our voices heard. Whitehaven’s mine will destroy our community and our livelihood. We’ve seen this happen in mining areas all over the country – eventually the farmers will be forced to move out. My family has lived here for generations: we are prepared to fight for this place,” concluded Mr. Laird.

The campaign to stop the mine has delayed it so far by 18 months, and local environmentalists are waiting for a decision by Environment Minister Greg Hunt to suspend or revoke approval for the mine due to allegations the approval was based on false or misleading information.

The Maules Creek project has drawn the attention of people from around Australia due to its impact on critically endangered Grassy Whitebox woodland, and cultural heritage sites of the Gomeroi people, the traditional owners of the Leard State Forest.

Traditional Owner Elder Uncle Dick Talbot said, “Leard forest holds many significant sites for us. Whitehaven Coal have completely ignored our pending legal request for an order to stop work to protect our cultural sites.” Mr Talbot is calling for Whitehaven to stop work while a decision is pending on their request, saying, “I will fight on to save my culture until my last breath. Claims that we are a minority are disrespectful to senior elders and traditional owners, and we would like an apology.”

Georgina Woods, of the Leard Forest Alliance, said, “Whitehaven Coal thought they were ready to start clearing this forest, but they didn’t reckon with the determination of people from far and wide to support the community here and protect this forest. We will not be moved on. We are the only thing standing between this forest and its annihilation.”

Contact Georgina Woods 0437 405 932

A clip showing footage of the clearing that prompted the blockade is available at greenpeacemedia.org

user: media

password: greenpeace

Folder: LeardStateForestClearing_Jan2014

Photos of the blockade will be uploaded when they are available.

In the early hours of this morning, Australian Colin Russell was the last of the Arctic 30 to be released on bail from detention in St Petersburg.

"Colin's physical release from detention is a happy time for all his friends, family and the thousands of people around the world who have supported him," said Greenpeace CEO David Ritter. "But the full celebration can only occur when all charges are dropped and he can return home to Tasmania."

"The Arctic30 were sailing on the Arctic Sunrise to raise public awareness of the dangers of drilling for oil. Colin is not a criminal, but a peaceful protester bravely working to highlight the madness of exploiting the pristine but rapidly melting Arctic for fossil fuels."

After his release, Colin was reunited with his wife Chrissie and daughter Maddy who had embarked on the 30 hour flight to St Petersburg on Thursday.

The Arctic 30 are still accused of hooliganism and face a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment. It also remains uncertain when the non-Russian nationals can return home and they will for now remain in St Petersburg.

Russia and the Netherlands must report back by December 2 on progress in complying with a binding ruling by the International Tribunal for the law of the Sea (ITLOS) ordering Russia to release the Arctic 30 and the ship Arctic Sunrise upon the posting of a 3.6 million euro bond by the Netherlands.

Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law at the Australian National University, said in an opinion piece:

"Russia cannot pick and choose when it will and will not abide by the law of the sea. As a leading international citizen, it has a clear obligation to follow the Tribunal's ruling and release the Arctic Sunrise and its crew and to allow them to leave Russia. It should indicate its compliance with the Tribunal's orders as soon as possible."

For interviews and more information, contact Alison Orme on 0432 332 104

Footage of Colin's release - dopesheet available on ftp

Link to photos by Igor Podgorny (4 new at start)

Link to Flickr:

Link to full feature set

Suva/Sydney, 1 December 2013 - Greenpeace activists today deployed a floating banner at a harbour in the Pacific, reading: “Fewer boats more fish WCPFC Act Now!” This message is directed at the members of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), who are meeting in Cairns, Australia next week. Greenpeace is urging the Commission to halt the entry of new industrial fishing vessels into the region and to introduce sharp cuts to tuna catches as recommended by scientists.

“Distant water fishing powers such as Taiwan, China, Korea and the US have blocked sensible reform,” said Nathaniel Pelle, Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner. “As the host nation, Australia really needs to do all it can to make sure we don’t end in stalemate again in Cairns. If we don’t act, then the outlook for Pacific tuna fishing is pretty grim. Australia shares the same fish and the same ocean, so unless we speak out, it’s our own fishers and consumers who will ultimately pay the price.”

Pacific tuna stocks are in decline with bigeye, yellowfin and albacore tunas now all in need of urgent management action to ensure future sustainability and livelihoods for the region’s vulnerable coastal states.

“This is the 10^th meeting of the Commission (1) and it is time that its members stop ignoring the science and put strong precautionary measures in place to ensure overfishing is halted and that the number of vessels in the fishery is urgently capped and capacity reduced,” said Duncan Williams of Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

Much of the blame for overfishing is placed on the large international purse seine fleet originating from the US, Taiwan, Korea, Spain, China and Japan that for much of their catch relies on destructive fish aggregation devices or FADs. The purse seine fishery was responsible for over two thirds of the more than 2.5 million tonnes of tuna fished out of the Pacific last year alone.\ (2). This method catches large amounts of juvenile tuna leading to steep stock declines, particularly of bigeye and yellowfin tunas.

“Purse seine vessels can fish without using destructive FADs, their use needs to be banned now. Tuna caught this way is already being widely rejected by consumers and the industry can benefit from the increased demand for more sustainably caught products if they act now,” said Sari Tolvanen of Greenpeace International.

Greenpeace warns that coastal communities dependent on tuna for food and livelihoods are already suffering due to inaction by the Commission. Just a few days ago the handline association of General Santos in the Philippines called on the WCPFC to act now in order to save the stocks and the people who depend on them (3).

“Unfortunately the little people are forgotten in these negotiations as the multimillion dollar company CEOs exert pressure on country delegations to block progressive measures. We certainly hope governments here this week act to ensure sustainable fisheries and livelihoods instead of just protecting the next executive pay check of the rich and the powerful,” continued Tolvanen.

The region's longline fleets, catching tuna for sashimi and the American albacore market are also largely seen as being out of control and unregulated, with rampant under-reporting and illegal fishing taking place, especially in the high seas (4).

“For too long the massive foreign longline fleets in the region have plundered fish with impunity. They now need to be brought under control, catches reduced, number of vessels reduced to sustainable and economical levels and the high seas pockets closed to all fishing,” added Williams.

Greenpeace is campaigning for a sustainable fishing industry and a global network of marine reserves covering 40% of the world’s oceans as the necessary steps to leaving future generations with oceans able to sustain life on earth.

For more information about Greenpeace’s efforts at the WCPFC, please visit: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/publications/reports/Greenpeace-briefing-for-WCPFC-10/

--Ends--

Notes:
(1) http://www.wcpfc.int/meetings/10th-regular-session-commission

(2) http://www.wcpfc.int/node/3561

(3) http://bit.ly/1a73a6G

(4) http://www.greenpeace.org/international/out-of-line/

LINK TO IMAGES:http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=16406
(username: photos | password: green)

MEDIA CONTACTS:

For interviews, please contact:
James Lorenz, Greenpeace Communications Manager on 0400 376 021
Sari Tolvanen, Oceans Campaigner at Greenpeace International, sari.tolvanen@greenpeace.org +31655125480
Duncan Williams, Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, duncan.williams@greenpeace.org +6799926232

Sydney, 27 December 2013 - The Arctic 30 are leaving Russia. Swedish activist Dima Litvinov was the first to head for the border, departing Russia by train late yesterday afternoon and arriving in Finland around 5am this morning (EST).

Fourteen of the Arctic 30 were given exit stamps in their passports on Boxing Day, the rest will be given their stamps today. The non-Russians will all leave the country in the coming days, many of them as early as today. They will soon be back with their families. Australian Colin Russell will be among the departures and is expected home in Tasmania by 31 December.

"It's wonderful news that Colin will most likely see in the new year at his house in Woodbridge," said Greenpeace Communications Manager James Lorenz. "He has been incredibly strong throughout, never losing his sense of humour, but this final step is undoubtedly a huge relief. It has been a long three months for him and his family and I know he is desperate to get home."

Before taking his seat on the train on the train to Finland, Dima said:

“I’ve never regretted what we did, not once, not in prison and definitely not now. Sometimes you just have to stand up and ask to be counted, and that’s what we did in the Arctic. They didn’t throw us in jail for what we did, they locked us up because of what we stood for. The Arctic oil companies are scared of dissent, and they should be. They may have celebrated when our ship was seized, but our imprisonment has been a disaster for them. The movement to save the Arctic is marching now. Our freedom is the start of something, not the end. This is only the beginning.”

He added:

“We’ve been blessed with support from so many people, and I want to thank everybody who took time to help us, and that includes people in the remarkable beautiful country where I have been held these past months. Now I’m going home to my bed, my wife, my kids and my life. I’m leaving Russia feeling like we won something here. But while the campaign to free us can claim victory, the campaign to save the Arctic can’t, not yet. The oil companies are moving north, the world’s climate is changing, the biggest struggles still lie ahead of us.”

Dima is the fourth generation of his family to be imprisoned for political activity. His great-grandfather Maxim Litvinov opposed Tsar Nichols II before being made Soviet foreign minister. His grandfather Lev Kopelev was imprisoned by Stalin for 10 years for opposing the regime and speaking out against Soviet atrocities against German civilians in World War Two. Lev was imprisoned with his friend Alexander Solzhenitsyn and was the inspiration for the main character in Solzhenitsyn’s novel First Circle.

In 1968 Dima’s father Pavel Litvinov was one of seven people who protested against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in Red Square, an act of defiance for which he was sentenced to internal exile in Siberia when Dima was 6. The family left Russia when he was 11.

“I’m leaving Russia again, and like that day 39 years ago I don’t know if I will ever be able to return,” said Dima.

The Arctic 30 were seized by armed commandos in international waters on September 19 after attempting to attach a banner to an Arctic oil platform operated by Gazprom. They were granted amnesty by the Duma (Russian parliament) following a global campaign to free them. They were unable to leave Russia until the authorities gave them the correct exit visas in their passports.

Saturday 28 December: Overnight, accompanied by his wife Chrissie and daughter Maddie, Australian Colin Russell left St. Petersburg bound for Amsterdam en route to Hobart.

“I’m happy this is finally over. So are the girls," said Colin. "Can’t wait to get back to normal: throw the stick for George the dog, mow the lawn, sleep on my own pillow. My whole life is waiting for me.”

Colin Russell is due to return to Hobart and his home on 2 January, with the departure marking the end of more than 100 days on Russian soil.

As of 3am EST, 15 of the Arctic 30 had departed Russia, with 11 more to exit over the coming days.

"There is a great sense of relief," said Greenpeace Communications Manager James Lorenz. "But this relief is coupled with the knowledge that the Arctic is still under threat from reckless oil drilling and that the campaign must continue. However, right now, we're just delighted that Colin and the rest of the Arctic 30 are finally on their way home."

Greenpeace is today calling on North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) to withdraw its application for a permit to dump 3-million cubic metres of dredge spoil near a WW2 plane wreck where 14 servicemen lost their lives.

This comes on the same day as the Queensland Tourism Industry Council reveals it has also asked GBRMPA to reject the permit application: http://tiny.cc/amdr9w

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is currently considering NQBP’s application to dump dredge spoil from the expansion of the Abbot Point coal port in north Queensland, and has until January 31 to make a decision.

The dumping could send plumes of muddy water over the wreck of the Catalina sea-plane which crashed in 1943 and also threatens nearby coral reefs at Holbourne Island.

“Yesterday NQBP issued a statement saying ‘the Minister, NQBP and proponents are sensitive to the community concerns about proximity of the WWII Catalina Wreck site to the proposed disposal ground’,” said Greenpeace campaigner Louise Matthiesson.

“If NQBP is genuine about these concerns, there is a simple solution - it should withdraw the application to dump close to the wreck.

“Otherwise they’re trying to have a bob each way, securing a permit to dump at the Catalina site, while assuring the community it won’t happen.

“NQBP should unequivocally rule out the option of dumping close to this historic site.

“Relatives of those who died in the Catalina wreck, Bowen RSL and the National Party MP for Dawson Mr George Christensen have all expressed concern about the site being used as a dumping ground.

“When the Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt approved dredging at Abbot Point late last year he required that the NQBP investigate alternate sites, compare those with the Catalina site and seek approval for the alternate site if a better location is identified.

“What’s clear is that both the NQBP and Minister Hunt are belligerently moving forward, intent on dredging and dumping somewhere within the Reef World Heritage Area.

“At the end of the day, dredging and dumping on the Reef is vandalism and Minister Hunt should do the right thing and put the health of the Reef and Australia’s tourism industry first,” Ms Matthiesson said.

Contact: Alison Orme Greenpeace Media and Communications 0432 332 104

IMAGES: Greenpeace has high quality images available of the Reef, including underwater shots of the nearest coral reef from the proposed ‘Catalina’ dump site.

Gladstone, 11 December 2013: Greg Hunt has failed in his first test as Environment Minister with a trifecta of approvals with enormous impacts on the Great Barrier Reef:

Abbot Point coal port T0 terminal expansion.

Dredging 3 million square cubic metres of seabed within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area at Abbot Point.

Arrow LNG plant on Curtis Island and a connecting underwater gas pipeline.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s decision to approve the rapid industrialisation of the reef is a massive assault on the environment and places the future of the reef in jeopardy.

Greenpeace Queensland Campaigner, Louise Matthiesson, said Minister Hunt has ignored the evidence and thumbed his nose at the serious concerns of scientists, tourism operators, fishers and the World Heritage watchdog about the impacts of these industrial developments and activities.

“By approving this dredging at Abbot Point, 50km from the Whitsunday Islands, the Environment Minister has clearly put the demands of the coal companies ahead of protecting the Great Barrier Reef,” said Ms Matthiesson, speaking from the Greenpeace ship Esperanza anchored outside Gladstone Harbour today.

“The dredging threatens a $6 billion tourism industry that relies on the reef and Whitsunday tourism operators hold serious concerns on how their businesses will be impacted

“You can’t have a healthy economy without a healthy reef.

“The World Heritage Committee will decide in June next year whether to list the Reef as ‘in-danger’ and this decision will cause alarm among the international community.

“If these plans succeed, and Abbot Point becomes the world’s biggest coal port, Australia will be speeding up the climate crisis that threatens our children’s future.”

Greenpeace Queensland Campaigner Louise Matthiesson and Programs Director Ben Pearson are available for interview.

For more information or to arrange interview contact: Jane Garcia: 0434 489 533.

Note to editors:

Greenpeace ship Esperanza is currently travelling along the Great Barrier Reef coast to investigate the damaging impacts of coal port development and climate change on the Reef.

The ship is currently anchored outside of Gladstone Harbour and plans to document the existing Curtis Island industrial facilities today.

Monday, 16 December 2013 - Townsville: Greenpeace will request an urgent meeting with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) to ask that it refuse to issue a permit to dispose of dredge spoils in the Reef’s marine park.

Greenpeace ship Esperanza docked at Townsville yesterday after a week-long tour up the Queensland coast documenting the threats of industrialisation and climate change to the reef.

Greenpeace Qld Campaigner Louise Matthiesson, who is travelling on the Esperanza, said GBRMPA should step up in its role as protector of the Great Barrier Reef and reject dumping within the marine park boundary off Abbot Point.

By Christmas eve, GBRMPA must either make a decision on the dumping permit or extend the deadline.

“GBRMPA has been given a huge lump of coal for Christmas. It’s under pressure to allow 3 million cubic metres of mud to be dumped in the Reef’s marine park when there can be no benefit for the health of the Reef,” Ms Matthiesson said.

“The Authority’s being asked to make this significant call on treating the Reef’s waters as a dump without knowing the exact location of the final sites.

“No one wants to see Abbot Point become another Gladstone. GBRMPA should make a wise decision for the future of the reef and reject the dumping permits.”

“Building new coal export terminals at Abbot Point would be a double-whammy for the Reef, since coal is a major driver of climate change – the greatest threat to the Reef’s long term survival.

“The Reef supports a $6 billion tourism industry that provides sustainable long term jobs for Queenslanders, surely the future of the reef is more important than short term profits from polluting coal exports?” Ms Matthiesson said.

File photos from tour available for download, including image of a tombstone in the reef’s waters, inscription reads ‘RIP Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Listing 1981 – 2014?’

File photos and video: www.greenpeacemedia.org
username: photos password: green

Media contacts: Louise Matthiesson 0406 041 428 / Jane Garcia 0434 489 533

05 December 2013, Brisbane - Greenpeace ship, Esperanza, a converted ex-Russian fire fighting ship will be docked in Brisbane this weekend as it prepares for a fact-finding tour along the Great Barrier Reef coast.

It will spend about a week gathering evidence on the devastating impact of coal port developments on the Reef and stories of people who will be impacted, including tourism operators and fishers.

Community members can attend a free public tour of the Esperanza between 10am and 5pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December. There is an impressive array of technology on board and crew are available for a chat with the public. Spaces are limited, free tickets can be booked now: http://act.gp/1iuaTpx

Details

What: Press Conference for launch of Greenpeace ship tour of threats to Great Barrier Reef When: 10am. Friday, 6 December 2013
Where: Ship berthed on the south side of the Brisbane River near the Gateway Bridge, 50 Paringa Rd, Murrarie

Spokespeople: Greenpeace Queensland Campaigner, Louise Matthiesson Esperanza Captain, Mike Fincken

Vision: one of largest ships in Greenpeace fleet berthed in Brisbane, Captain in control room, helipad and other boat features

File photos and video:www.greenpeacemedia.org
username: photos password: green

Media contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533

Sydney 3 January 2014: Last night at 22.55, Tasmanian Colin Russell touched down in Hobart after spending more than 100 days in Russian captivity following a peaceful protest by Greenpeace in the Arctic against oil drilling.

Speaking alongside his wife Chrissie and daughter Maddie, Colin thanked Australians for their support.

"I'd really like to thank Australia for backing me, looking after my family, mowing my lawns, walking my dog," he explained.

But while the Australian Government "could have done more," Consular Officials were "gems."

"They kept me well informed and kept me supplied with raisins, dried fruits and books," he said.

Chrissie Russell also reserved special mention for the 'amazing' community of Woodbridge in Tasmania which has rallied around her family during the past three months.

Discussing conditions in Russian prison, Colin explained that he had "lost a few kilos," but it had given him ample time "thinking about friends, thinking about the campaign, thinking about the Arctic, thinking about the world."

Reflecting on future prospects Colin stated:

"I've been doing it for 14 years, so I'm not going to stop what I know best. No regrets... I'm trying to give a future to our kids and our grandkids. We all need to stand together for that."

"It's going to be an oil rush in the Arctic, I think it's crazy, the known reserves we have now are enough to throw us over two degrees."

Colin has also expressed concern over the fate of the Greenpeace vessel, the Arctic Sunrise.

"I'm still worried about our ship, the Arctic Sunrise, which remains under Russian control in defiance of international law," he said. "I feel it is not over till the Arctic Sunrise is also released.”

PLEASE NOTE: Colin Russell, his wife Chrissie and daughter Madeliene would like to thank the Australian media for their support during his time of illegal imprisonment in Russia and is looking forward to resuming his private life in Tasmania. He requests that media do not seek to contact him or his family directly and instead contact Greenpeace. He will not be immediately available for interview.

Contact:

James Lorenz Greenpeace Communications Manager: +61 (0) 400 376 021.

Greenpeace Press Desk: +61 (0) 418 408 683

Greenpeace International picture desk: +31 20 718 24 71

Greenpeace International video desk: +31 20 718 24 72

Gladstone, 11 December 2013: Greg Hunt has failed in his first test as Environment Minister with a trifecta of approvals with enormous impacts on the Great Barrier Reef:

Abbot Point coal port T0 terminal expansion.

Dredging 3 million square cubic metres of seabed within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area at Abbot Point.

Arrow LNG plant on Curtis Island and a connecting underwater gas pipeline.