“The University of Sydney has taken an important step in the fight against dangerous climate change. However, the devil is in the detail. The University must declare which companies will be affected if its policy is to be credible,” said Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaigner Nikola Casule.

“We know that to avoid the worst effects of dangerous climate change we must keep 80% of fossil fuel reserves in the ground. Yet, based on the details announced so far, the University of Sydney’s policy could still allow for investments in dirty coal mining companies like Whitehaven Coal.”

The University has committed to reducing the carbon footprint of its investments by 20% within 3 years by divesting from heavy polluters. The announcement comes after Greenpeace, 350.org and Fossil Free USYD campaigns led the University to announce a review of its investments.

“Coal mining threatens to destroy global treasures like the Great Barrier Reef and we do not have the time for half-measures. Universities like Glasgow University have already sold all their shares in polluting fossil fuel companies and there’s no reason why Australian universities cannot do the same,” said Casule.

This weekend, thousands of people around the world will join Global Divestment Day rallies, urging big investors like Sydney University to divest from polluting fossil fuel companies.

In 2014, Greenpeace activists built a mock mine-site on the University of Sydney campus to highlight the University’s $1 million stake in the controversial company, Whitehaven Coal.

For interviews or more information, contact: Elsa Evers 0438 204 041 or Nikola Casule, 0428 769 307

For photos of Greenpeace’s mock mine-site on Sydney Uni campus, go to: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/ Username: photos Password: green

"The more coal ships we have traveling through the Great Barrier Reef, the greater the risk" said Greenpeace Reef Campaigner Shani Tager.

"We saw how disastrous veering off course can be for the Reef with the Shen Neng 1 crashed into the reef in 2010 and today's news shows that coal ships are still gambling with the future of our reef."

"Fundamentally accidents happen and shortcuts like these put the reef at risk."

"Let's be clear - expanding coal ports such as Abbot Point will not only mean more dredging but more coal ships."

"Adani's proposed coal terminal will result in an additional 560 ships traveling through the Great Barrier Reef."

"If the Abbot Point coal port expansion proceeds, it will simply be a disaster waiting to happen."

Video footage and photographs of Abbot Point terminal available here: www.greenpeacemedia.org
Username: photos
Password: green

For images, interviews or more information, contact: Shani Tager, 0427 914 070

The announcement follows sustained public pressure after dozens of people contracted Hepatitis A from frozen berries.

“Of course Australians want to know where their berries are grown. They also want to know where their fish was caught, not just where it was battered,” said Nathaniel Pelle, Greenpeace Oceans campaigner.

“And if they’re trying to solve a health problem, it makes little sense to tell people where their fish comes from and leave them in the dark about what type of fish it is.”  

Identifying the species of fish you are eating is not just about taste; some fish species pose serious health impacts.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recommends pregnant women and children under 6 avoid potentially harmful exposure to mercury by limiting their consumption of certain species, such as shark[1].

“Shark is commonly sold in fish and chip shops but it is known to be high in mercury content, which pregnant women and kids should avoid,” explained Pelle.

“Shark poses such a health risk that our own government recommends vulnerable Australians that have eaten shark should avoid eating any other seafood for two weeks.”

“Yet, under current labelling laws, there is no way of telling what fish you are eating, so how can pregnant women avoid it?”

“At the moment, you can go to the pub and order flathead thinking you’ll get fresh “Aussie flathead” and it’s likely you’ll be served a cheap, substitute from South America called ‘Stick Fish’,” he said.

“If you order flathead, you expect flathead. That’s common sense,” said Pelle.

Up until now, it has been left to responsible brands and restaurants to decide whether to label their seafood properly.

“No-one, not even major frozen food companies or large chain restaurants, is required to disclose what fish you’re actually eating.” 

“The Australian Government needs to step in and take responsibility for public health,” concluded Pelle.

The Label My Fish Alliance is demanding improved consumer protection laws to require clear labelling of all seafood, including what fish it is, where it is from and how it was caught or farmed.

The alliance is made up of Greenpeace, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Taronga Zoo and Zoos Victoria and the SEA LIFE Conservation Fund, campaigning with Gourmet Farmer, chef and former restaurant critic Matthew Evans. The campaign is backed by prominent chefs such as Quay Chef Peter Gilmore, MoVida chef Frank Camorra and NY Times best-selling ‘I Quit Sugar’ author Sarah Wilson.

For interviews, contact:

Elsa Evers 0438 204 041

Nathaniel Pelle, 0402 856 063

For more information:

Visit www.labelmyfish.com. A background report includes detailed case studies of poor labelling.

"The more coal ships we have traveling through the Great Barrier Reef, the greater the risk" said Greenpeace Reef Campaigner Shani Tager.

"We saw how disastrous veering off course can be for the Reef with the Shen Neng 1 crashed into the reef in 2010 and today's news shows that coal ships are still gambling with the future of our reef."

"Fundamentally accidents happen and shortcuts like these put the reef at risk."

"Let's be clear - expanding coal ports such as Abbot Point will not only mean more dredging but more coal ships."

"Adani's proposed coal terminal will result in an additional 560 ships traveling through the Great Barrier Reef."

"If the Abbot Point coal port expansion proceeds, it will simply be a disaster waiting to happen."

Video footage and photographs of Abbot Point terminal available here: www.greenpeacemedia.org
Username: photos
Password: green

For images, interviews or more information, contact: Shani Tager, 0427 914 070

A new plan to expand the Abbot Point Coal Port announced by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk proposed to dumped dredge spoil on land on the site known as T2, adjacent to the existing coal terminal.

“This new proposal, though better than plans to dump dredge waste in the Caley Valley wetlands or the World Heritage Area, is still unacceptable. Coal mining is the biggest threat to the Reef and is fuelling climate change. Any new proposal to pave the way for more coal mining is simply offensive,” said Greenpeace Reef campaigner Shani Tager.

“This massive port expansion will still require ripping up a million tonnes of seafloor and the creation of a super highway of coal ships through the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

“Premier Palaszczuk’s plans will pave the way for construction of up to nine new coal mines, accelerating climate change and ocean acidification - processes that will turn the Great Barrier Reef into a coral graveyard.”

Leading up to the recent Queensland election, the Palaszczuk Government promised to delay the controversial expansion of Abbot Point Coal Port until Indian coal company Adani has secured the finance for its $16.5 billion plan to build Australia’s largest ever coal mine, rail and a new coal terminal at Abbot Point.

Many observers are questioning the need for the coal port expansions in the first place. A recent publication by Goldman Sachs advised investors to steer clear of new coal projects, citing a downturn in demand as China moves to cap its emissions. As coal prices continue at an eight-year low, financial analysts fear Abbot Point coal port will become a stranded asset.

“Why build a destructive coal port on the Reef that isn’t needed?” asked Tager.

“As China and the US move away from fossil fuels, Abbot Point will become redundant and we’ll be stuck with an industrial wasteland on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef,” Tager concluded.

Video footage and photographs of Abbot Point terminal available here: www.greenpeacemedia.org Username: photos Password: green

For images or more information, contact: Elsa Evers 0438 204 041 or Shani Tager 0432 050 809

In reaction, Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaigner, Nikola Casule, said:

“State Bank of India analysts seem to have realised that this project has no future. The wider financial community has long ago recognised that the project is on shaky financial ground. It is now up to the State Bank of India to make the right decision and refuse to fund Adani’s gamble with the hard earned money of Indian taxpayers.

“We already know that Adani’s coal project represents a serious threat to the Great Barrier Reef. Today’s news emphasises that it is an investment blackhole as well."

Adani has struggled to secure project financing for its $16.5 billion coal mine, rail and port expansion. Major global banks, including HSBC, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs, have already refused to fund the project due to its damaging impact on the Great Barrier Reef, currently under consideration by World Heritage Body UNESCO for inclusion on its 'in danger' list.

“Banks all over the world are saying no to Adani. Even ANZ’s own analysts are saying the project is not viable. Australians can rightly be asking why our own Big Four Australian banks have so far failed to do the right thing by the Reef and ruled out their involvement. No Australian bank should be financing the Reef’s destruction,” Casule added.

For comment and interviews contact Nikola Casule (0428 769 307); Elsa Evers (0438 204 041)

Greenpeace says the government’s support of planned coal port expansions - which would lead to more coal ships travelling through the Great Barrier Reef and more dredging - will have direct individual and cumulative impacts on the Reef, one of the world’s natural wonders.

“Rather than doing everything it can to save the Great Barrier Reef, the government is aggressively promoting coal port expansion, which poses direct threats to the Reef and will drive climate change. The coal expansion plans, including the Adani coal mine, are irreconcilable with the government’s international responsibility to protect the Reef and should be abandoned,” Greenpeace campaigner Jessica Panegyres said.

“Port expansions and increased shipping negatively affect coral, seagrass, dugongs, turtles and other marine life – species that make the Great Barrier Reef a natural wonder,” she said.

The health of the Great Barrier Reef is already in decline - 50% of the Reef’s coral cover has disappeared in the past 30 years. Greenpeace says Australia should be doing everything possible to restore the Reef’s health and unless the government markedly steps up its conservation efforts, including rejecting coal and port expansion plans, it will not have avoided the need for an ‘in danger’ listing.

“The Abbott government has a two-faced attitude towards the Great Barrier Reef. With one breath, they say they care about the Reef, with the other, they push through coal export projects that put the Reef at risk. Not only is the government failing to protect the Reef, it is also letting down the Australian people and hard-working communities who rely on the Reef’s health for their livelihoods,” Panegyres added.

In a submission lodged with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Greenpeace said that the approval of coal port expansions such as those at Abbot Point have occurred in contravention of UNESCO’s advice that no projects be approved that impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the Reef.

Greenpeace’s submission notes that 24 out of the 41 metrics or attributes that comprise the Outstanding Universal Value have deteriorated since the Reef’s inclusion on the World Heritage list in 1981.

“The Great Barrier Reef is a unique place of beauty enjoyed by millions of people every year. If we’re to preserve the Reef for future generations, the Abbott government really needs to up its game at this critical moment for the Reef’s future,’ Panegyres said.

Please find Greenpeace's submission to the IUCN attached.

For interviews or more information, contact:

In Sydney: Elsa Evers on +61 (0) 438 204 041, Jessica Panegyres on +61 (0) 424 090 396
In Brisbane: Shani Tager on +61 (0) 432 050 809 In Amsterdam: Leanne Minshull +31 (0) 6 4616 2025

Video footage and photographs of the Great Barrier Reef and coal expansions available here: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=19586
Username: photos Password: green

"Malcolm Fraser was a powerful advocate for a more humane and independent Australia." said Greenpeace CEO David Ritter. "We celebrate his achievements as Australia’s Prime Minister, in particular his protection of the Great Barrier Reef."

In June 1979, the Fraser government prohibited exploration and drilling for petroleum on the Great Barrier Reef and, in October, declared the Capricornia section of the Reef the first stage of a protected Great Barrier Reef marine park. [1]

"We thank him for his vision and love of Australia's incredible natural heritage," said Mr Ritter.

"I'm personally very grateful to Mr Fraser for being generous with his time and advice," he said.

"We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Tamie, and their children and grandchildren."

[1] National Archives of Australia, ‘Australia’s Prime Ministers – Malcolm Fraser’ http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/primeministers/fraser/in-office.aspx

For more information or interviews contact Elsa Evers. 0438 204 041.

“The Great Barrier Reef is an Australian icon, a natural wonder, and it’s a national disgrace the way this government is failing to offer long-term protection to the Reef. The only way to protect the Reef is for the government to massively step up its conservation efforts, and abandon plans for destructive industrialisation such as coal port expansions.

“Banning dumping in the marine park will not protect the Reef from the massive coal port expansions in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The expansion of Abbot Point port requires extensive dredging that will destroy dugong habitat, and the port will send hundreds of coal ships ploughing through the Reef each year and contribute to climate change.

“World Heritage body UNESCO recommended that Australia should not approve any new port developments that would be detrimental to the Reef’s world heritage values back in 2012. Why has it taken the government so long to respond to just a fraction of the issue? This draft law is an attempt by Minister Hunt to try and save face while still allowing the massive coal mining expansions planned near the Reef, plans that will only worsen the impacts of climate change.

The proposed ban on the dumping of capital dredge spoil does not apply to the entire World Heritage Area, which is larger than the Marine Park. The majority of dredge spoil dumping takes place outside the marine park, within the World Heritage Area.

Capital dredge spoil could still be disposed of within the World Heritage Area at Cairns, Townsville, Gladstone and Abbot Point. Dredging itself - irrespective of where the waste is dumped- affects water quality, and negatively impacts seagrass, coral, turtles, dugongs, fish and other marine populations.

Contact
For comment and interviews contact Elsa Evers (0438 204 041); Shani Tager 0432 050 809

“The Abbott Government’s 2050 Reef Plan appears to be a roadmap to Great Barrier grief - not a roadmap to recovery,” says Greenpeace campaigner Jessica Panegyres.

“This plan allows for massive coal port expansions and barely deals with climate change, despite the Australian government’s own scientists saying climate change is the number one threat to the Reef.”

The Reef 2050 Plan is a joint plan between the Australian and Queensland governments that is supposed to provide for the Reef’s long-term protection from 2015 to 2050. UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee requested this plan when it first expressed concern about the Reef’s health in 2012.

This week, leading reef scientists said the Great Barrier Reef cannot be healthy if planned coal expansions go ahead, following a report published in international journal Science, where world renowned reef experts said the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is at risk of collapse from climate change and poor management.

“The 2050 Plan is playing lip service to Reef protection rather than committing to the necessary interventions.  This is disappointing but hardly surprising given Tony Abbott’s track record on environmental protection and climate change,” said Panegyres.

 “Unfortunately, the Australian government is choosing new coal mines and coal ports, rather than a healthy Reef that supports thousands of jobs and a thriving tourism industry.”

 Video footage and photographs of Abbot Point terminal available here: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=19586 Username: photos  Password: green

For images, interviews or more information, contact: Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041 or Jessica Panegyres, 0424 090 396 (on Hamilton Island)

A new plan to expand the Abbot Point Coal Port announced by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk proposed to dumped dredge spoil on land on the site known as T2, adjacent to the existing coal terminal.

“This new proposal, though better than plans to dump dredge waste in the Caley Valley wetlands or the World Heritage Area, is still unacceptable. Coal mining is the biggest threat to the Reef and is fuelling climate change. Any new proposal to pave the way for more coal mining is simply offensive,” said Greenpeace Reef campaigner Shani Tager.

“This massive port expansion will still require ripping up a million tonnes of seafloor and the creation of a super highway of coal ships through the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

“Premier Palaszczuk’s plans will pave the way for construction of up to nine new coal mines, accelerating climate change and ocean acidification - processes that will turn the Great Barrier Reef into a coral graveyard.”

Leading up to the recent Queensland election, the Palaszczuk Government promised to delay the controversial expansion of Abbot Point Coal Port until Indian coal company Adani has secured the finance for its $16.5 billion plan to build Australia’s largest ever coal mine, rail and a new coal terminal at Abbot Point.

Many observers are questioning the need for the coal port expansions in the first place. A recent publication by Goldman Sachs advised investors to steer clear of new coal projects, citing a downturn in demand as China moves to cap its emissions. As coal prices continue at an eight-year low, financial analysts fear Abbot Point coal port will become a stranded asset.

“Why build a destructive coal port on the Reef that isn’t needed?” asked Tager.

“As China and the US move away from fossil fuels, Abbot Point will become redundant and we’ll be stuck with an industrial wasteland on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef,” Tager concluded.

Video footage and photographs of Abbot Point terminal available here: www.greenpeacemedia.org Username: photos Password: green

For images or more information, contact: Elsa Evers 0438 204 041 or Shani Tager 0432 050 809

"The more coal ships we have traveling through the Great Barrier Reef, the greater the risk" said Greenpeace Reef Campaigner Shani Tager.

"We saw how disastrous veering off course can be for the Reef with the Shen Neng 1 crashed into the reef in 2010 and today's news shows that coal ships are still gambling with the future of our reef."

"Fundamentally accidents happen and shortcuts like these put the reef at risk."

"Let's be clear - expanding coal ports such as Abbot Point will not only mean more dredging but more coal ships."

"Adani's proposed coal terminal will result in an additional 560 ships traveling through the Great Barrier Reef."

"If the Abbot Point coal port expansion proceeds, it will simply be a disaster waiting to happen."

Video footage and photographs of Abbot Point terminal available here: www.greenpeacemedia.org
Username: photos
Password: green

For images, interviews or more information, contact: Shani Tager, 0427 914 070

"Aussies are being sold 'fake' and chips, not flake and chips because of Australia's shoddy labelling laws,” said Oceans Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle. “The Assistant Health Minister needs to mandate the use of the Australian Fish Names Standard and introduce country of origin rules in restaurants and takeaways”.

A senate inquiry in 2014 recommended an exemption from country of origin regulations for the food service sector be lifted.

Greenpeace investigated shark being sold in 23 Melbourne restaurants in September 2014. DNA analysis undertaken by an independent laboratory revealed that only one of nine samples labelled ‘gummy shark’ was actually gummy and one third of the samples labelled ‘flake’ were found to be other species, mostly school shark. The voluntary Australian Fish Names Standard advises that the term ‘flake’ only be used for gummy shark and a similar species from New Zealand, rig.

“Australians are being kept in the dark about where their seafood comes from, the type of fish they are eating, and how it reached their plate,” said Pelle.

Under Australia’s current labelling laws, restaurants and takeaways don’t have to include any information on their menus about where the seafood comes from or what type of fish it is.

“It is not possible for consumers to make an informed decision under these conditions — a situation that may result in negative environmental and health outcomes.”

“Australians deserve labelling laws that tell us what fish we're eating, where it was caught and how it was caught.” 

Link to flake research briefing: http://bit.ly/1xA0vF9

Link to Senate report: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/Seafood_labelling/Report

For interviews, contact:

Nathaniel Pelle, 0402 856 063

Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041

For more information: Visit www.labelmyfish.com. A background report includes detailed case studies of poor labelling.

A new plan to expand the Abbot Point Coal Port announced by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk proposed to dumped dredge spoil on land on the site known as T2, adjacent to the existing coal terminal.

“This new proposal, though better than plans to dump dredge waste in the Caley Valley wetlands or the World Heritage Area, is still unacceptable. Coal mining is the biggest threat to the Reef and is fuelling climate change. Any new proposal to pave the way for more coal mining is simply offensive,” said Greenpeace Reef campaigner Shani Tager.

“This massive port expansion will still require ripping up a million tonnes of seafloor and the creation of a super highway of coal ships through the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

“Premier Palaszczuk’s plans will pave the way for construction of up to nine new coal mines, accelerating climate change and ocean acidification - processes that will turn the Great Barrier Reef into a coral graveyard.”

Leading up to the recent Queensland election, the Palaszczuk Government promised to delay the controversial expansion of Abbot Point Coal Port until Indian coal company Adani has secured the finance for its $16.5 billion plan to build Australia’s largest ever coal mine, rail and a new coal terminal at Abbot Point.

Many observers are questioning the need for the coal port expansions in the first place. A recent publication by Goldman Sachs advised investors to steer clear of new coal projects, citing a downturn in demand as China moves to cap its emissions. As coal prices continue at an eight-year low, financial analysts fear Abbot Point coal port will become a stranded asset.

“Why build a destructive coal port on the Reef that isn’t needed?” asked Tager.

“As China and the US move away from fossil fuels, Abbot Point will become redundant and we’ll be stuck with an industrial wasteland on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef,” Tager concluded.

Video footage and photographs of Abbot Point terminal available here: www.greenpeacemedia.org Username: photos Password: green

For images or more information, contact: Elsa Evers 0438 204 041 or Shani Tager 0432 050 809

Under the proposal, millions of tonnes of seabed would be dredged from the World Heritage Area and dumped on the Caley Valley wetlands – home to over 40,000 water birds.

“At the behest of a coal company, the Queensland Government has created a proposal to dredge the Reef and dump it in the Caley Valley wetlands in order to fast-track the controversial expansion of Abbot Point coal terminal,” said Greenpeace Reef campaigner Shani Tager.

“A colander has fewer holes than this dredging proposal,” said Ms Tager. “There has been no assessment on the impacts of dumping this acid sulphate dredge spoil on vulnerable species such as the Australian painted snipe, or endangered turtle breeding habitat.

“Adani, the Indian coal company behind the new Abbot Point coal terminal, has been holding the Queensland and Federal Governments to ransom over this development, threatening to pull out unless their demands are met. Greg Hunt has rolled over, again failing to stand up to Adani and its Reef wrecking agenda.”

Minister Hunt’s decision comes amidst financial uncertainty over the future of the new Abbot Point coal terminal. This week, some of the world’s largest investment banks ruled out financing the development.

“Despite all of the concerns by UNESCO, scientists and the Australian community, dredging for Adani’s proposed new mega coal port in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area will not even require a full environmental impact assessment. It’s an outrage,” Ms Tager said.

“Millions of Australians want to protect the Great Barrier Reef from coal developments. We need to let them know we will not take this lying down.”

Greenpeace’s submission to Environment Minister Greg Hunt on the revised dumping and dredging plans at Abbot Point is available here.
Queensland Government dredging and dumping proposal is available here
Queensland Government wetland proposal is available here

For comment, please call: Shani Tager, 0432 050 809
Photographs of the Caley Valley wetlands and Abbot Point available at: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=19146 Username: photos Password: green

For interviews or more information, contact: Elsa Evers 0438 204 041

“The Great Barrier Reef is an Australian icon, a natural wonder, and it’s a national disgrace the way this government is failing to offer long-term protection to the Reef. The only way to protect the Reef is for the government to massively step up its conservation efforts, and abandon plans for destructive industrialisation such as coal port expansions.

“Banning dumping in the marine park will not protect the Reef from the massive coal port expansions in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The expansion of Abbot Point port requires extensive dredging that will destroy dugong habitat, and the port will send hundreds of coal ships ploughing through the Reef each year and contribute to climate change.

“World Heritage body UNESCO recommended that Australia should not approve any new port developments that would be detrimental to the Reef’s world heritage values back in 2012. Why has it taken the government so long to respond to just a fraction of the issue? This draft law is an attempt by Minister Hunt to try and save face while still allowing the massive coal mining expansions planned near the Reef, plans that will only worsen the impacts of climate change.

The proposed ban on the dumping of capital dredge spoil does not apply to the entire World Heritage Area, which is larger than the Marine Park. The majority of dredge spoil dumping takes place outside the marine park, within the World Heritage Area.

Capital dredge spoil could still be disposed of within the World Heritage Area at Cairns, Townsville, Gladstone and Abbot Point. Dredging itself - irrespective of where the waste is dumped- affects water quality, and negatively impacts seagrass, coral, turtles, dugongs, fish and other marine populations.

Contact
For comment and interviews contact Elsa Evers (0438 204 041); Shani Tager 0432 050 809

"Aussies are being sold 'fake' and chips, not flake and chips because of Australia's shoddy labelling laws,” said Oceans Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle. “The Assistant Health Minister needs to mandate the use of the Australian Fish Names Standard and introduce country of origin rules in restaurants and takeaways”.

A senate inquiry in 2014 recommended an exemption from country of origin regulations for the food service sector be lifted.

Greenpeace investigated shark being sold in 23 Melbourne restaurants in September 2014. DNA analysis undertaken by an independent laboratory revealed that only one of nine samples labelled ‘gummy shark’ was actually gummy and one third of the samples labelled ‘flake’ were found to be other species, mostly school shark. The voluntary Australian Fish Names Standard advises that the term ‘flake’ only be used for gummy shark and a similar species from New Zealand, rig.

“Australians are being kept in the dark about where their seafood comes from, the type of fish they are eating, and how it reached their plate,” said Pelle.

Under Australia’s current labelling laws, restaurants and takeaways don’t have to include any information on their menus about where the seafood comes from or what type of fish it is.

“It is not possible for consumers to make an informed decision under these conditions — a situation that may result in negative environmental and health outcomes.”

“Australians deserve labelling laws that tell us what fish we're eating, where it was caught and how it was caught.” 

Link to flake research briefing: http://bit.ly/1xA0vF9

Link to Senate report: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/Seafood_labelling/Report

For interviews, contact:

Nathaniel Pelle, 0402 856 063

Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041

For more information: Visit www.labelmyfish.com. A background report includes detailed case studies of poor labelling.

Under the proposal, millions of tonnes of seabed would be dredged from the World Heritage Area and dumped on the Caley Valley wetlands – home to over 40,000 water birds.

“At the behest of a coal company, the Queensland Government has created a proposal to dredge the Reef and dump it in the Caley Valley wetlands in order to fast-track the controversial expansion of Abbot Point coal terminal,” said Greenpeace Reef campaigner Shani Tager.

“A colander has fewer holes than this dredging proposal,” said Ms Tager. “There has been no assessment on the impacts of dumping this acid sulphate dredge spoil on vulnerable species such as the Australian painted snipe, or endangered turtle breeding habitat.

“Adani, the Indian coal company behind the new Abbot Point coal terminal, has been holding the Queensland and Federal Governments to ransom over this development, threatening to pull out unless their demands are met. Greg Hunt has rolled over, again failing to stand up to Adani and its Reef wrecking agenda.”

Minister Hunt’s decision comes amidst financial uncertainty over the future of the new Abbot Point coal terminal. This week, some of the world’s largest investment banks ruled out financing the development.

“Despite all of the concerns by UNESCO, scientists and the Australian community, dredging for Adani’s proposed new mega coal port in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area will not even require a full environmental impact assessment. It’s an outrage,” Ms Tager said.

“Millions of Australians want to protect the Great Barrier Reef from coal developments. We need to let them know we will not take this lying down.”

Greenpeace’s submission to Environment Minister Greg Hunt on the revised dumping and dredging plans at Abbot Point is available here.
Queensland Government dredging and dumping proposal is available here
Queensland Government wetland proposal is available here

For comment, please call: Shani Tager, 0432 050 809
Photographs of the Caley Valley wetlands and Abbot Point available at: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=19146 Username: photos Password: green

For interviews or more information, contact: Elsa Evers 0438 204 041

A new plan to expand the Abbot Point Coal Port announced by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk proposed to dumped dredge spoil on land on the site known as T2, adjacent to the existing coal terminal.

“This new proposal, though better than plans to dump dredge waste in the Caley Valley wetlands or the World Heritage Area, is still unacceptable. Coal mining is the biggest threat to the Reef and is fuelling climate change. Any new proposal to pave the way for more coal mining is simply offensive,” said Greenpeace Reef campaigner Shani Tager.

“This massive port expansion will still require ripping up a million tonnes of seafloor and the creation of a super highway of coal ships through the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

“Premier Palaszczuk’s plans will pave the way for construction of up to nine new coal mines, accelerating climate change and ocean acidification - processes that will turn the Great Barrier Reef into a coral graveyard.”

Leading up to the recent Queensland election, the Palaszczuk Government promised to delay the controversial expansion of Abbot Point Coal Port until Indian coal company Adani has secured the finance for its $16.5 billion plan to build Australia’s largest ever coal mine, rail and a new coal terminal at Abbot Point.

Many observers are questioning the need for the coal port expansions in the first place. A recent publication by Goldman Sachs advised investors to steer clear of new coal projects, citing a downturn in demand as China moves to cap its emissions. As coal prices continue at an eight-year low, financial analysts fear Abbot Point coal port will become a stranded asset.

“Why build a destructive coal port on the Reef that isn’t needed?” asked Tager.

“As China and the US move away from fossil fuels, Abbot Point will become redundant and we’ll be stuck with an industrial wasteland on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef,” Tager concluded.

Video footage and photographs of Abbot Point terminal available here: www.greenpeacemedia.org Username: photos Password: green

For images or more information, contact: Elsa Evers 0438 204 041 or Shani Tager 0432 050 809

"Aussies are being sold 'fake' and chips, not flake and chips because of Australia's shoddy labelling laws,” said Oceans Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle. “The Assistant Health Minister needs to mandate the use of the Australian Fish Names Standard and introduce country of origin rules in restaurants and takeaways”.

A senate inquiry in 2014 recommended an exemption from country of origin regulations for the food service sector be lifted.

Greenpeace investigated shark being sold in 23 Melbourne restaurants in September 2014. DNA analysis undertaken by an independent laboratory revealed that only one of nine samples labelled ‘gummy shark’ was actually gummy and one third of the samples labelled ‘flake’ were found to be other species, mostly school shark. The voluntary Australian Fish Names Standard advises that the term ‘flake’ only be used for gummy shark and a similar species from New Zealand, rig.

“Australians are being kept in the dark about where their seafood comes from, the type of fish they are eating, and how it reached their plate,” said Pelle.

Under Australia’s current labelling laws, restaurants and takeaways don’t have to include any information on their menus about where the seafood comes from or what type of fish it is.

“It is not possible for consumers to make an informed decision under these conditions — a situation that may result in negative environmental and health outcomes.”

“Australians deserve labelling laws that tell us what fish we're eating, where it was caught and how it was caught.” 

Link to flake research briefing: http://bit.ly/1xA0vF9

Link to Senate report: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/Seafood_labelling/Report

For interviews, contact:

Nathaniel Pelle, 0402 856 063

Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041

For more information: Visit www.labelmyfish.com. A background report includes detailed case studies of poor labelling.