Turning the Tide Newsletter – Summer 2025
2024 Ocean Wins
Thanks to your generous support, in 2024 AMCS achieved some amazing wins for our oceans.
For many 2024 was a tough year. But in the face of escalating crises across climate, the cost-of-living and powerful vested interests, ocean lovers, like you, are still showing up to fight for our oceans.
AMCS supporters made a staggering impact. Together we gained Queensland’s commitment to a 75% emissions reduction target, seismic blasting cancellation and expanded marine protections for wildlife and habitats. We fought to safeguard our iconic places – the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo – and we saved countless dugongs, sawfish, turtles from a slow death by securing the removal of deadly gillnets. As climate threats grow, AMCS remains committed to marine resilience, recovery and responsible renewable energy.
From the bottom of our deep blue hearts, all of us at AMCS thank you for your commitment and support during 2024. Let’s stand up together and build on these achievements in 2025.
Ocean Conservation Key Highlights in 2024:
Mega seismic blasting proposal abandoned in oceans between Victoria and Tasmania due to community opposition. Pygmy blue whale feeding grounds now protected.
- The Australian Government proposed a 73,000km2 expansion of marine sanctuaries off south-east Australian oceans.
- The Northern Territory government committed to banning gillnets in key threatened species habitats.
- Queensland Acts On Emissions: In April Queensland legislated a 75% emissions reduction target by 2035 with bipartisan support.
- Five new Net Free Zones were added to the Gulf of Carpentaria, protecting endangered sawfish and rare speartooth sharks.
- Protect Ningaloo took our campaign to Germany to combat K&S Salt mine proposal threatening Exmouth Gulf.
- Our Wavemakers and Ocean Lovers inspired a record $1,126,853.77 for our oceans on World Oceans Day.
- Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve quadrupled in size. New sanctuaries increased protections for king and macaroni penguins, Antarctic fur seals, albatross.
- Australia’s management of the Great Barrier Reef remains in the international spotlight at the World Heritage Committee.
- GoodFish ‘Check Your Tuna’ guide released – Australia’s first canned tuna sustainability guide in years.
Thanks to your generous support in 2024, AMCS achieved some significant wins for our oceans.
Watch Our Wins: Watch our 2024 achievements video here.