Turning the Tide Newsletter – Summer 2025
Save Scott Reef
Scott Reef is under threat from a proposal by Woodside to drill 50 gas wells around it to access the Browse offshore gas field.
Woodside is also seeking to dump the project’s polluting carbon in the seabed there, using a failed, expensive and dangerous technology.
In December, AMCS patron Tim Winton and WA Director Paul Gamblin joined a group of marine scientists, filmmakers and conservationists on a voyage to Scott Reef to document the threats posed by Woodside’s risky and polluting gas proposal.
Located 270 km off Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast, Scott Reef is made up of two large, spectacular reefs, and is home to an incredible range of species.
“Scott Reef is like a skyscraper of coral rising from the ocean floor that’s home to over 1000 species of marine life like sea turtles, pygmy blue whales and sea snakes,” Paul said. “Although lesser known, it rivals the famous World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef for the diversity of ocean wildlife that’s found there.”
Media coverage of the trip is helping Australians understand how precious this lesser known reef is and what’s at risk.
Scott Reef is Australia’s largest offshore coral reef, supporting over 1000 species, including endangered turtles, sea snakes and migratory pygmy blue whales.
Sandy Islet on South Scott Reef, provides critical nesting habitat for green turtles that swim hundreds of kilometres to lay their eggs here.
Scott Reef is also Australia’s last remaining habitat for the endangered dusky sea snake.
Wild places feed our spirit. And our bodies. And our planet. They are not a luxury – they’re a necessity. The world’s coral reefs are in desperate trouble, and Scott Reef is like a sentinel. If we lose Scott Reef, it’ll signal the end for all coral reefs. And when they cook and die, we’ll be left with a poorer, harsher world.
– Tim Winton
Take Action
We’re calling on the WA Environment Minister and Federal Environment Minister to reject Woodside’s dangerous proposal. Add your name today.