A timely new report Economic Values of the Northern Territory Marine and Coastal Environments was launched at Parliament House on Thurs 7th June. Authored by some of Australia’s leading ecological economists this report shows that our coastal waters support over 6,000 jobs and contributes $2billion annually to the economy. This new report shows what is at risk if we fail to adequately manage and protect Top End coasts. Download the report here today.

BREAKING: extension of seabed mining moratorium news welcome, but only a permanent ban will protect Top End coasts and lifestyle. Just like taking a bulldozer to the sea floor, destructive seabed mining threatens our Top End coasts and lifestyle. It has never been allowed before in Australia, but we know that there are many locations across the Territory coast where seabed mining has already been approved or where applications to mine exist. These include the mouth of the Daly River, Limmen Bight, and the seas surrounding Galiwinku and much of the Wessel Islands. Sign the petition asking the Gunner Government to ban seabed mining for good. Destructive seabed mining would decimate our marine life, pollute our waters, threaten our fishing and destroy sites of cultural significance. The Gunner Government is looking at seabed mining and considering its future in the Territory. This is exactly the moment they need to hear from you. Please sign the petition today. The NT coasts are some of the last healthy tropical waters in the world - with mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses, home to turtles, dugongs and huge schools of fish. These waters are also at the heart of our Top End way of life and fishing lifestyle. It’s time for a permanent ban on seabed mining in Territory waters. Please sign the petition today. You can see the areas most at risk from seabed mining below: 

The moratorium extension on seabed mining, as reported today, is a great win for Territorians, but community groups say only a permanent ban will safeguard our coasts and lifestyle.

Submissions have closed & more than 500 online messages and 2200 postcards have been delivered to the Gunner Government calling for action to secure a healthy future for our Top End coasts. Congratulations! Thanks to Minister for Environment Lauren Moss for giving Territorians the opportunity to have their say on the NT Coastal and Marine Management Strategy.

A new community letter is hitting letterboxes across Darwin this week.   

I'm Paul Arnold, photographer and bush explorer. I’ve been lucky enough to spend the last few decades exploring and photographing all corners of the Top End. There’s one common trait that has struck me about all the Territorians I meet: a shared respect and passion for our incredible Territory landscapes. Now is our chance, as a community of proud Territorians, to shape the future we want for our coasts, culture and lifestyle. The Gunner Government is asking for your input to develop its 10 year plan for our coasts and seas. With our coasts under increasing pressure and showing signs of decline, we must act now. Please add your name to protect our Territory coasts and lifestyle.

As we’re heading into the holiday season, we want to THANK YOU for your support. It’s an opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved together in 2017. First of all, there are more of you standing up for our Top End coasts -  we are 1000 stronger - people like you who have shown time and again that they’re ready to stand up for our Top End coasts. Earlier this year, when we spoke up and sent a message to Ministers and local members of Parliament -we made sure the development of a strategy to secure the Territory’s coasts and seas was included as a priority in the Government’s Economic Development Framework.

Our new report - Valuing Our Top End Coasts and Seas - spells out just how valuable healthy Territory coasts are to our unique lifestyle, livelihoods and economy. It also finds that without proper protection and management, the Top End is at risk.

The Roper River and Limmen Bight are truly precious places for recreational fishers, nature lovers and the Traditional Owners. Now, these places are under renewed threats, including from a proposed Iron Ore mine. The Yanyuwa, Marra, Warndarrang and Nunggubuyu Traditional Owners from the area have just made a powerful statement, producing a huge canvas petition with the help of renowned artist Simon Normand. It has just been delivered to the Federal Government. Watch their video here.

Darwin gathered for a special event: Saltwater Secrets - The Exhibition with Paul Arnold and Simon Normand. Whether you were lucky enough to be there, or want to see how the night went down. A night of energy, incredible insights into the sea country, the people and the characteristics of our iconic Top End coasts that make where we live so special. It's up to all of us to stand up for the future for our marine environment and the livelihoods that rely on its health. Let's get to it.