Campaign launched to highlight risks to Exmouth Gulf humpback whales from proposed industrial port

A new national advertising campaign -‘Worth the Risk?’ - has launched to raise awareness of the risks posed to humpback whale mothers and calves from the controversial Gascoyne Gateway industrial port proposed for Exmouth Gulf.

The campaign aims to encourage the Western Australian Government to stop industrialisation of the Gulf so as to protecting its values, secure the area’s famed tourism industry, support the growing marine research sector and help drive investment in nature-based education, cultural tourism and other low-impact, compatible economic activity.

Exmouth Gulf is a crucial part of the Ningaloo Reef ecosystem which is why the United Nations recommended that the Australian Government include Exmouth Gulf in the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage area. Exmouth Shire recently released the results of a survey it commissioned on the Gascoyne Gateway port proposal which showed that a clear majority of respondents are ‘strongly opposed’ to it.

The ‘Worth the Risk?’ advertising campaign began yesterday with a full-page advertisement in the West Australian newspaper, digital ads in the Australian Financial Review and on social media. More advertisements, including poster and postcard drops, are in train.

Protect Ningaloo Director, Paul Gamblin advised “It is unbelievable that in 2021 we’re compelled to mount a campaign to stop an industrial port that would attract massive vessels into one of the world’s most important humpback whale resting and nursery areas. But here we are.

“No one should be surprised that the Gascoyne Gateway port proposal is drawing such controversy because it is so at odds with what the broad community expects for our most important natural places like Exmouth Gulf, Ningaloo. Our campaign has shown that opposition to industrialisation in Exmouth Gulf is overwhelming.

“Last month, the WA EPA released its major assessment report on Exmouth Gulf in which it called for protection for the key values of Exmouth Gulf. This included specific mention of Qualing Pool, a beautiful, biodiverse oasis, where the Gascoyne Gateway industrial port would be built. Offshore from Qualing Pool is the famed humpback whale resting and nursing area where mothers feed their calves and rest before taking on the arduous migration to Antarctica.

Gamblin added “we’re also launching an online letter for people to sign, calling for WA Minister for Environment, the Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson, to take the EPA’s advice and advance protection for Exmouth Gulf’s environmental, cultural and social values as a priority. This must take precedence over industrial proposals like the Gascoyne Gateway port and the K+S largescale salt production facility. After all, industry has been on notice for many years about the environmental importance and fragility of Exmouth Gulf.

“Exmouth Gulf has so much going for it if we apply some common sense and look after what makes it special.”

Image: Protect Ningaloo's 'Worth the Risk?' poster