WA Seabed Sand Mining Sparks Turtle Nesting Fears

The federal government has granted approval for a controversial proposal to extract sand from the seabed in Western Australia's Cambridge Gulf. The project, proposed by Dutch company Boskalis, involves dredging sand equivalent to 28,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools over 15 years for overseas construction.

Environmental organizations have voiced strong opposition, citing significant risks to vulnerable marine species. The Cambridge Gulf area is a crucial nesting site for flatback turtles, a vulnerable species, and also provides habitat for snubfin and humpback dolphins. Concerns remain that the approval conditions do not adequately protect these species, as nesting occurs year-round, not just during the stipulated August-September prohibition period.

Despite calls for a full assessment by environmental protection agencies, the project has not undergone complete evaluation by either state or federal bodies. The WA EPA recommended the project proceed, while the National EPA stated approval conditions include measures to mitigate impacts. The final decision rests with the WA Environment Minister, who faces pressure from groups advocating for a ban on seabed mining, citing precedents in New South Wales and the Northern Territory.