Analysis Highlights Threats to Turtles and Whales
Woodside’s amended plans for the Browse gas project face scrutiny as new analysis shows significant risks to marine life, including green turtles and pygmy blue whales, at Scott Reef. Released on 21st April 2026, this assessment highlights crucial environmental concerns.
Commissioned by Greenpeace Australia Pacific, the independent technical analyses were conducted by Oceanwise and whale expert Dr. Olaf Meynecke. Results indicate that Woodside’s mitigation methods are insufficient, relying on outdated data and failing to meet the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act’s requirements.
Hannah Schuch, a senior campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, remarked that Woodside’s revised plans were necessitated by a preliminary rejection in 2024 by Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which cited ‘unacceptable impacts’ on Scott Reef’s natural environment.
Environmental Challenges for Woodside
Following the EPA’s rejection, Woodside resubmitted its turtle and whale management plans. The Browse gas project proposes drilling up to 57 wells near Scott Reef, raising concerns about its impact on local wildlife. This area serves as a critical habitat for nesting turtles, endangered pygmy blue whales, and dusky sea snakes.
Dr. Olaf Meynecke, co-author of the analysis, explained that Woodside’s Management Plan for Scott Reef does not adequately recognise the region as a critical habitat for pygmy blue whales. He emphasised, “Scott Reef is an anchor point and whale hub for pygmy blue whales.”
The EPA is expected to deliver its recommendation on the Browse project later this year. Meanwhile, Woodside faces increasing scrutiny as it prepares for its Annual General Meeting in Perth, where environmental and community groups plan to protest the project.
Potential disruptions to whale migration routes and damage to turtle nesting sites due to increased underwater noise and potential oil spills are among the environmental concerns prompting activists to call for a halt to the development.
According to the analysis, Woodside’s plans contradict Australia’s Conservation Management Plan for Blue Whales, which aims to protect these endangered creatures. The outdated data used by the company fails to consider recent findings about critical habitats.
Hannah Schuch stressed that Scott Reef remains a vital region for the survival of threatened species. She stated, “Scott Reef will be a major threshold test for this government’s legacy on nature protection.”
Last updated: 21 April 2026, 3:19 pm
