#NorthernTerritory (NT) waters make up the last global stronghold for endangered #sawfish and one of the world's rarest shark species, the #RiverShark. Four of the world's five sawfish species and two of the world's five river shark species call NT waters home.
Right now, sawfish and river sharks are not protected from commercial #gillnets in their #CriticalHabitat along the coastlines of major river systems in the NT.
Protecting threatened species habitat from the threat of commercial gillnetting in the Gulf is paramount to improving the #survival and recovery of their #populations.
International corporation K+S is asking for government approval to build an industrial saltworks in eastern #ExmouthGulf. Our map shows how huge the project is compared to the city of #Sydney - it’s the size of nearly 12,000 MCG footy ovals!
If the Government approves the application, the #saltworks would be built over nationally listed #wetlands that play a vital role in delivering nutrients to the #Gulf.
The region is home to #HumpbackWhales, #orcas, #dugongs, endangered #turtles, critically endangered #sawfish, and migratory #shorebirds. It’s an unspoilt #environment with strong #ecological linkages to the World Heritage-listed #Ningaloo Coast, and we can’t believe K+S thinks this development could ever be environmentally responsible. Let the government know Exmouth Gulf is too precious to sacrifice for salt.