Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Ministers to crack down on ‘for-profit’ litter enforcers in England

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 07:00:21 +0000

Councils will end contracts allowing private enforcers to receive 50% to 100% of each fine served

Ministers have signalled an imminent crackdown on so-called “for-profit” litter enforcement arrangements in England, where private firms are paid for each fixed penalty notice issued.

Under long-awaited statutory guidance, councils would have to end contracts that allow private enforcers to receive between 50% to 100% of each fine they serve.

Labor’s nature law overhaul contains wins – but we should watch for gremlins in the details | Adam Morton

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 06:29:36 +0000

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act changes are an improvement, but the rush to pass them was purely political

Cuddling capybaras and ogling otters: the problem with animal cafes in Asia

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 06:00:19 +0000

A boom in places offering petting sessions is linked to a rise in the illegal movement of exotic and endangered species, say experts

Rachel Reeves hands farmers inheritance tax break

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 06:00:18 +0000

Treasury says concession could be worth £30m next year and then £70m annually until 2030

Rachel Reeves has eased inheritance tax on agricultural property after pressure from farmers.

As the chancellor made her budget speech on Wednesday, the Treasury announced changes it said could save farmers and business owners £30m next year when passing on property and £70m a year in the following four years. Farmers, who had driven tractors up to the doors of parliament, were protesting outside at the same time.

The rewriting of Australia’s nature laws comes as a relief, yet I can’t help feel a sense of foreboding | Georgina Woods

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 03:44:24 +0000

The minister says quick approvals can happen while protecting the environment, but my experience tells me that haste brings unintended consequences

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I got a text from a biodiversity advocate around midday on Thursday asking me: are you glad, or sad?

I wasn’t sure how to reply.

Environmental activist Ben Pennings declares ‘massive victory’ after Adani drops its years-long legal pursuit

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:37:11 +0000

Queensland supreme court orders Pennings, a campaigner against the Carmichael coalmine, not to seek to acquire Adani’s confidential information

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Large bull shark kills woman and injures man in attack at NSW beach

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 22:18:23 +0000

Swimmers aged in their 20s bitten by shark at Kylies beach in Crowdy Bay early on Thursday morning, with woman dying at the scene

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‘A win for nature and people’: Elizabeth line soil used to create Essex bird haven

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 19:00:05 +0000

A record 39,000 birds are overwintering on Wallasea island wetlands thanks to soil transported from London tunnels

Almost 40,000 birds have made their home on a nature reserve created using soil from tunnel excavations for the Elizabeth line.

Three million tonnes of earth were transported from London to Wallasea island in Essex and used to lift the ground level and make wetlands.

Ed Miliband confirms crackdown on North Sea exploration – but new drilling will continue

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:12:21 +0000

Strategy paper released with budget allows new oil and gas projects to move ahead if they are linked to existing fields

Comment: Labour is still in a muddle on North Sea oil and gas

The government has ruled out new North Sea oil and gas exploration or lower taxes for fossil fuel companies as it struggles to protect workers from the industry’s collapse.

John Kerry urges Australia to take ‘hard-nosed’ approach with world’s biggest fossil fuel-producing countries at Cop31

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:00:30 +0000

Exclusive: Former US secretary of state calls for more demanding steps from Australia as it takes over presidency of next year’s UN climate summit

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