SYDNEY, Thursday 22 October 2026 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific has nominated Scott Reef to join the likes of the Ningaloo and Great Barrier reefs on the National Heritage list based on its ecological and scientific values. 

The nomination was compiled by marine scientists Dr Vania Andreoli, Dr Kristina Heidrich and Oceanwise Director, Doctor Ben Fitzpatrick, and reviewed by Professor Peter Valentine, a former member of the Australian Heritage Council, on behalf of Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

Key points of the nomination include:

• Deeper habitats in the south of Scott Reef have barely been explored, and are likely to reveal more species not yet known to science.
• Scott Reef appears to be the last remaining stronghold of the dusky sea snake, an endangered species endemic to Australian waters.
• Scott Reef supports invertebrates found nowhere else, some not yet formally named, and its plankton includes at least 14 copepod species that appear to be new to science.
• Sandy Islet, on South Scott Reef, is one of only two nesting sites of a genetically distinct green turtle stock.

Woodside’s proposal to drill up to 57 wells around and underneath Scott Reef for oil and gas would put threatened species including pygmy blue whales and green sea turtles at increased risk, and emit 1.6 billion tonnes of climate pollution. The project also risks Australia’s worst ever oil spill, according to Woodside’s own modelling. 

Both the approval or rejection of Woodside’s Scott Reef drilling plans and the addition of Scott Reef to the National Heritage register are to be decided by the Federal Minister for Environment.

The nomination comes after two Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists climbed and occupied a Floating Production Unit (FPU) at Woodside’s Scarborough Gas project calling for the government to “Stop Woodside’s Dirty Gas” and “Save Scott Reef”. 

Hannah Schuch, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “While Woodside’s plans to drill from around the pristine Scott Reef have been making national and international headlines, leading scientists, Dr Ben Fitzpatrick and Professor Peter Valentine have supported the nomination of Scott Reef for National Heritage listing due to its significant natural values.

“Scott Reef is an ancient coral reef, important feeding grounds for endangered pygmy blue whales who pass through the nutrient rich waters on their annual migration, and home to extremely vulnerable green sea turtles who only nest at Scott Reef.

“Woodside’s reckless drilling plans at Scott Reef fly in the face of science. This reef system is of national importance and scientific significance. 

“The prospect of drilling for oil or gas at the Ningaloo or Great Barrier reefs would be considered absolute madness today, but that is exactly the decision before the government now.

“Murray Watt and the Albanese Labor government have an opportunity to protect the national significance of Scott Reef, and make history by stopping Woodside’s nature and climate wrecking plans.”

-ENDS-

Doctor Ben Fitzpatrick, Director of Oceanwise, and Professor Peter Valentine, James Cook University, are available for interview.

Media contact

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Emma Sangalli on 0431 513 465 or [email protected] 

High res images and footage of Scott Reef can be found here

Photos and videos of Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s protest can be found here