After facing monumental opposition from surfers, ocean lovers and concerned citizens from all over the globe, Norwegian energy company Equinor, have announced that they will not be pursuing plans to explore drilling option in the Great Australian Bight.

The decision by Equinor represents a major win for the environmental movement and fully validates the protests participated in by people around Australia.

Surfers have a voice that echoes across the globe.

Two people at the spearhead of the movement, and among those who deserve the highest of accolades for their tireless and daunting work in fighting Equinor are former Tracks editor Sean Doherty, and Heath Joske.

The two broke the good news via their Instagram pages this morning, with Sean stating:

Just got the news through that Equinor have pulled their plan for the Great Australian Bight and are currently kicking a can back to Norway. Best Tuesday news I’ve had in a long time. They’ll try and save face and say it was the economics and the oil price, but the real reason is what you see right here. For every single person who paddled out around the country, and for all you legends down there in the Bight who’ve been fighting this for years, take a moment to fully appreciate what you’ve done. By paddling out and speaking up and fighting this colossally stupid idea, you’ve kept the Bight wild and free and saved it for future generations. Couldn’t be more proud of you mob. Go have a beer. I just cracked one at 10.45 am.

 

 

 

 

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Just got the news through that Equinor have pulled their plan for the Great Australian Bight and are currently kicking a can back to Norway. Best Tuesday news I’ve had in a long time. They’ll try and save face and say it was the economics and the oil price, but the real reason is what you see right here. For every single person who paddled out around the country, and for all you legends down there in the Bight who’ve been fighting this for years, take a moment to fully appreciate what you’ve done. By paddling out and speaking up and fighting this colossally stupid idea, you’ve kept the Bight wild and free and saved it for future generations. Couldn’t be more proud of you mob. Go have a beer. I just cracked one at 10.45am. #fightforthebight

A post shared by Sean Doherty (@seano888) on Feb 24, 2020 at 3:55pm PST

Equinor is publicly claiming that is was a lack of economic opportunity in the drilling of the Great Australian Bight that led to their decision, rather than the mounting pressure piled on by protests, but Heath Joske wasn’t having a bar of that argument when interviewed on ABC TV this morning stating:

“I believe that the sustained protests we’ve seen over the years have definitely led to ultimately Equinor withdrawing from the Bight. They’re never going to say we’ve pulled out because of the massive opposition we’ve seen from Australia and abroad. That would just encourage people to fight them in every project they apply to do. Of course, I believe that people power played a huge part in saving the Bight.”

A full interview with Sean Doherty on his experiences during this fight will be live tomorrow morning. Check back then to read.

 

 

 

 

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Yeah cobba! @healthjozza explaining exactly why Equinor pulled out. The people of the Australian coast have spoken. My phone is currently lighting up… people from around the world are applauding the Bight movement and what we’ve achieved here in Australia. This is the new benchmark. Now what’s next? #fightforthebight #bigoildontsurf

A post shared by Sean Doherty (@seano888) on Feb 24, 2020 at 5:18pm PST