Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, has welcomed the support of the Senate in agreeing to establish an Inquiry into the impact of climate change on our fisheries and on marine biodiversity.

South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will give notice today that she will introduce legislation to the Senate that would see the Great Australian Bight marine park protected from companies wanting to drill for oil and gas.

"The Parliament has to step in and make sure that this this national treasure is protected for generations to come," Senator Hanson-Young said.

"BP will put this spectacular marine park at risk and, if they're given approval, there are several other companies lining up behind them.

Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson says that the last-minute-to-midnight decision to close of the Macquarie Island Station just before the Antarctic Summer season is a worrying sign of the budget pressure facing the Australian Antarctic Division.

Astounding results from a Curtin University study, showing 172 southern right whales using the Great Australian Bight calving sanctuary in just one July day, show why the area must be protected from BP's plans to drill for oil there.

"This essential ecosystem must be protected," Senator Hanson-Young said.

"The extremely vulnerable southern right whale population is only just starting to rebound and for BP to be given clearance to drill for oil in the Bight would be an absolute disaster.

“It is fantastic to see the class action by seaweed farmers in Indonesia over the Montara oil spill up and running”, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“I have been committed to seeing justice for those affected since the disastrous spill, which happened seven years ago.  This would have seemed like a lifetime of turmoil for locals.

The Australian Greens are the only party fighting to protect the Great Australian Bight by standing up to mining companies seeking to drill in the pristine marine environment. Greens Senators for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young and Robert Simms on Thursday announce their plan to protect the Bight.

Under the plan the Greens will:

Greens spokesperson for Antarctica, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, has today released the most comprehensive Antarctic science funding package ever put forward by a political party.

Greens Senator for Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson, have today announced that the Greens will be seeking to use their position in the new Parliament to push for the establishment of a Cooperative Research Centre to investigate and find solutions to the scourge of plastics in our ocean.

Addressing coral bleaching, investment in shark research, and reinstating our comprehensive marine parks system have been announced as part of the Australian Greens marine package today.

Australian Greens spokesperson on marine issues, Senator Rachel Siewert said: