The Western Australian Museum has extended its research partnership with fossil fuel giant Woodside for another five years, sparking condemnation from environmental groups and the WA Greens. The deal comes as a record-breaking marine heatwave has caused the most severe coral bleaching on record along a 1,500km stretch of the WA coastline.
The partnership, which has run for 28 years, will see Woodside continue to support the museum’s biodiversity research along the Gascoyne coast. To mark the milestone, Woodside is sponsoring free admission to the WA Maritime Museum on August 17 for a “Woodside Energy Open Day” featuring family-friendly marine science activities.
WA Greens spokesperson Sophie McNeill criticised the timing, saying it is inappropriate to partner with “one of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies” while coral reefs are dying. She wrote to museum director Alec Coles seeking a briefing, arguing that Woodside’s emissions contribute to the climate change driving the heatwave.
The Conservation Council of WA called on the museum to reject the sponsorship, urging the state government to fund research directly instead of relying on the industry causing the damage. The council plans a “requiem for our reefs” protest at the Maritime Museum on Sunday.
The museum defended the partnership, stating it relies on diverse funding sources and that engaging with industry allows it to expand knowledge of WA’s ecosystems and ensure decisions are informed by science. Woodside has not commented.
