Environmentalists call for moratorium on new licences as concerns grow about BP’s plans to drill for oil in Bight

Another company has been given a permit to explore for oil in a marine reserve in the Great Australian Bight, sparking calls from environmentalists for a moratorium on new licences.

Karoon Gas Australia announced to the Australian Stock Exchange on Thursday that it had been approved to explore for oil in “17,793 square kilometres of Australia’s most active and prospective frontier oil exploration province”.

Related: BP’s plans to drill for oil in Great Australian Bight delayed again

Related: Greens push to outlaw all mining in Great Australian Bight

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