Environmental protesters in Australia have been trying to block entry to the world's largest coal port in protest at the expansion of mining across the country.
The New South Wales Port of Newcastle ships coal 24 hours a day, mainly to Japan and Taiwan.
The ABC reports that about 50 boats, rafts and kayaks have taken to the water in Newcastle Harbour in protest over the expansion of the coal industry.
The environmental group Rising Tide Newcastle is aiming to shut down shipping movements in and out of the port on Sunday.
The group's spokesperson Naomi Hodgson says the fifth annual protest is designed to send a strong message to state and federal governments.
"In an era of dangerous climate change we just cannot watch this massive expansion go on and not do anything about it," she said.
Several police boats are also on the harbour and police have warned if vessels enter the shipping channel in the port they risk being arrested.
