Indonesian seaweed farmers have launched a 200 million dollar Federal Court class action, alleging their livelihoods were destroyed by Australia's worst ever oil spill.
The Montara oil rig exploded on August 21, 2009, in Australian waters, 250 kilometres from the West Australian coast and a similar distance south-east of Indonesia's Rote (ROH-tee) Island.
Thousands of barrels of oil spewed into the Timor Sea for more than 70 days before being brought under control.
Following the oil spill, the seaweed industry rapidly declined and farmers who relied on it to make a living found themselves struggling to make ends meet.
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