Kayak blockade in coal shipment harbor.

Nearly 600 environmental protesters turned out for a people’s blockade of Newcastle Harbour yesterday, to protest the expansion of coal exports.

Many of the protesters took to the water in kayaks, while a large police presence patrolled both the waterway and beachside.

Australia’s export of coal is one of the country’s largest contributions to climate change.

A spokesperson with Rising Tide said that the protest had effectively stopped all coal transport traffic for the day.

The Newcastle Port Corporation says the blockade did not impact shipping movements with vessels able to move in and out of the Port.