Advocates claim blasting breaches new southern right whale plan

A NATIONAL Recovery Plan for the endangered southern right whale has been issued by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, following significant lobbying from community groups, including those concerned about the impacts of seismic surveying in the Otway Basin.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act National Recovery Plan for the southern right whale took effect on July 31.

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) stated that it would no longer accept Environment Plans or Offshore Project Proposals inconsistent with recovery plans for listed threatened species or ecological communities.

“It is therefore critical that proponents and titleholders include in their permissioning documents, appropriate content that is supported by relevant scientific information, evidence and reasoning to demonstrate their project or activity would not be inconsistent with the new Recovery Plan for the southern right whale if permitted to proceed,” NOPSEMA stated.

The recovery plan, a collaborative effort between the federal and state governments aims to protect the endangered species by addressing threats such as climate change, entanglement, and habitat degradation.

Last week this masthead reported the decision on a seismic blasting mega project in the Otway Basin by TGS/SLB has been delayed again.

The proposal, originally expected to be decided around August 15, has now been stalled twice in recent months by NOPSEMA.

A separate decision on a CGG seismic blasting proposal adjacent to southern right whale calving grounds, and in their migration path is expected from late August.

Public opposition to the blasting has been significant, with thousands attending rallies and protests along the Surf Coast.

Corangamite federal member Libby Coker said she expected full compliance with the Act.

“I have contacted TGS seeking clarification about whether its proposal will now take into account the recently released southern right whale Recovery Plan,” Ms Coker said.

“This plan is now embedded into our environment regulations – these regs make clear that NOPSEMA is prevented from accepting an Environment Plan that is inconsistent with a recovery plan for a listed threatened species.

“Australia will continue to advocate for the protection and conservation of whales and the health of our ocean for future generations.”

Australian Marine Conservation Society campaign manager Louise Morris highlighted the impact on projects proposed in the Otway Basin.

“Seismic blasting as proposed by CGG and TGS, and drilling by ConocoPhillips in the habitat of these whales will disrupt and displace them from their migration and calving grounds as the ocean becomes noisier and more polluted by fossil fuel exploration,” she said.

The Southern Right Whale, which migrates along the Australian coast from April to November, is classified as endangered. The new recovery plan outlines measures to protect the species’ calving and nursing areas such as those adjacent to the seismic blasting and gas drilling proposals in the Otway Basin, and addresses additional threats such as underwater noise and vessel strikes.

The goal is to halt the decline of the southern right whale population and ensure its long-term survival in the wild.