Film festival to spotlight seismic blasting

SURFRIDER is looking to bring a pressing environmental issue with local implications to the forefront at its coming film festival.

The Seismic Blasting Film Festival will be held on Wednesday, August 28 at the Aireys Inlet Pub and feature four films related to the issue.

Seismic surveying, also known as seismic blasting, is a precursor to offshore oil and gas drilling.

It involves ships towing airguns and sound receivers through the water. These devices release intense blasts of sound into the ocean to map the ocean floor.

Data company TGS and energy company SLB have proposed a seismic blasting mega project for the Otway Basin. After significant community backlash, the federal government announced last week it was reassessing the rules and regulations around seismic blasting.

Surfrider Foundation secretary Darren Noyes Brown said the film festival would aim to bring even more awareness to the issue.

“It’s going to be an informative fun type of night where people can learn about the issues surrounding seismic blasting and what we are trying to protect.

“The films are not only about the science behind it all, but to show why the Otway Basin is so special and can’t be blasted.

“85 per cent of the species here aren’t found anywhere else, thus we need to protect it and inform the community about what it’s all about.”

The film festival will also have live music, special guests and food and drinks from the Aireys Pub.

Attendees will also be able to sign petitions and write to local MPs about the issue.

For tickets, head to eventbrite.com.au and search “Seismic Blasting Film Festival”.