Film to highlight dangers of seismic testing

THE Surfrider Foundation is stepping up its campaign against proposed seismic testing off the Otways coast by running a national film tour, including to Torquay and Apollo Bay.

Southern Blast is described as a beautiful cinematic celebration of the wild landscapes, abundant marine ecosystems, and local communities that call the Southern Ocean coastlines home.

Featuring footage shot on location in Tasmania, the film connects with local personalities from surfers to crayfishers, sustainable ocean businesses, and Traditional Custodians, and covers the unique and diverse communities that coexist alongside marine life and wild landscapes.

“Southern Blast is a powerful look into the relatively untouched charm of Lutruwita (Tasmania) and the threat posed by a looming fossil fuel industry,” the film’s website states.

“Engaging as it is beautiful, Southern Blast has captured the wildness of the Southern Ocean and those who share a deep and integral connection with it.

“The film uplifts and inspires, leaving audiences with a message: this area is worth protecting, and we all have a role to play in helping to protect it from oil and gas exploration.”

The film also includes waveriding sessions with a lineup including Torren Martyn, Annie Ford, Kyron Rathbone and Zoey Grey.

Surfrider says the film tour is part of its “Save the Southern Sea” campaign and aims to educate and rally public support to pressure governments to stop the proposed Otway Basin 3D Multi-client Marine Seismic Survey, which will carry out seismic testing in an area covering 5.5 hectares in the Southern Sea.

The proposed testing area between the western coast of Tasmania and the South Australian border by seismic survey companies TGS and SLB/Schlumberger, Surfrider says, is “confirmed to be the largest blasting plans on earth”.

“Seismic surveys have significant impacts to both ecologically and commercially valuable species, including whales, crayfish and plankton. But research is limited,” marine scientist Annie Ford said.

“The more we learn, the worse the impact appears to be.”

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority recently closed the public submission period on the proposal.

Southern Blast will be screened at the Torquay SLSC clubrooms, Torquay on October 20 from 5-9pm, featuring music from Raging Moby (tickets are $10 plus booking fee); and at the Mechanics Institute Hall, Apollo Bay on October 21 from 5-9pm, featuring music from Finnigan August (tickets are $5 plus booking fee).

For more information or to book, head to surfrider.org.au/campaigns/save-the-southern-sea