Surfrider Foundation to host paddle out against Otway Basin blasting

SURFRIDER Foundation is calling on the community to join them for a paddle out at Cosy Corner in Torquay today, Saturday 23 March.

The event aims to shed light on the environmental risks associated with a massive seismic survey project being considered for approval off Australia’s southern coast.

 

 

Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast branch secretary Darren Noyes-Brown believes the Torquay call to action will harness the same energy as when the community came together to successfully oppose drilling in the Great Australian Bight.

“The local community here on the Surf Coast paddled out in a roaring protest against the Great Australian Bight issue,” he said.

“Now this project is even closer to us we will proudly paddle out and do whatever it takes to stop this.

“The community has everything to lose and nothing to gain.”

 

 

Seismic surveying, also known as seismic blasting, is a precursor to offshore oil and gas drilling. It involves ships towing setups of airguns and sound receivers through the water. These devices release intense blasts into the ocean to map the ocean floor.

The blasts are louder than atomic bombs, reaching 250 decibels.

 

 

Marine scientist and Surfrider national campaign manager Annie Ford said seismic blasting posed dangers to marine life.

“Research shows seismic blasting causes habitat abandonment, mating and feeding disruption, and impacts the ability of marine animals to communicate.”

 

 

Energy company SLB—formerly known as Schlumberger—and data firm TGS are seeking a joint special prospecting permit from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to conduct blasting.

If approved by the government regulator, the permit would allow the companies to conduct blasting activities across 45,000 sq km of ocean between Victoria and Tasmania, which includes marine parks, endangered blue whale feeding areas, and other significant habitats.

Campaigners warn the permit would result in seismic blasting every 10 seconds, around the clock, for up to 400 days straight.

If approved it would be the largest seismic blasting project on record.

 

 

Since the campaign began Australians have sent more than 10,000 letters to politicians expressing their concern.

Earlier this month, Corangamite federal member Libby Coker called for a halt to the decision on seismic blasting in the Otway Basin until a proper review had taken place, and will meet with NOPSEMA chief executive officer Sue McCarrey in the coming days.

Speaking about her coming meeting and her concerns with consultation conducted by TGS and SLB, Ms Coker said urgent attention must be given to the issue by the regulator.

“A poorly run consultation process can lead to dire implications for our environment, local jobs and the regional economy and that’s why it’s so important for the regulator to look more closely at the Environment Plan of the proponents.”

 

 

A NOPSEMA spokesperson said the environment plan (EP) for the project was currently being reviewed by a team of specialists to ensure it aligns with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2023.

“Part of this assessment process includes the manner in which consultation with relevant persons has been conducted,” the spokesperson said.

“At present it is not possible to say when the assessment will be completed.”

 

 

Wannon federal member Dan Tehan, whose electorate stretches along the Victorian coast from Anglesea to the South Australian border, initially said he had full confidence in NOPSEMA to make the right decision but now has major reservations about the proposal.

“I’m deeply concerned with the size and nature of the TGS/Schlumberger proposal,” Mr Tehan said.

“The successful seismic testing that I have seen, which has been going on for decades in and around the Otway Basin in Port Campbell has been done by companies that have a direct interest in the seismic testing itself and the outcomes, not seismic testing like we’re seen under this proposal of such a broad nature and such a large scale.”

 

 

Greens member for Western Victoria Dr Sarah Mansfield said the blasting would just be the beginning.

“The end game of seismic blasting is oil and gas rigs in our seas which would further suffocate our oceans and wreck our climate,” Dr Mansfield said.

“This is a campaign we need to win.”

 

 

As a result of community advocacy, Surfrider Foundation says the proposed blasting area has already been reduced from a planned 7.7 million hectares of ocean floor to 4.5 million hectares.

Saturday’s paddle out at Cosy Corner Beach (opposite Price Street), Torquay, begins at 11:30 am, with participants heading into the water at noon.

Attendees are reminded to bring sunscreen, a hat, appropriate swimwear, plenty of water, signs/banners, and their board of choice.

Parking is recommended at The Esplanade Carpark near Point Danger.

For more details and registration information, head to events.humanitix.com/paddle-out-stop-the-southern-blasts

 

First published Friday 22 March. Story updated Saturday 23 March 2024