Surfrider to host information session on seismic testing

A COMMUNITY information session about planned large-scale seismic testing along the Victorian coastline will be held in Torquay next week.

Surfrider Foundation Australia and Surfrider Surf Coast will host the event at the Australian National Surfing Museum about the testing, which the two organisations describe as “one of the largest 3D seismic exploration projects in Australian history, covering 5.5 million hectares of the Southern Ocean”.

Multinational company TGS plans to conduct the seismic survey directly off the state’s coastline, from northern Tasmania to South Australia.

The first step in oil and gas exploration, the testing involves sound being blasted into the ocean every 10 seconds.

The area covered by the survey is of critical importance to endangered species, commercial fisheries, tourism and marine ecosystems.

“Research indicates seismic surveys have significant impacts to ecologically and commercially valuable species, including zooplankton, scallops, crayfish and cetaceans, but research is limited, with very few species studied,” marine biologist, Annie Ford said.

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

There has been considerable opposition to the plan to run the seismic survey along the coast, including from community groups, surfers, and local governments.

“The fact a gas field was ever proposed in one of the most environmentally significant areas of Australia is one thing, but the fact it is being allowed to proceed despite almost unanimous public opposition is mind-blowing,” Surfrider campaign director, Drew MacPherson said.

“Nobody wants this apart from the gas companies, and Surfrider holds grave concerns that the companies responsible for the survey will not listen to coastal communities and the diverse range of deeply invested stakeholders.”

In 2019, Surfrider Australia successfully opposed the development of the Great Australian Bight as a deep water oil field.

“The local community here on the Surf Coast paddled out in a roaring protest against the Great Australian Bight issue,” Surfrider Surf Coast branch president Darren Noyes-Brown said.

“Now this project is even closer to us, with a community that strongly opposes it and will proudly paddle out, or do whatever it takes to stop this.

“The community has everything to lose and nothing to gain if this project goes ahead.

“Australia can never make any meaningful contribution to climate action while the gas industry continues to expand.”

The Torquay community information session will take place at the Australian National Surfing Museum, Beach Road, Torquay on Wednesday, June 14, at 6.30pm.

There will be presentations by experts in marine biology, seismic testing and the environment, with Surfrider informing the community about what is proposed.

The night will conclude with a 30-minute panel session, during which the community can question presenters.

Attendees are asked to register via Surfrider Foundation Australia’s website at surfrider.org.au