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Published
July 26, 2018 17:36:00
John Hammond is a pioneer of the Tasmanian scallop industry, with over 50 years of experience.
He had concerns about marine seismic testing by oil and gas companies for about 10 years – since helping a seismic investigation team in the Bbad Strait.
Seismic tests consist of projecting sound waves into the ocean floor to detect the presence of oil or gas reserves.
Hundreds of sound explosions measure the geology of the seabed in the hope of finding oil or gas deposits. We were doing chase, pulling fishing gear out of the way for the ship to pbad, totally unaware of the horrific damage that this operation is doing to our marine life, "said Hammond.
He is not alone in his preoccupations
Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson is lobbying for a Senate inquiry into the impact of seismic testing on the Marine environment and fishing.
The honorable senator said that the fishing industries of Tasmania and Victoria and the commercial and recreational fishermen of New South Wales are concerned that the seismic industry is undertaking a new series of offshore earthquakes from the west coast of King Island. But the oil and gas industry has said that this practice is low risk, that it is strictly regulated and that it involves extensive environmental audits and consultations with locals.
There is Little Australian Research on the Impact of Seismic Testing
Recently, the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies of Curtin University discovered that gunshot noise seismic air significantly increased scallop mortality.
A planned seismic survey near King Island was recently postponed by the federal regulator, the National Authority of Oil Security Offshore and the Environment (NOPSEMA).
NOPSEMA asked Spectrum Geo to make further consultations
The Melbourne 3D Oil Company is planning a seismic survey west of King Island, between Victoria and Tasmania.
This is an environmental planning step, says David Briguglio, director of process exploration.
"The government regulator must approve before we can conduct operations like this, and it includes seismic and well drilling;"
Regardless of any inquiry, Mr. Briguglio would like the Commonwealth to support more consultation with groups opposed to exploration.
"As an oil and gas operator, we understand first-hand, especially in the southeastern states of Australia, the importance of the gas crisis, "he said.
Especially for natural gas, this has to happen, otherwise we could be in a situation where we have a significant shortage between our hands. "
Matthew Doman, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, said that the relationship with the fishing industry is appreciated. The regulator of offshore oil activity, NOPSEMA, insists on a very wide consultation between our industries and the oil and gas industry is committed to doing so, "he told The World Today
the process of marine seismic prospecting has become a ticking exercise
They have partnered with Seafood Industry Victoria to develop a policy of mineral, gas and oil consulting
"I guess we In the last 12 months, Mr. Harrington said: [TRADUCTION] "We have certainly opened our eyes much further than in the past seismic events on Tasmanian seafood. "
Subjects:
environment,
oil and gas,
fishing-aquaculture
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