Tag Archives: Seismic surveying

Seismic survey debate returns to south-west Victoria after national talks with fishers break down

Lobster fisher Gary Ryan believes the public ought to know more about seismic surveying. The technique involves shooting loud airwaves at the ocean floor to uncover subterranean oil and gas reserves. “I just believe that if this was happening on land and the public could see the damage it was causing there would be an uproar,” Mr Ryan said. When energy giant Origin Energy decided to survey off the coast of Warrnambool in Victoria’s south west in 2017, the community had little option but to accept it. “At the time, we were compensated and it seemed like a reasonable figure,” Mr Ryan said. “But we accepted it because either we took it or we were going to get nothing.” >click to read< 09:12

Seismic surveying off Newfoundland and Labrador could bring lasting effects to fish

Seismic surveying happening in Newfoundland and Labrador this year is leaving researchers and fish harvesters concerned over the health of fish and catch rates in the province’s waters. Seismic activity in the province is being carried out by Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS), with projects in Labrador, eastern Newfoundland and off of the Grand Banks. Weilgart said fish can also be harmed in other ways as a result of seismic surveying. She said  damage done by seismic surveying could lead to reflexes and immunity systems being compromised for long periods of time, which can make them more susceptible to predators. “Sometimes these [effects] are four months [after a survey], sometimes even a year, these impacts persist a year after the seismic survey ended,” she said. >click to read< 10:52

Seismic surveying is non-threatening says President International Association of Geophysical Contractors Nikki Martin

Recent months have brought much discussion and debate about the effects of seismic surveying along the Atlantic Coast as the federal government has approved consideration of permits for seismic operations. Numerous allegations from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) assert that seismic surveys are harmful to marine life and threaten fishing and tourism.  These allegations are simply false. Read the rest here 19:50