Tag Archives: National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority
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
Victorian trawl fishers cheer as massive seismic survey rejected
The trawl fishing industry is relieved the national offshore regulator has rejected plans for a massive seismic survey off the Victorian coast. French company CGG Services planned to map 16,850km square of the seabed, east of Melbourne, for oil and gas reserves. CGG Services applied to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) for a permit to survey off the coast of Ninety Mile beach over a seven-month period. >click to read<09:21
Do we need an inquiry into how seismic testing impacts sea life?
John Hammond is a pioneer of Tasmania’s scallop industry, with more than 50 years’ experience. He has had concerns about marine seismic testing by oil and gas companies for about 10 years — since helping a seismic survey team in Bass Strait. Seismic testing involves firing soundwaves into the ocean floor to detect the presence of oil or gas reserves. Hundreds of sonic blasts measure the geology of the seabed in the hopes of finding oil or gas deposits. But the oil and gas industry said the practice is low risk, thoroughly regulated and involves extensive environmental checks and consultation with locals. >click to read<19:32
