Media release – No Gas Across the Bass / Surfrider Tasmania, 24 August 2022

Largest ever 3D Seismic Survey is coming to Tasmania

Surfrider Tasmania & No Gas Across the Bass are calling for no further seismic testing off the Tasmanian coast.

Schlumberger Australia Pty Ltd and TGS have announced plans to seismic blast 7.7 million hectares off the continental shelf from the start of the Great Australian Bight in South Australia, through to Arthur River on Tasmania’s west coast.

The proposed area runs directly through the Nelson and Zeehan Marine Parks, which were set aside to protect natural values and biodiversity. The proposed survey area sits just 39 kilometres west of King Island and 85 kilometres west of Arthur River.

Previous seismic surveys were found to have significantly impacted the marine environment and local industries, including both commercial and recreational fishing sectors, and therefore have been met with protests from local communities around Tasmania. Last year over 200 King Islanders participated in a paddle out to protest seismic testing that was proposed to the west of the island.

Seismic surveys are the first step in oil and gas exploration. Airguns mounted on the back of ships blast noise deep into the seafloor to map underground layers of oil and gas. The airgun soundwave is reflected off these underground layers to receivers at the sea surface. These airgun blasts are some of the loudest sounds humans can create. Last time seismic blasting occurred in the Great Australian Bight, it was heard on the Antarctic continental shelf.

Surfrider Tasmania President Ally King says “It is absolutely ridiculous to be allowing international companies to blast our coastline, with no benefit for local communities or regard for marine life. These projects are approved on a basis of ‘acceptable risk’
– which is convenient for these companies, given the risks have not been independently investigated. The onus should be on the proponent to prove no harm, and the precautionary principle should be implemented until that is the case.”

There has been limited research on the impacts of seismic surveys to marine animals. The limited science that has been completed clearly shows significant impacts to southern rock lobster, scallops and phytoplankton.

Marine Biologist, Annie Ford stated “Recent research has found seismic activity displaces, damages and kills commercially valuable species in Tasmanian waters. Despite wide ranging impacts, these projects are proceeding with little to no community consultation. We need to support the natural environment, fisheries and local communities that rely on these oceans and coastlines.”

In 2010 a seismic survey in the Bass Strait killed entire scallop beds, resulting in a $70 million dollar loss to the fishing industry. Push back from the commercial fishing sector led to a Parliamentary Inquiry into the impacts of seismic testing on fisheries and the marine environment, resulting in 15 formal recommendations which included better compensation for fisheries. No recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry have been implemented by the seismic industry.

Local north-west coast fishermen Craig Garland says “At a time when there is a broad focus on achieving sustainability and rebuilding our fisheries and eliminating any risk that could or would prevent us from doing so, i, and many others within our different fisheries, find it absurd and reckless that this destructive seismic testing is being allowed or even contemplated.”

Schlumber is expected to submit their EP to NOPSEMA the governing body this month which will be open to comment from the public.