Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association has shown concern the impact of seismic testing on the sector.

Seafood industry requests seismic testing inquiry

AUSTRALIA
Saturday, November 17, 2018, 01:40 (GMT + 9)

Members of the Australian seafood industry have requested the Senate to start an inquiry on the use of seismic testing, since they are concerned about the negative effect it could have on marine life.

These seismic surveys, which are used to search for undersea oil and gas deposits, involve firing intense soundwaves into the ocean floor, and Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association President Brian Jeffriess said not enough is known about the impacts of the practice, ABC News reported.

The surveys have become of particular concern to the seafood industry in Port Lincoln, South Australia, which, with its tuna, oyster, rock lobster and prawn fisheries, considers itself Australia's seafood capital.

The widespread concern stems from the fact that Norwegian oil company Equinor plans to drill an exploration well in the Great Australian Bight late next year in an area of the ocean that the city's seafood sector also relies on.

Airgun array fired during marine geophysics research (Photo: Roussel BBC Science Forum Seismic)

Equinor has already carried out seismic surveys in the region, and fisheries remain concerned about both their immediate and potential impacts.

Bluefin tuna (Photo: Wikipedia)►

Jeffriess insists the extent of the impact seismic testing can have on fisheries needs to be further investigated.

"There is no question in our mind that the science is now clear that there is an impact, and the more that is put under scrutiny the better," he said.

Jeffrey said that the bottom line is that a Senate inquiry can bring out issues and facts because of the access it has that is not normally available.

Seismic testing procedure at high seas. (Photo: Stock File)

The motion in favour of an inquiry into seismic testing was first moved by Tasmanian Greens Senator, Peter Whish-Wilson, but failed to receive support from the major parties.

The potential inquiry would have considered the regulation of seismic surveys, taking into account the most recent scientific findings on the practice and the approval process for seismic testing.

A similar motion is not likely to be brought to a vote again in this parliament, as the inquiry will soon run out of time to report in time for the next election.

►Fish abundance population before, during and after seismic testing. (Photo: Stock File)

In a statement, Resources Minister Matt Canavan said the Coalition voted against the motion because it is "already funding extra research into the issue of seismic testing by the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and is also strengthening consultation and transparency requirements.

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) is aware of the seafood industry's concerns.

Oil companies hoping to carry out offshore drilling and seismic surveys must first have their environmental plans assessed and approved by NOPSEMA.

"If they cannot demonstrate, with sufficient certainty, that the activity can be conducted without unacceptable impacts to the environment, then the activity is not allowed to proceed in the way it was proposed," A NOPSEMA spokesperson told the ABC.

There are currently several Australian research projects considering the impact of the practice on marine life.

The most significant one is the Australian Institute of Marine Science's North West Shoals to Shore research initiative, which is studying marine noise, fish behaviour, and the and growth of pearl oysters in Western Australia.

In his defense, Matthew Doman, from the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, said the industry stands by the safety of seismic surveys.

"The fact is seismic surveys are low risk, it's a well-understood technology and it's the first step to understanding what is beneath the ocean floor," he said.

"We also understand, however, that there are many people with questions and concerns, and we are committed to responding to them," he concluded.


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