CGG are proposing to conduct seismic blasting off the coast of Victoria near Warrnambool and the Apollo Marine Park.(1)
The seismic blasting, if allowed to happen, will be right next to critical calving grounds for the endangered southern right whale and inside key foraging habitat of the endangered pygmy blue whale. The seismic blasting zone will be approximately 10km off Deen Maar (Lady Julia Percy Island), which has resident Australian fur seal populations, nesting birds, and other marine life sensitive to the damage caused by seismic blasting. Deen Maar is part of the homeland of the Gunditjmara people, who maintain important cultural and spiritual connections to the island and its surroundings.
CGG has indicated that their proposed activities would have negative impacts on wildlife including endangered pygmy blue whales, dolphins, sea lions, lobsters and fish species who live in the areas proposed for seismic blasting.
Parts of CGG’s plan to conduct seismic blasting in this area is to be done under a Special Prospecting Authority (SPA). The SPA is a permit that allows companies to sidestep the usual regulatory processes businesses have to go through. And it doesn’t end there, as CGG is planning to conduct seismic blasting over an area that overlaps the ocean floor where ConocoPhillips has proposed to conduct test drilling for gas.
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Sources:
- https://klarite.mysocialpinpoint.com.au/regiamss