Whales stop singing and rock lobsters lose their balance: how seismic surveys can harm marine life

Mon, 9 Oct 2023 13:04:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/whales-stop-singing-and-rock-lobsters-lose-their-balance-how-seismic-surveys-can-harm-marine-life-211207>

"Woodside Energy this week announced it would start seismic testing for its
Scarborough gas project off Australia’s west coast, before reversing the
decision in the face of a legal challenge from Traditional Owners.

Seismic testing is highly controversial in marine environments. The federal
regulator (the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management
Authority) is currently examining a proposal for seismic testing in the Otway
Basin in Bass Strait, which conservationists say has attracted more than 30,000
public submissions.

Seismic testing is also mooted as part of the “PEP11” (Petroleum Exploration
Permit 11) off the coast of New South Wales, from Manly to Newcastle.

As marine biologists with research expertise in this field, here we give a
roundup of the latest evidence on the effects of seismic surveys. It shows
there are many potential harms to marine life, and many unanswered questions."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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