Otway Coastal Communities protecting ocean and coastline by taking effective action to stop seismic blasting and new gas in the Otway Basin.
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OTWAY COASTAL ENVIRONMENT
ACTION NETWORK
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MEDIA
Many thanks to Jackson Hayat (film maker, animator), Hayley Nolle (artwork) and Patagonia for funding this short film project.
March Against
Seismic Testing & Gas Expansion
in the Otway Basin.
OCEAN marched down the main street of Apollo Bay to raise awareness of Seismic Testing and Gas Exploration in the Otway Basin. Yaraan Bundle, proud Gunditjmara woman, spoke after the march about bringing awareness to sea country and protection of the Southern Right Whale (Koontapool) and their song line country. She paid her respects to the Gadubanud country and praised OCEAN on their efforts to care for country. Please have a listen to Yaraan, she is inspiring. OCEAN also launched it's NO NEW GAS bins campaign.
Write to express your support
”Seismic testing is a dark, dirty and destructive secret happening beneath Australian waters, out of sight and out of mind of the everyday person. Were the same amount of unaccountable destruction happening on terrestrial Australia there would be riots in the street. However, the silent world beneath the waves is suffering devastation without reason and without much regulation on environmental impacts, other than by the very same people who are carrying it out.“ - Taki
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Write to state and federal energy and environment ministers to express your concern.
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Madeline King madeline.king.mp@aph.gov.au
Tanya Pilbersek minister.plibersek@dcceew.gov.au
Chris Bowen chris.bowen.mp@aph.gov.au
Dan Tehan dan.tehan.mp@aph.gov.au
Letter templates are available to download here:
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OCEAN Contact Details:
https://www.facebook.com/OtwayClimateEmergencyActionNetwork
Mobile 0456931323
OCEAN activists disrupt Seismic Survey Ship
enroute to King Island waters.
Geelong, VIC, Sunday August 15, 1:30 AEST - Today a group of activists were
arrested for disrupting the loading of the seismic survey ship the Geo Coral whilst in
the Port of Corio, Geelong. The ship is enroute to explore for new gas and oil in the
Otway Basin west of King Island. Over 40 protesters approached the ship on
surfboards and blockaded the high security gateway to the port.
The offshore title to be surveyed is owned by gas and oil companies’ 3D Oil and
ConocoPhillips and covers an area of 4,089 square kms. The plans have rung alarm
bells for fishers, environmentalists and King Islanders. Surrounding Councils
including Colac Otway Shire, Surf Coast and King Island Council have officially
opposed seismic testing in the waters of the Otway Basin.
Seismic blasting involves releasing 259 decibel blasts from the rear of the ship, to
determine gas and oil deposits deep below the ocean floor.
Lisa Deppeler from OCEAN explains “The blasts are so loud they are no longer a
sound you can actually hear; they are a massive shock wave of energy; scientific
evidence confirms the blasts kill, damage and disturb a huge array of marine
creatures including whales. Research has shown blasts destroy zooplankton for at
least 1.5kms radius. These blasts go off every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day
sometimes for months on end.
Torquay Surfer Belinda Baggs led the paddle out to the ship. “We are frustrated by
the token consultation offered by our government regulator, NOPSEMA (National
Offshore Petroleum Safety Environment Management Authority). We write letters
and respond to what little opportunity there is from NOPSEMA but our efforts are just
ignored. NOPSEMA is just another arm of the gas and oil industry as far as I’m
concerned”.
Trevor Barker, 3rd generation fisherman from Apollo Bay attended the protest in
Corio. Trevor says he has seen a significant decline in crayfish catches over the last
few years. Fishing grounds that have been blasted can take more than 5 years to
recover after a seismic ship has been through.
Lisa Deppeler OCEAN concluded by saying “Today was a rare opportunity to interact
with a survey vessel. We hope our efforts have raised awareness about the
existence of seismic ships and seismic testing to the public. It’s a dirty little secret
that the gas and oil industry would prefer we didn’t know about. It happens out to
sea, out of sight and out of mind of ordinary Australians”.
