TGS proposal for seismic surveys between Tasmania and Victoria spark alarm from conservationists

An energy company is proposing to conducting seismic blasting between Tasmania and Victoria, prompting conservationists to sound the alarm over potential threats to whale populations.

A Southern Right Whale.

A plan to conduct seismic blast surveys between Tasmania’s North-West Coast and south-west Victoria has attracted more than 30,000 public submissions amid fears the proposal could have a deadly impact on marine life.

Energy data company TGS wants to undertake a seismic survey for gas in the Otway Basin, which is located in Commonwealth waters offshore from Tasmania and Victoria.

The operational area of the project is 38km from land at the closest point. It would see a seismic vessel tow up to 14 seismic streamers 8-10km in length across a total area of 55,000 sq/km for a maximum of 400 days.

The surveys would begin as early as October 1, pending approvals from Australia’s offshore energy regulator NOPSEMA. It’s slated for completion by September 30, 2027.

TGS lodged an environment plan with the regulator last year, with NOPSEMA receiving 30,785 submissions through the public consultation process.

The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) said the vast majority of submissions were opposed to the project and that 20,000 had been lodged through their organisation.

A Southern Right Whale.

The AMCS said the survey area was habitat for the endangered blue whale and southern right whale and would involve sonic cannons firing loud explosions underwater every 10-15 seconds “24 hours a day, seven days a week for months on end”.

“It’s totally unacceptable that gas exploration companies can seismic blast in a whale nursery and superhighway when seismic blasting can deafen whales and kill their primary food source, zooplankton,” AMCS oil and gas campaign manager Louise Morris said.

“The mitigation measures the proponents suggest to avoid impacts on whales are limited.”

Ms Morris said the environment plan showed there were 34 threatened or endangered species in the operational area and there was always a population of whales in the proposed blasting areas, as well as migrating whales passing through.

It’s understood there is currently no date set for when NOPSEMA will make a decision on whether to approve or reject the proposal.

In its environment plan, TGS said the survey “will not kill, injure, take or interfere with a whale or dolphin within the Australian Whale Sanctuary”.

“In light of the extensive suite of proposed controls, the overall conclusion from the environmental risk assessment is that the impacts from the [survey] have been reduced to [As Low as Reasonably Practicable] and Acceptable Levels,” the plan reads.

“The survey will fully comply with all relevant legislation and industry best practice, and all [Environmental Performance Standards] provided within the accepted [environment plan].”