World’s Largest Seismic Blasting Permit for Australia’s Southern Ocean is on Hold – For Now

Plans to conduct the world’s largest seismic blasting project in the Southern Sea are delayed due to inadequate community consultation. But this fight is far from over.

Surfrider Foundation Australia has worked tirelessly on its Save the Southern Sea campaign, raising opposition in record numbers to the proposed world’s largest seismic blasting project.

The Great Ocean Rescue Tour has raised awareness of seismic testing in Victoria

Along with the significant community pushback, regulatory body NOPSEMA has delayed approval for multinational companies TGS and Schlumberger to undertake this seismic blasting project. Impacted communities state the latest rounds of consultations have deliberately avoided key communities and the process lacked transparency.

Watch our video to find out more about the impact of seismic testing.

About the Save the Southern Sea Campaign

Run by the Surfrider Foundation and partner Ben & Jerry’s, the Save the Southern Sea campaign has travelled across the East Coast of Australia raising awareness of the damage caused by seismic testing and what the proposed project entails.

Campaigners at the Save the Southern Sea rally

By hosting movie festivals and education events, the campaign has raised awareness of thousands of people who live on the impacted coastline. In 2023, Surfrider saw over 30,000 submissions in opposition and over 10,000 letters sent to federal MPs opposing the project. In March 2024 a rally was held where a crowd of 1,200 people paddled out in Torquay, declaring their opposition.

Chris Miller, Global Social Mission Director, Ben & Jerry’s said, ‘Through tireless advocacy and community mobilisation, Surfrider and the wider alliance have successfully achieved incredible milestones towards preserving marine ecosystems for future generations. It’s a testament to the power of grassroots organising’.

The Save the Southern Sea campaign has gained the support of federal MPs who represent communities in the proposed impact zones of Victoria and Tasmania, and it has seen the proposed blast zone reduced from 7.7M hectares to 3.17M hectares.

Drew Mcpherson, National Campaign Director at Surfrider Foundation Australia says, ‘While it’s good to see a reduction in size, this has only been done to make sure they get the project approved. The science tells us that the only sustainable target for communities we represent is 0 hectares blasted and drilled for fossil fuels’.

Save the Southern Sea paddle-out in Torquay

The Fight is Far From Over

TGS and Schlumberger have announced new consultations in response to the request by regulatory body NOPSEMA.

While upcoming consultation dates are in the affected areas of the Great Ocean Road and Hobart, Torquay hasn’t been included, despite it being a key town that’ll be impacted by this development and the community opposition demonstrated in the March paddle-out.

Annie Ford, Marine Scientist and Surfrider Tasmania spokesperson says, ‘It’s against the intent of consultation to deny a voice to the communities that will live with the impacts of seismic blasting and consequent drilling for oil and gas in their waters for many years to come’.

A Freedom of Information request for the communication between TGS and NOPSEMA saw 25 of 26 pages of the document redacted. Mcpherson explains that this is a prime example of the lack of transparency of this project, and prevents TGS and Schlumberger from being held to account, as the requirements are not publically known.

What can we do next?

Learn more about the Save the Southern Sea campaign and contact your local MP to show your concern about the impact seismic activity will have on Australia’s coastlines, oceans, and environment.

Feature image thanks to The Surfrider Foundation Australia