Balanced debate?

Reacting to the recent protest against offshore seismic surveys to look for more oil and gas, MP Jonathan Young called for ‘balanced’ debate. But what about the facts and the scientists? The endemic Maui’s dolphin which calls our waters home is already critically endangered, largely due to fishing by-catch. Seismic surveys, drilling and mining would only exacerbate the peril of the dolphin, not protect it or promote its recovery. Seven scientists from renowned institutions such as NOAA – US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the University of California and Prof. Elisabeth Slooten from the University of Otago jointly published a study recently. They warned, ‘‘displacement by seismic activities risks exposing the remaining 55 dolphins to by-catch in nearby fisheries.’’ Dr. Leigh Torres who discovered the Blue Whale foraging and nursing ground in the South Taranaki Bight stated unequivocally, ‘‘Multiple scientific studies have shown that whales change behaviour, distribution, and vocalization patterns when seismic airguns are active. Other marine life like squid, spiny lobster, scallops, and plankton also suffer when exposed to airgun noise. The evidence has mounted. There is no longer a scientific debate: seismic airguns are harmful to marine animals and ecosystems.’’ The harm is so clear that seismic survey has been banned in places of California and Canada. Critically, seismic survey is the first step of fossil fuel exploration. Stopping seismic survey is key to ending further fossil fuel mining and arresting the grave consequence of climate disruption and social calamity.

Catherine Cheung

Okato