Fishermen lose out as oil giant delays survey

Setback with compensation scheme

ANGLO- DUTCH OIL giant Shell has postponed a seismic survey on two gasfields off the North Yorkshire coast, disappointing fishermen who were in line for tens of thousands of pounds of compensation.

The energy firm had been looking to conduct the 3D survey on the Resolution – discovered in 1966 – and Endeavour gasfields this spring, but said it needed more time to “conclude agreements with commercial and other stakeholders in the area”.

Thesurveyonlyhasatightwindow, as the RSPB has advised that carrying out the surveys any later will affect seabirds returning to their clifftop roosts to breed.

About 50 fishermen, mostly from Scarborough and Whitby, had been involved in negotiations with Shell about removing their crabpots, which would otherwise get caught up in the 2km- long cables dragged by the survey ship.

Shellfisherman Jason Harrison, who fishes out of Scarborough, said he had been offered £ 76,000 to take his pots out, but had only taken out 20 per cent, about 400 pots.

However he said about half a dozen others had jumped the gun and cleared their gear from the area. He said he’d been since offered a £ 17,000 goodwill donation, but would have his December earnings deducted, which he wasn’t happy about. “There were quite a few fishermen who

thought they were going to be quids in and were treating themselves to new pot frames and ropes and now it’s fallen through. They’d moved the gear early because of winter conditions and to satisfy Shell in clearing the area.”

Extinction Rebellion Scarborough has campaigned against the development, claiming “worldfamous views” off the coast will be spoilt by the sight of gas rigs just offshore, and wildlife will be harmed in the process of exploiting the gasfields.

On Facebook they said: “Perhaps the most compelling reason is that Scarborough is in its final century as a seaside resort. The burning of fossil fuels is heating the planet to the extent the ice caps are melting and the seas are rising.”

Shell claims seismic surveys are a “low impact” method to gather information about seabed geology, using an acoustic signal that is generated on the ship and picked up by sensors towed behind the vessel as the signal bounces back off the rocks.

Shell, which has a 70 per cent interest in the exploration licences, and is the operator, denies claims by the group that fracking would be used. If they decide to go ahead following a future survey – now likely to be in 2022 – gas would eventually come ashore at Teeside where it would be used to power homes and businesses and also to generate electricity.

Shell said: “Globally Shell has set itself an ambition to become a net- zero emissions energy business by 2050 or sooner.

“But gas will remain a necessary part of the UK’s energy mix for many years to come. Security of supply is critical for the UK, and Shell will play its part in providing this, while helping to drive forward the energy transition.”

Quiteafew fishermen thoughttheywere goingtobequidsin.