1St March, 2021. Dear SUBJECT: KING ISLAND COUNCIL SUPPORT a MORATORIUM on SEISMIC TESTING in the BASS STRAIT Background The

1st March, 2021.

Dear

SUBJECT:

KING ISLAND COUNCIL SUPPORT A MORATORIUM ON SEISMIC TESTING IN THE BASS STRAIT

Background

The Senate’s Environment and Communications Reference Committee is scheduled to present the findings of their inquiry into the Impacts of Seismic Survey on Fisheries and the Marine Environment in May 2021. i

Meanwhile, NOPSEMAii have advertised seven proposed marine seabed acreage releases including more areas close to King Island. Timeframes for approval of seismic surveys to be undertaken in waters off King Island’s east and west coasts, indicate these would be approved before the inquiry’s findings are presented. ConocoPhillips Australia, a multinational company, is proposing to commence seismic testing in the Bass Strait commercial fishery areas on 1st August, 2021 subject to the NOPSEMA approval.

What Do We Want?

The King Island Council is backing Council’s King Island Brand Management Group which represents our industry participants, in calling for a moratorium on NOPSEMA approval of marine oil and gas exploration environment plans until such time as the Inquiry’s findings have been presented and their recommendations reviewed. Any subsequent approval of environment plans should reflect the Inquiry’s recommendations.

King Island Council would like you, as one of our political representatives :-

1. To be aware of this issue which has national impacts.

2. To support our request that information being gathered through the Senate Inquiry be reported upon prior to any more seismic testing licences be issued by NOPSEMA

3. To advocate that if licences need to be issued by NOPSEMA prior to the Senate Inquiry reporting, then “NOPSEMA to apply the precautionary principle when independently assessing the impacts of seismic testing and processing permit applications.”iii

ABN 47 537 189 282 | 03 6462 9000 | [email protected] | PO Box 147, Currie Tasmania 7256 | kingisland.tas.gov.au What Does the Senate Inquiry Cover?

On 16 September 2019, the Senate referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 21 May, 2021. “The impact of seismic testing on fisheries and the marine environment, with particular reference to:

a. the body of science and research into the use of seismic testing; b. the regulation of seismic testing in both Commonwealth and state waters; c. the approach taken to seismic testing internationally; and d. any other related matters “

Numerous submissions have been made to the Senate Committee by industry participants including the King Island Brand Management Group.

Background Issues

 Concerns have been expressed about extending Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 and oil and gas drilling off the coasts of Sydney and Newcastle, and

 ConocoPhillips Australia wants to seismic test for gas reserves in the Otway Basin in an operational area of 4,089 square kilometres only 23.5 kilometres off the west coast of Tasmania's King Island, from 1 August, 2021;

 There is Australian and overseas research which asserts there will be damage, potentially long-term damage, to the fisheries through the use of the high-volume sound blasts used in the seismic testing regime.

 Conoco-Phillips has been unable to categorically refute this research and in the motion passed in the Australian Senate on 16th February, 2021 there was acknowledgement of a “knowledge gap” and ConocoPhillips needed to “address these fears with evidence-based answers. The alternative should be “if ConocoPhillips cannot prove there will be no impact on local fishing livelihoods then the seismic testing should not go ahead”.

 ConocoPhillips whilst unable to prove there will be no damage to the fisheries is also unwilling to support gathering of base line data to underpin any meaningful scheme for long term economic compensation to the King Island businesses should such damage occur.

Compensation processes have been triggered in the Victorian/New South Wales fishery because of the environmental and economic damage. Economic compensation is very much a second best result to an undamaged sustainable fishery.

 King Island Council, in support of our fishing industry which depends on a sustainable fishery for crayfish, king crab and abalone, has passed a motion requesting a moratorium be placed on seismic testing until there is peer reviewed scientific evidence that the seismic testing processes will not damage the species upon which our economic survival depend.

ABN 47 537 189 282 | 03 6462 9000 | [email protected] | PO Box 147, Currie Tasmania 7256 | kingisland.tas.gov.au  Substantial scientific work has been carried out to set quotas and licences and catch levels to ensure the Tasmanian fishery is a sustainable source of food for domestic and export markets. The calculation and imposition of these quotas has, in the past, had both economic and social impacts on the affected communities which has been supported in the interests of a long term economically sustainable industry.

 The current fisheries support their communities – both local and national – through employment, payment of fees, licences and income tax. From King Island alone the crayfish industry produces approx. $20 million of sales.

 The business model for all gas and oil producers is being strategically impacted by the huge sub Arctic fields planned to go online in relatively short time frames. The possibility that damage by seismic testing may impact a currently valuable and sustainable industry with no long term economic benefit (either from gas or oil reserves at a world competitive price, or any income tax revenues) needs to be considered in a national context.

We are writing directly to each NOPSEMA member outlining our concerns and disappointment with the poor consultative process ConocoPhillips has engaged in, the timing by NOPEMA of the release of extra acreages over the Christmas period and the need for application of a precautionary approach given the uncertainty surrounding environmental, and hence economic damage to the fisheries.

King Island Council would be happy to provide any further information or explanation requested by you and contact details are shown.

Yours sincerely

Julie Arnold Mayor

ABN 47 537 189 282 | 03 6462 9000 | [email protected] | PO Box 147, Currie Tasmania 7256 | kingisland.tas.gov.au i Original date for report was 14th May 2020. Reporting dates were extended to the Second Sitting Wednesday of 2021 (extended on 26th March 2020) then 1 March 2021 (extended on 11th December, 2020) the current reporting date is 21 May 2021 from an extension made on 9th February, 2021. ii National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) is Australia’s independent expert regulator for health and safety, structural (well) integrity and environmental management for all offshore oil and gas operations and greenhouse gas storage activities in Commonwealth waters, and in coastal waters where regulatory powers and functions have been conferred. iii Extract from the Senate Motion on 16th February, 2021.

ABN 47 537 189 282 | 03 6462 9000 | [email protected] | PO Box 147, Currie Tasmania 7256 | kingisland.tas.gov.au