Fishing industry furious as WA approves seismic blasting off Mid West coast despite marine life impact fears

A major new seismic survey off WA’s Mid West coast has been approved, sparking anger and concern among the State’s fishing industry. Pilot Energy has received the green light from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority to carry out its Eureka 3D Marine Seismic Survey. The survey will take place roughly 6km offshore from Dongara, north of Beagle Island, across an area of up to 1575sqkm. It is designed to collect data on the geology of the northern Perth Basin as part of research for future oil and gas exploration. The operation could last for up to 40 days and will involve the use of underwater airguns to create sound waves that help map the rock layers beneath the seabed. Pilot Energy holds a 21.25 per cent interest in the nearby Cliff Head oil field and associated infrastructure, and says the survey is vital to understanding new energy opportunities in the region. However, the decision has infuriated the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and the Western Rock Lobster Council, which both say the blasting could seriously harm marine life and fishing livelihoods. WAIFC chief executive officer Melissa Haslam said her organisation was frustrated and disappointed by the government’s decision to allow the project to proceed — one they had been fighting for two years. She said the approval conflicted with the State Government’s own environmental policies, including the roll out of marine parks and sanctuary zones aimed at protecting sea life. Ms Haslam said previous seismic activity in the same region had coincided with changes in catch patterns and behaviour among key species. “Even more concerningly, is the approved acquisition window of February-March overlaps with the critical spawning period for Dhufish, which is a valuable demersal species that was recently assessed as being at severe risk,” she said. She also pointed to research showing seismic airgun blasts can injure or stun marine species, including Western Rock Lobster. “Independent research funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation has shown that valuable species such as the Western Rock Lobster can suffer substantial impacts from seismic activity,” she said. “This is particularly worrying given the lobster fishery is a vital economic pillar for the Mid West region.” Western Rock Lobster Council chief executive officer Matt Taylor said his organisation had been consulting with both Pilot Energy and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development since 2023. He said research had shown seismic blasting causes “sub-lethal damage” to lobsters, leaving them dazed and more vulnerable to predators. “Recent research in Western Australia identified seismic activity as having an impact on mortality of lobster and indicates a reduction in lobster recapture following seismic activity around 22 per cent,” he said. “This reduction in catchability and mortality can affect the biomass for up to five years given seismic blasts impact all life cycle stages, including the delicate and long-lived planktonic phyllosoma larva. “WRL sought to have newer, less impacting noise quieting technologies and mechanically bandwidth-controlled airguns used as an alternative to common airgun array survey methodologies, but this was rejected by Pilot Energy.” Instead, the council worked with the company and government agencies to secure funding for independent scientific monitoring of the impacts to be undertaken before, during and after the seismic blasting. Pilot Energy environment manager Matthew Smith said the company welcomed NOPSEMA’s approval after more than 30 months of assessment and consultation. He said the plan includes strict environmental controls and compensation protocols for affected commercial fishers. “Pilot Energy agrees with NOPSEMA’s conclusion that, with the controls and conditions now in place, the potential environmental impacts and risks can be managed to below an acceptable level,” he said. Mr Smith added the company remained committed to ongoing consultation with fishers and local communities before and during the survey. Despite these assurances, WAFIC says it remained unconvinced that the environmental risks have been properly addressed. Ms Haslam said the fishing industry supported coexistence with other marine industries, but “will draw a line when there are scientifically proven impacts on the marine environment and sea life.”