The Conservation Council of WA has welcomed the cancellation of a Santos offshore gas exploration license near the pristine Rowley Shoals coral atolls, 260-300km west of Broome.
“We’re glad to see that the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) have cancelled Santos’s exploration permit, which will save the Rowley Shoals from being exposed to the risks of dangerous seismic blasting and gas drilling,” said CCWA Executive Director Matt Roberts.
“However, this license is only one of many fossil gas proposals in waters off the Western Australia coast.
“Santos still plans to proceed with its Bedout proposal in nearby waters — a plan that would risk massive oil spills, harm to marine life from seismic blasting, and catastrophic carbon emissions.
“Further north, the resilient and diverse Scott Reef is at risk from Woodside’s plans to drill the Browse gas project. Woodside wants to drill up to 50 gas wells right near the reef — putting endangered species like the dusky sea snake at risk.
“At a time when we have banned and restricted fishing up and down the WA coastline to save our demersal fish populations, our oceans continue to come under attack from the oil and gas industry.
“We are calling for a moratorium on all seismic blasting until the impacts are properly researched and understood, and for an end to fossil gas expansion on and offshore.
“WA’s marine environment and coral reefs are already facing immense pressure from warming oceans and climate change, yet another reason why we need to phase out fossil fuels and get on with the transition to a cleaner, cheaper energy future powered by the sun and wind.”
ENDS
Media contact: John Cooke – 0433 679 780