Skip to content

Renewable Energy

'Blue superhighway' threatened by well near Australian reef

by Martin Leggett 09 Mar 2011
'Blue superhighway' threatened by well near Australian reef

An important migration route for whales, dolphins and turtles, along a Western Australian reef, is being placed under threat by plans to drill for oil. That's according to reaction from WWF-Australia, yesterday, to news that the Federal Government there is considering drilling plans put forward by Shell. They are seeking to sink a mile-deep well just 30 miles from a World Heritage-nominated site - the Ningaloo Reef, which is part of Western Australia's fragile Coral Coast.

The WWF says that the dangers of deep-sea drilling for oil are being ignored, despite them being thrown into stark relief by the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Amazingly, a similar well blow-out happened in the nearby Timor Sea just two years ago. The Montara well failure was further up the west Australian coast, and created a slick 35,000 sq miles in size, as the PPT oil company wrestled, for over 73 days, to bring it back under control.

Gilly Llewellyn, WWF-Australia's conservation manager, explained the significance of the reef area "Ningaloo is a stunning marine park and the waters between it and the proposed well are home to a blue superhighway that literally provides a migration route for whales, dolphins and turtles."

Deep-water drilling has been shown to pose major risks to wildlife and marine ecosystems, due to the incredible difficulty of quickly plugging wells that fail.

And Shell's own risk assessment offers few grounds for reassurance. Their worst-case scenario has an oil spill that would hit the Ningaloo Reef, as well as the adjacent islands and coastline.

The Australian government has previously indicated that it recognized these dangers. Its review of the Montara spill included proposals for a new regulatory authority, to oversee drilling and exploration. That's supposed to come into effect January 2012. But rather than waiting for the new regime to be put in place, plans are moving ahead for oil exploration near these sensitive areas.

As well as Shell's exploration moves, BP has recently announced plans for seismic surveying of the marine park in the Great Australian Bight. Dr Llewellyn said "Important areas for marine wildlife need to be protected by marine parks and not left open for oil and gas activities. Both Shell and BP’s applications need to be suspended until a national system of marine parks is in place and there is stronger regulatory oversight."


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping