Whale Watch upset at seismic tests

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 8:25p.m.

Kaikoura tourism company Whale Watch is demanding seismic tests for oil be conducted 10 nautical miles (about 18km) away from its area of operation after concerns of the effect the tests will have on local marine life.

Crown Minerals had surveyed the Pegasus Basin, which stretched from the Wairarapa coast to the northeast coast of the South Island, The Press reported.

Seismic testing generally involves ships firing high-intensity air guns deep into the ocean. Environmentalists claim the sound energy is potentially damaging to many species of marine life, including whales, dolphins and seals.

Whale Watch, which last month was named as overall winner at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards in London, has demanded that no tests be conducted within an agreed exclusion zone.

Chief operating officer Kauahi Ngapora said the company had not been consulted before the tests began last month.

"One would think they would have a duty to do that, but unfortunately there was no engagement or consultation with local stakeholders. The only consultation that occurred was after the decision to conduct the seismic survey activity had been taken."

Mr Ngapora said it was unclear how marine mammals would react to the tests.

"Even the experts that we've talked to and that have talked to us from Crown Minerals cannot definitively say that there won't be an effect," he said.

"That in itself should be raising a red flag and suggest a serious precautionary approach should be taken. We really want that seismic survey to be done as far away from Kaikoura as possible."

Crown Minerals chief petroleum geologist Richard Cook said it would not be in anyone's interests to comment at this point.

The Ministry of Economic Development said the programme had been designed to "minimise the impact on whale-watching activities in the region".

NZPA

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