No Funding for Seismic Testing

The Batholiths Project, led by U.S. academics, aims to use some of the world’s loudest air gun arrays in the waters off Burke and Dean Channels (between Bella Bella and Prince Rupert) as part of a study on how the Coast Mountains were formed. The project would involve firing 36 high-pressure air guns into coastal waters every 20 – 60 seconds, 24 hours a day for three weeks.

Salmon migrate through the proposed testing area, which includes nursery grounds for many juvenile fish species. Much of the proposed seismic blasting would occur in narrow coastal inlets, which increases the potential for harm because humpbacks, harbour porpoises and other animals trying to avoid the noise may have difficulty escaping. Because the Batholiths proponents had requested funding from NSERC, the environmental organizations are hopeful that withdrawal of funding means the controversial project will not proceed. For the project to go ahead, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) would need to issue permits under the Species at Risk Act and the Fisheries Act that allow the researchers to harm and harass endangered marine species. “Seismic testing, whether for academic study or to locate oil and gas, presents unacceptable risks to important parts of BC’s environment and economy,” says Jay Ritchlin of the David Suzuki Foundation. “NSERC’s decision supports the protection of BC’s coastal waters and we hope it puts an end to any proposals to use seismic testing here.” For more information contact: Oonagh O’Connor, Living Oceans Society, 250-230-6580.