Turning the Tide Newsletter – Summer 2025
Seismic Shift
Community opposition sent seismic blasting firm TGS packing from waters between Victoria and Tasmania.
Thousands of people turned out to protest in coastal communities, and more than 30,000 people made submissions to oppose this controversial project.
In the face of overwhelming community opposition, oil and gas exploration companies TGS and SLB-Schlumberger withdrew their plans to conduct seismic blasting. The plan originally proposed blasting over 77,000 square kilometres of ocean between Victoria’s Otway coast and Tasmania’s north west – an area larger than the size of Tasmania.
In a major victory for marine conservation, this seismic blasting proposal was cancelled in September 2024.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of local community groups and concerned individuals across Australia, the largest 3D seismic blasting proposal on record no longer threatens our marine life.
Demand Seismic Blasting Moratorium
Now we need the Australian Government to declare an urgent moratorium on all seismic blasting exploration for fossil fuels, as part of ending fossil fuels in our oceans. Seismic blasting is a process involving loud, powerful airgun blasts fired every few seconds, 24 hours a day, sometimes for months which threatens our unique marine ecosystems. You can add your name here to join the call for a moratorium on seismic blasting.