Kimberley oil spill highlights need for moratorium on fossil fuel development

A Government Hurcules dumps dispersant chemicals on the oil spill. Dispersant chemicals are toxic to marine life and in some cases can impact on wildlife as negativly as the spill itself. For example scientific literature indicates that dispersants impact on sea grasses more than the oil spill they disperse. © (Courtesy of AMSA, Aug 24th 2009)

The Wilderness Society is shocked and concerned by the massive ongoing environmental crisis currently occurring off the Kimberley coast. Current reports indicate that West Atlas rig, 250 kilometers off the Kimberley coast will continue to spew oil and toxic gas into the environment for up to 8 weeks.

The oil spill highlights the need for a moratorium on further fossil fuel development until the Commonwealth marine planning process is complete.

UPDATE:  Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has chartered a flight and viewed the disaster zone first-hand.
Watch footage of this flight here >>

Senator Siewert has been quoted as saying; 

 (see map at the bottom of the page).

What are the impacts?

Despite comments from Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson and WA Premier Barnett playing down the impact of this spill it is clear that a disaster of this scale will have serious and ongoing impacts on a range of marine life.

The region where this spill is occurring is a ‘marine superhighway’ for a range of species including over 19 species of Whales and Dolphins, including the Humpback Whale . Sea Snakes, many bird species, fish and other wildlife will also be impacted.

The diverse and ecologically crucial coral reef habitat of Ashmore Reef is also threatened should the spill reach this area 150km from the leaking rig. The Kimberley region is home to one of the most significant coral reef provinces in the world.

What are the implications?

Image supplied by Greens Senator Rachel Siewert, taken August 28, 2009. Senator Siewert chartered a plane and flew over the site of the West Atlas oil platform spill, and says her visit showed that the spill was far greater than had originally been reported. (Office of Senator Rachel Siewert: Chris Twomey)

There are clear ramifications from this environmental disaster for proposed fossil fuel developments in the Browse Basin and proposals to pipe gas onto the Kimberley coast for processing. The gas extraction, sub-sea pipes and greatly increased shipping traffic associated with processing fossil fuels on the Kimberley coast would open the area up to the risk of further major environmental disasters as well as having a range of ongoing environmental impacts.

There is no good reason to put the Kimberley environment at further risk. Read our 10 reasons why the LNG development should not go on the Kimberley coast to find out more.

What needs to be done?

The Kimberley’s waters are a ‘marine wonderland’ of global significance, but currently less than 1% of its waters have any marine protected areas. The Wilderness Society is calling on the Federal Government to declare a moratorium on further approvals and expansion of the oil and gas industry in the region pending the completion of the North West marine planning process currently underway and the implementation of marine parks as part of this process.

In the 1970’s Australia said ‘NO!’ to oil and gas mining in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and went on to implement what was then the world’s largest marine park. The GBR now contributes well over $5 billion in sustainable income annually to the Australian economy and supports thousands of jobs. The Kimberley is equally significant, has the potential to be a similar international icon and deserves the same level of protection. 

Take action

1. Join the Hands Up supporter list and map. By registering your support you will send a clear message to State and Commonwealth Government and multi-national fossil fuel companies such as Woodside, Shell, Chevron BHP and BP that the Kimberley is not for sale! Click here to register and view the map.
2. Contact Prime Minister Rudd, Environment Minister Garrett and Resources Minister Fergusson and let them know that the Kimberley’s marine wonderland must be protected and expansion of the oil and gas industry in the region must be put on hold until marine planning processes are completed. Download an open letter sent by The Wilderness Society to inspire you and get you started here. And, for further inspiration, read a letter sent to Mr Garret by Jean-Michel Cousteau, Ocean Futures Society President regarding Kimberley protection here.

Further reading

The Wilderness Society and local Broome-based environment group Environs Kimberley have distributed a joint media release on the current crisis.

Sattelite images showing the extent of the spill as of the 30th August are available at http://blog.skytruth.org/2009/09/timor-sea-drilling-spill-worse-than.html

Map showing location of oil spill and some crucial nearby ecological features.