The threats posed by opening the Bight to oil exploration are unacceptable. Not only is there potential for a catastrophic oil spill, the poorly understood effects of seismic testing, strike risk and noise pollution from drilling and boat traffic, and increased pollution have the potential to fundamentally disrupt this unique marine environment.
Industrialisation
All stages of the oil development cycle – exploration, development, production, abandonment – pose unavoidable risks and impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems.
Climate Change
New oil reserves cannot be exploited if we are to limit dangerous global warming to the internationally agreed maximum of 2℃.
Economic Impact
Given the experience of BP’s Deepwater Horizon disaster, there is serious cause for concern for the potential impact of a similar oil spill disaster.