Whale breach off Dampier Peninsula. Credit: Annabelle Sandes / Kimberley Whale watching
By Rich Bowden
An aerial survey of whales off the Western Australian coast has shown large numbers of humpback whales near the site of a proposed industrial gas facility, say green groups.
The survey, which was conducted over the weekend, found 162 of the whales in the area with the highest concentration recorded in the vicinity of the proposed industrial site at James Price Point, according to a statement released by environment groups The Wilderness Society, the Conservation Council and Environs Kimberley.
Mr Richard Costin, a local whale expert who was behind the survey said “What we have seen in this single survey is just a snapshot of the number of whales that aggregate in this area to feed and give birth.”
Mr Costin added that the proposed gas development site at James Price Point would be as disruptive as other sites rejected by the WA Government due to whale activity. Premier Colin Barnett had originally considered North Head, a site further north on the Dampier as a suitable LNG processing site but this was rejected due to whale numbers in the area.
“Based on our recent research, there is no doubt that the area around James Price Point is at least as significant for humpback whales as other sites that have been considered unsuitable for industrial development due to whale activity,”said Mr Costin.
“This whole region is important for these amazing creatures which would be severely impacted if the proposed LNG plant goes ahead on the Kimberley coast.”
Whales on the charge. Credit: Annabelle Sandes / Kimberley Whale watching
No interference with whales
Premier Colin Barnett acknowledged the presence of whales in the area of the proposed development but told reporters yesterday the processing site would not be allowed to interfere with the migration of whales.
“Yes they swim past James Price Point,” he said.
“They swim past Geraldton. They swim past Kwinana. They swim past Bunbury. They go up and down the coast every year and we will ensure that they are not in any way adversely impacted by the development on shore of an LNG precinct at James Price Point.”
He added the massive LNG development would go ahead at James Price Point.
“James Price Point, on environmental grounds, on isolation from communities, on offshore and onshore geological and technical conditions, is clearly the best location,” he stated.
However environment groups have called on both the state and federal governments to impose a moratorium on oil and gas development on the Kimberley coast and proposed a marine sanctuary be established in the region to protect migrating whales.
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Nice Rich I will pass on the link to the guys