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| Bar Beach (Image: Newcastle Council) |
An application to conduct marine seismic tests off the coast of Newcastle has sparked concern from local fishing associations and environmental advocates.
Advent Energy's subsidiary Asset Energy has resubmitted a plan to send acoustic pulses into a 12.25 square-kilometre area of the ocean floor.
The previous application was rejected by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) because it was "not reasonably satisfied that the environment plan meets the criteria."
Asset Energy said its the smallest application NOPSEMA have considered and poses an extremely low risk to commercial fishing and the environment.
NSW Greens marine and fisheries spokesperson Justin Field disagrees with Asset Energy's application and said that any exploration disrupts fish stock and marine life, including the migration patterns of whales.
"At the end of the day, oil and gas drilling off the Sydney and Newcastle coastline is never going to be acceptable for the community and we should put an end to this project once and for all," Mr Field said.
