the fight for the bight
Local environmentalists fear a coast-to-coast oil spill if drilling in the Great Australian Bight is given the go-ahead.
Whether you’re a surfer, swimmer, semi-frequent beach-goer or just someone who cares about the health of our oceans, you should probably know that our southern coast could be at risk of an oil spill. Norwegian company Equinor is proposing to drill for oil 370km off the coast of South Australia by the end of 2020. And while the company assures onlookers that the process is safe, marine biologists say even a drop of oil spilling out could negatively impact marine life. There's also the rather alarming "worst case" scenario detailed in the company’s environmental plan for the proposal, which shows the potential for 100 different oil spills along the coast from Perth to Port Macquarie. Scary stuff. 
The 'Worst Case Discharge Unmitigated Case' graphic from Equinor's report.
In response, concerned beach-goers all over the country have been organising protest paddle-outs to draw attention to the issue. They're also encouraging people to have their say on Equinor’s proposal, which needs to be approved by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).
If you feel strongly about the topic, make your voice heard by submitting your comments to NOPSEMA here, or have a squiz at Equinor’s draft environmental plan and tell them how you feel. Be quick – today is the last day to write to both. Folks in Melbourne can also get along to the Fight for the Bight Paddle Out protest happening this Sunday arvo, March 24. More details on that here.
.jpg&q=80&w=316&c=1&s=1)
.jpg&q=80&w=316&c=1&s=1)
