King Island residents have come out in numbers, holding a "paddle out" in opposition to US oil and gas giant ConocoPhillips coming into its waters to seismic blast for fossil fuel.
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The paddle out on Thursday saw 200 locals, fishers, surfers on the water and pedestrians congregate at the Currie Harbour with placards and banners.
ConocoPhillips has just started seismic blasting off the west coast of King Island, using repeated sonic booms, emitted from six noodles dragged behind ships.
The blasting is expected to last for the next 40 to 50 days.
"King Islanders have made clear their opposition to ConocoPhillips raiding their waters without their permission and against their will," Wilderness Society Tasmania's Tom Allen said.
"ConocoPhillips' business model and the continued expansion and extraction of oil and gas is illegitimate.
"The King Island community, whose public marine waters ConocoPhillips is raiding and degrading, doesn't want seismic blasting.
"ConocoPhillips carries no social license to operate.
"It should return to the US and rapidly decarbonise."
Surfrider Foundation Tasmania president Ally King argued there was a clear gap between the science and the regulation used by government decision makers.
"Until this gap is closed, the precautionary principle should be applied - assume it's harmful unless you can prove it's safe," she said.
"At only 26, I have witnessed the degradation of our oceans unfold.
"The ocean is our greatest resource.
"Speculative and destructive exploration for oil and gas in 2021 is nonsense and completely unacceptable.
"We must stand up, and we must do better, not only for our environment and marine life but for the future prosperity and survival of the human race, who depend upon it."
A spokesperson for ConocoPhillips Australia previously said that it had been engaging with stakeholders over the past 13 months, with a number of controls put in place to mitigate and minimise impacts.
Last week, Beach Energy also put in an application to seismic blast 74 kilometres to the east of King Island.
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Rodney Woods
I'm excited to have joined The Advocate team having grown up reading the publication. I have experience in agricultural, general and sport reporting during my time in northern Victoria. If you have a story idea, contact me at: rodney.woods@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I'm excited to have joined The Advocate team having grown up reading the publication. I have experience in agricultural, general and sport reporting during my time in northern Victoria. If you have a story idea, contact me at: rodney.woods@austcommunitymedia.com.au
