Hydrocarbon research vessel still off the west coast of Corfu
hydrocarbons
28 Feb 2022
/ 13:09
CORFU. Corfu Environmental Protection Association: The Government and local authority must stand up to this.
Corfu Environmental Protection Association has issued the following statement:
We were informed that, following the intervention of environmental organisations, the government ordered the SW Cook to halt the seismic surveys in the Ionian on behalf of Hellenic Petroleum, which had caused cetaceans to be washed ashore.
However, there are witnesses who say that the SW Cook is continuing its seismic surveys, which are causing irreversible damage to the biodiversity of the sea.
Towing cable 7 NM means that it is continuing to cover an area of approximately 12km by 1.2km taking soundings and 3D imagery of the depths in order to find deposits. The air cannon causes sound 'explosions' every 10 to 15 seconds at a level above 250db. It should be noted that sound travels three to four times faster in water than in the air and further.
The seismic surveys being conducted in the Ionian are contrary to the international decisions and guidelines for the protection of the biodiversity and environment and the reduction in gas emissions to limit temperature increases to under 1.5 degrees Celsius.
We refer to decision 7.13 of the ACCOBAMS Agreement for the conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean and the Atlantic Adjacent Zone, EU legislation which obliges member-states to adhere to the regulations for the reduction of underwater noise pollution and the Paris Agreement 2015 for the prevention of climate change.
We remind you of our position regarding exploration and mining of hydrocarbons in the Ionian Islands area:
- The hydrocarbons will not be used to cover our islands' energy needs.
- They will cause irreversible environmental destruction.
- They will have an adverse effect on fishing and tourism - the basic economic activities on our islands.
- They take us away from the course of removing dependency on fossil fuels and turning to clean energy with small-scale facilities.
- The promises of wealth are just a myth, as can be seen clearly from the mining in Albania and Basilicata in Italy.
-They create international tension, which brings large military costs, insecurity for residents and possibly military conflicts.
For all the above reasons, we call on the government and the local authorities to stand up to this, take responsibility for the local area - the people and all the living beings - and bring an end to the exploratory operations and possible hydrocarbon mining in the sea around the Ionian Islands and other areas in Greece.
President - Vera Koronaki
Secretary - Grigoris Stelios
We were informed that, following the intervention of environmental organisations, the government ordered the SW Cook to halt the seismic surveys in the Ionian on behalf of Hellenic Petroleum, which had caused cetaceans to be washed ashore.
However, there are witnesses who say that the SW Cook is continuing its seismic surveys, which are causing irreversible damage to the biodiversity of the sea.
Towing cable 7 NM means that it is continuing to cover an area of approximately 12km by 1.2km taking soundings and 3D imagery of the depths in order to find deposits. The air cannon causes sound 'explosions' every 10 to 15 seconds at a level above 250db. It should be noted that sound travels three to four times faster in water than in the air and further.
The seismic surveys being conducted in the Ionian are contrary to the international decisions and guidelines for the protection of the biodiversity and environment and the reduction in gas emissions to limit temperature increases to under 1.5 degrees Celsius.
We refer to decision 7.13 of the ACCOBAMS Agreement for the conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean and the Atlantic Adjacent Zone, EU legislation which obliges member-states to adhere to the regulations for the reduction of underwater noise pollution and the Paris Agreement 2015 for the prevention of climate change.
We remind you of our position regarding exploration and mining of hydrocarbons in the Ionian Islands area:
- The hydrocarbons will not be used to cover our islands' energy needs.
- They will cause irreversible environmental destruction.
- They will have an adverse effect on fishing and tourism - the basic economic activities on our islands.
- They take us away from the course of removing dependency on fossil fuels and turning to clean energy with small-scale facilities.
- The promises of wealth are just a myth, as can be seen clearly from the mining in Albania and Basilicata in Italy.
-They create international tension, which brings large military costs, insecurity for residents and possibly military conflicts.
For all the above reasons, we call on the government and the local authorities to stand up to this, take responsibility for the local area - the people and all the living beings - and bring an end to the exploratory operations and possible hydrocarbon mining in the sea around the Ionian Islands and other areas in Greece.
President - Vera Koronaki
Secretary - Grigoris Stelios
