Dolphins at risk as Moray Firth seismic surveys get the go-ahead

Environmental assessments were flawed, says WCDS

August 2010: As the US starts to count the massive conservation costs of the current oil slick disaster off the coast of Louisiana , agreement by the UK government to allow two companies to begin seismic surveys in preparation for potential future oil and gas development in the Moray Firth, Scotland - a Special Area of Conservation - has been condemned by groups including the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS).

DISRUPTION: The likely impact of the seismic surveys on Moray Firth's dolphin population is not fully known Picture: WCDS / Charlie Phillips

Opponents believe the decision is based on heavily flawed environmental assessments, and has failed to take into consideration the potential for negative long term impacts on the dolphin population.

The seismic surveys, which will create high levels of noise under the water for a number of weeks, have been approved pending a four week restricted consultation period, and look set to begin on September 1. One of the areas outlined encroaches within the boundary of the Special Area of Conservation, which was set up under European legislation to offer protection to what is one of just two resident populations of bottlenose dolphins in the UK.

‘This is setting a very bad precedent'
‘WDCS is very disappointed by the decision to give the go-ahead for the seismic surveying in the protected area as it sets a very bad precedent, and potentially has very serious implications for the special dolphin population in the Moray Firth,' says Sarah Dolman, WDCS head of policy in Scotland.

‘Seismic surveys cause high levels of noise under the water which at the least can be expected to disrupt the behaviour of the dolphins who are very sensitive to noise, using sound and their acute sense of hearing as their primary sense, to find food, and communicate with each other.

‘The government has a responsibility to consider the unknown, but longer term behavioural impacts on this small population, which already faces the ongoing and cumulative effects of other threats in this small sea area such as multiple harbour developments, increasing vessel traffic and noise from future pile driving for hundreds of wind turbines.'

Long-term impact on dolphins not fully known
WDCS does not believe that the evidence exists that demonstrates, to the level required under the EU Habitats Directive, that there will not be long term or behavioural impacts to this small population of dolphins. Until such data exists, it says, the seismic surveys should not proceed.

‘We are considering the best course of action to take given that the UK government is permitting seismic surveys in the only protected area for dolphins in Scotland, against the rigorous scientific requirements of European legislation,' Ms Dolman adds.

‘The Scottish government also has to provide a license to allow the surveys to go ahead and we encourage it to reconsider carefully whether all the tests regarding disturbance of all European Protected Species can be met, as well as the advice provided by the statutory nature conservation agencies.'

If oil and gas deposits are found following the surveys then drilling is likely to continue in the area for many decades.