Flatback turtleWWF said Australian Minister Garrett seems unaware of research undertaken by Chevron, showing a direct link between the proposed Gorgon development on Barrow Island and the areas affected by the West Atlas oil spill. "Despite comments made yesterday, there is indeed a deep and direct link between Barrow Island and the area affected by the West Atlas oil spill," said Dr Gilly Llewellyn, WWF-Australia’s Conservation Manager.
"Turtle tracking research clearly shows that flatback turtles, a species of National Environmental Significance, have been shown to leave their nesting beaches on Barrow Island and head to the area of the Timor Sea affected by the spill.
"The link between the environmental effects of the West Atlas oil spill and the environmental impacts of the proposed Gorgon development are clearly written in the tracks of these turtles.
"Minister Garrett should delay his decisions and seek independent scientific advice on the cumulative impacts on the flatback turtle and make that advice publicly available."
In June 2006, the Western Australia EPA assessment of the proposed Gorgon project revealed there was "reasonable probability the combined continuing impact over the life of the proposal will threaten the viability of the most important flatback turtle rookery in Western Australia".
WWF has warned that increasing oil and gas activity in Australia's North West is having a dangerous cumulative impact on some of the richest marine habitats on the planet.
"There is a very simple equation - the more we build, the higher the risk to marine species. Greater protection is needed for nesting beaches, migration routes and feeding grounds for these creatures."
As Minister Garrett prepares to release the environmental assessment of the proposed Gorgon project on Barrow Island - a Class A nature reserve and important rookery for flatback turtles - WWF is calling on all parties to consider safer alternative locations for the massive project.
"We strongly urge the Government and oil companies involved to move the proposed LNG plant to the mainland to reduce the risk of harm to our marine wildlife," said Dr Llewellyn.
WWF has suggested Ashburton North on the Western Australian coast may be a more suitable site.
Chevron, one of three companies involved in the Gorgon project (along with Exxon Mobil and Shell) already has plans to develop further LNG projects in the vicinity.
By building infrastructure on the mainland, both the environmental and economic costs of such projects could be reduced.
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