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Hi
In 1990 the N.S. and federal govt. imposed a ten year moratorium on oil
and gas drilling on Georges Bank. Before December 31, 1999 the two
governments must make the decision whether to lift or extend the
moratorium. Governments are clearly drooling over the revenues generated
by oil and gas development and unless there is strong opposition to
lifting the moratorium from the fishing industry, environmentalists, and
the general public they will likely lift it.
NORIGS 2000 is a coalition of fishing and environmental interests which
has formed to push for the extension of the moratorium and expand it to
include the Bay of Fundy and other sensitive areas in SW Nova. Ecology
Action Centre is a member of the board, and Tuskett River Env. Protection
Assoc., Canadian Ocean Habitat Protection Society, and Conservation
Council of New Brunswick are members of NORIGS 2000.
The govts. have appointed a 3 member panel to provide them with
information and possibly recommendations. Like the Sable Gas Panel the
problem with this thoughtful body is that it's mandate may be too narrowly
defined:" conduct a public review of the environmental and socio-economic
of exploration and drilling activities in the Georges Bank area within
Canadian jurisdiction as indentified in the Accord Acts."
The Panel will hold public hearings in January which will start in
Yarmouth and
head to Shelburne and Lunenburg before finishing in Halifax. Their
hearings will be less formal than the hearings held by the Sable Gas
Panel.
To find out more and provide a written or oral submmission you can phone
1-800-370-2282 or 1-902-422-0858. The web site is
http://www.ycn.library.ns.ca/georges/ and the e-mail is
gbreview@ycn.library.ns.ca
Some of the topics which may or may not be in the Panel's mandate, but
which should be addressed regardless are the following:
*G.B. one of the most productive patches of ocean in the world
*hydrocarbon discharges and spills harm marine life
*Atlantic Canada is being billed as the next North Sea; it is thought that
there are large reserves around Sable and off Cape Breton--we have more
than enough gas to supply Atl. Canada for a long time
*if gas was drilled on Georges it would be for export with the pipeline
going across Georges to New England creating relatively few jobs for SW
Nova
***the Americans have extended their moratorium on drilling on Georges
until 2012. We should do the same***
-energy conservation and climate issues
-the oil industry now has access to 90% of offshore Atlantic Canada
Also on Nov 19 at 1:00 at Hotel Halifax the gulf of Maine council is
hosting a forum on the subject. Contact Megan Trites at 424-1764.
Below is a press release from NORIGS 2000.
NORIGS 2000
1-B Second St., Yarmouth, NS B5A 1T3
Tel: 902-742-6168 Fax: 902-742-8391
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 31,1998
Yarmouth, N.S.) Norigs 2000 expressed "satisfaction" today at the conclusion
of the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce Oil & Gas conference. The conference,
which was organized by the Yarmouth Chamber and funded largely by the Canadian
Association of Petroleum Producers was meant to provide information and
observations from people with first hand knowledge of how offshore oil and gas
activity can affect a community or region. However, the fishing community and
other environmentalists used the open forum to stress their concerns about the
unacceptable levels of risks that would be associated with drilling activity
on Georges Bank and other sensitive ecosystems in South West Nova Scotia
One of the key presenters was George Sutherland of the Scottish Fisherman's
Federation. Mr. Sutherland has vast experience, both fishing and dealing with
the drilling rigs in the North Sea. He expressed his concern about "suspended
well heads" (guide beds that are like upside down tables) that litter the
bottom of the North Sea (400 in all) and the dangers they present to the
fishermen. He also discussed the problem associated with "exclusion zones"
created by the rigs and the "massive anchors" that take up large areas. There
are presently 30 such rigs in the North Sea.
Mr. Sutherland encouraged NORIGS in their efforts and when asked, based on his
experience, if he would allow the rigs on Georges he stated emphatically "no"
that if he were living here he would work with us to keep the Rigs off Georges
and other sensitive areas. "If it were my decision, I would not let it
happen" stated Mr. Sutherland.
Pubnico fisherman "Bea" d' Entremont expressed alarm at the prospect of rigs
with their 500 meter exclusion zones and the anchor fingers which would
effectively keep the fishermen far beyond that. "There just isn't room for
all of us on Georges Bank; there is too much traffic and the bank is small,"
stated Mr. d'Entremont. The same opinion was expressed by fisherman Henry
Surette from Yarmouth Co. "One rig is too many, can you imagine 3 or 4 or even
more? There just would be no room for the fishermen."
Glen Wadman from Digby stressed the fact that Georges is now closed for 5
months of the year for spawning and another 2 months because of weather
conditions which leaves only 5 months for fishing and if we had to compete
with oil rigs and the associated exclusion zones "the results would be
devastating to Southwestern Nova Scotia."
Brian Giroux of Yarmouth added that, "there is no month of the year when some
species of fish is not spawning on Georges. Both seismic activity and the
subsequent drilling, with the release of various toxic discharges, would have
a detrimental effect on these sensitive spawning areas- are we prepared to
take that risk? I think not."
Sterling Beliveau, a Woods Harbour, Shelburne Co. fisherman and Area 34
lobster rep and Barrington municipal councilor emphasized the link between
Georges and Area 34 lobster and asked if anyone could explain how a lobster
could migrate over a pipeline. "Nobody has been able to tell me whether there
has been any documented experience in other areas of the world regarding the
migration of lobsters and oil/gas pipelines." District 34 lobster fisherman
also are concerned about the leaking of hydrocarbons and toxic materials
contained in raw oil and gas. The effect of such pollutants on "berried"
female lobsters is of particular concern.
Also present at the conference were 2 American guests of Norigs 2000. Both
Joe Sinagra, a Gloucester, Mass., fisherman and Dave Lincoln, an environmental
consultant, expressed concern that the United States decision to extend its
moratorium on Georges Bank may be for nought if Canada fails to follow suit
and extend its moratorium. "Georges Bank is the most important fishing ground
to New England fishermen," stressed Mr. Lincoln. "It is a critical spawning
and nursery ground for many species. It makes no sense to me or to any New
England fisherman to risk this vital resource for the benefit of a few
powerful oil companies. The United States has extended its offshore
moratorium until the year 2012. Canada should do no less."
Mr.Sinagra could not believe that Canada may lift its moratorium -on Georges,
considering what's at stake. "The extension was granted in the United States
to allow a future review based on new science and technology that could allow
safer development sometime in the future. All New England fishermen support
this course of action and we encourage all Nova Scotian fishermen to join with
their New England brothers and encourage the Canadian and Nova Scotian
governments to extend the moratorium on the Canadian side of the bank."
All participants felt the conference was a worthwhile exercise, but Norigs
emphasized it is not against all drilling but feels, based on a careful
evaluation of benefits and of risks, there are certain sensitive areas that
need protection and this can only be accomplished with a moratorium.
For further information, please contact Derek Wells at:
Phone: (902)275-3544
Fax: (902)275-4414
e-mail welland@ns.sympatico.ca
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