The BATHOLITHS project is a U.S. led seismic survey initiative, using some of the world's loudest air gun arrays to determine how British Columbia's (B.C.) coast mountains were formed. These surveys have the potential to deafen whales and dolphins that happen to be in the vicinity during the survey as the sound can ricochet off the sides of the inlets and carry up the channels. Pending approvals,the project is set to begin seismic testing on B.C.'s central and north coast in September and October of 2007.

The method being used by the BATHOLITHS project for seismic testing in the terrestrial environment involves detonating explosives on land. Dr David Bain, a marine mammal scientist at the University of Washington, says whales and dolphins in B.C. could be driven aground by the kind of seismic testing the BATHOLITHS project is proposing and will probably die.

Marine mammal scientist Rob Williams from St. Andrews University in Scotland also has concerns. "Suppose in that convoluted coastline, the research ship hangs a left when it should hang a right. It could end up trapping animals where the sound level is higher than what was predicted".

Williams is also concerned the tests could result in temporary or even permanent hearing loss in these animals. September is the time of year when humpback whales in the area are feeding heavily to prepare themselves for their southern migration. If their feeding is disrupted, some animals may not have the energy to complete those migrations, and that could lead to the inability of some females to calve. The tests, will be conducted on the central coast between the Skeena River and Burke Channel by a panel of 16 Canadian and U.S. scientists - simply to get a more accurate geological picture of the area.

No seismic studies of this kind have been done on the central coast before. It's impossible to predict exactly how the sound waves will ricochet and travel around its inlets and fjords or how the animals will be able to get out of the way or respond. Michael Dwyer of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, (NSERC) the agency that is funding the Canadian arm of the project, said that the council expects to complete its environment assessment by spring 2007.

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Please email the NSERC with your views on this project.

Diane Fraser
Environmental Assessment Officer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

(refer to CEAR reference number 04-01-748 in the subject line)