Humpback whales migrating along the east coast of Australia could be threatened through a new seabed mining project because their migration paths sit squarely in the area where drilling and air gun blasts would take place. Authorisation is still awaiting Federal Government approval.

The project's aim is to find coal reserves under the ocean by exploring 6000 sq/km of seabed coal deposits in Commonwealth waters stretching from Newcastle to Wollongong, New South Wales. If enough coal is found, an experimental method will be used to convert it to gas and pipe it away. Underwater air guns can be extremely noisy, firing shots of compressed air into the water about every ten seconds. If the seabed is hard and rocky, the noise might be heard for thousands of miles. Past research has shown that this type of underwater noise can have an effect on marine mammals. Sperm whales in the northern Gulf of Mexico have been observed to change their behaviour in response to similar activities and humpback whales were reported to have stranded in unusually high numbers along Brazil's Abrolhos Banks, where oil and gas surveys were conducted.

Each year between April and November, Australia’s eastern coastline comes alive with the spectacular acrobatic displays of humpback whales. After a summer of feeding on krill in Antarctic waters, these charismatic animals migrate north to sub-tropical waters where they mate and give birth. Coastal councils and conservationists are calling for a total ban on all offshore mining and Marine Connection is supporting the Wyong, Newcastle, Gosford and Lake Macquarie councils campaign to urge Primary Industry Minister Ian MacDonald to end underwater mining. The charity needs your support to help achieve this.

Please email the Minister, outlining your concerns of why this mining project should not be allowed to go ahead and to also ban all future underwater mining. This will not only enable the whales to migrate safely but safeguard the welfare of other marine life in the area.