2022 offshore petroleum exploration acreage release: nominated areas for comment

All exploration and extraction of fossil fuels including natural gas affects the environment in which the activities are conducted. Marine vegetation is damaged or destroyed, marine animals have their feeding grounds and patterns disturbed and disrupted and migration zones of larger marine animals are also affected. This impacts on everyone with an interest in Australia’s unique marine life.

Marine plants are damaged and destroyed and the marine life that rely on these plants for food or shelter are impacted, this affects the entire food chain of the region. As a concerned Australian I am concerned about the affects of mining and exploration in Australian waters. Pollution from the platforms during operation and also once decommissioned is also a major concern.

Some of these oil fields are very close to Habitat Protection zones. These areas were established to protect marine habitat which in turn houses or feeds vulnerable marine species. Marine habitats are severely damaged or destroyed by mining and exploration as well as affected by pollution from ongoing operations as well as decommissioning.

This area is very popular with both recreational and commercial fishing. It has habitats which shelter and feed a vast variety of marine life. Habitats and marine vegetation are damaged and destroyed by marine oil exploration and extraction. These areas are also subject to continued stress from pollution during ongoing operations and again at decommissioning of platforms.

I am a concerned Australian who wishes to see a phasing out , of the widespread usage of fossil fuels. I have seen firsthand the affects of exploration and extraction on habitats. I do not want the migration paths of marine mammals and fishes disturbed nor the destruction of habitats and the loss of shelter and food to fishes and marine animals.