What's happening?

Oil and gas exploration in the St. Lawrence

In November of 2002, Hydro-Québec’s Oil and Gas Exploration Plan was made public: $300 million had been earmarked for seismic exploration and drilling in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary through to 2010. This plan caused a great deal of concern for environmental groups, the scientific community, the fishing industry and the tourist industry. The Quebec government decided to hold public hearings, but only on seismic surveying. Meanwhile, this same government pushed for an early start to exploratory oil drilling in the Gulf.

For more on this story

New Energy Strategy: Quebec set to relaunch oil and gas exploration in the St. Lawrence ( 4 May 2005)
The federal government is looking to facilitate oil and gas exploration in Canadian waters (25 April 2005)
Seismic surveys in the marine environment: the Statement of Canadian Practice flies in the face of the precautionary approach (5 April 2005)
In reaction to the BAPE report: press release from the Sierra Club of Canada (1 November 2004)
Seismic surveying could have alarming effects on snow crabs (26 October 2004)
The BAPE releases its report on the issues related to seismic surveying in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary (22 October 2004)
Federal report on the impacts of seismic sound on marine fauna (4 October 2004)
While waiting for recommendations from the BAPE on seismic surveying, the surveying continues! (8 September 2004)
The BAPE receives public opinions (20 May 2004)
BAPE on the Internet (1 April 2004)
Part One of BAPE inquiry and public hearings: April 5 (25 March 2004)
The BAPE presents the composition of the seismic survey inquiry commission (16 March 2004)
The Quebec government’s Committee of Experts submits its report on seismic surveying (11 March 2004)
A Group from the Magdalene Islands is Concerned and Looking for Answers (8 January 2004)
Formation of an expert comittee on the seismic exploration projects in the St. Lawrence (15 December 2003) Press Release (French only)
Authorities' answers to the Coalition's demands and the Coalition's reactions (8 December 2003)
Press Release: Oil exploration — Mulcair and Hamad settle the emergency, without submitting the complete programme to a public examination (8 December 2003) (French only)
Letter from the Coalition to MM. Mulcair and Hamad (8 December 2003) (French only)
Letter from the Coalition to M. David Anderson (8 December 2003) (French only)
Note from the Coalition to M. Paul Martin (8 December 2003) (French only)
Press Release from the National Energy Board: NEB requests that the Minister of the Environment refer an application for a seismic program in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to a review panel (5 December 2003)
Press Release from the ministre de l’Environnement du Québec and the ministre des Ressources naturelles, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec: Seismic surveys projects in the Gulf of St. Lawrence will be submitted to a BAPE (public examination) (3 December 2003) (French only)
Press Briefing on Quebec's parliament hill: A BLUE WHALE BEACHES ON QUEBEC'S PARLIAMENT HILL: Two new scientific advisories judge Hydro-Québec's oil exploration project too risky for the whales of the St. Lawrence (27 November 2003)
Press Release: Seismic exploration is too risky: the Gulf of St. Lawrence, too fragile (13 November 2003)
Letter to David Anderson, Minister of Environment Canada (13 November 2003)
Letter to the Quebec Premier Jean Charest (13 November 2003) (French only)
GSI scaled-down project proposed to the National Energy Board (5 November 2003), Download the document
Sierra Club Canada ask to David Anderson, Minister of Environment Canada, and to Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, an immediate federal moratorium on any oil and gas exploration and/or development activities in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (3 November 2003)
The NEB Retains the Possibility of Seismic Exploration in the St. Lawrence (31 October 2003)
Seismic Exploration in the St. Lawrence: Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada Deem the Project to be too Risky (28 October 2003)
A group of artists have stated their opposition to Hydro-Québec's oil exploration plan: Our St. Lawrence is what we are (27 October 2003) (French only)
Hydro-Québec is still planning on going ahead with oil exploration in the St. Lawrence (24 October 2003)
Scientific opinion of GREMM (non-solicited) on the environmental evaluation entitled: "GSI West Gulf of St. Lawrence, Survey 2003, July 2003 (24 October 2003)
Environmental evaluation entitled: "GSI West Gulf of St. Lawrence, Survey 2003, July 2003,
For the complete study, go to the Public Registry of the National Energy Board
Press release from an affiliation of environmental groups, researchers, tour-boat operators, a tourist association and an Aboriginal community: The St. Lawrence is facing new threats; a moratorium is requested on Hydro-Québec’s oil and gas exploration programme (15 October 2003) (French only)
Pressure increases for offshore oil development in Canada (13 March 2003)
What’s happening with the oil exploration issue? A Short Overview and Update (12 February 2003)
Oil Exploration? Too risky! Bans on oil development around the world
A few clarifications (17 December 2002)
Press release: Oil and gas exploration in the St. Lawrence: the regions want to conserve their assets (16 December 2002)
Oil exploration: a threat for whales ...and for sustainable development
The Effects of Seismic Exploration on Whales
Hydro-Quebec announces plans for oil and gas exploration (28 November 2002)

Letters and Press Releases

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4 may 2005

New Energy Strategy: Quebec set to relaunch oil and gas exploration in the St. Lawrence

The Quebec government announced in its 2006-2015 Energy Strategy, which was unveiled today, that it will relaunch oil and gas exploration in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary.

The Energy Strategy recognizes that it must take into account BAPE (Quebec’s forum for environmental public consultation) recommendations, including the report filed in the fall of 2004 on the stakes involved in seismic surveying in the St. Lawrence. In order to accomplish this, several legal and regulatory measures have been looked at and Quebec has concluded that these will “effectively allow seismic surveying in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary to be carried out, all the while ensuring that the environment is protected.”

GREMM would like to point out that this is a premature conclusion. First of all, Quebec proposes to use the Statement of Canadian Practice on the Mitigation of Seismic Noise in the Marine Environment as a guide. This statement is presently the object of public consultation. The most recent version of the Statement, which is being elaborated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, was widely criticized by the country’s main environmental organizations for its feebleness.

Second, as the Energy Strategy document states, the BAPE commission recommended that restrictions be imposed on seismic surveying in certain zones, and that these restrictions could go so far as a total ban on this type of work. The work of identifying these protected zones has yet to be completed. This is a crucial phase and—according to certain scenarios based on government and private sector scientific data concerning marine mammals in the St. Lawrence—these zones could include the entire Estuary and large portions of the Gulf for periods stretching from April to December.

For these reasons, GREMM invites environmental organizations and the entire population of the province of Quebec to monitor this issue closely. We must ensure that the fragility of St. Lawrence ecosystems upon which depend coastal communities not be put to the test by seismic surveying and the subsequent phases of oil and gas exploration and exploitation.

I want to know more

On Quebec’s ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune site:Stratégie énergétique (in French only)

25 April 2005

The federal government is looking to facilitate oil and gas exploration in Canadian waters

The federal government is proposing modifications to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act: in the case of initial exploratory drilling in a given area off the Canadian coast, a simple preliminary examination will replace the in-depth study that was, up until now, required. These modifications— encouraged by the oil and gas industry—did not meet with the approval of the sub-committee in charge of examining the issue. Still, they are being put forward as a draft bill that will be submitted for public consultation from the end of March until the end of April 2005.

GREMM’s opinion is that these modifications are unacceptable. They are essentially aimed at accommodating the oil and gas industry instead of the public interest and our responsibility towards the marine environment. They are particularly disturbing in light of the Statement of Canadian Practice on the Mitigation of Seismic Noise in the Marine Environment (the initial phase of oil and gas exploration), a document that was severely criticized and which is still under evaluation.

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GREMM’s opinion concerning the proposed regulations amending the Comprehensive Study List Regulations (Download the Word document)

New: Amendments to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act were adopted in November 2005 despite strong opposition by numerous environmental, community-based and scientific organizations.

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Regulations Amending the Comprehensive Study List Regulations- Canada Gazette: Vol. 139, no 24 — 30 November 2005

5 April 2005

Seismic surveys in the marine environment: the Statement of Canadian Practice flies in the face of the precautionary approach

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has just completed an important step in a process that began nearly two years ago to improve the management of oil and gas exploration activities in the Canadian marine environment. The first stage in this process began in October 2003 with the publication of a framework to assist DFO in evaluating permit requests for these types of activities. One year after having consulted DFO scientists, along with experts from independent organizations, DFO published a report presenting the state of knowledge of the impacts of seismic noise on marine life. Essentially, this report clearly described the risks and uncertainties associated with the impacts of seismic noise on marine life. What remained to be completed was an evaluation of the efficiency of mitigation measures to reduce these risks to an acceptable level, especially with respect to marine mammals and commercially important species. This question then became the object of a new series of consultations that were held in the fall of 2004, once again using DFO scientists and invited experts. Consultations on the effects of seismic noise and on the efficiency of mitigation measures led DFO to publish a Statement of Canadian Practice to “formalize and standardize the mitigation measures in Canada with respect to the conduct of seismic surveys in the marine environment". This statement is presently the object of public consultations that will continue until April 19, 2005.

Clearly, this statement will not protect whales or their habitat in Canada. Although DFO recognizes the risks and uncertainties associated with the impacts of seismic noise on marine life, it is far too optimistic concerning the efficiency of available mitigation measures, despite the advice to the contrary of its own experts. Hopefully the public consultations that are underway will lead to a denunciation of the weakness of the statement and a return to the precautionary principle, an underlying standard and integral element of the Oceans Act.

To read and submit comments on the Statement of Canadian Practice on the Mitigation of Seismic Noise in the Marine Environment: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/canwaters-eauxcan/infocentre/media/seismic- sismique /intro_e.asp

I want to know more
On Fisheries and Oceans Canada website
Statement of Canadian Practice on the Mitigation of Seismic Noise in the Marine Environment (19 April 2005)

Comments by Linda Weilgart and Hal Whitehead, Dalhousie University biologists, Halifax (Download the Word document)

GREMM comments (Download the Word document)

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Seismic surveying could have alarming effects on snow crabs

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has recently published the conclusions of a team of scientists who, on September 29, reviewed the results of a study on the impacts of seismic surveying on snow crabs. The study dealt specifically with the reproductive biology of female snow crabs. It was conducted in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, over the winter of 2003 and the spring of 2004. The results, presented in the report as preliminary, are alarming: exposed females showed damage to the hepatopancreas (the snow-crab equivalent of a liver) and to the ovaries, their eggs were damaged and their larvae hatched later and were smaller than those of non-exposed females.

Seismic surveying in the St. Lawrence—intended to evaluate the oil production potential of the seafloor—has raised numerous environmental issues, specifically with regards to marine mammals and crabs. Numerous studies support growing concern for marine mammals. A report tabled this fall by the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat concluded that in the worst-case scenario, the impact of seismic noise on the behaviour of marine mammals could have major ecological consequences. The low number of studies pertaining to the subject of seismic noise and crabs is insufficient to either calm or confirm public concerns, particularly those of fishermen. However, recently published studies indicate that risks associated with seismic noise cannot be taken lightly. Meanwhile, the Fisheries and Oceans Canada report recommends that further studies be carried out before concluding that the measured effects are truly attributable to seismic noise and not to other causes such as water temperature or type of substratum.

Although not final, these results support BAPE Commission findings on the hazards associated with seismic surveying. In its report dated 31 August 2004, the Commission recommended the precautionary approach. It should be noted that the snow crab is a major economic resource in many regions bordering the maritime portion of the St. Lawrence.

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Habitat Status Report 2004/003 : Potential impacts of seismic energy on snow crab (Download PDF document)

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22 October 2004

BAPE report on seismic surveying

At the request of Quebec Environment Minister Thomas Mulcair, the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environment (Public Environmental Review Commission or BAPE) released its enquiry and public consultation report on issues related to seismic surveying in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary.

I want to know more
Download the BAPE report (in French only)
Press release on the BAPE site (English version)

In reaction to the BAPE report
Listen to Robert Michaud, at D’un soleil à l’autre, on Radio-Canada (in French) (22 October 2004).

On Radio-Canada's web site
Levés sismiques dans le golfe : les Madelinots demeurent inquiets (in French only) (25 October 2004)

Press release from the Sierra Club of Canada:
Québec Report Warns: Seismic a Danger to Marine Life (1 November 2004)

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4 October 2004

Federal report on the impacts of seismic sound on marine fauna

In mid-September, the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat tabled a report presenting the state of information concerning the impacts of seismic sound on marine fauna. The report is the result of a series of national workshops held by scientists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and invited experts. The purpose of the workshops was to elaborate a decisional framework for seismic survey referrals in Canadian waters.

The committee came to the conclusion that risks related to seismic sounds are poorly quantified, are often unknown and are the subject of debate among specialists. Seismic sounds may have numerous negative repercussions on the marine environment, however there is insufficient knowledge to declare this with any certainty. The committee underlines the fact that mitigation measures exist, without evaluating their effectiveness. On October 13, the same committee will lead a workshop on methods to reduce the effects of sound caused by seismic surveying. The report also underlines various sectors that should be studied.

The committee examines the possible repercussions of seismic sound in 22 points in the marine mammal section of the report. It concludes that exposure to seismic sound is unlikely to be the direct cause of death of marine mammals. On the other hand, it notes that this type of activity could result in a permanent shift in the hearing threshold of marine mammals. In other words, marine mammals could become deaf to certain sound frequencies. Finally, the committee also notes that seismic sound could lead to various changes in behaviour and that, in a worst-case scenario, this could lead to major ecological consequences.

I want to know more
Review of scientific information on impacts of seismic sound on fish, invertebrates, marine turtles and marine mammals ( Download the PDF report)

Reminder

A similar exercise led by an international committee and carried out by a U.S. federal commission is underway. It is known as the Advisory Committee on Acoustic Impacts on Marine Mammals
Recommendations of the BAPE commission on the issues surrounding seismic surveying in the St. Lawrence will be made public by the end of October.

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8 September 2004

While waiting for recommendations from the BAPE on seismic surveying, the surveying continues!

The BAPE commission on the issues related to seismic surveying in the St. Lawrence presented its report to Quebec Environment Minister Thomas Mulcair on August 31, 2004. This commission was established to respond to several concerns brought up by oil and gas exploration projects in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary that the firm GSI was set to carry out in the fall of 2002 for Hydro-Québec. The Minister has 60 day to make the reports recommendations public. Over the coming weeks the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat will also be obliged to release the conclusions of a federal committee that has been working on a "Regulatory/Management Framework for Seismic Testing in Canadian Waters" in recent months. These two reports should be sufficient to evaluate the state of knowledge of risks to marine life pertaining to the use of seismic techniques. This should in turn lead to better management of this activity, particularly in productive and fragile areas such as the St. Lawrence.

While federal and provincial authorities complete their evaluations, seismic tests were legally carried out this past summer in the St. Lawrence Estuary. In early August, a team from the Geological Survey of Canada, under the direction of Mr. Bernard Long (INRS-Oceanology), carried out a series of seismic surveys between Les Escoumins and Pointe-des-Monts. This mission, financed by Hydro-Québec, will also be useful in evaluating the natural gas potential of the St. Lawrence Estuary floor.

Although the sound source used by Mr. Long’s team was considerably less powerful than the one employed by GSI, the sounds it produced were very strong and they were just as likely to interfere with the behaviour of blue whales that were actively feeding in this area at this time of the year. Earlier this summer, a group of experts from the International Whaling Commission put forward concerns about the impacts of the increasing use of seismic surveys and the necessity of avoiding critical whale habitats. Nonetheless, seismic surveys were carried out in the endangered western North Atlantic blue whale population’s main range. These surveys were conducted within a few kilometres of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park and over a vast territory that is presently under consideration by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the establishment of a Marine Protected Area.

In the report it sent to the BAPE commission last May, GREMM raised the issue that the rising noise levels in whale habitats was a cause for concern and required caution. According to the authors of the report, it is illusory to plan for the protection of a few species or ecosystems by developing piecemeal solutions. It is urgent that a global approach be developed based on the protection of critical habitats, particularly those of species at risk.

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20 May 2004

The BAPE receives public opinions

Two BAPE sessions allow the public to make their opinions known with respect to seismic surveying in the Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence. The first took place in Québec City on May 18 and 19. The second will be held in the Magdalen Islands on May 26 and 27.

I want to know more
All submitted reports are now available on the BAPE Website (French only)
Overview of the position put forward by Robert Michaud and Véronik de la Chenelière of GREMM

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1 April 2004

BAPE on the Internet

The Commission in charge of public hearings into seismic surveying in the St. Lawrence announced this week that the general public would be able to listen in to live information and question periods on the Internet as of April 5. The general public will also be able to transmit questions to the Commission via the Internet. Rendezvous on the BAPE site starting April 5: http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/sismiques/index.htm

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BAPE press release: Diffusion de la première partie de l’audience publique en direct sur le web (French only)

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25 March 2004

Part One of BAPE inquiry and public hearings: April 5

Part One of the BAPE inquiry and public hearings into seismic surveying in the St. Lawrence is set to begin on April 5, 2004, in Rimouski. Over the course of the subsequent two-week period, the BAPE Commission will visit the Magdalen Islands, Gaspé and Sept-Îles. There will be no public hearings in Québec City or Montreal. This first part is the occasion for the general public and the Commission to fully define the issues surrounding seismic surveying and to clarify the stakes involved in this activity. The public will be invited to voice its concerns–either verbally or by presenting a memoir–in the second part of the BAPE inquiry, which is set to begin on May 18, 2004. The form, venues and dates for Part Two have yet to be specified.

I want to know more

On the BAPE site:

Les enjeux liés aux levés sismiques dans l'estuaire et le golfe du Saint-Laurent (French only)

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16 March 2004

The BAPE presents the composition of the seismic survey inquiry commission

The commission will be charged with holding an enquiry and public hearings on the stakes of seismic surveying in the Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence. The president of this commission is geomorphologist and expert in water sciences Michel Germain. Mr. Germain has presided over and been commissioner involved in the evaluation of numerous projects. Biologist in aquatic ecology Pierre André and geological engineer Jacques Locat will be assisting Mr. Germain.

In the coming days, the commission will reveal the processes to be used to gather questions and public opinions.

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11 March 2004

The Quebec government’s Committee of Experts submits its report on seismic surveying

The Committee of Experts—set up by Mr. Hamad and Mr. Mulcair in December of 2003—made public its report on seismic surveying projects for the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary on March 5, 2004. Various media have solicited GREMM’s opinion concerning this report. Here are the main points put forward by this group:

The Committee of Experts has concluded, as have we, that the major stakes to be considered are impacts on marine mammals and on the established sustainable industries of communities situated along the shores of the Gulf and Estuary, such as fishing and tourism.
The Committee of Experts conducted a rapid review of available scientific literature on seismic surveying, its impacts on marine fauna and existing mitigation measures. Their conclusions are not nearly as prudent as those that were put forward by experts form Fisheries and Oceans Canada last fall in their analysis of the acceptability of a sub-project of Hydro-Québec’s Exploration Plan. The Fisheries and Oceans Canada analysis was much closer to the existing consensus of international experts; this technique is unacceptable in certain critical habitats, especially those that are rich and fragile.
The Committee of Experts emphasizes the positive fallout for the province of Quebec of exploiting petroleum deposits in the St. Lawrence. Yet, in its equation, the Committee fails to include the negative impacts that are expected to be a part of every step of the production process, from exploratory drilling to exploiting deposits to the eventual dismantling of platforms.
The Committee of Experts justifies the government’s decision to limit its mandate to seismic surveying by stating that this is the activity most likely to take place in the short term. Yet, the Quebec government continues to push for an early start to exploratory drilling in the Gulf, notably on the site of Old Harry, near the Magdalene Islands. There are no plans to examine the combined effects of drilling on the St. Lawrence, nor are there plans to take note of public concerns with regards to these effects.

This report will be used as a reference document for a public consultation to be held by the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement ("commission for public hearings on the environment" or BAPE). The commissioner’s report should be submitted by August 31, 2004 at the latest. GREMM is planning on drafting a report that will include the advice of five international experts on the acceptability of this technique in the St. Lawrence, given this river’s biological and physical particularities.

I want to know more
Press Release of the ministère de l’Environnement and the ministère des Ressources naturelles, de la Faune et des Parcs (French only)
Report of the Committee of Experts on seismic surveying in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf (French only) ( Download the document, 6,1 M)

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8 January 2004

A Group from the Magdalene Islands is Concerned and Looking for Answers

A group of citizens from the Magdalene Islands is worried. The announcement by Mr. Mulcair and Mr. Hamad last December concerning impact studies on seismic exploration in the St. Lawrence has not calmed their fears. Offshore drilling for oil exploration and production purposes in the Old Harry area near them is imminent, as well as on the Islands themselves. They demand that the Magdalene Islands’ population be better informed with regards to the stakes involved and the impacts of these drilling projects, which are not subjected to public scrutiny.

I want to know more
Download the group’s bulletin addressed to the citizens of the Magdalene Islands (French only) :
Bulletin 1
Bulletin 2 (in pdf)
Bulletin 3
Bulletin 4
Communicate with them

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8 December 2003

Authorities' answers to the Coalition's demands and the Coalition's reactions

27 November 2003

Press Briefing on Quebec's parliament hill: A BLUE WHALE BEACHES ON QUEBEC'S PARLIAMENT HILL: Two new scientific advisories judge Hydro-Québec's oil exploration project too risky for the whales of the St. Lawrence

The following documents were released during this Press Briefing:

Press Release (French only)
Message to Jean Charest, Thomas Mulcair, Sam Hamad and André Caillé (French only)
GREMM's Scientific Advisory ( Download document) (French only)
Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Scientific Advisory (Download letter and full advisory) (French only)
Letter from the Coalition to Canadian Environment Minister David Anderson (French only)
Seismic Survey Map ( Download document) (French only)

27 November 2003

Press Release

FRONT COMMUN POUR UN MORATOIRE SUR LA PROSPECTION PÉTROLIÈRE ET
GAZIÈRE DANS LE SAINT-LAURENT

Communiqué de presse

Pour diffusion immédiate

Exploration gazière –Deux nouveaux avis scientifiques jugent le projet d’Hydro-Québec trop risqué pour les baleines du Saint-Laurent

Québec, 27 novembre 2003 Deux nouveaux avis scientifiques jugent que l’utilisation des canons à air comprimé pour explorer le Saint-Laurent à la recherche d’hydrocarbures est trop risquée pour les baleines. Selon l’avis des scientifiques de Pêches et Océans Canada qui évaluaient pour une troisième fois depuis novembre 2002 un projet que la firme GSI souhaite réaliser pour le compte d’Hydro-Québec, les nouvelles mesures d’atténuation proposées par le promoteur " ne permettraient pas de réduire à un niveau acceptable les risques de dommages physiques aux mammifères marins ".

Dans son avis déposé plus tôt cette semaine, Robert Michaud, directeur scientifique du GREMM, ajoute : " Aucune des mesures d’atténuation proposées ne permet d’éliminer ou même de réduire les risques d’impacts négatifs sur la migration, l’alimentation et la reproduction des rorquals bleus. Dans le cas d’espèces en voie de disparition, de telles perturbations sont susceptibles d’affecter les chances de rétablissement de la population entière. "

Pêches et Océans Canada reconnaît que les mesures d’atténuations proposées par le promoteur " vont bien au-delà des mesures habituellement requises pour des relevés sismiques dans d’autres juridiction " mais précise que les " particularités de l’écosystème marin du Saint-Laurent justifient le déploiement des mesures additionnelles, voire extraordinaires […] ".

Pêches et Océans Canada rappelle que le golfe Saint-Laurent est " une mer intérieure unique au monde en terme de productivité, de diversité et d’abondance de plusieurs espèces d’invertébrés, de poissons et de mammifères marins […] dont beaucoup […] supportent des activités économiques importantes (pêcheries, observation de mammifères marins) dans les régions côtières bordant cet écosystème ". Il recommande donc à l’Office national de l’énergie du Canada (ONÉ) de " ne pas autoriser le projet tel que proposé ".

Selon M. Daniel Green du Sierra Club du Canada, l’ONÉ, qui doit maintenant rendre sa décision, n’a d’autre choix que refuser le permis à GSI ou le référer à l’Agence canadienne des évaluations environnementales pour une médiation ou une commission d’évaluation.

Charles-Antoine Drolet de l’UQCN rappelle que le projet que GSI s’apprête à réaliser pour le compte d’Hydro-Québec n’est que la première étape d’un vaste programme d’exploration gazière et pétrolière de l’estuaire et du golfe Saint-Laurent annoncé par Hydro-Québec et le ministère des Ressources naturelles du Québec en novembre 2002. Selon M. Drolet, " les sérieux impacts appréhendés sur les mammifères marins ne sont que l’illustration de l’impact de ce projet sur tout l’écosystème marin, impacts dont on ne peut mesurer l’importance ".

Depuis son annonce en novembre 2002, ce projet a soulevé un tollé de protestations. Il y a deux semaines un front commun regroupant des membres de la communauté scientifique et de groupes environnementaux, des représentants de l’industrie de la pêche et de l’écotourisme, des membres des premières nations, des artistes et des citoyens a demandé au gouvernement du Québec d’imposer un moratoire sur les activités d’exploration gazière dans le Saint-Laurent.

Nicolas Roy de Stratégies Saint-Laurent se réjouit : " La sévérité des avis scientifiques devrait empêcher l’Office national de l’énergie d’autoriser le projet. Cela nous permettra de nous pencher sur le véritable enjeu de notre campagne : soumettre l’ensemble du Plan d’exploration gazière d’Hydro-Québec à une commission d’évaluation indépendante dans laquelle la voix des communautés locales pourra être entendue.

-30-

Sources

Charles-Antoine Drolet, UQCN, 418 648-2104
Daniel Green, Sierra Club du Canada, 514 844 5477
Robert Michaud, porte parole scientifique du Front commun, 418 235-4701

Ce communiqué et les avis scientifiques du GREMM et de Pêches et Océans Canada sont disponibles sur Baleines en direct (www.baleinesendirect.net/3/3-3-1.html)

Signataires

Union québécoise pour la conservation de la nature (UQCN)
Stratégies Saint-Laurent (SSL)
Les Amis de la Vallée du Saint-Laurent (AVSL)
Sierra Club du Canada
Société pour vaincre la pollution (SVP)
Greenpeace

Mouvement Au Courant
Union Paysanne
Équiterre
Fondation Rivières
Environnement Jeunesse (ENJEU)
Corporation Saint-Laurent
Les AmiEs de la Terre de Québec
Investissements responsables Québec
Mouvement MRG (Madelinots pour le
respect du golfe)
Attention Fragîles
Comité de recherche et d'intervention du Grand-Portage (CRIE du Grand Portage)

Conseil régional de l’environnement du Bas-Saint-Laurent
Conseil régional de l’environnement de Gaspésie et des Iles de la Madeleine
Comité ZIP Saguenay
Comité ZIP rive nord de l'estuaire
Comité ZIP Côte-Nord du Golfe
Comité ZIP Sud-de-l'estuaire
Comité ZIP Baie des Chaleurs
Comité ZIP Jacque-Cartier
Parc nature de Pointe-aux-Outardes
Comité côtier Les Escoumins à la rivière Betsiamites
Conseil des Innus Essipit

Richard Léveillé, chercheur, Centre GEOTOP-UQAM-McGill
Chris Clark, Bioacoustic Lab, Cornell University
Émilien Pelletier, titulaire Chaire de recherche du Canada en écotoxicologie marine Université du Québec à Rimouski
Pierre Béland, chercheur Institut national d’écotoxicologie du Saint-Laurent (INESL)
Richard Sears, chercheur Station de recherche des îles Mingan (MICS)
Robert Michaud, Groupe de recherche et d’éducation sur les mammifères marins (GREMM)
Forum de l'ISE (Institut des sciences de l'environnement de l'UQÀM)

Parti Vert du Québec

Centrale syndicale du Québec

Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
Associations des crabiers gaspésiens inc.
Crabier Du Nord Est inc.

Le Québec Maritime (Associations Touristiques Régionales (ATR) du Bas-Saint-Laurent, de la Gaspésie, de Duplessis, de Manicouagan et des Îles de la Madeleine)
Association des bateliers du Saguenay
Croisières AML
Croisières Essipit
Groupe Dufour

Hugo Latulippe
Laure Waridel
Frédéric Back
Ariane Moffatt
Françoise David
Chloé Sainte-Marie
Gilles Carle
Marie-Thérèse Forest
Geneviève Saint-Hilaire
Josée Kaltenback
Florent Vollant
André Montmorency
Gilles Vigneault
Jacques Languirand
Alain Belhumeur
Jean Lemire

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27 November 2003

Message to Jean Charest, Thomas Mulcair, Sam Hamad and André Caillé

FRONT COMMUN POUR UN MORATOIRE SUR LA PROSPECTION PÉTROLIÈRE ET
GAZIÈRE DANS LE SAINT-LAURENT
Adresse de correspondance: Harvey Mead. Union québécoise pour la conservation de la nature (UQCN)
1085, ave de Salaberry, bureau 300 Québec Qc G1R 2V7
Tél: 418-648-2104 Téléc: 418-648-0991 Courriel: conservation@uqcn.qc.ca

27 novembre 2003

Message livré par un rorqual bleu, symbole de la grandeur et de la fragilité du
Saint-Laurent

Jean Charest, premier ministre du Québec
Thomas Mulcair, ministre de l'Environnement du Québec
Sam Hamad, ministre des Ressources naturelles, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec
André Caillé, président d'Hydro-Québec

Messieurs,

Étant donné les avis scientifiques sévères concernant le projet d’exploration de GSI prévu pour cet automne, nous présumons que l’Office national de l’énergie du Canada n’aura d’autre choix que de ne pas autoriser le projet.

Cette urgence réglée, il est tant de passer au véritable enjeu de cette campagne. Hydro-Québec et le gouvernement du Québec ont annoncé un programme d’envergure en novembre 2002. Ce Plan d’exploration pétrolière et gazière du Saint-Laurent doit être soumis dans son ensemble à un processus d’évaluation indépendant. Il faut évaluer ce nouveau programme d'Hydro-Québec dans le contexte d'une révision de la politique énergétique du Québec et dans le contexte de la fragilité de notre Saint-Laurent et de ses composantes. Toutes les activités liées à ce Plan doivent faire l’objet d’un moratoire immédiat, le temps de compléter l’analyse de son acceptabilité environnementale, économique et sociale pour la société québécoise, comme promis par Monsieur Charest en avril 2002.

Nous espérons que vous accéderez cette fois à nos demandes, maintes fois répétées depuis décembre 2002.

Parti Vert du Québec

Centrale syndicale du Québec

Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
Associations des crabiers gaspésiens inc.
Crabier Du Nord Est inc.

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COALITION FOR A MORATORIUM ON OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE

Press Release

SEISMIC EXPLORATION IS TOO RISKY: THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE, TOO FRAGILE

A coalition of environmental groups supported by citizens, artists, scientists, associations and members of the fisheries and eco-tourism industries demand an immediate moratorium.

MONTRÉAL, November 13, 2003 As of next week, Canada’s National Energy Board could authorize the ship GSI Admiral to bombard the sea floor of the Gulf of St. Lawrence with powerful seismic blasts in search of black gold between the Island of Anticosti, the Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands. This project, the first in Hydro Québec’s eight-year exploration plan announced in November of 2002, will open the doors to oil and gas exploration in the St. Lawrence without the public and the Québec government having examined the project’s environmental and social acceptability.

A coalition of members of the scientific community, environmental groups, fisheries and ecotourism industry representatives, members of First Nations, artists and citizens demand that the Québec government immediately impose a moratorium on Hydro Québec’s oil and gas exploration plan for the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Mr. Harvey Mead, president of the UQCN (l’Union québecoise pour la conservation de la nature), stated that "Mr. Charest committed himself last April to examine the acceptability of Hydro Québec’s exploration plan within the framework of a scientific and independent inquiry into Québec’s energy development."

Given the imminent start of seismic blasting and the Québec government’s silence on the issue, the coalition now turns to Canada’s Minister of the Environment David Anderson to demand that GSI’s project, deemed too risky by Environment Canada’s and Fisheries and Oceans’ science experts, be referred immediately to a public review panel. Daniel Green of the Sierra Club of Canada specified that "because of the feared impacts, Minister Anderson must refer this project to a public review panel for an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act."

According to Mr. Robert Michaud, scientist and spokesperson for the coalition, "each phase in the quest for oil and gas, from exploration to extraction to consumption, involves sizeable environmental risks." He added that "the seismic blasts that they are about to authorize are capable of killing whales, notably we fear that the disturbances caused by this activity reduce the chances of survival and reproduction success of belugas and blue whales, both endangered species."

"The Gulf of St. Lawrence is a magnificient giant that has been made fragile and rattled by decades of human activity," adds Dr. Émilien Pelletier, Canada Research Chair in molecular ecotoxicology applied to coastal environments at the Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (ISMER). According to Dr. Pelletier, "it is impossible to believe that such a deployment of exploration efforts in the sea will have no effect on diversity, habitat conservation, the fisheries, aquaculture and tourism." Representatives of these long-standing and sustainable industries are worried. "We cannot sacrifice a renewable resource for a non-renewable one," argued Mme. Gabrielle Landry of the Fédération des pêcheurs semi-hauturiers du Québec.

"In light of our commitment to Kyoto, this project is an anachronism," declared Steven Guilbeault of Greenpeace. "The Québec National Assembly unanimously passed in 2002 a resolution in favor of the Kyoto Protocol. We cannot on the one hand want to meet Kyoto’s objectives while on the other hand invest in fossil fuels, a leading source of green house gas emissions."

"Going for energy production at all costs, at the expense of life, is the wrong road to take," insists Mr. Frédéric Back. "Instead of encouraging a sustainable economy for the Province of Québec, these projects go against our future generations."

-30-

Contacts :

Robert Michaud, Groupe de recherche et d’éducation sur les mammifères marins (GREMM) 418 235 4701, 418 868 5720 (cell)

Harvey Mead, Union québécoise pour la conservation de la nature (UQCN)

418 648-2104

Daniel Green, Sierra Club of Canada 514 844 5477

André Stainier, Les Amis de la Vallée du Saint-Laurent (AVSL) 418 521-1534

Members of the Coalition :

Union québécoise pour la conservation de la nature (UQCN)

Stratégies Saint-Laurent (SSL)

Les Amis de la Vallée du Saint-Laurent (AVSL)

Sierra Club Canada

Société pour vaincre la pollution (SVP)

Greenpeace

Mouvement Au Courant

Parti Vert du Québec

Union Paysane

Équiterre

Fondation Rivières

Environnement Jeunesse (ENJEU)

Conseil régional de l’environnement du Bas-Saint-Laurent

Conseil régional de l’environnement de Gaspésie et des Iles de la Madeleine

Comité ZIP Saguenay

Comité ZIP rive nord de l'estuaire

Comité ZIP Côte-Nord du Golfe

Comité ZIP Sud-de-l'estuaire

Comité ZIP Baie des Chaleurs

Parc nature de Pointe-aux-Outardes

Comité côtier Les Escoumins à la rivière Betsiamites

Conseil des Innus Essipit

Chris Clark, Bioacoustic Lab, Cornell University

Émilien Pelletier, titulaire Chaire de recherche du Canada en écotoxicologie marine Université du Québec à Rimouski

Pierre Béland, chercheur Institut national d’écotoxicologie du Saint-Laurent (INESL)

Richard Sears, chercheur Station de recherche des îles Mingan (MICS)

Robert Michaud, Groupe de recherche et d’éducation sur les mammifères marins (GREMM)

Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie

Associations des crabiers gaspésiens inc.

Le Québec Maritime (Associations Touristiques Régionales (ATR) du Bas-Saint-Laurent, de la Gaspésie, de Duplessis, de Manicouagan et des Îles de la Madeleine)

Association des bateliers du Saguenay

Croisières AML

Croisières Essipit

Groupe Dufour

Hugo Latulippe

Laure Waridel

Frédéric Back

Ariane Moffatt

Françoise David

Chloé Sainte-Marie

Gilles Carle

Marie-Thérèse Forest

Geneviève Saint-Hilaire

Josée Kaltenback

Florent Vollant

André Montmorency

Gilles Vigneault

Jacques Languirand

Alain Belhumeur

Jean Lemire

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COALITION FOR A MORATORIUM ON OIL AND GAS
EXPLORATION IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE

Mailing address: Harvey Mead, Union québécoise pour la conservation de la nature (UQCN)
1085, Salaberry Ave, suite 300 Québec QC G1R 2V7
Tel: 418-648-2104 Fax: 418-648-0991 Email: conservation@uqcn.qc.ca

November 13, 2003

The Honourable David Anderson
Minister of the Environment
Les Terrasses de la Chaudière
10 Wellington Street, 28th Floor
Hull, PQ K1A 0H3
(819) 953-3457 (fax)
david.anderson@ec.g.ca

Minister Anderson,

We are writing to request that you apply the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and refer the oil and gas seismic blasting exploration project proposed by Geophysical Service Inc. (GSI) for the Gulf of St. Lawrence to a public review panel.

The Environmental Assessment Report produced solely in English by GSI has been submitted to the National Energy Board (NEB) - the federal authority overseeing this project under the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act. The NEB has then requested expert scientific advice on this Environmental Assessment Report from your deparment and that of Fisheries and Oceans.

According to the advice received by the NEB from the aforementioned departments, GSI’s seismic blasting project in the Gulf of St. Lawrence could have significant negative impacts on fish and crustaceans (snow crab and shrimp), and potentially significant impacts on marine mammals (whales and belugas) of the Gulf of St. Lawrence - Gaspé and Anticosti Island region.

As you know, under the provisions of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, should it be uncertain whether a project may cause significant and negative environmental impacts, the Minister of the Environment can refer this project to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency for mediation, or a full review by a public panel.

We respectfully submit, Minister Anderson, that GSI’s seismic blasing project for the Gulf of St. Lawrence meets the Act’s critreria of: "may cause significant adverse environmental effects." Therefore, we request that you immediately refer this project to a public review panel with the mandate of a complete examination of the environmental impacts of seismic blasting on the Gulf of St. Lawrence’s marine resources.

We trust that you will act according to your legal obligations prescribed in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Sincerely,

Signed :

Union québécoise pour la conservation de la nature (UQCN)

Stratégies Saint-Laurent (SSL)

Les Amis de la Vallée du Saint-Laurent (AVSL)

Sierra Club Canada

Société pour vaincre la pollution (SVP)

Greenpeace

Mouvement Au Courant

Parti Vert du Québec

Union Paysane

Équiterre

Fondation Rivières

Environnement Jeunesse (ENJEU)

Conseil régional de l’environnement du Bas-Saint-Laurent

Conseil régional de l’environnement de Gaspésie et des Iles de la Madeleine

Comité ZIP Saguenay

Comité ZIP rive nord de l'estuaire

Comité ZIP Côte-Nord du Golfe

Comité ZIP Sud-de-l'estuaire

Comité ZIP Baie des Chaleurs

Parc nature de Pointe-aux-Outardes

Comité côtier Les Escoumins à la rivière Betsiamites

Conseil des Innus Essipit

Chris Clark, Bioacoustic Lab, Cornell University

Émilien Pelletier, titulaire Chaire de recherche du Canada en écotoxicologie marine Université du Québec à Rimouski

Pierre Béland, chercheur Institut national d’écotoxicologie du Saint-Laurent (INESL)

Richard Sears, chercheur Station de recherche des îles Mingan (MICS)

Robert Michaud, Groupe de recherche et d’éducation sur les mammifères marins (GREMM)

Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie

Associations des crabiers gaspésiens inc.

Le Québec Maritime (Associations Touristiques Régionales (ATR) du Bas-Saint-Laurent, de la Gaspésie, de Duplessis, de Manicouagan et des Îles de la Madeleine)

Association des bateliers du Saguenay

Croisières AML

Croisières Essipit

Groupe Dufour

Hugo Latulippe

Laure Waridel

Frédéric Back

Ariane Moffatt

Françoise David

Chloé Sainte-Marie

Gilles Carle

Marie-Thérèse Forest

Geneviève Saint-Hilaire

Josée Kaltenback

Florent Vollant

André Montmorency

Gilles Vigneault

Jacques Languirand

Alain Belhumeur

Jean Lemire

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3 November 2003

Sierra Club Canada ask to David Anderson, Minister of Environment Canada, and to Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, an immediate federal moratorium on any oil and gas exploration and/or development activities in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

The Honourable Robert Thibault
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
200 Kent Street
Ottawa, Ontario

The Honourable David Anderson
Minister of the Environment
10 Wellington Street
Hull, P.Q.

November 3, 2003

Dear Ministers,

I am writing to ask for your help on an urgent matter.

The Gulf of St. Lawrence is one of Canada’s most biologically productive marine areas. It is virtually an inland sea, bordered by four provinces (Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland/Labrador) while totally encompassing another (Prince Edward Island). Tens of thousands of people in Quebec and Atlantic Canada are dependent on this diverse and sensitive marine area for their livelihoods in both fishery and tourism dependent economies.

The onslaught of oil and gas development proposals is a threat to the Gulf. This is a fact recognized by every independent body that has examined the issue in recent years. The Fisheries Resources Conservation Council provided the following advice to you, the Honourable Minister of Fisheries, in the spring of 2000:

"Several scientific works have described the detrimental effect of seismic blasting on every life stage of fish. It is also known that drilling releases toxic elements into the environment. The FRCC recommends that any oil and gas production activities in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, from exploration to production phase, be postponed until a complete assessment, made through a transparent process, on the potential impact of those activities on marine life is made." (Spring 2000, report of the FRCC).

The same recommendation was made by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in the fall of 2001. The Standing Committee’s Report on the Oceans Act highlighted the inconsistency between the authority given the federal Minister of Fisheries under the Oceans Act and the regulatory powers of the un-elected Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB). The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans also called upon the government to institute a moratorium on oil and gas exploration and development in Sydney Bight and the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The Government of Prince Edward Island has formally requested that the areas along the southern Gulf not be subjected to oil and gas exploration.

Unfortunately, the matter has not been addressed. Meanwhile the threat is growing.

Currently two significant proposals for oil and gas exploration are being dealt with by the scientists at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Environment Canada. The regulatory context for these proposals is inconsistent. Along the Quebec shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Hydro Quebec’s application for seismic testing and exploratory drilling is being reviewed by the National Energy Board. Simultaneously, a last minute application to conduct seismic testing along the western shores of Cape Breton Island this fall, with the application filed October 23, 2003, is being reviewed by the Canada Nova Scotia Off-shore Petroleum Board.

It is clear that both of your departments have serious concerns with the impacts of seismic testing on marine life. In fact, in relation to the Hydro Quebec application, both departments have stated publicly that they oppose the application. We commend your departmental scientific staff for their considered and resolute stand on this matter.

The strong science base of the federal government is essential. But the large number of requests for oil and gas exploration and development in Atlantic Canada is beyond departmental resources.

It is time to heed the advice of the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council and the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans and to institute a moratorium on any oil and gas exploration and/or development activities in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The moratorium should remain in place until such time as a Strategic Environmental Assessment under the Oceans Act and Canadian Environmental Assessment Act can be concluded.

The federal government must step in. These issues are multi-jurisdictional with one provincial government already on record asking for the moratorium. Piece meal decisions by uncoordinated and inconsistent regulatory processes in different provinces do not serve the public interest. In fact, your colleague, the Hon. Herb Dhaliwal, has already suggested a revised regulatory process for oil and gas development in the Atlantic region may be required.

Time is running short.

Please act soon to ensure that whatever oil and gas exploration and development might ultimately be allowed has had full prior review to avoid designated sensitive zones and key fishery and marine species at risk areas of concern.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Elizabeth E. May
Executive Director

Cc: The Hon. Wayne Easter, Solicitor General
The Hon. Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island
The Hon. Jean Charest, Premier of the Province of Quebec
Rodger Cuzner, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
Paul Genest, Office of the Prime Minister
Mark Eyking, M.P.
Peter Stouffer, M.P.
Danny Graham, Leader of the N.S. Liberal Party
Members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
Members of the Save our Seas and Shores Coalition
Harvey Mead, President, Union quebecoise pour la conservation de la nature (UQCN)

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31 October 2003

The NEB Retains the Possibility of Seismic Exploration in the St. Lawrence

The National Energy Board (NEB) has finally made a statement in response to GSI’s request for a seismic survey permit within the context of Hydro-Québec’s St. Lawrence Oil and Gas Exploration Plan. The request involves a project set to take place in November-December 2003. Impact studies produced by the promoter had raised serious criticism from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada–the federal ministries consulted by the NEB–as well as from private research groups working with the whales of the St. Lawrence: GREMM and MICS. The NEB has given GSI until November 6, 2003 to come up with a revised project that takes the scientific advice of these four sources into account. If GSI is not able to do this, the project could be referred to Environment Canada, which would then designate a mediator or a review panel.

Scientific advice has demonstrated that GSI’s impact studies were wrought with serious deficiencies. The numerous recommendations, if implemented, could reduce or eliminate some of the impacts that were identified. However, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada and GREMM, even these recommendations would not reduce impacts on marine mammals to within acceptable levels.

Download the letter from NEB to GSI

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28 October 2003

Seismic Exploration in the St. Lawrence: Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada Deem the Project to be too Risky

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada have come to the same conclusion: the proposed seismic exploration project to be undertaken this fall by GSI–the promoter assigned by Hydro-Québec to carry out exploration work in the St. Lawrence–should not be given authorization. The reservations of the two ministries are related to major deficiencies revealed by their analysis of the impact study produced by GSI and to risks this project entails for the St. Lawrence and its inhabitants.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is especially critical of the sound propagation model retained by GSI for the purpose of the study. The model was judged to be "unrealistic and optimistic". Dangerously high sound levels–that could harm marine mammals, crab, shrimp, lobster and cod–could cover areas much greater than those described in the impact study. Nevertheless, DFO believes that, with certain mitigation measures, it would be possible to reduce impacts on fish and invertebrates to acceptable levels. However, as for marine mammals: "residual effects remain undetermined and could be potentially serious".

For its part, Environment Canada deplores the lack of information concerning possible impacts on seabirds. It recommends that the promoter produce a bird inventory to evaluate the project’s expected impacts on this natural treasure.

These two scientific advices were presented to the National Energy Board (NEB), which must soon decide whether or not it will issue a permit for the project. The NEB is not required to follow the recommendations of the two ministries. Due to the fact that part of the project is to take place outside NEB jurisdiction, scientific advices were also sent directly to GSI. The federal ministries do not have jurisdiction over the territory situated to the west of Anticosti Island; this territory is under Quebec jurisdiction. Quebec has not requested any impact studies from the promoter and has already authorized the project to go ahead. Therefore, GSI must decide whether or not it will respect the recommendations of the two Canadian ministries as they relate to this portion of the project.

I want to know more

For further information, you may download the following PDF files:

Summary of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s scientific advice

Complete version of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s scientific advice

Environment Canada’s scientific advice (French only)

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24 October 2003

Hydro-Québec is still planning on going ahead with oil exploration in the St. Lawrence

Last October 23, Hydro-Québec made public its Plan stratégique 2004-2008. What follows is a translation of an excerpt from this Plan:

"[…] Hydro-Québec […] is also promoting oil and gas exploration in Gaspésie, as well as in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary. Notably, it will dedicate 25 percent of related investments to the drilling of the geological structure known as Old Harry [near the Magdalene Islands], as soon as it has obtained the required permits."

Hydro-Québec’s oil exploration plan has not been subjected to a global and independent evaluation. In an October 15 press release, 26 environmental organizations, enterprises or tourist associations, researchers and aboriginal communities have reiterated their concerns regarding the project and have requested a moratorium followed by a global, independent study of the plan. Ministers Sam Hamad (Ressources naturelles Québec) and Thomas Mulcair (Environnement Québec), as well as Jean Charest, premier of Quebec, have yet to respond to the press release signatories’ request.

Furthermore, the project set to begin this fall by GSI–the promoter assigned by Hydro-Québec to carry out seismic surveys–is still awaiting a permit from the National Energy Board (NEB). GSI produced an impact study over the course of the summer. Environment Canada has yet to state its opinion concerning this study. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be stating its position soon. Two St. Lawrence-based whale research groups, GREMM and MICS, have also sent their unsolicited opinions to the NEB. The NEB should come down with its decision shortly.

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24 October 2003

Scientific opinion of GREMM (non-solicited) on the environmental evaluation entitled: "GSI West Gulf of St. Lawrence, Survey 2003, July 2003

Prepared by Robert Michaud, MSc., president and scientific director, GREMM

Summary and recommendations

Although the promoter recognizes that his project involves risks of significant impacts for marine mammals and that these risks are of particular concern in the case of endangered species,

he underestimates the sensitivity of marine mammals to sounds used for seismic surveys and thus the risks of physical damage and behavioural changes (intensity of disturbance);
he underestimates the long-term effects of expected behavioural modifications (resistance to change and duration of effects);
he underestimates the importance of the targeted areas for two endangered species of marine mammals: the beluga whale and the blue whale (intrinsic value of the constituent);
he underestimates the potential for cumulative effects.

In order to render his project "acceptable", the promoter claims that proposed mitigation measures could efficiently eliminate these risks. This judgement appears to us to be unreasonable and is not supported by the environmental evaluation study that was submitted by the promoter.

Given that the north-western portion of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the coastal zones of the Gaspé Peninsula and the Laurentian Channel could be considered as "essential" or "critical"habitats for the St. Lawrence beluga whale and the blue whale, two endangered species;

Given that mitigation measures proposed by the promoter would not be able to eliminate the risk of physical damage to marine mammals, and to blue whales and beluga whales in particular;

Given that mitigation measures proposed by the promoter would not be able to prevent or even reduce the behavioural modifications of marine mammals, and of blue whales and beluga whales in particular (interruption of feeding bouts, avoidance of feeding grounds or migration corridors);

Given that mitigation measures proposed by the promoter would not prevent the modification of habitat that would lead to a decrease in the range and detectability of blue whale vocalizations;

Given that these physical damages, these behavioural modifications and these habitat modifications can affect the physical condition, the chances of survival and the reproductive success of beluga whales and blue whales;

Given that, in the case of an endangered species, any reduction of the chances of survival or reproductive success of an individual animal is liable to affect chances for the recovery of the species or of the population;

We recommend that no seismic survey be authorised in the North-western portion of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in the coastal zones of the Gaspé Peninsula and in the Laurentian Channel.

Download complete document (in French only)

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13 March 2003

Pressure increases for offshore oil development in Canada

From sea to sea, pressure is mounting to open new marine areas to oil development. However, all activities associated with this industry, be they linked to seismic exploration, exploratory drilling, production, transportation or the dismantling of infrastructures, pose serious risks to marine life and the industries that depend on it. This explains why oil development in the marine environment encounters so much opposition in Canada not only from environmental groups, but also from those who depend on marine resources, such as people working in the fishing industry and in tourism.

Despite arguments and the well-orchestrated work of environmental groups, fishermen and people working in tourism, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board has just lifted the ban and authorized seismic exploration off Cape Breton, less than 10 km from the coast. Cape Breton Island has thus joined the rare and dubious company of the southern United States and several Third World countries that allow oil exploration close to shore.

The Gully, situated some 200 km south-east of Halifax, is soon to be listed as a Marine Protected Area. This underwater canyon is home to numerous marine species, including an endangered population of northern bottlenose whales. Despite this, Marathon Canada Ltd. is about to obtain the right to proceed with seismic exploration mere kilometres from the zone to be protected.

On the West Coast, federal and provincial bans on oil development have preserved British Columbia’s coasts and their rich ecosystems for 25 years. But now there is strong pressure to lift the bans coming mainly from the federal Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal. Federal Environment Minister David Anderson is opposed to the idea, but he expects the bans will one day be lifted.

Closer to home, in the province of Quebec, the St. Lawrence is being considered for oil exploration projects, not only in the Gulf, but also in the Estuary. While some of these projects have undergone environmental impact studies, to date there is no study that examines all of these projects together to evaluate their cumulative effects with regards to social, economic and environmental considerations. However, these projects will likely have major effects on marine life, which is the lifeblood of industries bordering the St. Lawrence.

For now, it appears that the evolution of most of these cases leans in favour of groups lobbying for oil development at any price. Do Canada and its provinces have the necessary tools to supervise and regulate this type of development while at the same time protecting their marine environments? Seeing as how there has yet to be a global evaluation of these projects, we are still waiting for an answer to this question. This explains why the objections of the various groups opposed to oil development across Canada are so similar: let’s put a moratorium in place and then develop the tools necessary for a cautious and enlightened evaluation of these cases.

I want to know more

Toronto Star:

Oil decision flies in face of facts

Maclean's:

Sound and fury, Wildlife experts worry that undersea seismic mapping will endanger a whale population

Le Globe and Mail:

Dhaliwal lobbies for B.C. offshore drilling

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19 December 2002

An appeal to all environmental organizations in Quebec

The St. Lawrence is in peril and urgent action is needed!

Mr. Bernard Landry and promoter GSI are increasing pressure to rapidly begin Hydro-Québec’s new oil and gas exploration projects. So far these projects have not undergone any consultation. There has been no debate. It took 70 artists and the commitment of several environmental organizations to stop mini-hydroelectric dams from being erected on Quebec’s rivers. The stakes involved in the projected exploitation of fossil fuels in the St. Lawrence are even higher. It is urgent that we unite our voices in demanding a moratorium on exploration projects and an independent commission to evaluate the entire St. Lawrence fossil fuel exploitation project.

What follows is a copy of the letter we sent to Mrs. Dionne-Marsolais, Mr. Landry and Mr. Boisclair on 19 December 2002.

Your commitment, your experience, your expertise, your ideas and your comments would be more than useful.

Robert Michaud
GREMM

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19 December 2002

Letter from Robert Michaud to Bernard Landry, Rita Dionne-Marsolais and André Boisclair

Tadoussac, 19 December 2002

Mr. Bernard Landry
Premier of Quebec
Cabinet du ministre
835, boul. René Lévesque Est, 3^e étage
Québec (Québec) G1A 1B4

Mrs. Rita Dionne-Marsolais
Ministry of Natural Resources Minister assigned to Energy
5700, 4e Avenue Ouest, Local A 308
Charlesbourg (Québec) G1H 6R1

Mr. André Boisclair
Environment Minister
Édifice Marie-Guyart
675, boulevard René-Lévesque Est, 30e étage
Québec (Québec) G1R 5V7

Subject: Moratorium and public consultations on the exploration and exploitation of fossil fuels in the St. Lawrence

Mr. Premier,

Mrs. Dionne-Marsolais,

Mr. Boisclair,

We were informed in November that Hydro-Québec was about to initiate a vast oil and gas exploration program in the St. Lawrence. If this project were to reveal oil deposits, it could lead to the transformation of the St. Lawrence into an enormous offshore oilfield! This represents a major policy change for Hydro-Québec, for our society and for the St. Lawrence. However, there has yet to be any public debate on this issue.

Although this program has barely begun, there has already been serious oversight. The Ministry of Natural Resources authorized an exploration project for the western portion of the Gulf and a portion of the Estuary without producing any environmental evaluation. Yet, the sectors targeted by this project are within the wintering areas of two endangered species: the St. Lawrence beluga and the blue whale.

Even when environmental evaluations are required, there is no guaranty that the recommendations put forward will be adhered to. In the case of seismic exploration (underway) on the site of Old Harry (between the Magdalene Islands and Newfoundland), Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) researchers had requested that the exploration start date be postponed to the end of December in order to minimize impacts on redfish reproduction (letter sent on November 8, 2002 by Mr. Ray Finn to Mr. John Korec of the National Energy Board, recorded in the public registry in relation to the project 34750). DFO’s recommendations concurred with concerns put forward by the Fédération québecoise des pêcheurs semi-hauturiers, which had been consulted. Yet, the National Energy Board ignored this recommendation and authorized exploration to begin in early December.

Our major cause for concern is that up until now environmental evaluations have been limited to studying the potential impacts of each project on an individual basis. However, several species that may be affected by exploration work are mobile and will likely withstand impacts from more than one of these sub-projects. As well, information presented in the project promoter’s impact studies is incomplete and their conclusions are debatable. For these reasons, the entire exploration program announced by Hydro-Québec on November 27 should be subjected to a broadened, independent evaluation process.

Seismic exploration is but the first step in the exploration process. Once this step is completed drilling will follow and, if worthwhile deposits are discovered, exploitation will begin. Every step from the exploration to the exploitation of oil deposits involves significant costs and risks for the environment. Some steps may even interfere with sustainable economic activities like fishing and ecotourism. Therefore, all aspects of fossil fuel exploitation in the St. Lawrence should be reviewed.

This project should be examined in light of our recent international commitments that stem from the ratification of the Kyoto Accord (December 16, 2002). Potential impacts on species at risk and their habitats must be studied in the context of the new Species at Risk Act (December 12, 2002).

Finally, this project is completely incompatible with the "vision of sustainable development " under which the recent Quebec Water Policy was adopted (November 26, 2002). It is also incompatible with the Quebec government’s commitment to "grant this river special status in recognition of its remarkable natural environment, to take precedence over its important economic value". The total absence of any consultation of those most concerned by this adventure is also incompatible with the principle of integrated management that should require "all the communities to play a major role in decision-making and implementing the various actions concerning the St. Lawrence". These quotations were taken directly from the Quebec Water Policy and its announcement by Mr. Landry and Mr. Boisclair.

For all of the above-mentioned reasons Mr. Landry, Mrs. Dionne-Marsolais, Mr. Boisclair, we demand

A MORATORIUM ON FOSSIL FUEL EXPLORATION IN THE ST. LAWRENCE

AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE FOSSIL FUEL EXPLOITATION PROJECT IN THE ST. LAWRENCE

AN EXTENDED CONSULTATION OF ALL CONCERNED PARTIES

A REVISION OF QUEBEC’S ENERGY POLICY

Sincerely,

Robert Michaud
President
Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM)

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18 December 2002

Open letter to Mr. Bernard Landry

Robert Michaud, director of research for the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM), rmichaud@gremm.org

Oil and gas exploration in the St. Lawrence: more than just a game of flags

On November 27, Mrs. Rita Dionne-Marsolais and Mr. André Caillé informed us of the first stages of a vast exploration project for the oil and gas that may be hidden beneath the floor of the maritime portion of the St. Lawrence. Mrs. Dionne-Marsolais, Quebec’s Natural Resources Minister, is already talking about the possibility of 4000 jobs for the Gaspésie and North Shore regions. With the recent distribution of millions of dollars to these areas that have been so hard hit by factory closures and the collapse of fish stocks… it is hard not to applaud.

However, is oil and gas exploration a sustainable solution for our development and our environment? Within 25 years, 30, 35 at the outside, fossil energy reserves, so highly sought after, will all be burned up and transformed into greenhouse gasses. Once the wells have run dry, what will be left?

I recently turned 40, and I grew up with Hydro-Québec slogans; "Our energy is clean, clean, clean!" The nationalization of our energy and the development of unequalled know-how for the production of clean energy underscore the development of our society. Although Quebec’s energy situation is not beyond reproach, it is enviable. Essentially, we owe this position to hydro-electricity, a renewable resource.

On the day after the ratification of the Kyoto Accord, how are we to combine this new project for the exploitation of fossil fuels with our commitment to the reduction of oil consumption? Could the $330 million that Hydro-Québec is to invest in oil and gas exploration not be better spent on research into improved methods of production, new technologies that would help us reduce consumption? Mr. Caillé has just announced that Hydro-Québec is going to purchase 1000 megawatts of green energy in Gaspésie. This is a step in the right direction.

Every stage of oil production, from exploration to consumption, entails certain costs for the environment. Presently there are several projects on the table. The federal government authorized a seismic exploration project on the site of Old Harry, situated between the Magdalene Islands and Newfoundland, despite recommendations to the contrary by its scientists. Another project in the west of the Gulf was authorized by the province of Quebec without an environmental evaluation. Fisheries and Oceans researchers are still studying the Honguedo project; the Quebec government wants to begin drilling in 2003. Yet, no one is examining the cumulative effects of these sub-projects that are, in fact, but one project: the production of oil and gas in the St. Lawrence.

Drilling for hydrocarbons in the St. Lawrence is likely to have major impacts on several sustainable economic activities. Cape Breton fishermen have already obtained a moratorium on exploration. Quebec fishermen would certainly like to be heard as well. Members of the ecotourism industry would also prefer to be consulted. Regional environmental boards are mobilizing. The preoccupations of these thousands of people that live by and from the St. Lawrence are not "pures fantaisies". Neither are they obstacles invented by Ottawa.

The speed with which your government wants to embark Quebec on the black gold adventure is disturbing. The stakes are very high. This is not simply another arm wrestling match between Québec City and Ottawa. Mr. Landry, is this project compatible with the development of a modern, responsible society? Can we, as citizens, also participate in decisions that will likely affect our future and that of our children?

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12 February 2003

What’s happening with the oil exploration issue? A Short Overview and Update

On November 27, 2002, Quebec’s Energy minister, Rita Dionne-Marsolais released Hydro-Quebec’s Oil and Gas Exploration Plan. The government-owned company is set to invest 330 million dollars in oil exploration by 2010. The Plan includes land-based exploration in Gaspésie and sea floor exploration in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary.

The seismic exploration of the Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence has raised a lot of controversy. This is a closed and fragile ecosystem; possible impacts on marine fauna, fishing and tourism have not been taken into consideration in the elaboration of this Plan.

News of the Plan was accompanied by heavy political pressure: the province of Quebec denounced Ottawa’s slowness in concluding the necessary agreements to move forward with the project. To top it off, the promoter in charge of exploration was present in the Gulf at the time and was also pushing the federal government for its approval before ice rendered further exploration impossible for the remainder of the winter.

In the face of all of this pressure, numerous groups had defined the risks inherent to this type of project. They underscored the necessity of holding public consultations and carrying out a global evaluation: impact studies for the entire project. They also demanded a moratorium pending impact study results. (See Letters and Press Releases).

Given the fragile nature of St. Lawrence ecosystems and their importance for several sustainable industries, should we not be prudent and keep oil production at bay? Many citizens have put forward the idea of an in-depth examination of the potential use of wind power to consolidate Quebec’s power supply while stimulating the regional economy. This is an interesting alternative and there may be even more possibilities.

Over the remainder of the winter, seismic exploration and drilling is impossible. However, political pressure remains strong and there does not appear to be an obvious mechanism in Quebec law to submit all elements of the project to a detailed examination. It is therefore doubly important that private citizens and interest groups be inventive and come up with strong arguments to convince the provincial government to carefully re-evaluate an eventual oil and gas adventure in Quebec. To be continued...

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Oil Exploration? Too risky! Bans on oil development around the world

Offshore oil and gas development is such a risky business that it has been banned by way of moratoriums or special laws in several areas of the world; the risks were judged too high when compared to potential benefits. What follows are a few examples:

The Act that created the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park prohibits all activity related to oil development within the limits of the Park.

The entire British Columbia coast is protected by several provincial and federal moratoriums related to oil development through a process that began in 1972.

George’s Bank, an important fishing ground on the Atlantic Coast, is protected by a ban on oil development until 2012 on both the Canadian and the American sides of the border.

A federal ban on the granting of new offshore drilling permits is in place along nearly the entire coast of the United States until 2012. States most fiercely opposed to offshore oil exploration include Florida, California, Washington and Oregon.

Costa Rica banned all petroleum exploration or development in its waters in May 2002.

In 1999, Denmark’s cabinet decided to prohibit exploratory drilling for oil and gas in the Wadden Sea.

Petroleum development has been banned in the Great Barrier Reef National Park in Australia since 1975.

Despite these laws and moratoriums, all of these sites are under mounting pressure for the development of their petroleum potential.

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17 December 2002

A few clarifications

What follows are a few clarifications concerning remarks made by Bernard Landry during a press conference held in Gaspé on December 16, 2002. At the time, Mr. Landry swept aside concerns that had been brought up by a GREMM press release by stating that there were no whales in the St. Lawrence in winter and that seismic exploration made no more noise than a large ship’s propeller.

Two endangered species of whales are likely to be found on two sites that have been targeted for seismic exploration this month: the St. Lawrence beluga whale and the blue whale.
The northwest portion of the Gulf has the highest concentration of St. Lawrence beluga whales at this time of the year.
Blue whales feed in the Gulf until it becomes covered with ice. Every year, members of the "Whale News Network" report the presence of blue whales in this area right up until mid-January and as early as the beginning of March. Since 1868, at least 41 blue whales have perished, trapped in ice in the St. Lawrence in winter.
According to the numbers given out by GSI, the company charged with carrying out seismic surveys in the St. Lawrence, sound produced by a large ship’s propeller is considerably less than what is produced by airgun arrays used in exploration. True, GSI’s air guns are not as powerful as those that were in service a few years ago (214 dB 1 uPa compared to 250 dB 1 uPa at 1 m). However, if we consider horizontal attenuation of sound, the sounds produced by these airguns would still be in the order of 179 dB 1 uPa at a distance of 4 km from the source. By comparison, the sound emitted by a large ship is of the same intensity at a distance of only 8 metres from the source. It is important to note that sound received at 180 dB re 1 uPa is considered by several experts to be the absolute limit to which marine mammals should not be exposed. At this intensity, even a short burst is likely to cause permanent hearing damage.

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16 December 2002

Oil and gas exploration in the St. Lawrence: the regions want to conserve their assets

Tadoussac, December 16, 2002 – The St. Lawrence is presently the target of several oil and gas exploration projects off Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and, more recently, Quebec. While some of these projects have undergone environmental impact studies, to date, there has never been a study to examine all of these projects together to evaluate their cumulative social, economic and environmental effects.

Yet, these projects will likely have major effects on marine life. And, for regions along the St. Lawrence, many key industries depend on this very marine life. Seismic exploration requires the use of airgun arrays. Detonated every 9 to 12 seconds, explosions will literally invade the marine environment. The resulting sound pollution can have serious repercussions on the distribution, reproduction or even the very survival of marine species such as whales, seals, fish and crustaceans.

It is therefore urgent that the various interveners that may be affected by gas and oil exploration and exploitation be consulted. It is also essential that these projects be dealt with in their entirety. According to Robert Michaud, Scientific Research Director for the GREMM, "These projects will have impacts that are difficult to predict on the whole St. Lawrence marine ecosystem. Collective decisions will have to be made."

The Manicouagan Regional Tourism Association voted unanimously on a resolution to oppose oil and gas exploration in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary. "The businesses we represent depend on the presence of whales in the St. Lawrence. This means 3000 jobs in Manicouagan, and we were not even consulted!" declared Christian Bouchard, General Director of the Association. Édouard Hamel, President of the Association des bateliers du Saguenay, was equally alarmed: "We must make sure that ecotourism will not suffer".

Fishermen are also very concerned. "Caution is imperative. The regions also need to conserve what they have acquired." stated Gabrielle Landry, General Director of the Fédération des pêcheurs semi-hauturiers du Québec.

While the Quebec government has been very vocal in demanding its right to push for oil and gas exploration in the St. Lawrence for weeks now, all the while denouncing the slowness of Ottawa in furnishing it with the necessary tools, its ministère des Ressources naturelles has already issued a seismic exploration permit for a project west of Anticosti Island, a territory over which it has full jurisdiction. This project was not subjected to any consultation, nor was it rendered public.

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Source
Véronik de la Chenelière
Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM)
(418) 235-4701
vcheneliere@gremm.org

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Oil exploration: a threat for whales ...and for sustainable development

Gasoline and other hydrocarbons constitute a highly prized resource. With world reserves predicted to run out, rising prices and international conflicts, it is becoming more and more profitable to explore the ocean floor in search of new reserves.

Yet, oil and gas exploration is not a small affair. Seismic exploration involves bombarding the ocean floor with powerful sound waves. Boats drag airgun arrays that detonate every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day for weeks and sometimes months at a time. These low-frequency, high intensity sounds reveal the geological composition of the ocean floor. They also allow surveyors to target areas with potential petroleum deposits vast enough for development.

These sounds are not limited to the zone between the boat and the ocean floor. They travel hundreds of kilometres, covering tens of thousands of square kilometres. According to Chris Clark, Director of the Bioacoustics Research Program at Cornell University, U.S.A., seismic exploration is the worst form of noise pollution, with the exception of acoustic military exercises.

This type of noise pollution can have serious effects on marine fauna, especially marine mammals that depend entirely on sound for all aspects of their daily lives: communication, hunting, prey detection and navigation. The sounds associated with oil and gas exploration lead to changes in behaviour that may have an impact on the survival and reproductive success of cetaceans. They may even lead to hearing loss, damage or even death (see Effects of Seismic Exploration on Whales). These effects are well documented for cetaceans, however studies have shown similar effects on fish and other marine animals.

Of course, oil and gas exploration opens the door to oil production that carries with it its own set of risks for the marine environment. One has but to think of accidents that can lead to the explosion of a well or a ruptured pipeline. In many cases existing intervention technology is not sufficient to contain and recover spilled oil, with ensuing consequences that are serious, and often dramatic, for the marine environment. Even without major catastrophes there are always leaks. Every year, 110 million litres of oil leak from American oil industry wells, pipelines and other infrastructures. This is three times the amount involved in the Exxon Valdez spill.

Normal operations also present other dangers. Drilling mud is deposited on the ocean floor, and although treated, it still represents a veritable toxic soup of heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Contaminants also find their way into ecosystems surrounding drilling platforms via air pollution. Excess gas is burned off in huge torches for safety reasons producing hydrocarbon emissions. Also, due to the fact that platforms are lit up 24 hours a day, they represent a risk for migratory birds. Finally, even the dismantling of platforms when the wells run dry leads to serious environmental problems. In general, the rules and procedures for this operation are not sufficient to effectively limit environmental risks as the initiative is largely in the hands of the company in charge.

Oil exploration and production engenders problems that become even more evident when they conflict with other uses of the ocean’s resources. Is it socially justifiable to favour an activity that depends on a non-renewable resource when it threatens other well-established activities such as fishing and tourism? The risks are hard to evaluate especially when we try to grasp their long-term, cumulative effects. They often compound other stresses already present in fragile ecosystems. The economies and lifestyles of coastal human populations depend on these very ecosystems.

How, then, are we to envision the future of oil production? Should we not be more careful, especially in the marine environment? Are there areas that are more fragile and more "precious", where this type of activity should be banned (see Oil Exploration? Too Risky!)? Should we not be moving towards more efficient uses of energy sources and the development of alternative energy that has the potential to fulfil our requirements? These questions outline what is really at stake for our society. They will guide our choices as much on a planetary scale as on a local scale.

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The Effects of Seismic Exploration on Whales

* A study conducted twenty years ago demonstrated that California grey whales migrating along the coast reacted strongly to seismic exploration. Mothers and calves approached the coast while adults hid behind rocky points; groups became separated and appeared disoriented.

* Right whales in Alaska totally avoid areas exposed to seismic exploration. This exclusion zone extends to more than 20 km from the source of the explosions.

* Over the short term, animals will tolerate high-level sound sources if they are involved in mating or feeding. However, over the long term, they avoid returning to areas exposed to loud noises.

* The impact from loud noises can even lead to death. Two beaked whales died in the Gulf of California in September of 2002, very likely as a result of a seismic study. Other examples have shown that powerful sounds can kill cetaceans. Sounds linked to military exercises caused several mass strandings of cetaceans like the one that took place in the Bahamas in 2000 and another in the Canary Islands in 2002.

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28 November 2002

Hydro-Quebec announces plans for oil and gas exploration

November 28, 2002 – On November 27, 2002, in the presence of Hydro-Quebec president André Caillé, Energy minister Rita Dionne-Marsolais made public Hydro-Quebec’s Oil and Gas Exploration Plan. The government-owned company plans on investing 330 million dollars in oil and gas exploration by 2010.

This plan includes ground exploration in Gaspésie as well as the exploration of the sea floor in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary. The minister emphasized that exploring new deposits in Quebec would reduce the province’s dependence on imported petroleum products. She also sees this as a development opportunity for the province, particularly for regions bordering the maritime portion of the St. Lawrence. Thus, this project represents energy as well as economic advantages.

To carry out the exploration plan in the Gulf, Quebec would have to sign an agreement with the Canadian government. It was this type of agreement that allowed Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to go forward with similar projects.

I want to know more

Press release (French only) Plan d'exploration pétrolière et gazière d'Hydro-Québec - Des investissements de 330 millions $ d'ici 2010

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Letters and Press Releases

1 November 2004

Press release of the Sierra Club of Canada

Québec Report Warns: Seismic a Danger to Marine Life

(Montréal)- Sierra Club of Canada supports many of the conclusions contained in a newly released report by Québec’s Environmental Inquiry Commission (Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement - BAPE) on seismic surveys in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The Commission concludes that high-pressure sounds caused by under-water explosion of seismic cannons used in oil and gas exploration « leads to behavioral changes in a number of species and may cause physiological damage and kill surrounding marine life. » In addition, if scientific concerns suggesting that seismic surveys influence whale migration routes, interfere with the ability of marine life to hear or communicate are proven, the Commission said that there would be “long-term consequences for the ecological integrity of the St. Lawrence, for fisheries and for ecotourism.” Because of this uncertainty, the Commission feels that a “precautionary approach is called for in seismic testing in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence”.

The Sierra Club of Canada concurs with Québec’s Environmental Inquiry Commission findings. «There are just too many unknowns to permit this type of activity in the very unique and fragile ecosystem of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. What we do know about the effects of seismic surveys suggest some very negative impacts on endangered whales that live around Québec’s North Shore and the Gaspé Peninsula. These areas should be excluded from any oil and gas activity ” said Daniel Green, Sierra Club’s Québec campaigner.

This position is echoed by the Commission, which has recommended that before new high-power seismic surveys are carried out, protected areas in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence must be identified. Sierra Club of Canada believes that this would exclude most of the Gulf where migration and spawning corridors, habitats, and feeding grounds of several marine mammal species, including the endangered blue whale are found. Indeed, the Commission’s report stated that “protected area status could lead to a permanent ban or periodic moratoriums on seismic surveys or to the introduction of special requirements for testing.”

« The environmental risks associated with seismic surveys and ultimately with drilling for oil and gas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence outweigh any potential benefits. « Because of recent announcements by Corridor Resources of its intentions to drill for gas, a moratorium is urgently needed to stop all seismic and drilling activity in the Gulf while all the impacts are assessed » stated Elizabeth May, Sierra Club of Canada executive director. Corridor, a Halifax based petroleum exploration, want to drill off western Cape Breton.

The Sierra Club of Canada applauds the Commission’s call for a harmonized environmental assessment procedure that should be developed by the governments of Québec, Canada and the Atlantic Provinces for both the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence to evaluate all the impacts of near-shore oil and gas exploration and possible development.

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Contacts:

Daniel Green, Québec campaigner -Sierra Club of Canada: 514-844-5477

Elizabeth May, Executive Director. Sierra Club of Canada: 614-241-4611

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20 May 2004

Overview of the position put forward by Robert Michaud and Véronik de la Chenelière of GREMM at the BAPE commission on seismic surveying in the Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence

Although GREMM finds it derisive to evaluate the consequences of exploration activity without taking into account the end purpose of such activity, we have submitted our opinion to the BAPE on the project's potential impacts on marine mammals, our particular field of expertise.

There is no doubt, even for the promoters of seismic surveying, that powerful sounds seriously affect marine mammals. The specific underwater topography of the St. Lawrence combined with the stratification of water masses may even concentrate and augment the range of these sounds. Our concerns are amplified by the fact the St. Lawrence is home to several endangered species.

It is GREMM's opinion that none of the attenuation measures proposed by the Quebec government's committee of experts will ensure that seismic surveys will have no impact on the recovery of these species. The only safe way to proceed would be to exclude seismic surveying from areas that are important for whales. This recommendation has already been included in the legislation of several other countries. In Australia, for example, no seismic surveying project is authorized within 20 km of essential cetacean habitat.

A great deal of work remains to be accomplished in order to adequately identify these "critical habitats". Given the risks and uncertainties surrounding the impacts of seismic surveys, we recommend that the entire Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence be considered as critical habitat for whales and be thus excluded from all seismic surveying activities. If the innocuousness of the technique was demonstrated and we were able to delimit less fragile zones in the St. Lawrence, then the question could be reconsidered. This process should leave enough time for the citizens of Quebec to choose whether or not oil exploration is desirable development for our society and for our planet.

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