The Government has been called on to review seismic testing for oil and gas in Irish waters, following a newly-published Australian study showing such exploration techniques can destroy plankton populations. The research prompted calls from within the fishing industry for the Government to review licensing terms for seismic testing in Irish waters. Mr Ó Cinnéide said research should be commissioned here, which might be tied into seismic survey licensing. Oil and gas companies already pay for research into the impact of seismic testing on whale and dolphin populations. Environment effectsAn evaluation of the potential environment effects of any proposed seismic survey is carried out by the department’s independent environmental consultants,it said.

Source: The Irish Times March 19, 2018 19:52 UTC