Dongara Against Seismic Blasting

07/08/2026

🌊 Dongara Against Seismic Blasting’s Cassandra Eva and Michael Butcher will be sitting on the panel of this event. 🌊

29/07/2026

27/07/2026

Read the article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-26/abandoned-oil-platform-concerns-dongara-locals/106950558

14/07/2026

‼️HUGE NEWS! Read the article here:
https://www.boilingcold.com.au/gas-producers-face-200m-ocean-clean-up-bill-after-pilot-energy-enters-administration/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNDM3NjI2MzE2OTczNzg4AAEeAjuk7p7g0LtzpeAXNsR8iM8O9gNNlRv-ulToRN0ZTZRuVZ1bDqFWFvSaVug_aem_NtcI0rIpvV5FlDaxIv6cjg

27/06/2026

📣 Our community now has an opportunity to be heard. Seismic blasting off Dongara has been included in the WA Parliamentary Inquiry into fisheries management.

This is a chance to share your concerns and perspectives. Our voices matter.

Not sure what to include in your submission? You might consider sharing:
• Whether you are concerned about the potential impacts of repeated seismic blasting on marine life and fish breeding areas
• Whether you would like to see more independent scientific research before activities proceed
• Any concerns about impacts on local fishing, tourism, recreation, businesses, culture, or the long-term health of our coastline
• Questions you have about how seismic activity is assessed alongside restrictions placed on fishing to support stock recovery
• Why Dongara’s marine environment matters to you personally

Submissions do not need to be technical — local knowledge, lived experience, and community values matter too.

📝 Parliamentary Inquiry details & submissions:
https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/commit.nsf/(EvidenceOnly)/ED70E90C3700335D48258E1A0005E364?opendocument

Submissions close August 3, 2026.

Comment “DONE” when you’ve submitted yours

Please share with others who may wish to contribute.

Azure WAF JS Challenge

27/06/2026

"Seismic blasting off the coast of Dongara will form part of a parliamentary inquiry into the management of fisheries in WA. The establishment of a committee to probe fisheries management has passed through Parliament with an amendment that will see Dongara in the spotlight."

“…these oil and gas companies are allowed to keep seismic blasting. Which is blowing up our oceans in prime demersal fish breeding territory, we just think it’s outrageous….. We pushed so hard to get this included because we know the community is so concerned.” - Greens MP Sophie McNeill

Michael Butcher, vice-president of the Dongara Professional Fishers Association and a commercial cray fisher, said that if there “was any chance of risk” to the fish stocks, it needed to be investigated" and "... we’re definitely worried about it"

Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said... "“we have nothing to fear from seismic blasting”.

🙄 “Pilot Energy did not respond to a request for comment.” (Dare we say, how typical?! 🙄)

Irwin Shire president Isabelle Scott said, “The impression I got was that most people would like to see independent scientific research undertaken. Not research that’s undertaken by the companies that have a vested interest.”

Above are snippets from the Geraldton Guardian MidWest Times article:

📰 Read the full article here: https://www.geraldtonguardian.com.au/news/geraldton-guardian/blowing-up-our-oceans-greens-amend-fishing-inquiry-to-include-seismic-blasting-off-dongara--c-22455713

This is an important development and we’ll continue following updates closely!

📝 Parliamentary Inquiry submissions 📣 This is a chance to share your concerns and perspectives. Our voices matter: https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/commit.nsf/(EvidenceOnly)/ED70E90C3700335D48258E1A0005E364?opendocument

28/05/2026

Fishers know the devastating impact seismic blasting has in our waters. Here’s another new study that backs their lived experience.

We need stronger scrutiny of seismic blasting proposals and genuine consultation before these projects are approved.

Western Australian Fishing Industry Council: “The South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association (SETFIA) says new peer reviewed research has confirmed what commercial fishers have long observed first-hand, that marine seismic surveys can have substantial and prolonged impacts on commercial fishing.

The newly published study examined the impacts of a large-scale marine seismic survey conducted in traditional fishing grounds in Bass Strait by a foreign company during 2020. School whiting catch rates dropped 99% immediately after the survey, with significant impacts persisting for up to 10 months. Tiger flathead catches fell 68%.

The research validates what fishers have been reporting for years and raises serious concerns for fishing businesses, regional communities, and fisheries management, including the risk that distorted catch data could skew stock assessments used to set sustainable catch limits.
SETFIA is calling for stronger scrutiny of seismic survey proposals in productive fishing regions and genuine consultation with commercial operators before approvals are granted.”

Read the full study here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141113626000553?via%3Dihub

The South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association (SETFIA) says new peer reviewed research has confirmed what commercial fishers have long observed first-hand, that marine seismic surveys can have substantial and prolonged impacts on commercial fishing.

The newly published study examined the impacts of a large-scale marine seismic survey conducted in traditional fishing grounds in Bass Strait by a foreign company during 2020. School whiting catch rates dropped 99% immediately after the survey, with significant impacts persisting for up to 10 months. Tiger flathead catches fell 68%.

The research validates what fishers have been reporting for years and raises serious concerns for fishing businesses, regional communities, and fisheries management, including the risk that distorted catch data could skew stock assessments used to set sustainable catch limits.
SETFIA is calling for stronger scrutiny of seismic survey proposals in productive fishing regions and genuine consultation with commercial operators before approvals are granted.

Read the full study here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141113626000553?via%3Dihub

15/05/2026

This is exactly why we need to stand up to protect our oceans, marine life, and fishing industries from offshore seismic blasting. New research “confirms reports that catch rates for whiting in the Gippsland Lakes were reduced by 99 per cent following a seismic survey.” 🐟

Read the ABC article here: “Research links seismic testing to decreased commercial fish catch”

The science is growing. The risks are real. Dongara’s coast is too important to gamble with.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-15/lower-commercial-fish-catch-linked-to-seismic-testing/106268904

15/05/2026

BIG WIN: 🥳 Seismic blasting has been noted on the Petition for a parliamentary enquiry into fisheries management in WA.

Attention is now turning to the Parliamentary vote that could overturn these regulations altogether. The Opposition have given notice that they will move to disallow the Minister for Fisheries’ regulations. That vote is scheduled to happen on 17 June. Before they cast their votes next month, now is the time to contact the crossbench directly and make your voice heard to get this across the line. Here is an example of what we’re sending…. Please free to copy and paste!!

✅ Comment “DONE” when you’ve sent the email!

EMAIL:
Subject: Fishing Petition and Supporting the Disallowance Motion in Legislative Council - 17 June 2026

To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Dear Honourable Members,

I am writing as a concerned community member from Dongara, Western Australia regarding the recent fishing regulations and the broader impacts they are having on our commercial and recreational fishers, regional communities, tourism operators, tackle businesses, charter operators, and families who rely on access to our coastal lifestyle.

I respectfully ask that you support the upcoming disallowance motion in the Legislative Council on 17 June.

While sustainability and responsible fisheries management are important to all Western Australians, many people feel these regulations have been introduced without sufficient transparency, consultation, scientific scrutiny, or consideration of the social and economic consequences.

I urge you to consider the inconsistency many community members see between restricting commercial and recreational fishing access while allowing environmentally disruptive industrial activities, specifically offshore seismic blasting to continue in the Dongara, Midwest region.

Seismic blasting has raised serious concerns among marine scientists, fishers, and coastal communities regarding its effects on:
* Fish breeding and migration patterns
* Whale and dolphin communication and navigation
* Marine ecosystem health
* Commercial and recreational fish stocks
* Long-term sustainability of our oceans

Many Western Australians are struggling to understand why everyday fishers are facing increasing restrictions while large-scale industrial activities with destructive environmental impacts continue to receive approval.

Fishing is not merely a pastime in Western Australia. It is part of our culture, our tourism economy, and our regional identity. For many families, fishing provides our livelihood, valuable time together, mental wellbeing, food security, and connection to the environment.

I ask that you carefully consider:
* The economic impact on small businesses and regional towns
* The lack of public confidence in the current decision-making process
* The need for balanced environmental management that applies equally across all industries
* The importance of meaningful consultation with local communities and stakeholders

I respectfully urge you to support the disallowance motion and advocate for a more balanced, transparent, and evidence-based approach to fisheries management in Western Australia.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate the responsibility you hold and hope you will stand with WA communities seeking fair and practical outcomes.

Kind regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Suburb or Region]
[Optional Contact Details]