Basker Manta Gummy (BMG) Closure Project Phase 2 Environment Plan (Update)

Impacts and risks likely of interest for Recreational fishers

Interaction with other marine users

  • Construction vessel operations: Presence will be temporary with vessels mobilised from Barry Beach Marine Terminal, Eden or Geelong/Melbourne area
  • There are Petroleum Safety Zones around the existing Basker Manta Gummy Equipment. This is a safety exclusion zone which cannot be entered without permission from the Titleholder. There will be a Caution Zone around the Contraction Vessel as it will have limited maneuverability.

Impacts

  • Changes to the functions, interests and activities of other marine users

Controls

  • Temporary Exclusion Zones will be communicated via Notice to Mariners
  • Petroleum Safety Zone layout drawing and coordinates are Gazetted here: https://www.nopsema.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-03/A443819.pdf
  • Fisheries damages protocol is in place
  • Ongoing consultation and notification with persons who require it
  • Marine assurance process for the vessels we hire

Seabed disturbance

Our proposed activities offshore include:

  • Placing equipment on the seabed, such as baskets and frames, which we will load up with the equipment to be recovered from the seabed.
  • Deburial and movement of equipment on the seabed to facilitate its recovery
  • 'Flying' the Remotely Operated Vehicle close to seabed
  • Deposition of fine materials to the seabed from cutting operations. This could grit and flocculant use to perform cuts, as well as steel, cement and plastic cuttings

Impact

  • Change in benthic habitat

Risks

  • Marine fauna injury or mortality
  • Disturbance to cultural heritage 

Controls

  • Offshore work procedures to guide the safe recovery of equipment and prevent dropping equipment on the seabed.
  • Marine assurance process for the vessels we hire to ensure they are suitable for the work scope and environmental conditions.
  • Underwater cultural heritage disturbance risk management measures to avoid disturbing cultural heritage

Underwater sound

Underwater sound will be generated from the following activities:

  • Construction vessel operation: Continuous sound through propeller and thrusters when moving and holding position. Indicative support vessel is shown below.
  • ROV operations (low level thrust)
  • Vibrations from subsea tools (rotating and reciprocating equipment).
  • Crew transfers to the construction vessel via helicopter

Impact

  • Change in ambient sound

Risks

  • Behavioural change in marine fauna (marine mammals, marine turtles, fish)
  • Auditory impairment (marine fauna)

Controls

  • Victoria Whale Disturbance Risk Management Procedure to ensure our activities are not inconsistent with relevant EPBC Act species recovery plans.
  • Marine assurance process for the vessels we hire, ensuring they are suitable for the work scope and environmental conditions.
  • Offshore work procedures to guide the safe use of equipment subsea.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions are generated by the following activities:

  • Construction vessel operations: The vessel generates direct emissions by its use of hydrocarbons to generate power for operation. Indirect emissions are generated through the management of waste generated during the project.

Impacts

  • Increase in greenhouse gas emissions
  • Change in climate systems
  • Change in ecosystems
  • Change in Socio-economic factors

Controls

  • Marine assurance process
  • Emissions reduction protocol