Marianne Birkby started this petition to Nuclear Waste Services
Seismic testing will begin this summer in the Irish Sea ……. unless we can stop it.
THE PLAN: A ship in the Irish Sea will fire blasts of sound from air guns every 10 seconds for four weeks or more. This sound penetrates deep under the ocean floor to relay information about the geology. The sound in the ocean from airguns can travel thousands of miles from the source.
WHY: Nuclear Waste Services (under the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) have been looking at the deep disposal of hot nuclear wastes. Under the Irish Sea is being actively considered. Seismic testing is preparation for: “Delivery of a Geological Disposal Facility.” The CEO of West Cumbria Mining (currently focussed on coal) is advising Government on the digging of an enormous vault (or two) of 25km square. These vaults would be used to “dispose” of nuclear wastes and this seismic survey is the opening salvo in the quest for sub-sea “disposal” of heat generating nuclear wastes.
WHO DECIDED? There has been no public consultation or vote, Nuclear Waste Services, Radioactive Waste Management, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the handful of people on the Mid-Copeland “Community Partnership” (who do not represent the public ) decided to green light the plan over the heads of the public. Shearwater GeoServices have been contracted to carry out the seismic survey. Their damaging airgun blasting has been successfully opposed, for example, off the coast of South Africa “an incredibly beautiful and biodiverse zone and important migration area for sea life.”
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? Not only could creatures like whales, dolphins and seals in the Irish Sea be harmed, but everything down to tiny shellfish and even plankton could be impacted. Effects from blasting, can cause deafness to marine life and impair ability to navigate and find food. The Irish Sea is a Marine Protected Zone because of its wealth of biodiversity and vulnerable species.
Please sign and share with your family and friends and let the UK authorities know that that seismic testing of the Irish Sea for a deep nuclear dump is not acceptable.
Sign Here: Save the Whale and the Snail!
Sign Here: STOP IMMINENT SEISMIC SURVEYS OFF CUMBRIAN COAST
