Exploration Off Cape Breton to Proceed With Caution

Note: Copies of the Ad Hoc Working Group report and links to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board decision are available in the News and Public Consultations sections on the Web site at: www.gov.ns.ca/energy .

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board decision to allow conditional seismic exploration activity off Cape Breton takes significant steps to protect the marine environment, says Energy Minister Ernest Fage.

"This is a directive to operators to proceed with caution," said Mr. Fage. "The conditions around acquiring seismic data are extensive and address a number of issues regarding the impact this activity could have on the environment and the fishing industry."

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board announced today, March 6, that it would allow two operators -- Hunt Oil and Corridor Resources -- to collect seismic data between Nov. 1, 2003 and Feb. 28, 2004. The operators were told they would have to meet a number of significant conditions suggested by the Ad Hoc Working Group report.

The conditions include restrictions on timing, environmental effects monitoring, allowing a fisheries representative and a trained biological observer on board seismic vessels and measures to protect marine life in the areas being explored. Final mitigation plans need to be drawn up in consultation with the board and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

In addition to the Ad Hoc Working Group recommendations, the board also decided that no seismic acquisition would be allowed within 10 kilometres of the shoreline.

The Ad Hoc Working Group was established to examine proposals for exploration activity following the commissioner's report of the Cape Breton Public Review. The group's report includes the findings of a science review on the effects of seismic exploration.