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Company wants to do seismic testing in Davis Strait
Clyde River, Pond Inlet concerned about impacts on wildlife

Emily Ridlington
Northern News Services
Published Saturday, May 28, 2011

NUNAVUT - The Qikiqtani Inuit Association would like the private company proposing to do seismic testing in Baffin Bay this summer to ensure communities' concerns are taking into consideration before the project begins.

NNSL photo/graphic

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association would like the private company proposing to do seismic testing in Baffin Bay this summer to ensure communities' concerns are taking into consideration before the project begins, said president Okalik Eegeesiak. - NNSL file photo

"We hope Inuit concerns are heard and addressed," said Okalik Eegeesiak, president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.

RPS Energy, a company associated with Petroleum Geo-Services, is proposing to do a 2D seismic reflection survey offshore in Baffin Bay. It could start as early as the end of July wrapping up in mid-November.

In seismic tests, sounds produced by using compressed air are sent through the water to the bottom of the sea, reflected back and then measured using microphones.

The testing would be done approximately 180 kilometres from the mouth of Lancaster Sound south past Cumberland Sound. It would be part of a multi-year program lasting until 2015.

A National Energy Board environmental impact assessment available online states the purpose of the project is to "provide a better understanding of the offshore geology in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait and to use this information to introduce new exploration opportunities to the industry."

The assessment also said some mammal observations will be taken.

This raised flags and other concerns for residents of Clyde River who attended a meeting where RPS representatives were present in the community on May 26.

About 40 people were there including Shari Gearheard.

"It was a really passionate meeting and every single comment was against the survey," she said.

Gearheard said most people were concerned about impacts on wildlife and how it would affect residents' livelihood. A petition is now circulating in the community for residents to sign who are against the survey.

She said the meeting began at 7 p.m. and representatives with the company ended it at 11:30 p.m. with there still being questions left unanswered.

The presentation was was poor, unclear and most of the information was only in English, she said.

"The talk about this is not going to stop; people still want to keep talking about it," Gearheard said.

The Petroleum Geo-Services' website states the company was founded in Norway in 1991 and it has 16 offshore seismic testing vessels.

"We help oil companies to find oil and gas reserves offshore worldwide," the website states.

What would be done with the information the company's survey would collect is not clear. Eegeesiak said residents only understand oil companies will benefit.

Another meeting was held in Pond Inlet on May 25 and attracted about 15 people who shared the same concerns as the residents of Clyde River.

The company does not plan to do any testing in the Nunavut settlement area, therefore avoiding the consultation process with the Nunavut Impact Review Board.

"Its sneaky," Eegeesiak said.

She added marine mammals that migrate and live in the region would be affected as they don't respect borders established by NIRB or international waters.

Representatives from the company were in Nunavut in January to meet with the federal government.

In mid-February they visited Clyde River, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq and Iqaluit. A meeting was supposed to happen in Pangnirtung but it fell through.

QIA has strongly stood up against other attempts to do seismic testing.

In August 2010 the Nunavut Court of Justice granted an injunction temporarily stopping seismic testing in High Arctic waters at the request of the association, which argued in court the federal and territorial governments did not "meaningfully" consult and accommodate the interests of the affected Inuit. The decision put an indefinite hold on the Eastern Canadian Arctic Seismic Experiment in Lancaster Sound, Jones Sound and North Baffin Bay.

When asked if there is the potential for another court injunction, Eegeesiak said: "Past experience just tells us Inuit do exercise their right to free and informed prior consent."

The NEB will be receiving comments and feedback on the proposed project until June 2.

Calls to RPS were not returned before press time.

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