INPEX '99%' ABANDONS PLANS FOR UNDERWATER BLASTING IN DARWIN, AUSTRALIA, TO PROTECT COASTAL DOLPHINS Thanks to those who sent information to me last year, and made a submission, regarding plans by fossil fuel company INPEX to use destructive underwater blasting to remove a rock reef that obstructs a proposed shipping channel Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory, Australia. The blasting threatened three species of coastal dolphins that are resident in the harbour - Australian snubfin, Indo-Pacific humpback and Indo-Pacific bottlenose. The final EIS for their LNG plant released yesterday says the company is confident it can avoid underwater blasting by instead using new cutter suction dredges that can grind away the very dense rock, plus other non-blasting options. Apparently many more such cutter suction dredges with rock grinding apparatus are being built in response to concerns over marine blasting globally. We hope our battle against INPEX's plans for blasting, and their agreement to listen to our concerns, will help set precedent for other ports and marine construction projects in Australia and globally. Unfortunately the company still plans to apply to blast in the 'unlikely' event that these do not remove the densest rock. We will continue to oppose blasting due to its unacceptable risks to marine mammals and wildlife. So the battle is not over yet. Thanks again to those who assisted the Environment Centre NT in keeping our coastal dolphins safe. Final EIS available at http://inpex.com.au/ Some media coverage at: Gas giant's blast off http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/04/20/226451_ntnews.html Inpex steps back from blasting in Darwin harbour http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/19/3195431.htm Dr Stuart Blanch, Director, Environment Centre NT, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, coordinator@ecnt.org Stuart Blanch | Coordinator logo_colour_landscape_reverse_layout_signage T (08) 8941 7439 | M 0448 887 303 | E <mailto:communications@ecnt.org> coordinator@ecnt.org | W <http://www.ecnt.org/> http://www.ecnt.org/ GPO Box 2120, Darwin NT 0801 | Unit 3/98 Woods Street, Darwin Northern Territory - Australia