Are seismic surveys safe?

Seismic surveys have been routinely carried out in the Irish Sea since the 1970s.  The surveys have not had any significant impact on fisheries or wildlife.

The most recent seismic survey over the Crogga Field was carried out in 2015 by Dong energy (Now Ørsted). No cetaceans were observed during the entire three week period by dedicated marine mammal observers. 

Recent surveys of Queen Scallop stocks by fisheries producers within the Crogga survey area, have shown healthy populations. They have clearly suffered no significant ill effects from the previous 2015 seismic survey.

For an idea of how many seismic surveys have been conducted in and around Manx waters see below:

The red lines show seismic operations in the Irish Sea.