Exploratory Blasts Concern Fishermen : Easing of Oil Drilling Ban May Interfere With Marine Population

With the prospect of a four-year congressional ban on oil exploration off California’s coast easing, commercial fishermen are worried that the use of sonic or seismic blasts may be on the increase, which they claim will harm the marine environment.

The Interior Department and key California legislators have agreed on a plan to ease the four-year congressional ban, allowing drilling in about 1,350 of the 58,000 square miles of ocean bottom, it was reported Tuesday.

In early 1980, fishermen and conservationists started questioning the impact of these high-powered sound waves on whale migrations as well as on the behavior of commercial fish species.

A study funded primarily by the Atlantic Richfield Co. last November failed to prove whether or not the marine environment was damaged by the blasts. The study was conducted from the seismic research vessel Arco Resolution in the Point Conception area, where offshore drilling operations are being conducted.

According to a survey taken by the National Fisherman magazine, however, California commercial fishermen are convinced that seismic oil searches are harmful to fish populations.

Bruce Buls, Pacific editor, writes, “there’s little doubt that the development of offshore oil is in conflict with commercial fishing. Beyond the exploration, there’s the whole problem of dealing with oil once it’s found. The oil industry’s record for handling spills isn’t particularly impressive.”

Buls wants an exploration moratorium for at least a year to give scientists more time to answer crucial questions about the effects of geophysical surveys on fish eggs and larvae.

Meanwhile, the latest U.S. Coast Local Notice to Mariners warns of geophysical/seismic/geological surveys in the San Pedro Channel by M/V Indian Seal until July 28, by M/V Glorita off the California coastline and R/V Western Warrior in the Santa Barbara Channel, both until July 21, and R/V Western Glacier off Point Sal until Sept. 15. Vessels engaged in surveys may be towing cables up to two miles in length, and the ends may be marked by tail buoys.

Sailing Notes

- Water temperature at two fathoms taken from my sloop Herald Bird in Hen Rock Cove, Catalina Island, last weekend measured 68 degrees. My first swim of the year was delightful. Even my wife, who seems to suffer from chilblains when she looks at an ice cube, enjoyed her first swim.

- The shore boat service from Avalon to vessels lying in the White’s Cove area, including Hen Rock, Buttonshell and Moonstone Coves, is operating again until at least Labor Day. Here’s the schedule: Sunday through Friday it leaves Avalon at 9 a.m., noon, 4 and 10 p.m. Launch arrives in White’s area a half hour later. On Saturday and Sunday, two additional departures from Avalon at 6 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. The charge, one way, is $4 for adults and $3 for children. Call the launch on VHF Channel 9.

- The Balboa Yacht Club’s Newport Harbor to Marina del Rey cruise is scheduled from July 26-28. A leisurely sail/power to Island White in Long Beach Harbor is planned the first day. Overnight facilities the next day will be at the Del Rey Yacht Club. Reservations are required.

- Chris Redman of the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club has won the Governor’s Cup, BYC’s junior match race series, with a perfect score of nine wins and no loses. Holder-20 sloops from 10 yacht clubs competed. Redman’s crew was Jim McLeod and Ron Olson.

- The Southern California Marina Assn. is holding its American Boating Jubilee at Shoreline Village Marina, Long Beach, July 26 through Aug. 4.