The Australian Greens will explore avenues to appeal a decision allowing seismic testing off the coast of Kangaroo Island.

The application by Canadian company Bight Petroleum to conduct seismic testing as a precursor to oil and gas drilling has been approved by NOPSEMA, despite strong community opposition.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright said she would explore avenues for appeal when further documents are released.

Kangaroo Island's community and tourism industry will be jeopardised if federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt fails to block seismic testing off the coast, says Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright.

Senator Wright, who has been working with the Kangaroo Island community since the exploration was first mooted two years ago, said Bight Petroleum's report on community concerns was completely inadequate and showed disregard for South Australians.

South Australian senators from the old parties have today voted against protecting South Australia's foremost tourism icon, Kangaroo Island, from oil and gas exploration.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright said the lack of support for her Senate motion would be a huge disappointment for the hundreds of thousands of South Australians who want to protect the Island.

I move that the Senate:

1)      notes the public comment period has started,  for Bight Petroleum's referral (Reference Number 2013/6770) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), which sets out its intention to do seismic testing in Commonwealth waters, to the west of Kangaroo Island in South Australia;

2)      recognises the economic, ecological and social importance of the Kangaroo Island marine environment, first and foremost for the Kangaroo Island community, but also for  South Australia as a whole; and

Almost three quarters of South Australians want Kangaroo Island to be protected from planned oil and gas drilling, according to polling data released by the Australian Greens today.

A Lonergan poll of 1582 South Australians found only 16 per cent of voters supported the Bight Petroleum proposal for oil and gas exploration in the Kangaroo Island Canyon and Pools.

Q. Do you think the coast of Kangaroo Island should be protected from planned oil and gas drilling?

The majority (72%) of South Australian voters believe the coast of Kangaroo Island should be protected from planned oil and gas drilling. 12 % were unsure, and 16% believed it should be allowed.

Taking out those who were unsure, 82% of South Australians wanted Kangaroo Island to be protected.